Orland Fire Protection District presents meritorious awards at Board meeting

On Dec. 18, 2012 at 9 am, the Orland Fire Protection District responded as a support unit with Truck 4 to a hostile structural fire in Oak Forest. Resources were taxed, a lot of black smoke emanated from the building there were a number of potential victims in the structure. Firefighters did a search in the basement where they found one civilian who came out. He was put him in an ambulance and as operations to fight the blaze were under way.

“It was an Unsafe, unstable environment,” said Fire Chief Ken Brucki at a meeting of the OFPD board on Jan. 22. “There was chaotic communications on the scene. Our people did an exceptional job. There was a dispatch employee who was off duty but in the district and he jumped in and started to do his work to help in the 9/11 center.”

During the Board meeting on Jan. 22, Brucki and Bat Chief Nick Cinquepalmi presented awards to the firefighters and personnel who supported the effort to get the fire under control.

Individual Performance Award

Dispatchers Tim Neal, Karen Gallo, Chief Brucki

Chief Brucki said ,“They are recognized for the professionalism and support in a difficult emergency.”

 

Individual commendations

Jennifer Smith, Firefighter and Jeff Ruchniewicz, Firefighter

“When a community member is in need, they call 911. When a community is in need, as a fire department, we also call 911 and the surrounding communities also come out and help. We sent two ambulances there, one to handle the victim and treated and transported him The second was sent there for any unknowns that might have come up," Brucki said.

 

Firefighter Paramedic Kevin Frawley, Engineer Paul Pokorny, Chief Brucki

Said Chief Brucki, “You provided every effort to save the victim and I know you provided every effort possible.”

  

Firefighter Paramedic George Schick, Engineer John Purtill, Lieutenant Dan Turner, Chief Brucki

 Individual commendation award

“They put their men in jeopardy to save victims," Chief Brucki said. “Your quick and efficient techniques provided for the victim to survive. Your techniques also kept your members safe.”

Bat. Chief Nick Cinquepalmi with Fire Marshal Ken Brucki also receiving an individual commendation award. “Battalion Chief Cinquepalmi monitored the circumstances as they happened. He knew there was going to be a call for service. Outstanding and excellent leadership showed through in this call.”

Trustee  Marty McGill, Board President Jim Hickey, FF/P Kevin Frawley, Dispatchers Tim Neal and Karen Gallo, FF/P Jim Ruchniewicz, FF/P Jennifer Smith, Engineer Paul Pokorny, FF/P George Schick, Engineer John Purtill, Lt. Dan Turner, B/C Nick Cinquepalmi, Chief Brucki, Trustee Blair Rhode, Trustee Chris Evoy.

(All photos courtesy Battalion Chief Dan Smith and the Orland Fire Protection District.)

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Orland Fire Prevent District announces new program to reduce Sudden Cardiac Arrest deaths

Orland Fire Prevent District announces new program to reduce Sudden Cardiac Arrest deaths

The Orland Fire Protection District is launching a new program called Community CARE (Cardiac Arrest Rescue Enterprise) to increase survival rates for cardiac arrest victims by providing additional CPR training and putting Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the hands of the public.

The new program will engage the public’s assistance by making AEDs more accessible for members of the public at locations including restaurants and businesses, and also make them available to local police.

OFPD Chief Ken Brucki said the program will be supervised by Battalion Chief Raymond Kay, who has already identified grant funding to help with CPR training and to help underwrite the purchase of equipment.  Battalion Chief Kay will also identify partners in the public who wish to help save lives by learning CPR and will host the AEDs.

“When we receive an emergency 911 call for a Cardiac incident, we immediately dispatch the closest unit by GPS location and another vehicle for support and assistance, one Ambulance and one fire suppression vehicle, both of which are equipped with Paramedics and Advanced life Support equipment. And while this happens very quickly and in a matter of one or two minutes, each passing second reduces the patient’s chances of survival,” Brucki said.

“What Community CARE will do is provide CPR and AED training that can be used at the scene by members of the public to provide emergency support while the ambulance and professional care is on its way giving the victim an extra few seconds that increase the patient’s chances of survival.”

Kay, who has been working on the program for the past year, said he will begin a program to educate the public about how Community CARE can work.  He said that the OFPD emergency teams responded to 42 cardiac arrests in 2011 and 46 cardiac arrests in 2012. 

“The concept is simple. When someone experiences Sudden Cardiac Arrest at a public location, we want an AED unit to be available to help support immediate care until the emergency fire team arrives on the scene,” Kay said.

“Every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest victim looses a 10% chance to survive.  Those additional seconds and minutes of life support given to the patient while waiting for the ambulance to arrive will dramatically increase the victim’s survival.”

Kay said that the district does not have quality data on how many of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest patients returned to a normal life because all are taken to a hospital where medical treatment continues.  The Community CARE program helps to acquire this data which is instrumental in the constant desire to improve service.

“We know that more than 61 million Americans have cardiovascular disease, resulting in approximately 1 million deaths per year and one-third of these deaths are due to cardiac arrest, the sudden and unexpected loss of heart function. Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are only 1 to 5 percent,” Kay said.

“Most often cardiac arrest is due to chaotic beating of the heart (ventricular fibrillation), which can be restored to a normal rhythm if treated early with electric shock or ‘defibrillation’. Early defibrillation is a key component in sudden cardiac arrest patient survival.  Public access to Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) is imperative.”

Kay said that performing CPR and using the AEDs during those first few moments of a cardiac arrest can result in a survival rate of more than 90 percent.

