Christopher Evoy elected as new OFPD President
Orland Fire Protection District Board members, from left, John Brudnak, Jim Hickey, Jayne Schirmacher, Chris Evoy and Blair Rhode.
The Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees Tuesday (May 19, 2015) named Christopher Evoy as its new president, succeeding Jim Hickey who is stepping aside as president to focus on increased personal responsibilities.
Hickey has served on the board as a trustee since 2009 and was elected to serve as board president by the board in 2010. He was re-elected to a second six-year term this past April. Evoy has served as a trustee since his election in 2011 along with Trustee Blair Rhode. Trustees John Brudnak and Jayne Schirmacher were elected to the board in 2013.
Christopher Evoy
Hickey said he remains committed to the Orland Fire Protection District but decided to step down serving as president because of increased responsibilities in his personal life.
“I started law school and am completing my first year and it requires a lot of my time and attention,” Hickey said.
“I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish with the support of the Orland Fire Protection District Board but I don’t feel that I can continue to meet the responsibilities as board president while also pursuing my law degree, which requires very rigorous studies. I know Chris Evoy will be a great board president.”
The board voted unanimously to elect Evoy as President, and named Brudnak as President Pro Tempore, serving in the absence of the president. Schirmacher, who served as Secretary to the board was elected Treasurer, and Rhode was elected the board’s new Secretary.
Evoy’s election in 2011 marked a major refocus for the Orland Fire Protection District which is one of the largest in the Midwest. Evoy, Rhode and Hickey immediately refocused the board to address the public’s concerns over excessive spending by the prior board leadership, and implemented stronger budget management imposing spending limitations and reductions.
“We saved the district more than $4 million during the first few years and have held down spending considerably,” Hickey said.
Evoy praised Hickey’s service and stressed that the change over is not about performance but personal needs at this time.
“Jim has done a great job as president, leading the board through a transition that has refocused the Fire District towards budget savings while maintaining the highest levels of emergency service and response,” Evoy said.
Under Hickey’s leadership, the board also implemented a full transparency policy to provide all district documents to the public online.
“Our biggest accomplishment was putting the brakes on the spending,” Hickey said. “We’ve done that and continued to maintain the highest professionalism at the Fire District,” Hickey said.
Some of the volunteers at the 2014 Orland Fire Foundation event
“I think residents can be proud that they have the best Fire District in the Midwest and they receive the best possible service and emergency response.”
The board last month changed the originally scheduled board meeting of Tuesday May 26 to May 19 because of the Memorial Day weekend holiday.
In other business, the board tabled a proposal to renovate Fire Station #3. Fire Chief Ken Brucki announced the Orland Fire Protection District has scheduled this year’s popular Kids Camp for July 14 through July 17, and the annual Open House for Sept. 26. Last year’s Open House attracted more than 800 attendees.
The Orland Fire Foundation will host its annual fundraiser this Thursday at 94th West Grille, to support both the Kids Camp and educational programs and CPR training directed towards Seniors and the public.
For more information, visit the Orland Fire Protection District’s website at www.OrlandFire.org.
