Excerpts from RedCrossStories: On the early morning of March 25, 2016, Chris Tierney, an off-duty firefighter and paramedic from Streamwood, was traveling on the Jane Addams Tollway in Elgin during rush hour when he saw something alarming: a limousine had suddenly lifted into the air and crashed into the middle of a construction zone. The vehicle was now airborne and then came crashing down, flipping over and catching fire. Without hesitation, Chris pulled over to the side of the road. He knew that his training and skills could make a difference. As he approached the scene, he heard screams coming from inside the burning car. The driver had already escaped, but six passengers were still trapped inside. Chris immediately shouted to a nearby construction worker to grab a fire extinguisher while he ran back to his truck for a hammer. His goal was to break the windows and rescue the passengers as quickly as possible. Once he managed to smash the glass, he assessed the situation and found that the passengers were seriously injured. One woman was unconscious, and oil and gas were beginning to pool around the wreckage. Putting his own safety aside, Chris pulled out the first passenger and helped the others escape. He rushed back and forth between the burning limo and the injured, tending to the unconscious woman who was barely breathing. He checked her pulse regularly and started performing CPR right away. Within minutes, ambulances and fire engines arrived at the scene. Chris worked closely with local paramedics, grabbing medical equipment from the back of the ambulances and assisting in providing emergency care to the victims. His calm and quick actions were crucial in saving lives. With over 13 years of experience as a firefighter and a member of the firefighter training committee, Chris reflected on the moment. “This is what we train for all the time,†he said. “I don’t know if I felt anything at the time—it just happened automatically. We train for the one percent, and this was it.†The Firefighter Award honors professionals, volunteers, or medical personnel associated with a fire department who go above and beyond their duties, showing exceptional bravery either during an emergency or through long-term service to the community. Follow #RedCrossHeroes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on the 2017 Heroes. For more details about the 2017 Heroes Breakfast, visit the official website here. Thanks, Dan. Chongqing Yuntu Automobile Trading Co., Ltd. , https://www.yuntuauto.com