Training Center Dedicated to Fallen Homewood Firefighter

Family and friends, firefighters and residents came together in vast numbers on the sweltering afternoon of May 22 to attend the formal dedication and ribbon-cutting of the new 191st Street Brian Carey Training Center.

The center is named after Homewood firefighter Brian Carey, who died while attempting to save an 87-year-old man from a Homewood blaze last year.

Homewood Fire Chief Bob Grabowski paid homage to Carey at the beginning of the dedication.

"Over the past 14 months, we have had several ceremonies in which we honored the life and the ultimate sacrifice that Brian made," Grabowski said. "As Fire Chief, I believe that today's dedication of this great facility, in Brian's name, is the most important one."

Grabowski hopes that Carey's name and memory will have an impact on how seriously future training is conducted.

"This reemphasizes what training should be because it hits so close to home," Grabowski said.

Mayor Rich Hofeld also spoke before the ribbon-cutting. He shared a fond memory of Carey.

"I remember Brian Carey on the night he was sworn in as a Homewood firefighter," Hofeld said. "He was young, eager and very proud of his new position."

Brian's mother, Kathleen, was the last to speak at the ceremony. She said that she was excited with the large turnout. According to her, Brian would have felt the same way.

"(Brian) is definitely honored and humbled by all of this. However, that being said, he is, without a doubt, loving it!" Kathleen Carey said. "He had a very outgoing personality, so handling this kind of attention is not a problem for him."

Kathleen Carey said the loss of her son is just as painful as ever, but she finds some solace in the new facility and it's ability to better prepare firefighters for the unexpected. 

"As his mother, I miss him desperately," Kathleen Cary said. "But I am able to wake up every morning knowing that Brian's name will be associated with saving lives."

The new training facility is comprised of three distinct buildings. According to Fire Chief Grabowski, it's the first of its kind in Illinois.

Inside of building "C," the newest of the three structures, is a portrait of Carey, donated by professional illustrator and Homewood resident of 55 years, Bart Jerner.

Jerner said he was happy to use his skills to help keep Carey's memory alive.

"(The new training facility) makes the community more aware of what he was and what he did," Jerner said. "And a picture makes all the difference."

In addition to the painting, Carey's name is prominently written in large black font only a few steps past the entrance of the facility.

"Brian was with Homewood for only a short time, but the impression he left and his personal commitment to the profession will live on forever," Grabowski said.