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Urbana promotes Matthew Ritchie to lieutenant and honors crews for two high‑risk rescues
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Summary
At a special Dec. 15 meeting the Urbana City Council and fire department promoted Matthew Ritchie to lieutenant and formally recognized firefighters involved in a June ladder rescue and a complex July high‑angle rescue at a University residence hall.
Urbana on Dec. 15 held a brief promotion ceremony and recognition of firefighters before the start of its special City Council meeting, swearing in Matthew Ritchie as a lieutenant and honoring multiple crew members for two high‑risk rescues earlier in 2025.
The fire department introduced Ritchie and noted he began his career on Oct. 30, 2006, and has served more than 19 years. During the ceremony Ritchie recited the oath of office: “I, Matthew Ritchie, do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the duties of position of lieutenant for the city of Urbana…preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Illinois.” Family members — identified as his wife Kim and daughters Lexi and Bree — joined him for the pinning and photographs.
The department also recognized two rescue incidents earlier this year. In a June 19 response on Stoughton Street crews performed a ladder rescue after finding an individual on a third‑floor window ledge; firefighters deployed multiple ladders, stabilized the scene near overhead power lines and safely guided the person down despite resistance, the department said. On July 24, crews responded to 1001 College Court (Florida Avenue Residence Hall) for two workers injured by falling bricks while on a suspended platform roughly nine and a half stories above ground. That response involved rooftop rigging, high‑angle rescue operations and coordinated use of a Sky Lift; staff said the operation resulted in safe removal of both workers with no injuries to responders.
The city asked several named members to come forward for recognition, including Lieutenant Jeff Orr (not present), Engineer Calvin Kearns, Firefighter T.J. Correll, Firefighter Tyler Sipe and others. City leaders thanked the department and highlighted the rescues as demonstrations of training, professionalism and teamwork.
Following the recognitions the council called the special meeting to order and moved on to the regular agenda.
