Orland Fire Protection District showcases shirts honoring
veterans
The Orland Fire Protection District’s personnel will wear
special shirts every Friday designed to salute America’s active duty military
men and women, and veterans who have served or sacrificed their lives in past
service to their country.
Firefighters will be given the option to wear the special
red shirts as an alternative to their regular Class B uniforms every Friday
beginning this month as a salute to Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 and for the next
year to recognize the sacrifices of veterans and those in active duty military
service.
“Many of our employees are veterans and I felt this was a
very appropriate way to recognize their service and the service of others, and
also as a way to emphasize that our firefighters are like all of the men and
women in our community who commit themselves to our safety and our way of
life,” said OFPD Chief Ken Brucki.
Brucki, who last month directed Fire personnel to wear
shirts in support of the fight against breast cancer, said “the community needs
to know that we are not only vigilant to protect their interests, but that
their interests and safety are also our interests and safety.”
Brucki said it was important that the public recognize the
commitment Fire District employees have not only to their mission but also to
the society as a whole. He said wearing the shirts is not mandatory but a
choice for employees.
Photo
Personnel pictured from left to right are: Engineer
Steve Kovats (USAF), Lt. Tom Grossman (USMC), Chief Ken Brucki,
Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Agle (Il. National Guard, active),
Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Frawley (Il. National Guard, active), Lt. Kevin
Kitchen (US Army), and FF/P Brian Thompson (US Army Reserves, active).
(Not Pictured: Engineer Jim Mazurkiewicz (US Naval
Reserves), Firefighter Wally Rafacz (US Army), Engineer Steve Rivero (US Navy),
Lieutenant Todd Schuneman (USMC, US Air Force Reserves.)
END
