Brookfield firefighter Nick Tomeczko, who left the village’s force for Westchester last month, was one of eight Brookfield firefighters honored on May 13 in Springfield at the 17th Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighter Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony.
Tomeczko was one of three Brookfield firefighters awarded a Medal of Valor for their actions during the Jan. 8, 2009 fire in the 3500 block of Park Avenue that killed a 71-year-old man and 4-year-old grandson. A 4-month-old girl survived the blaze.
Tomeczko and Firefighter Pat McBrien pulled the three victims from the burning home, and Mike Teska left his hose line to help rescue the infant.
Receiving Firefighter Excellence awards were Capt. Ed Berman, Lt. Bob Shamasko and Firefighter Frank Oliver. Shamasko was on the hose line with Teska and the other two men took one of the children to an awaiting ambulance for treatment.
Lt. Mark Duffek and Firefighter Brian Baldwin, who were off duty and came to the scene, were involved heavily in the medical care of the two unconscious children, according to Fire Chief Patrick Lenzi. They received Firefighter Recognition awards at the ceremony.