The Exchange Club Fireman of the Year: Aurora Deputy Fire Chief John Gilbert, president of The Exchange Club of Aurora, reveals 2018 Firemen of the Year, 13 fire department personnel. Jason Crane/The Voice Recipients of The Exchange Club of Aurora Firefighter of the Year Award pose at Piper’s Banquets in Aurora Tuesday. Thirteen were presented the Award, which this year is for crews involved in the rescue who showed great discipline and critical thinking at a structure fire December 28, 2018 around 2 a.m. at a duplex on South Avenue in Aurora. The second duplex unit was evacuated and there was no response from the first unit, which had locked doors. Entry was forced and using only their sense of feel in the pitch black environment, Pvt. Erdmanis and Lt. Equi found an unresponsive two-year old on the couch in the living room and removed the child to paramedics outside. Shortly an unconscious adult male was found between the couch and front door. Both victims eventually were released from the hospital after several days of treatment for smoke inhalation. The award recipients, not in order in the photo, include Asst. Chief Dan Osman, Lt. Jason Smith, Lt. Jason Equi, Lt. Tim Schomer, Pvt. Mark Bachleda, Pvt. Jason Matile, Pvt. Lucas Hanson, Pvt. Jake Erdmanis, Pvt. Angelo R. Minneci, Pvt. Jason Morthland, Pvt. Shawn Hagie, Pvt. Riley Coomes, Pvt. Zack Knasko. Fire Chief Gary Krienitz is at the left, Deputy Fire Chief John Gilbert, second from right, made the presentation, Fire Assistant Chief Dave McCabe is at the right. Jason Crane/The Voice
