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Suburbs will honor fallen Chicago firefighters

A large contingent of suburban firefighters will attend the funerals of the two Chicago firefighters killed in Wednesday morning's fire on the South Side.

Even though they didn't know the men personally, local firefighters say it's important for them to show up — both to support the victims' families and to honor the long tradition of unity and brotherhood within their profession.

“Because they died in the line of duty, you'll see representatives around the world, literally, for this funeral,” said Mundelein Fire Chief Tim Sashko. “We band together mostly in prayer ... because we know there is potential that you're not going to go home after shift. It's something we understand and respect. In the military, it's no different.”

Des Plaines Fire Lt. Jim Hall said they will have an Honor Guard, their chiefs and many off-duty firefighters attending the funerals.

“Whoever is usually free to go, goes,” Hall said. “It's a brotherhood. It's a show of support.”

Wheaton's fire department also plans to send a contingent, Deputy Chief Bill Schultz said.

“Whenever there's a line-of-duty death in our area we all tend to come together,” he said. “We're just a very tightknit group of people and we know what each other goes through. We put our lives in each others' hands and we want to pay tribute to those who have fallen because it could happen to us. They would be doing the same thing for us.”

Added Buffalo Grove Deputy Fire Marshal George Michehl: “When something happens to one of our brothers, we are crushed.”

It was a sentiment echoed by many suburban firefighters Wednesday, as they read the news with heavy hearts.

“Sometimes this job is just dangerous, and fate will take its toll,” Sashko said. “May they rest in peace. This has been a really rough year for public safety in Chicago.”