Two Normal firefighters were awarded the Illinois Fire Service Medal of Valor in Springfield on Tuesday for trying to saving a child from a fire. The 13-year-old boy later died from his injuries.
Firefighter lieutenant Matt Hill and firefighter paramedic Nathan Riordan rescued the boy, Edder Diaz, from a fire in the Northmeadow Village mobile home park last November.
Due to a misunderstanding they thought another child was in the building and went back in, checking the whole home.
Riordan said his training prepared him to do his job during the situation.
“Anytime you get a call for a kid — whether it be for a medical call, definitely when they are entrapped in a fire — your emotions are very high, adrenaline is pumping. It's a call I have never been on, most people have never been on,” Riordan said.
Only three firefighters statewide received the Medal of Valor this year, including Riordan and Hill. The award is given by the state to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty.
Riordan called it an honor to receive the award, though it comes with mixed emotions.
“It is a great honor to be here. Obviously, unfortunately the outcome wasn’t what we wanted for our victim. Luckily, he was able to spend more time with his family,” Riordan said.
Hill said he is proud of the support he has gotten from his fellow firefighters during the situation and the emotions after the fire.
“Pretty full of sorrow that the child in question didn’t make it. That’s a little bit of a conflicting emotion, but overall I’m just very very proud of our fire department,” Hill said.
Hill said his training prepared him for these situations.
“That training absolutely kicked in. We were prepared for that night, I was prepared to make decisions that had a positive outcome,” Hill said.
They both said they are glad of the support they have from both the fire department and their families, with their mixed emotions after the situation.
