IL Firefighter Seriously Injured after Severe Smoke Inhalation

A veteran Cicero firefighter is in serious condition after being overcome by smoke while performing vertical ventilation at a house fire Saturday. 

Ted Polashek was overcome by the smoke and super-heated gases while working on the roof of a two-story home on 61st Court, the fire department shared in a statement on Facebook.

Polashek, 44, was rushed to MacNeal Hospital for treatment.

Saturday night he was transferred to Lutheran General Hospital where he was intubated.

“There is always a risk but that risk that we face never stops our firefighters from taking on the fires and saving lives,” Cicero Fire Chief Dominick Buscemi said in a statement on Facebook. “He is a great firefighter and we know he is strong.”

“Every day, firefighters risk their lives to protect families in the Town of Cicero and around the country and our prayers are with Ted Polashek and his family for a full recovery,” Town President Larry Dominick said.

Polashek has been on the department for over 20 years.