Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
Deputy Fire Chiefs Josh Jessup and Jason Rector from the Champaign Fire Department visited METCAD to recognize Telecommunicator I Deanne Brazelton for her actions during a recent emergency call.
On October 12, 2025, at about 4:10 p.m., METCAD received several reports of an apartment building fire in Champaign. Brazelton answered multiple calls, including one from a resident who was trapped inside the burning building. She asked important questions to understand the caller’s situation and suggested possible ways to escape. Determining that it was safest for the resident and his dog to shelter in place, she gave specific instructions on which room to use, what items to bring, and how to slow the spread of smoke and fire until firefighters arrived.
Brazelton kept track of the caller’s location and condition in the dispatch system so this information could be shared with responding fire crews. She remained on the line with the resident until he was found by rescuers.
“Brazelton’s quick thinking and clear instructions made a difference on this day, and the resident exited the building unharmed.”
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