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Urbana honors firefighters: lieutenant promoted and crews commended for two rescues
Summary
The City of Urbana held a promotion and badge‑pinning for Lieutenant Matthew Ritchie and publicly recognized multiple fire department members for two high‑risk rescues earlier in 2025, including a ladder rescue on June 19 and a high‑angle rescue July 24 at Florida Avenue Residence Hall.
The City of Urbana recognized the promotion of Matthew Ritchie to lieutenant in a badge‑pinning and oath‑taking ceremony and publicly commended multiple firefighters for two high‑risk rescues that occurred earlier in 2025.
Officials described the June 19 incident as a ladder rescue involving an individual on a third‑floor ledge with activated sprinklers and an uncooperative patient; firefighters executed ladder stabilization and guided the person to safety. The July 24 incident at Florida Avenue Residence Hall involved two workers stranded 9.5 stories high on a suspended platform after bricks fell on them; the department used rooftop rigging and a Sky Lift to effect an at‑height rescue without injury to responders.
Names recognized included Lieutenant Jeff Orr (absent), Engineer Calvin Kearns, Firefighters TJ Correll, Tyler Sipe and AJ Fox (absent), as well as Drake Royal, Kelly Reono, Drake Todd, Jerry Cammerdome, Chase Jones (absent) and Lieutenant Brian Hoff. Mayor and council offered congratulations and appreciation.
The recognition was ceremonial; no policy actions or fiscal commitments were announced as part of the ceremony.
