Thursday, June 26, 2014

Lightning causes Home fire in Orland Park at Karli Lane Wednesday

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Lightning causes Home fire in Orland Park at Karli Lane Wednesday

A lightning strike damaged a home in Orland Park on Wednesday afternoon June 25, 2014.

Residents were in their house as the thunderstorm approached their home on Karli Lane when the lightning struck the roof.

Hearing and feeling it hit their home they checked for damage and found their attic on fire. The Orland Fire Protection District received the 911 call reporting the fire at about 2:20 pm and dispatched units for a residential fire. Initial units arrived quickly and accessed the attic with a hose line to control the fire. The fire was confined to the attic area but extensive overhaul of the second floor was needed to expose other areas of hidden fire ignited by the lightning bolt as it traveled the pipes and ductwork.

Although the fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes, Orland firefighters remained for about 2 hours clearing the debris from the fallen ceiling and protecting undamaged portions of the home. There were no injuries reported and Orland units not involved in this incident covered other incidents in the District.






(Photos courtesy The Orland Fire Protection District www.OrlandFire.org.)

ALSO check out the Orland Fire Protection DIstrict's Facebook page for more information at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orland-Fire-Protection-District-IL/128003467253461


Monday, June 23, 2014

OFPD responds to home fire

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OFPD responds to home fire

The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a house fire around 2pm Monday afternoon June 23, 2014.

Neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from the roof and called 911.

Orland Firefighters arrived and reported smoke showing and made a quick interior attack to confine the fire to the lower level. The house sustained heavy smoke damage and had burned though the first floor above the area of origin. The homeowners were not inside at the time of fire and no injuries were reported.

Approximately 30 firefighters were on the scene with the fire being struck in about 30 minutes. Orland was assisted on scene by Palos Fire and had the stations covered with several other surrounding agencies. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.




Photos courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District

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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Applications now available for the OFPD annual Kids Fire & Life Safety Camp

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Applications now available for the OFPD annual Kids Fire & Life Safety Camp


The Orland Fire Protection District is accepting applications for children ages 8 years through 11 years to participate in its annual Kids Fire & Life Safety Camp which runs July 15 through July 18. Each session runs from 8:30 am until 11:30 am at the Fire District’s Training Center.


2013 Campers

The Fire & Life Safety camp is dedicated to exposing school aged children to safety lessons that deal with potential hazards commonly found in homes and at schools. The camp sessions are designed to be fun, entertaining and educational, while offering attendees the experience and knowledge to keep themselves out of harm’s way.

Campers will attend lectures and participate in hands-on lessons, including opportunities to participate in exercises designed to reinforce the program fundamentals.

Topics explored and addressed include Basic First Aid & CPR, water and pool safety, bicycle safety, Fire Prevention, personal safety and injury prevention, safety around utilities, rail road tracks, and severe weather preparedness. The program also teaches the children about required firefighter skills, and reinforces the dangers of dealing with strangers. Children also learn how to work together as a team.

The camp is held at 10728 W. 163rd Place.  Participation on the camp is free to OFPD district residents (proof of residency is required). If space is available, children from outside the district may attend for a nominal registration fee of $30. For more information, or to download an application visit the Orland Fire Protection District’s website at www.OrlandFire.org, or call 708-349-0074. You can also pick up an application at the OFPD Headquarters at 9790 W. 151st Street. Applications must be returned to the OFPD Headquarters no later than July 1.


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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

OFPD recruits given rigorous training in emergency fire simulations

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OFPD recruits given rigorous training in emergency fire simulations

Ten fire recruits hired to fill newly created staff vacancies are working through an intensive training course learning the latest in fire fighting and emergency services strategies in a training academy program sponsored by the Orland Fire Protection District.

The new firefighters will not only fill vacancies but also eliminate overtime burdens on the Orland Fire Protection District’s firefighters who often have to fill positions with extra work duties.

OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki joined with his key training team leadership at a public demonstration of the rigorous training new recruits receive. Leading the training for the OFPD are Lt. David Piper, the Training & Safety Officer, and Mike Seifert and Carl Jones, both firefighters and graduates of the district’s training academy program.

“We have been providing this intense training now for several years,” Brucki said as the training session began Friday at the Fire District’s Training Center at 10728 West 163rd Place in Orland Park.



“We use what we have learned and work with the new recruits to ensure they have the same level of competency in fighting fires and providing emergency services.”

Brucki said the district’s 10 new firefighter trainees are evaluated in a variety of fire and emergency simulations including fighting fires, rescue and equipment management. Every OFPD recruit must be professionally trained both as a firefighter and as a paramedic.

“The recruits train 8 hours every day. Their day begins with a regimented exercise program to help eliminate injuries caused by muscle strains & sprains, which is one of the most frequent injuries firefighters experience,” Piper said as the recruits warmed up Friday morning at the Pro Sports Performance gym, 10649 163rd Place in Orland Park, located one block east of the OFPD Training Center.

Piper said the one-hour initial exercise program at Pro Sports Performance helps the recruits prepare for the physical stress involved in carrying and moving large equipment at emergency scenarios

“After that, we put them through a series of fire scenarios to build up their experience and knowledge on how to fight fires and provide emergency services during emergency situations.”

The 10 recruits were hired on May 9 and officially entered the training academy on May 12. Their probation period includes nine weeks of hands-on training followed by assignment to a fire station, ending with graduation one year later on May 9, 2015.

Piper, Seifert and Jones led the trainees through a specific exercise in which a training building was set on fire on the first floor. Teams of trainees, led by instructors, covered each of the key areas, connecting the hoses to the fire hydrant, scoping out the scene to identify any civilians in the building, and coordinating the response to the fire and smoke. One team approached to extinguish the fire, a second team climbed to the building’s roof to perform ventilation, while another scaled the building via ground ladders from the front to “rescue” several “victims.”

“I think they did very well. I think they are going to make great additions to the OFPD district,” Piper said after the exercise. “The goal is to make sure they are well trained professionals, fire fighters and paramedics, and are prepared to respond and service the community and the OFPD. Our number one goal is service to the community.”

OFPD Board of Trustees President Jim Hickey praised the district’s training program noting that not only does it save the district funds, but also has been recognized as one of the country’s best training programs.



“We have the finest firefighters in the country and much of that comes from the training that they receive from experienced and qualified professionals,” Hickey said.

“Residents of our district feel very secure and confident that the Fire District can respond to any emergency situation and circumstance quickly and successfully. That’s a confidence that reflects that tremendous effort that our firefighters make to respond to the community’s emergency and paramedic needs."

Afterwards, trainees Jason Postma and Martin Majda spoke with reporters who were allowed to observe and record the training session.

“We’re learning from a great group, an experienced group. Their knowledge and experience is vast. The dedication to the community plays into this. We are here to serve the residents,” trainee Majda said.

“The Orland Fire Protection District is the best fire department in the country and everyone in fire service wants to work here. This is the top of the line for this profession.”

Postma added, “The training we received has a huge focus on the fundamentals of firefighting and on service to the community. The Orland Fire Protection District has the highest level of dedication to professionalism and the deepest unwavering commitment to the community it serves.”

The 10 trainees include: Brian Paliga, James Logan, Jason Postma, Justin Dublin, Kory Tuburan, Mark Hogan, Martin Majda, Matt Giermala, Matthew Hoover, and Steven Prohaska.


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