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41st Anniversary of Naperville LODD
I’m writing this after reviewing a detailed account shared by Bill Friedrich regarding the tragic incident involving the Illinois Fire Service Institute Firefighter Record. This record documents the harrowing events leading up to the fatal collision on December 7, 1970, which claimed the lives of three brave Naperville firefighters.
The summary of what happened is chilling yet necessary to understand. On that fateful morning, the Naperville Fire Department received an emergency call at 7:55 AM about a house fire located west of the city. As the team sprang into action, disaster struck when their fire truck, carrying five firefighters, collided head-on with a semi-truck at the intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 65. This intersection had seen numerous accidents in the past, and just two weeks before this tragedy, traffic lights were finally installed there to improve safety.
Lieutenant Richard Rechenmacher, Engineer Jerry Herring, and Firefighter Bernard Petrowski—those seated in the cab of the fire truck—were tragically ejected from the vehicle upon impact and died instantly. Firefighter Mike Hill, who was also inside the cab, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Fortunately, Firefighter James Heinke, who was positioned on the tailboard of the fire truck, managed to escape unscathed. Mutual aid support came swiftly from the Moecherville Fire Department, which helped address the house fire, while the Downers Grove Fire Department dispatched resources to assist Naperville with additional calls.
Attached to the report are crucial documents like radio logs, the original accident report, and haunting images from the scene. One particularly striking photograph captures the aftermath of the crash—a crumpled fire truck cab and the overturned semi-truck in the background. It's a stark reminder of the dangers these first responders face daily. Another image shows the Naperville Fire Department’s 1967 Mack C95 engine, which was involved in the incident, offering insight into the equipment used back then.
As I reflect on this story, it's clear how much courage and dedication these firefighters had. Their sacrifice serves as a poignant tribute to their service and reminds us of the risks they take to keep our communities safe. This incident underscores the importance of continuous improvements in road safety measures, especially at high-risk intersections like the one involved here.