| Name: | Eric Troken |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Chicago Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Water rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2011 |
| Incident City: | Chicago |
| Year of Incident: | 2009 |
| Incident Location Type: | Water/Waterfront |
| Incident Attribute: |
Firefighter Eric Troken of the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 83 was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions to rescue a woman from the frigid waters of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois on December 6, 2009.
That afternoon, Engine 83 responded to a call regarding an elderly female in the waters of Lake Michigan. The victim was approximately 200 feet from the shoreline. Firefighter Troken put on his flotation device and swam out the stranded victim. Braving cold temperatures and choppy waters, he grabbed hold of the disoriented victim. He carried her as he swam back to the shore, making sure her head was above the water in an effort to stave off the effects of hypothermia. Once out of the water, the woman was put in an ambulance and transported to Weiss Memorial Hospital.
Citations:
”Firehouse Heroism & Community Service Awards.” Firehouse, April, 2011.
Journal of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Chicago, Illinois, March 10, 2010.