Belvidere first responders honored for heroism during aftermath of EF-1 tornado

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Dozens of first responders are being recognized for their courage the night of March 31, when an EF-1 tornado hit Belvidere’s Apollo Theatre. The storm caused the venue’s roof to collapse on hundreds of concertgoers, killing one man and injuring 48 more.

In a post on its Facebook page, the Belvidere Fire Department recognized the following award recipients:

Medal of Valor recipients:

Belvidere Police Department

David Ellingson
Joe McDermott
Zach Reese
Chris Garcia
Rich Weiland
Joe Danielak
Dillon Rackley

Belvidere Fire Department

Travis Tangye
Matt Loudenbeck
Greg Pavlatos
Adrian Trujillo
Zach Bullard

Meritorious Conduct Award recipients:

Belvidere Fire Department

Lt. Dan Drall
Firefighter Mark Beck
Firefighter Jim Kriebs
Firefighter Nic Thornton
Firefighter Adam Ellwanger
Firefighter Brad Heiser

Life Saving Award recipients:

Mercy Health
Dr. Matthew Smetana
Lifeline Ambulance
Lauren Schultz

Thirteen members of the Belvidere Fire Department who came from home to help were also recognized. They were:

Adam Ellwanger
Joe Erber
Bobby Gunsteen
Brad Heiser
Ron Herman
Chris Letourneau
Stephen Mead
Cory Mitchell
Aaron Phil
Jason Swanson
Nic Thornton
Troy Vandenbroek
Todd Winnie

Belvidere’s mayor, Clint Morris was given a challenge coin for his support and assistance through the night.

The 26 agencies that helped with the response were recognized as well.

Belvidere Police
Belvidere Public Works
Blackhawk Fire
Boone County Dispatch
Boone County Sheriffs
Capron Rescue Squad
Cherry Valley Fire
Com Ed
Boone County Fire District 1
Boone County Fire District 2
Boone County Fire District 3
EMA
Genoa-Kingston Fire
Harlem Roscoe Fire
Lifeline Elite
Loves Park Fire
Marengo Fire
Medcom
Mercy Health (MD1)
Nicor Gas
North Park Fire
Northwest Fire
Northwest Rescue
Rockford Fire
Rockford Fire Dispatch
Rockton Fire

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