| Name: | Kevin Best |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Highland Park Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Emergency medical care, Firefighting operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2023 |
| Incident City: | Highland Park |
| Year of Incident: | 2022 |
| Incident Location Type: | Commercial |
| Incident Attribute: |
On July 4, 2022, at 10:14 a.m. a gunman opened fire on the Independence Day parade participants and attendees in downtown Highland Park, IL. The attack took place just 15 minutes after the parade began, seven people were killed, and 48 others were wounded.
The Highland Park Fire and Police Department took quick, life-saving actions to treat victims and safely evacuate attendees. Firefighters who were in the parade, assigned to work during the parade, and off-duty all immediately arrived at the scene to begin helping those in need.
The Highland Park Fire Department has continued to assist the city and its residents in recovery and resiliency since the incident.
Highland Park Firefighter Kevin Best was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022.
Firefighter Best was assigned to Engine 32, which was participating in the parade. After hearing about the shooting, Firefighter Best did a U-turn in the Engine to return to the scene. Upon arrival on the scene, he and his partner immediately started assessing the situation and rendering aid to victims. After hearing a father say his son was shot, he went to the boy, assessed his injuries, and carried him to the ambulance. Firefighter Best, alongside Firefighter Oros, drove the boy to Highland Park Hospital before returning to the scene to collect two more patients that they would drive to NorthShore Hospital in Evanston. After their second transport, they were no longer needed in the hot zone and were instructed to return to Station 33.
Citations:
Highland Park Fire Department
7th Person Dies Day After Highland Park Parade Mass Shooting.
NBC Chicago, www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/7th-person-dies-day-after-highland-park-parade-mass-shooting/2873971.