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Roselle firefighters honored with Medals of Bravery after two rescue operations
Summary
Roselle presented Medals of Bravery to members of the Roselle Fire Department for two life‑saving rescue efforts: a Sept. 9, 2025 structure fire where a civilian was rescued and a Jan. 6, 2026 incident in which firefighters pulled a colleague from a collapsed floor. Chief Tim Smeltzer led the presentations.
Fire Chief Tim Smeltzer presented Medals of Bravery to members of the Roselle Fire Department at the village board meeting on May 26, 2026, citing two separate rescue incidents he said exceeded ordinary duty.
Chief Smeltzer described a Sept. 9, 2025, response to a structure fire on the 100 block of Edgebrook Road in Wooddale in which Tower 64 conducted a primary search in zero‑visibility conditions and located a civilian victim near a rear bedroom. "Finding a victim in these conditions is rare and members acted in a manner that defines the objectives noted for the Medal of Bravery," he said, and asked attendees to congratulate Firefighter Paramedic Wesley Hutch, Firefighter Paramedic Tim Olsen and Firefighter EMT Jack Maddox.
Smeltzer also recounted a Jan. 6, 2026, rescue at a single‑family home on the 100 block of Long Avenue. He said Firefighter Paramedic Chris Mallow fell through a hole in the floor during interior operations and called a mayday. Battalion Chief Derek Selzer and Firefighter Paramedic Wesley Hutch located and removed Mallow to safety. "They performed this rescue under conditions of extreme personal risk and truly made a difference in the outcome of the event this day," Smeltzer said as he presented awards.
Mayor Pleski and trustees congratulated the awardees and thanked the department for their service. No further formal action was required; the presentations were part of officials and staff reports.
The board record lists the award presentations and Chief Smeltzer's narrative of both incidents; the department said the Medal of Bravery is conferred by peer nomination and committee vote and will be commemorated with ribbons, certificates and apparatus‑floor banners.
