Chinese exchange students get tour of OFPD facilities

Chinese exchange students get tour of OFPD facilities

On Thursday October 11, 2012, the Orland Fire Protection District hosted seven exchange students from Guangzhou, China in a cultural exchange cooperative. 

Visiting members viewed ongoing hazardous materials response training, cutting edge Emergency Medical Training using life-like simulators and mannequins, Incident Command Training and communications systems over a three hour period.  Visitors are participating in a program sponsored by The 21^st Century Institute, a non-profit organization working toward maximizing human potential by integrating intellectual, cultural, economic, scientific, and technological resources from different geographical regions of the world.

The 21st Century Institute was founded in the early 1990s and is a non-profit organization based in Oak Brook, Illinois with branch offices in New York and Los Angeles, and in Beijing, Shanghai and Kunming in China.

The goal of the institute is to maximize human potential by integrating intellectual, cultural, economic, scientific, and technological resources from different geographical regions of the world. The Institute strives to be a strong and vital link in bridging the diversity of nations. The current focus of the Institute is networking between the United States and Asia-Pacific region.

Information below/website for the 21^st Century non-for profit organization   http://www.tci21.org/

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(Photos: Chief Ken Brucki and Battalion Chief Raymond Kay lead the visitors on a hands-on tour of OFPD Emergency response services from fighting fires to applying CPR. Photos Courtesy OFPD)

Orland Fire District offers classes for babysitters

Orland Fire District offers classes for babysitters

Orland Park, IL -- The Orland Fire Prevention District is hosting its annual babysitter latchkey kid program for district children.

The program training is designed to help babysitters better understand and prepare for potential emergencies, and address issues including communications, first aid, fire safety, crime safety, weather awareness, and child interaction.

“The need for this program: is ever present as families are started and grow through life,” said Fire Inspector Patrick G. Collier, who is with the Fire Prevention Bureau.

“There are reasonable needs for properly trained babysitters.  A trained babysitter plays an integral part of early child development.  Little children are not self-sufficient and a trained babysitter can be a great asset to the child and the child’s family.”

Participation is limited to 30 students. Applications can be found online at the Fire District website at www.OrlandFire.org. Applicants should download and complete the application and return it to the OFPD Administration Building at 9790 W. 151^stStreet in the Main Conference Room.

Fire Chief Ken Brucki said that too often, babysitters often receive no training to deal with emergencies. He praised Collier for his dedication to bringing this issue to the public's attention.  

"I was excited to learn that Pat Collier was so passionate in his presentation for support to host the program.  Pat, as well as our entire public safety division, continually work on efforts to pass along public safety and education information for the residents we serve," Brucki said.

"A babysitter is a very responsible position watching over our most valuable assets, our children.  We are proud to be able to offer some additional safety education and experiences for the young adults looking to take on the responsibility of watching our children."

The classes shall be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm October 30, November 6, 13, 20 and December 4.

A $30 fee is required for each participating student.

For more information, contact Patrick Collier at 708-873-2741 or by email at p.collier@orlandfire.org.

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ORLAND FIRE DISTRICT REVIVES ROLE FOR SENIORS; Newly created group to work to address senior needs

ORLAND FIRE DISTRICT REVIVES ROLE FOR SENIORS

Newly created group to work to address senior needs

The Orland Fire Protection District launched the new Senior Advisory Council (SAC) this week at a member orientation, promising to engage the district's seniors in the its many services.

The new Senior Advisory Council succeeds the district’s old committee, which was consumed by politics and political bickering, Fire Officials said. It's founding was coordinated by OFPD Senior Liaison Rosemaria Genova.

Fire Chief Ken Brucki and Fire Prevention Supervisor Mike Ercoli addressed the Senior Advisory Council at a “member orientation” held on Thursday, Sept. 26. They emphasized the mandate of the new SAC is to educate seniors and the community about Fire District Services.

