Fire Department Recognizes Those Who Assisted w/Fatal Interstate Crash

Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko took time at Tuesday night's City Council meeting to thank the agencies and individuals who assisted at a fatal crash scene in the construction zone on I-70 between Effingham and Altamont on July 20. Three people were killed in the crash and a number of vehicles were involved. Several law enforcement and public safety agencies gave assistance.

Tutko recognized the three fire companies from Effingham that helped, including Firefighters Ken Hayes, Wayne Boerngen, Matt Schabbing and Tyson Massey, as well as Lieutenant John Kronewitter and Captains Jason Lee and J.R. Nieman. Lee and Nieman were no present Tuesday.

(FROM LEFT: TYSON MASSEY, MATT SCHABBING, WAYNE BOERNGEN, JOHN KRONEWITTER AND KEN HAYES)

Tutko also recognized Abbott EMS for their assistance at the scene.

(FROM LEFT: FIRE CHIEF BOB TUTKO, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF MATT KULESZA AND JEFF OLDENTHALL OF ABBOTT E-M-S)

Tutko gave recognition to the Altamont Fire Protection District. He explained that Effingham and Altamont both answer calls to the construction zone and if one agency responds, the other responds to assist, if needed. Both agencies were very busy at the scene that day.

(FROM LEFT, TUTKO, KULESZA AND ALTAMONT FIRE CHIEF JON BECKER)

Also assisting with the crash was the Shumway Fire Protection District. Shumway Fire Battalion Commander Johnathon Paholke was on hand to receive the recognition.

Tutko also gave recognition to Telecommunicators Linda Wendling and Cindy Thies the day of the crash. The two coordinated all communication to and from the crash scene that involved a number of agencies.

(FROM LEFT, KULESZA, TELECOMMUNICATOR LINDA WENDLING, TELECOMMUNICATOR CINDY THIES, AND TUTKO)

Tutko also gave recognition to Jeremy Ryan, a motorist traveling through the area who assisted at the scene and provided care to one of the people involved in the crash. He said he would be sending a certificate of appreciation to Ryan at his home in Texas.