| Name: | Michael Miniscalco |
| 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 Michael Miniscalco was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022.
Firefighter Miniscalco was assigned to Ambulance 34 during the Independence Day parade alongside Firefighter Swislow. Prior to the shooting, the two were dispatched to a chest pain call. They dropped the chest pain patient off at the Highland Park Hospital when Firefighter Swislow noticed a call on the hospital computer for a puncture wound with a note that stated there was a shooter on the roof. Before Ambulance 34 was formally dispatched to the shooting, Firefighters Miniscalco and Swislow were already on their way back to the scene. Upon arrival, noticing the volume of victims, Firefighter Miniscalco immediately assisted with triage and patient care. He eventually moved back to Ambulance 34, where he and his partner made multiple trips to transport six victims to two different hospitals. They again returned, moving five more patients to safe zones while also helping to load ambulances.
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.