“We have a large senior community and we need to not only make them all aware of the services we have for them, and for the community at large, but to also encourage their feedback so we can constantly improve and be more responsive to their real needs,” Brucki said.

“Seniors rely on the Fire District services and we take this responsibility seriously. The new Senior Advisory Council is going to focus on ensuring that these services are delivered and that the Orland Fire Prevention District gets the feedback it needs to continue to address the needs of our senior community.”

The council was officially formed a few months ago and serves as a bridge between OFPD officials and the large senior population in the district. 

During the orientation, Chief Brucki stressed the importance of engaging seniors directly into the fire district administration.

“Our goal in the district is to preserve life and property.  Having a council in place, with representatives from all six fire stations, enables us to communicate life-saving strategies to a growing senior population,” stated Brucki.

“One of our most important functions as a Fire District is not only to respond to fire emergencies, but to also respond to emergency health needs. Our seniors, who are most important in our community, face many of these health problems and we want to ensure we are doing everything we can to address their needs.”

The council will perform studies and research on issues related to seniors, participate in district activities, support the fire foundation and its fundraising efforts, educate seniors about health and safety issues, and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on policy matters affection the senior population.

Brucki urged seniors in the Fire District to join the Senior Advisory Council. SAC members must be 55 years of age, live within the district’s boundaries for at least one year, be persons of good moral character, and have legal citizenship in the country.

“What we need is for seniors to become active in the district. We value their experience and their insight in how the Fire District can best serve their needs,” Brucki said.

OFPD Board Chairman Jim Hickey said that seniors have always played an important role in the Fire District.

“It’s unfortunate that politics disrupted this important role a few years back. But that’s behind us. The past two elections have shown that the majority of residents, especially seniors, want the Fire District to focus on providing the highest quality emergency services and that is what this board is committed to doing,” Hickey said.

“The majority of Fire District residents want firefighters to stay focused on providing the highest quality emergency care services and response, not to be a political lobbying group. There are other places to talk about politics. The new Senior Advisory Council is committed to serving our senior community and to help the district continue to provide the best emergency services of any fire district in the Midwest. Because our firefighters are the best at what they do.”

Brucki said he is planning to introduce the new Senior Advisory Council at the next meeting of the Orland Fire Protection District on Tuesday, October 22. The meeting begins at 5 pm.

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Photo Captions: Chief Brucki meets with founding members of the Orland Fire Protection District Senior Advisory Council. Picture from left to right are:Photo: Mane Pritza, Caryl Tietz, Rosemary Ihle, Chief Brucki, Grace Fiorenza, Diana Husband, Joe Gleiter, and Mike Ercoli. (Janice Pierhal not pictured).

Vehicular arson focus of latest training at Orland Fire Protection District

Vehicular arson focus of latest training at Orland Fire Protection District

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted an Advanced Vehicle Fire Investigation class offered by the International Association of Arson Investigators, instructed by Special Agent Barry Grimm ATF and Capt. Chris Elrod from the Wilmington North Carolina Fire Department. 

The Orland Fire District working in conjunction with the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators secured the necessary salvaged vehicles from Auto Medics Orland Park, IL, West and Sons Towing Addison, IL, State Farm Insurance, and Quad City Salvage Auction (QCSA) Hammond, IN. Without the donations of these businesses this type of class would have not been possible.  

Orland Fire District, Fire and Arson Investigators and members of the IL-Chapter of the IAAI worked with the instructors to develop 11 vehicle fire scenarios for the students to determine the origin and cause of the vehicle fires during the practical portion of this advanced class. During the preparation for this class a pre-burn of the vehicles was conducted. 

“The Orland Fire Protection District remains committed to train and continually educate its personnel to ensure the safety of each other and the residents we serve," said OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki. " This is a testament to the experience of our personnel not only in the region but the state and national level as well.  We have a very active origin and cause team that investigates every fire in the District and within our division.”

