On October 26, 1981, two brave firefighters from the Pleasantview Fire Protection District, Jerome Srejma and Gary Michalek, made the ultimate sacrifice while battling a fire at the Key West Restaurant in Countryside, Illinois. Srejma, a dedicated volunteer with six years of service, and Michalek, who had recently joined the department just months before, were among the first to respond when the alarm sounded. Both were paid-on-call volunteers, ready to serve whenever needed. The fire broke out late at night, and shortly before 5 AM, Srejma and Michalek entered the restaurant wearing their SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) masks to search for the source of the blaze. The fire was primarily hidden behind the walls and above the ceilings, making it extremely dangerous and difficult to control. As they moved through the building, thick smoke caused them to become disoriented. Without proper visibility, they lost their way and ran out of air before they could escape. After being reported missing, it took nearly 30 minutes for other firefighters to locate their bodies in the dense smoke. The situation worsened when the roof of the restaurant collapsed, further endangering rescue efforts and injuring two more firefighters. Srejma and Michalek were quickly taken to Community Memorial General Hospital in LaGrange, where they were later pronounced dead. The fire, which escalated to a 3-11 alarm, required the combined efforts of over ten fire departments across the region. It took more than three hours to bring the flames under control. Four days after the tragic incident, Srejma and Michalek were honored in separate funeral services attended by hundreds of firefighters from across the Chicagoland area, who came together to pay their respects and celebrate their bravery. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the risks that firefighters face every day. Their dedication and courage continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps. Information provided by the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Chinese Sword Qin, Qin dynasty sword, Qin dao sword Ningbo Autrends International Trade Company , https://www.longquan-swords.comIncident Summary