| Name: | Nicholas Traske |
| 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 Nicholas Traske was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022.
Firefighter Traske was assigned to Tower Ladder 33 which was in the parade. The Tower had just arrived at Station 33 when reports of the shooting and multiple victims came through. Tower Ladder 33 immediately passed through the fire station bay to return to the scene. Upon arrival, Firefighter Traske grabbed medical supplies so he could begin providing medical care for victims. He assisted in triage and provided care at patient collection points. He also assisted in the patient packaging and loading them into 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.