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Normal presents unit citation, awards Medal of Valor to two firefighters after mobile-home fire
Summary
The Town of Normal presented a unit citation and awarded the Firefighter Service Medal of Valor to Lieutenant Matt Hill and firefighter-paramedic Nathan Reardon for their roles in a Nov. 2, 2025 rescue at North Meadow Village Mobile Home Park; the child rescued later died, the town said.
The Town of Normal on May 18 recognized personnel who responded to a Nov. 2, 2025 mobile-home fire at North Meadow Village Mobile Home Park with a unit citation and named two crew members for the Firefighter Service Medal of Valor.
The fire chief, speaking at the start of the council meeting, described ‘‘extreme heat and smoke conditions’’ and said members of the first-arriving companies breached an exterior wall to reach victims trapped in a rear bedroom. ‘‘For their extraordinary bravery during the rescue operations, Lieutenant Matt Hill and firefighter paramedic Nathan Reardon were awarded the firefighter, service medal of valor,’’ the chief said.
The chief listed the companies and crew members credited for the response, including Battalion Chief Matt Bursack; Engine 10 Lieutenant Matt Hill, Engineer Isaac Garrets, and firefighter Nathan Reardon; Rescue 10 firefighters Al Shaba and Chase Ditchin; and personnel from Engine 12, Rescue 12 and Rescue 13. He said every firefighter and paramedic on scene ‘‘played a critical role’’ in the operation.
The chief told the council the child who had been removed from the structure later ‘‘succumb[ed] to injuries sustained in the fire,’’ and said the crew’s actions gave the family ‘‘precious additional time’’ and ‘‘provided opportunity for the child’s legacy to live on through organ donation.’’
Council members rose to congratulate the department on the award before the meeting moved to regular business.
