| Name: | Michael Hill |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Chicago Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Vehicle rescue |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2010 |
| Incident City: | Chicago |
| Year of Incident: | 2009 |
| Incident Location Type: | Street/Road |
| Incident Attribute: | Traffic accidents |
Firefighter Michael Hill of the Chicago Fire Department’s 21st Battalion was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions to rescue injured passengers from an out of control vehicle in Chicago, Illinois on August 14, 2009.
Firefighter Hill and Captain Richard Gustafson were returning from a house fire in Truck Company 24’s fire truck when they witnessed a semi run through a red light and T-bone an SUV at the intersection of 103rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. After the collision, the SUV continued to accelerate, as the driver’s foot was jammed against the gas pedal. Hill exited his fire truck and ran after the still-moving SUV. He managed to jump inside the vehicle as it was still in motion and pushed down on the emergency foot brake with his hand, causing the automobile to decelerate. Hill attempted to extricate the agitated driver and the passengers, one adult and three children, from the automobile while Captain Gustafson called for back-up.
Citations:
”Firefighter gets a brake – chases, stops runaway SUV after it was struck by big rig.” Chicago Sun-Times, August 15, 2009.
”Firefighter ‘in right place at right time’ for crash victims.” Chicago Tribune, August 14, 2009.
”Firehouse Heroism & Community Service Awards.” Firehouse, April, 2010.