The vehicles were set on fire using different methods to simulate mechanical malfunctions as well as incendiary causes of fire. Students from across the Untied States and Canada converged on Orland Park to attend this class. Students consisted of municipal and private fire investigators, Insurance claims representatives, and Mechanical and Electrical Engineers from General Motors and Chrysler Automotive. 

For there assistance with providing and the preparation of this advanced class, 4 Orland Fire Protection District Fire and Arson investigators attended this class free of charge.

(Photos courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District. Visit their website at www.OrlandFire.org for more details and information.)

Orland Fire Protection District provides training to emergency medical personnel from Advocate Christ Hospital

Orland Fire Protection District provides training to emergency medical personnel from Advocate Christ Hospital

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted it's 15th annual emergency training workshop for doctors and medical personnel from Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn to strengthen emergency response tactics in the region.

The training was held Tuesday at the OFPD Training Facility at 10728 W. 163rd Place in Orland Park, and was supervised by Battalion Chief Raymond Kay.

Orland Firefighters created five typical emergency scenarios and worked with the medical personnel that included emergency room responders to explore the most up-to-date response techniques and strategies.

More than 35 emergency and medical personnel attended the workshop which featured training in  five specific and common scenarios including: providing resuscitation in a closed setting for a victim in a home; providing emergency care to a victim trapped in an underground pipe; extricating and providing emergency care to an individual trapped in a vehicle; provide emergency care to someone tangled on outdoor window cleaning or maintenance equipment several stories up outside a building; and, providing emergency care to victims in collapsed building structures.

Kay set recreating the scenarios would help the emergency personnel gain invaluable experience in dealing with the environmental circumstances of where incidents occur, such as in a vehicle, cramped space, collapsed environment and even four stories above the street on the side of a building.

"Each scenario represents an actual incident that has happened and that the emergency personnel might experience," Kay explained.

"We want to bring the emergency personnel into the situation that Orland firefighters and paramedics encounter frequently."

Battalion Chief Michael Schofield who assisted in supervising the training workshop noted that the emergency hospital personnel are used to working in a controlled environment in the emergency room where patients are brought, but appreciate the opportunity to work in uncontrollable and unpredictable settings outside of the hospital.

During the training sessions, mannequins were used and the doctors inserted tubes, provided resuscitation while inside the simulation training environments that the Orland Fire Protection District maintains at their training center, including a simulated underground sewer pipe system, collapsed building, four story building, burning vehicles and a replica of a typical home front room.

One group worked at the OFPD underground sewer pipe simulation

An emergency room doctor enters the "sewer" pipe to perform a rescue simulation

Inside the underground pipe training system

Fire Personnel use the "Jaws of Life" to open a jammed door on a vehicle during an accident rescue simulation

Trainees work inside this building to replicate collapsed building structure scenarios

A trainee assists in performing a rescue from the top of a building

Resuscitation techniques are discussed in an actual "front room" setting in cramped quarters

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OFPD Commemorates Fallen Firefighters with Memorial

OFPD Commemorates Fallen Firefighters with Memorial

The Orland Fire Protection District joined local officials including Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman in commemorating the 4^th anniversary of the passing of Lt. Raymond C. Marquardt with the dedication of a “Firefighter Remembrance Memorial” on Saturday Sept. 14.

The memorial was designed by Eagle Scout Candidate Kyle LaHucik and placed under the American Flag at the northeast corner of the OFPD Headquarters, 9790 W. 151^st Street.

Fire Chief Ken Brucki welcomed attendees including members of the Marquardt family, firefghters and Orland residents.

“On behalf of the Orland Fire Protection District I would like to welcome you to this memorial. Tradition cuts to the core value of the Fire District. Tradition is not just a word but a way of life,” Brucki said, noting that LaHucik’s project coincided with the remembrance of Marquardt’s passing four years earlier on Sept. 14, 2009.

