Fundraiser underway to help surviving family of Schaumburg firefighter

Funds are being raised to help the family of a Schaumburg firefighter who died last week.

Firefighter/Paramedic Evan Zibell experienced a medical emergency Wednesday and lapsed into cardiac arrest. He was initially resuscitated by the swift actions of wife Liz and the Libertyville Fire Department, but died at a hospital intensive care unit.

The Yard Foundation, which raises funds for firefighter families in need, in conjunction with Schaumburg Professional Firefighters Association Local 4092, has established a fund to support Zibell’s family.

The 37-year-old Lake County resident was hired by Schaumburg in 2017 and was just short of nine years with Schaumburg department.

“He was an active member of our department,” Schaumburg Fire Chief Fabio Puccini said. “He was a member of our honor guard. He had also served on our fitness committee.”

Puccini said it was an unexpected loss and is affecting everybody in the department.

He said Zibell leaves behind two young boys as well as a wife.

The fundraiser will be used for funeral costs and expenses to the family, he said.

“After such a sudden loss, the Zibell family, in addition to their grief, will have to face financial hardship and the difficulties that come with it,” the Yard Foundation page says.

Brian Cramer of the Yard Foundation said the charity was started about five years ago by firefighters. All funds go directly to the beneficiaries. The charity has raised close to $5 million and helped more than 600 firefighters or their family members.

Zibell’s wake is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at The Chapel, 25270 W. Route 60 in Grayslake, with a fire department walk-through at 7 p.m. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday at The Chapel, followed by a procession to Lakeside Cemetery, 600 Lake St., Libertyville.