| Name: | Matthew Cervak |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Homewood Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | Career |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Firefighter rescue, Firefighting operations, Search and rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Valor |
| Year of Award: | 2008 |
| Incident City: | Flossmoor |
| Year of Incident: | 2007 |
| Incident Location Type: | Residential |
| Incident Attribute: | Fires |
Firefighters Matthew Cervak, John Elashik, Jr., and Michael Turner of the Homewood Fire Department were awarded the Medal of Valor for their efforts to rescue a fellow firefighter during a residential fire in Flossmoor, Illinois on April 3, 2007.
Firefighters Cervak, Elashik, Turner, and Tom Gaskin were called to a fire at a residence under construction. The unfinished home was fully involved upon their arrival. They conducted a preliminary search. Firefighter Gaskin tells Southtown Star reporter Carly A. Mullady, “The house had an interior bridge, with no railings yet on the stairs or the bridge.” During the search, Gaskin fell from the bridge on the second floor, landing on the first. Cervak, Elashik, and Turner came to his assistance and pulled him out of the burning residence. He sustained four broken ribs and a broken elbow. The actions of Cervak, Elashik, and Turner, along with Firefighter Matt Moran, prevented any further injuries to Gaskin.
Citations:
“Firefighters get state honor for rescuing colleague,” Southtown Star, June 8, 2008.
“Homewood firefighters honored for heroism,” Southtown Star, March 9, 2008.
Village of Homewood Board of Trustees Meeting, October 14, 2008.