Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – What makes a good firefighter?

“I’ll go back to when I began my career in the fire service at the ripe old age of 22,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “As with most 22-year-olds, everything is about you, right? Everything is about you. What I would say for a firefighter is just understanding the absolute service piece of what you’re going to do. You put others above yourself.”

Pankow spoke to Capitol City Now after the annual Illinois Firefighters Memorial Tuesday.

Only one firefighter died in the line of duty in 2025: Capt. David Meyer of Chicago. Still, fire marshal spokesman J.C. Fultz said that’s one too many.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told the crowd gathered on the Capitol grounds, “It’s my sincere honor to stand with you today as we remember your brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Raoul said. “May their valor and profound sacrifices shine as a proud legacy for future firefighters.”