(2010) The Last Alarm - Brian Carey - Homewood Fire Department

Homewood Fire Department answers the Last Alarm with their fallen brother, Brian Carey. The Band of Brothers Fife and Drum Corp played a salute from the graveside.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Firefighter Brian Carey, Homewood, IL Press Release


HOMEWOOD, IL March 31, 2010 Last evening, Tuesday, March 30, 2010 before 9:00 PM, the Homewood Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at a single-family residence at 17622 Lincoln Avenue in Homewood. First arriving fire crews found a house with visible smoke and flames, and were advised that at least one occupant remained inside the structure.


Firefighters initiated rescue and extinguishment operations, and, upon entering the structure, encountered heavy heat and fire conditions. Because of the extreme heat and the amount of fire burning inside the house, the sole occupant, 87-year old Wendell H. Elias, could not be reached and his body was located after entry could be made. The other occupant of the house, 89-year old Bertha A. Elias, had escaped and was transported to South Suburban Hospital with non-fire related injuries. She is in stable condition at this time.


During the rescue attempt, Homewood firefighter paramedics, Brian Carey (28 years old) and Karra Kopas (21-year old) were injured. They were taken by ambulance to South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest (IL) where they were treated. Firefighter Carey succumbed to his injuries and passed away while at the hospital. Firefighter Kopas suffered first and second degree burns and is in stable condition at the University of Chicago Burn Center.


Firefighter/Paramedic Carey joined the Homewood Fire Department as a part-time firefighter/paramedic on August 20, 2008, and was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic on December 13, 2009. Firefighter/Paramedic Kopas joined the Homewood Fire Department as a part-time firefighter/paramedic on June 23, 2005.

Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Oak Lawn, Illinois, April 6, 2010.