Orland Fire Protection District Open House draws crowd

Orland Fire Protection District Open House draws crowd

This year's annual Orland Fire Protection District Open House drew a large crowd of residents who came to show support for the firefighters and observe staged scenarios in which firefighters battle garage, home and building fires.

The firefighters also showed visitors to the Orland Fire Protection District's Training Center at 10728 W. 163^rd Place on Saturday October 6 how home sprinkler systems can protect a homeowners property.

Two separate "rooms" were set up to simulate a home front room. In one room, there was no sprinkler and in another, there was a ceiling sprinkler set off by heat (not smoke) from the fire.

The first room and all of its furnishings burned up almost completely in less than 2 minutes. The second room fire was put out in 30 seconds.

"Sprinklers save lives and property. You can see how fast a fire can spread through a home. The smoke detector will alert you to a fire but the sprinkler will help put the fire out almost immediately after it starts preserving most of your heirlooms and your personal property," OFPD Chief Ken Brucki said.

The fire in the above simulation home front room burned up in less than 2 minutes.

Nearly one-third of American residents are unprepared to escape a fire if one were to occur in their homes, a study commissioned by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) concludes. Most Americans, according to the study, believe that 6 minutes is more than enough time for them to gather their family and flee a fire if it were to occur in their homes.

But that time period is higher than what officials believe is the safe time zone and would put many families in jeopardy in a life threatening fire, Brucki said.

To help raise awareness, the Orland Fire Protection District teamed up with NFPA to showcase the problem during National Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012. The OFPD and NFPA urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” which is the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.

“One structure fire in a home was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Chief Ken Brucki of the Orland Fire District.

Fire fighters also demonstrated how they confront a garage fire in a vehicle, and also displayed fire equipment and trucks. The open house ran from 10 am until 1 pm. 

During the event, Brucki, Fire and Life Safety Educator Nancy Mulvihill and Fire Officials also recognized young students who participated in the district's annual coloring contest, presenting trophies to each winner. They included: Emma Kanagy, Kylie Egan, Megan Shirley (Preschool); Matthew St. John, Ilana St. Clair, and Sophia Bonaminio (Kindergarten); Yeledez G. Montes, Jeremiah Somerville, Elise Durkin (1st Grade); Laici Zakrajsek, Kristina Paskis, and Brian Harms (2nd Grade); Theo Bueno, Naya Vlahos, Michael Kryston (3rd Grade); Joshua Hamill, Jocelyn Graczyk, Arian Hazemi (4th Grade); Amy Muhs (5th Grade); Deirde Flanagan, Victoria Marshall, Delaine Mikesell (6th Grade), Grace Wanucha, Hannah Spirakis, Kristen Bonner (7th Grade); and, Alex Fegan, Nicole Yaylayan, Zack Marshall (8th Grade).

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and the Orland Fire Protection District, contact Mulvihill at 708-873-2742. To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

(Photos courtesy Ray Hanania and Urban Strategies Group)

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Newcastle townhome fire 10-07-12

Newcastle townhome fire 10-07-12

The Orland Fire District responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire in a home on Greencastle Ln. shortly after 6 a.m. on Sunday morning 10/07/2012. Initial companies arrived, reported heavy smoke in the area, and located the source to be a townhome on Greencastle Ln. 

Fire crews found fire in the walls on the first and second floors as well as in the attic. The fire was brought under control in about 25 minutes. All occupants of the townhome including the adjoining units were safely out of the building including their dog. Fire was contained in the walls and attic areas with smoke damage on all three floors. 

Orland Fire companies were able to handle the incident with a working fire response and called area departments to cover stations during the incident. Fire investigators were on scene for several hours and the cause remains under investigation. 

Orland Fire District battles fire on Royal Fox Hunt Road

The Orland Fire District responded to the report of a house fire on Royal Fox Hunt Rd. in early morning hours of Wednesday October 3^rd. 

A 9-1-1 call was received at 04:46 reporting his neighbor’s home was on fire. An initial response of two engines, two trucks, one ambulance, and a chief were dispatched with the first companies arriving within 5 minutes. A working fire response was started by Battalion 1 while responding bringing an additional engine, ambulance, and chief officers. 

The neighbors had also alerted the homeowners of the fire and were able to exit on their own before arrival of the fire dept. Truck 1 arrived and reported fire showing from the side of the house involving the gas meter and from the roof. Firefighters extinguished the fire in the attic and searched the home to assure all occupants were out. Salvage operations done by initial crews protected the homes furnishings while the fire was extinguished and overhauled to find hidden fire. The natural gas fire at the meter continued to burn about an hour with extension controlled by firefighters with a hose line until the arrival of NICORP to stop the flow of gas.  

The fire was handled by Orland Fire companies with 24 firefighters and under control in about twenty five minutes. The homes occupants escaped without injury with fire damage limited to the attic. The origin of fire was outside while the cause is not suspicious or weather related it is still being investigated.

