In May, Hampshire Area Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Trevor Herrmann will travel to Springfield, where he will be presented with a medal of honor by the office of the state fire marshal.
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Herrmann is being recognized for his rescue of a woman from an apartment fire that started the night of Feb. 6, 2015, above the Fenzel Motor Sales dealership in the 200 block of South State Street in downtown Hampshire. The dealership, which sells new and used cars and trucks, is located next door to the Hampshire Village Hall.
“I am very honored by Hampshire fire Chief Bill Robinson nominating me for the award,” Herrmann said. “I am both surprised and overwhelmed. My family, fellow firefighters and friends will accompany me to Springfield.”
According to Hampshire fire district officials, Herrmann was off duty but in the neighborhood when smoke was seen billowing from the upstairs apartment.
The sole occupant of the apartment was Georgia Ann Hartman, 67, former manager of the American Legion Post 57 in Elgin.
Aided by Hampshire police Officer Roy Maki and without any special mask or equipment, they kicked open the apartment door, crawled inside below blinding smoke, and pulled Hartman outside to safety, officials said.
Hartman had sustained second- and third-degree burns and a lung injury due to the smoke and fire, officials said. She had stopped breathing, but she began breathing again after Herrmann and some paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Hampshire firefighters arrived at the apartment at 10:17 p.m. and were able to extinguish the blaze within 45 minutes. Hampshire received assistance from nearly 10 area fire departments.
Hartman was taken by ambulance to Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin and later airlifted by helicopter to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. She died Feb. 10.
Herrmann suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation during the rescue and had to be hospitalized overnight, officials said. One other firefighter was also hospitalized and later released.
The apartment experienced significant fire and water damage, and there was some damage to the car dealership, officials said. Since the fire, the facility has been completely repaired and restored.
Fenzel Motor Sales has been in business almost 75 years. The dealership includes a showroom, two repair facilities and a used-car area.
The Hampshire fire district is recognizing its 85th anniversary this year.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.