Building Inspector Delores Rivera honored for heroism

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (August 18, 2021) – “If I can help save a life, I will dedicate my life to public safety,” said Lansing Building Inspector Delores Rivera upon receiving an award recognizing her heroism while performing her duties. Twice in the past two years, while conducting inspections on Ann Street in Lansing, Rivera noticed smoke coming from a house elsewhere on the block and promptly notified the Lansing Fire Department.

In the case of the first fire, according to Building Commissioner Zoran Savic, 70% of the building was saved because of Rivera’s quick action.

On the second occasion, while waiting for the Lansing Fire Department to respond to her call, Rivera managed to break through a door and save two dogs that she could hear barking inside the locked home.

The Lansing Journal reported on both fires, but we were not aware of Delores Rivera’s involvement, and she was excluded from our reporting. We regret the omission.

The award was presented during the August 17 Village Board meeting. Following an 11-minute speech by Savic, the last two minutes of which focused on Rivera and the reason she was receiving the award, Rivera thanked the Lansing Fire Department, Police Department, and Public Works. “We are a team,” she said.

Rivera also thanked her husband and children for their support of her career with the Village, which often makes high demands on her time and availability.

“Thank you everyone for this award,” she told the crowd present at the meeting. “I dedicate my time, my days to my residents because public safety gives us all a safe place to live.”