“Kyle had a desire to honor firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. It is a fitting tribute to dedicate it this morning.”

Commissioner Gorman praised LaHucik who is pursuing his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout and dedicating his efforts to the memory of fallen firefighters.

“This is a wonderful project. We need a place to come to remember, reflect and be solemn and this is a perfect place,” Gorman said.

Commander Edward Dunne, who served as the event emcee, introduced LaHucik and also directed the Honor Guard which raised the American Flag and placed a wreath at the memorial plaque.

“This memorial is to honor the late Lt. Raymond Marquardt and every firefighter who has served,” LaHucik said.

“This memorial is dedicated to the devotion of the men and women who have dedication, commitment, honor and bravery in their every actions. … On and off the line of duty, these men and women standing around us today, dedicated themselves to their duty to stop fires and save people from fires,” LaHucik said.

“Each brick (around the memorial) represents the steps the firefighters take to ensure everyone is safe. … Savings lives is not a job. Preventing and extinguishing fires is not a task. Protecting our community is not a burden for our firefighters. Their pride allows them to continue.”

Pastor Walter Legodar of Christ Lutheran Church offered an invocation in honor of the attendees and the Marquardt family, who attend his church.

Battalion Chief William Bonner Jr., offered remembrances of the late Lt. Marquardt and his service to the fire district and the community.

“He made our lives better. He installed in his sons and grandsons dedication to community service,” Bonner said.

Dunne offered closing words, noting, “The men and women of today’s fire service are confronted by a more dangerous work environment than ever before. We are forced to continually change our strategies and tactics to accomplish our tasks,” Dunne said.

“Methods may change but our goals remain the same to save lives and protect property, sometimes at a terrible cost.”

The commemoration ended with the sounding of the Fire Bell, three rings, three times each to symbolize the passing of a firefighter.

Commander Edward Dunne, Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman
and OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki

Members of Boy Scout Troop 725 join the OFPD Color Guard

Members of Troop 725, LaHucik on far right

Placing of the wreath

A wreath is placed next to the new Firefighter Remembrance Memorial

Ringing of the bell

Commissioner Liz Gorman, Eagle Scout candidate Kyle LaHucik and Chief Brucki

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OFPD participates in vehicular fire training course

OFPD participates in vehicular fire training course

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted an Advanced Vehicle Fire Investigation class that is facilitated by the International Association of Arson Investigators and instructed by Special Agent Barry Grimm ATF and Capt. Chris Elrod from the Wilmington North Carolina Fire Department. 

Brucki said the event offers firefighters firsthand experience and training on the most up-to-date techniques to respond to car fires in different scenarios.

"Vehicular fires are very dangerous not just to the public but to firefighters and the training helps them better understand the challenges they face when responding to a care fire to better achieve the safety of the vehicle passengers and themselves," Brucki said.

Working in conjunction with the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the OFPD secured the necessary salvaged vehicles from Auto Medics Orland Park, IL, West and Sons Towing Addison, IL, State Farm Insurance, and Quad City Salvage Auction (QCSA) Hammond, IN. 

"Without these donations from these businesses, this type of training would have not been possible," explained OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki.

Orland Fire District, Fire and Arson Investigators and members of the IL-Chapter of the IAAI worked with the instructors to develop 11 vehicle fire scenarios for the students to determine the origin and cause of the vehicle fires during the practical portion of this advanced class. 

During the preparation for this class a pre-burn of the vehicles was conducted. The vehicles were set on fire using different methods to simulate mechanical malfunctions as well as incendiary causes of fire. Students from across the Untied States and Canada converged on Orland Park to attend this class. 

Students consisted of municipal and private fire investigators, Insurance claims representatives, and Mechanical and Electrical Engineers from General Motors and Chrysler Automotive. 

For their assistance with providing and the preparation of this advanced class, 4 Orland Fire Protection District Fire and Arson investigators attended the training class free of charge.

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