PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria Fire Department hasn’t lost a firefighter in the line of duty in 40 years, and while the department would like to keep it that way, they would also like to keep that last fallen firefighter’s memory alive, too.
Chief Shawn Sollberger says the family of Vernon “Butch” Gudat holds a special place in his heart.
“They come to everything,” said Sollberger. “They’ve established a scholarship fund that we give away in January. We recognize January 23 every single year, and we go to the site every single year. They were just children when that happened, and they’re still dedicated to memorializing their father.”
Sollberger says training has advanced a great deal since 1983, so it’s hoped there will never be another line-of-duty death.
“It wasn’t that my father’s generation, or my grandfather’s generation didn’t appreciate education and training,” said Sollberger. “But, at that time, it was more hands-on. You were on the street; it was just field experience. Now, what we have taken and grown in 25 years is that field experience in an educational setting, and reps.”
A firefighter had to send out a “mayday” call just last week at a fire in the city’s Averyville neighborhood, but Sollberger says it was that training that helped keep a loss of life from occurring.
The fire department held its annual fallen firefighter memorial Thursday, honoring all sixteen who lost their lives in the line of duty, along with retirees who have passed.
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