Chicago Firefighter Killed in Building Fire was Grandson of Former Fire Commissioner
A fourth-generation Chicago firefighter died Tuesday after responding to a building fire Monday.
Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman was a two-year member of the department and assigned to Truck 47, Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
"We are heartbroken by yet another loss of our own," Nance-Holt said. "Michael gave everything in service to the people of Chicago, and we will never forget his courage and sacrifice. Our deepest condolences go out to the Altman family, his fellow firefighters, friends, and all that loved him and knew him."
The 32-year-old father was pulled from four-story apartment building in the 1700 block of West North Shore Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood Monday afternoon after the floor he was working on collapsed into the fire below. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital, suffering second and third degree burns.
"We also want to thank the doctors, the nurses, the staff, at Stroger Hospital. They did everything they humanly could to save our firefighter," said Nance-Holt.
In May, Altman would have completed his second year on the job.
"He comes from a family with a long history of public service in the Chicago Fire Department. He was the fourth generation to serve this great department," the commissioner said.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, his grandfather, Edward P. Altman, was the Chicago Fire Commissioner from 1996 until 1999. Three of Edward's sons joined the department, including Michael's father, Michael, who was promoted to battalion chief.
"Today, the city of Chicago not only lost a public servant, but we lost a hero," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "Firefighter/EMT, Altman, displayed an incredible amount of courage and bravery and strength. And we are in deep sorrow as a city for this tragic loss."
"Let this be a constant reminder of how important it is that we continue to put our arms around our first responders and continue to support them," Johnson said.
Officials are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
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Peter Matthews
Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood Landing, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.