Illinois Fire Chiefs Association holds annual firefighters’ services outside the state capitol

Posted on September 10, 2021

Immediately southwest of the Capitol is what appears to be a chimney, with firefighters inside and out trying to save lives. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Their families know – when you leave for your workday as a firefighter, you may not come home. That’s why there are ceremonies such as the annual firefighters’ memorial service outside the Capitol. 

The annual event is typically in May, but this year the eve of the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 seemed fitting to organizers.

Jim Grady, executive director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, says first responders are indeed a fraternity – a family, with a bond of service and sacrifice, which is why you may not see a monument or memorial service in many other lines of work. Grady is also retired fire chief of Frankfort, Ill.

The seven fire service employees whose line-of-duty deaths were commemorated Friday:

Firefighter Mario Araujo, Chicago

Firefighter/Paramedic Dylan Cunningham, South Holland

Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Reisinger, River Grove

Firefighter Jacob “Jake” Ringering, Godfrey

Firefighter Edward Singleton, Chicago

Paramedic Robert Truevillian, Chicago

Firefighter Kody Vanfossan, Christopher

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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