Orland Fire District promotes Healthy Heart Awareness fundraiser

Orland Fire District promotes Healthy Heart Awareness fundraiser

David Nocera, owner of Mercedes Benz of Orland Park hosted a “Healthy Heart Awareness" Fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association on February 20, 2014.  

The Orland Fire Protection District was proud to participate along with a number of other invited guests and offered demonstrations on CPR, Automated External Defibrillators (AED), and techniques on how to save choking victims.

OFPD Battalion Chief Raymond Kay participated in the event to give attendees an opportunity to view firsthand how life-saving strategies are applied during emergency situations.

Kay is also leading the Orland Fire Protection District’s Community CARE program which seeks to place AEDs at various local communities.

“Having an AED and a staff person who is trained in operating an AED can assist in saving lives,” Kay said. “Those first few minutes can often determine whether a person survives sudden cardiac arrest. Having an AED and a staff person trained in its use can help sustain the patient during the first few minutes as emergency medical personnel and dispatched. It makes a difference and the Orland Fire Protection District is supporting a campaign to make more available through local businesses.”

                      

During the “Healthy Heart Awareness” fundraiser, officials from Mercedes Benz of Orland Park and the Orland Fire Protection District presented demonstrations on life saving techniques and presented information about the Community CARE program.  As a result of this event, Mercedes Benz of Orland Park owner David Nocera plans to purchase two AEDs.

"Community CARE is a comprehensive community oriented program geared to save lives of cardiac arrest victims,” Kay said. "The Orland Fire District offers FREE CPR and AED classes in an effort to increase the chances to save a life.”

For more information on Community CARE or how to schedule a presentation at your event, Contact Battalion Chief Kay or visit the Orland Fire Protection District’s website at www.orlandfire.org.

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Garage Fire in Orland Park (Crystal Tree) Sunday morning

Fire hydrant in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Garage Fire in Orland Park (Crystal Tree) Sunday morning

On Sunday February 2, 2014 at 08:27 we had a report of a fire in a residence at 14537 Crystal Tree Drive.  The initial dispatch had Battalion 4, Truck 1, Engine 3, Engine 5, and ambulance 3 responding.  Upon our arrival Engine 3 reported heavy smoke coming from the attached three car garage of a large 4000 square foot home.  The alarm was upgraded to bring additional companies to the fire and additional units into the District to maintain emergency response District wide. 

The initial crews responded within 1 minute of the call and were on the scene within 4 minutes.  Engine 3 was the initial arriving company and made an aggressive interior attack while the first arriving Truck conducted a primary search to ensure the safety of the residents. 

There were two residents in the home at the time of the fire, both left the home immediately and are in good condition.  The fire was contained to the garage due to the quick response time and aggressive interior attack from the first arriving companies.  Although the fire was contained to the garage compartment, the rest of the home did suffer heavy smoke damage.  The fire companies doing salvage and overhaul did little additional damage making sure the fire did not extend to any other areas of the residence.  The fire is still under investigation and the focus of the investigation is being directed at one of the two vehicles located in the garage. 

Fire Chief Brucki said, "I was very proud of the rapid response and aggressive fire fighting techniques of the first arriving crews.  Given the weather conditions and the other various challenges, our crews acted quickly to prevent further damage to the residence.  The safety of the crews responding and the residents we serve is our main priority, however, we take pride in our ability to preserve property and assist the residents with cleanup after an incident.  We realize the trauma and devastation a fire has on our residence and make every attempt to assist them in their time of need."

One additional public safety note, with all the snow and the plowing efforts to maintain safe travel on the roadways, please make sure all hydrants are clear and snow removed from around the hydrant so that fire companied can first find the hydrant and then utilize it in the event of a fire, Brucki said.

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