Fire District supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Fire District supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Orland Fire Protection District will have firefighters wear special Breast Cancer Awareness shirts and pink EMS gloves during the month of October to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month, Chief Ken Brucki said.

The effort is to help raise awareness for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies.

Brucki said that the district firefighters wanted to show support for the important cause of breast cancer awareness.

“It has touched so many lives in our community and we wanted to show our support in raising public awareness” Brucki said.

Brucki said the Breast Cancer Awareness shirts will include the Fire District logo and the recognizable ribbon of the Breast Cancer Awareness community.

October is traditionally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month nationally, but Brucki said the effort to fight breast cancer is an all year round, 24/7 objective.

Pictured from left: Lt. Scot Gorecki, Lt. Brian Martin, Eng. Ray Marquardt, Chief Ken Brucki, Eng. Dave Dutkiewicz, FF/Paramedic David Popp, FF/Paramedic Adrian Puente. Photo courtesy Orland Fire Protection District

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Orland Fire District demonstrates training exercises to fight fires at Media Day event Sept. 28

Orland Fire Protection District hosts "Media Day" Friday Sept. 28 -- meet new recruits, officials, and view training strategies

The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting a special “Media Day” at the district’s Training Center, 10728 west 163^rd Place to chronicle the Academy training and processing of our new Firefighter hires. The event will be held on Friday September 28, 2012 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.

The OFPD has a replica garage, replica four-story building, replica frame home and replica auto accident scene where firefighters and recruits train to maintain their level of professional services.

Fire Chief Ken Brucki explained that although the scenarios are controlled replicas of potential emergencies, they pose a serious threat to firefighters. The fire in the four-story brick building, for example, reaches temperatures of 1,100 degrees inside the building during exercises.

Firefighters trained in putting out garage fires, fires in an office tower, fires in a home and extricating victims from vehicle accident scenes. 

The media will be allowed to view firsthand a series of fire training exercises including:

·         Live fire training

·         Engine operations

·         Hose line advancement

·         Forcible entry

·         Search and Rescue Techniques

·         Fire Extinguishment

PPhotos

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Orland Fire Protection District hosts "Media Day" Friday Sept. 28 -- meet new recruits, officials, and view training strategies

Orland Fire Protection District hosts "Media Day" Friday Sept. 28 -- meet new recruits, officials, and view training strategies

The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting a special “Media Day” at the district’s Training Center, 10728 west 163^rd Place to chronicle the Academy training and processing of our new Firefighter hires. The event will be held on Friday September 28, 2012 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM

The media will be allowed to view firsthand a series of fire training exercises including:

·         Live fire training

·         Engine operations

·         Hose line advancement

·         Forcible entry

·         Search and Rescue Techniques

·         Fire Extinguishment

Lunch will be provided afterwards at 11:30 am.

OFPD Hosts Open House Oct. 6 to promote Fire Prevention Week

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Ray Hanania

Sept. 17, 2012 Monday                             rayhanania  @  comcast  .  net

OFPD Hosts Open House Oct. 6 to promote Fire Prevention Week

Many residents unprepared if their home catches fire

(OFPD) – Nearly one-third of American residents are unprepared to escape a fire if one were to occur in their homes, a recent study commissioned by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) concludes.

Most Americans, according to the study, believe that 6 minutes is more than enough time for them to gather their family and flee a fire if it were to occur in their homes.

But that time period is higher than what officials believe is the safe time zone and would put many families in jeopardy in a life threatening fire.

Two help raise awareness, the Orland Fire Protection District has teamed up with NFPA to showcase the problem during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012. The OFPD and NFPA urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” which is the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.

“One structure fire in a home was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Chief Ken Brucki of the Orland Fire District.

“Fire is unpredictable and moves much faster than most people realize.  Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home. Six minutes is not enough time to escape life threatening circumstances and I am hoping the emphasis on that this year during Fire Prevention Week will encourage more families to recognize the significance of fire escape planning and practice.” 

The Orland Fire Protection District recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:

• ·         Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
• ·         Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they have escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
• ·         Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
• ·         Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
• ·         Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

The Orland Fire Protection District will be hosting an Open House on October 6, 2012, to kick off Fire Prevention Week to promote “Have Two Ways Out!”

Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practices, as well as the power of prevention, visit our website for more details.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and the Orland Fire Protection District, contact Nancy Mulvihill at 708-873-2742. To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

The Open House will be held at the Orland Fire Prevention District Training Center, 10728 W. 163^rd Place from 10 am until 1 pm Saturday Oct. 6, 2012.

Also, there will be a coloring contest ceremony announcing winner at 12:30. Students from local schools have submitted Coloring Contest pictures and the winners will be picked from the entries. The top 3 in each grade will get a trophy.

And, the OFPD will host a blood drive from 8 until 2 pm.

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