“The average age of victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is 65.  In 2010 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.1% of the Orland Park community was age 65 or older,” Kay said.

“Over the next 16 years it is estimated that the 65 and older population will grow to over 30% of the population in Orland Park.”

Kay said he estimates the costs of AED units to be between $1,500 to $3,000 dollars.

“I want to first speak with business groups and community organizations and the police in Orland Park and Orland Hills and then get their support.” Kay said.

Chief Kay will make a detailed presentation at tomorrow’s (Tuesday Jan. 22) OFPD board meeting.

“The Orland Fire Protection District will always continue to explore ways to improve the services and public safety we provide to the residents,” Brucki said. “We can think of no better partner than members of the public to join us to help ensure a safe life for all of our residents.”

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Carcrash 135th and Patridge Lane Orland

Early Friday morning just after 3 a.m., the Orland Fire Protection District responded to 135th and Partridge Lane for a motor vehicle crash. Initial units arrived to find a vehicle that had struck a tree on the South side of the street resulting in heavy damage to the car.

The driver of the single vehicle involved in the crash was pinned in what remained it after being split behind the front seat sending the engine up to neighboring homes. Additional Orland units were dispatched on a pin-in response to assist extricating the driver from the vehicle. The driver was removed from the wreckage in approximately twenty minutes from arrival and transported to Christ Hospital for treatment.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Orland Park Police Department.

(Photo by Orland Fire District)

OFPD Public Service Announcement: Preventing Winter Fire Hazards

OFPD Public Service Announcement: Preventing Winter Fire Hazards

With the cost of heating a home rising, many homeowners have turned to alternative sources for warmth that go beyond simply using their fire places more often. They are buying wood burning stoves, kerosene heaters and electrical and gas space heaters.

Some have even turned to using their gas ovens and gas stoves.

Some of the alternatives are popular and acceptable, but they also are a part of  rising incidents in residential fires.

Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips offered by the Orland Fire Protection District can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter.

Before using any alternative heating source, make sure they are legal. Many municipalities prohibit the use of kerosene heaters, for example.

Here is a checklist of some important precautions you can take to protect your family.

·         Have your heater checked to ensure it is burning fuel efficiently and safely.

·         Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel (coal, kerosene, or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes.

·         Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer.

·         NEVER introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type fuel.

·         NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace.

·         Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.

If you have any questions or concerns about any situation involving your safety, you can call the Fire Department at 708-349-0074. Always dial 9-1-1 in an emergency situation.

MORE TIPS:

·         Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.

·         Never fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling.

·         Refueling should be done outside of the home (or outdoors). Keep young children away from space heaters—especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.

·         When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide.

Wood Stoves And Fireplaces

·         Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.

·         To use them safely:

·         Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.

·         Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be laboratory tested.

·         Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.

·         Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.

·         Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.

·         The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.

·         Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.

·         Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.

·         Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite theses materials.

·         Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.

·         If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Furnace Heating

·         It is important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.

·         Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.

·         Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified. Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.

·         Check the flue pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.

·         Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.

·         Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.

Other Fire Safety Tips

·         Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.

·         Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.

·         If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry an amp load. TIP: Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance electrical cord.

·         Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water.

·         Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space. Use hot water or a laboratory tested device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.

·         If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.

·         If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in the event it is needed, it can be located.

FINALLY...

·         Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis.

·         Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family.

·         Contact your local fire department for advice if you have a question on home fire safety.

Courtesy of the  Department of Homeland Security U.S. Fire Administration, Maryland.

OFPD presents awards for citizen emergency responses

OFPD presents awards for citizen emergency responses

Chief Ken Brucki and the Orland Fire Protection District board presented awards at the meeting of the OFPD Board on Tuesday November 27. The following awards (with photos attached and captions) were presented.

Battalion Chief William Bonnar Sr. Citizen Life Saving Award:

On October 23^rd a 48 year old male patron of the Riviera Country Club became unconscious in the Spa due to a medical condition. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation Riviera Country Club employees began a sequence of events that included calling 911, removing the unconscious patient from the water and beginning CPR. Paramedics continued care and because of the unselfish actions of the aforementioned employees the patron was successfully resuscitated. 

Awarded To: Alexander Izguerra  - Employee; Dave Carlson – Employee; Larry Yakutis – Patron

Lt. Mark Duke, Riveria C.C. Employee Dave Carlson,

Riviera C.C. Patron Larry Yakutis, and Chief Ken Brucki

Battalion Chief William Bonnar Sr. Citizen Life Saving Award:

On September 3^rd a 61 year old husband and father suffered sudden cardiac arrest in his home. The patients’ family began a series of life sustaining actions that included calling 911, following the direction of the Emergency Medical Dispatcher, initiating CPR and providing history to the paramedics upon arrival. Paramedics continued care on arrival and because of the prompt actions of Matthew & John Weimar, their father was successfully resuscitated.

Awarded To Sons: John Weimer and Matthew Weimer

Lt. Mark Duke, Matthew Weimar, Chief Ken Brucki, John Weimar

Matthew Weimar, Jack Weimar, John Weimar

Chief Art Granat Sr. Award of Merit:

On October 27^th Orland Police Sergeant Troy Siewert responded to an emergency at the Orland Bakery. On arrival Sergeant Siewert observed a woman unconscious on the floor, recognized the need for immediate action, quickly evaluated and began chest compressions.  

Patient care was turned over to paramedics on arrival. The patient, whose airway was occluded, subsequently regained consciousness, was transported to the hospital for evaluation and recovered fully. The successful outcome can be attributed in part to the actions of Sergeant Siewert.

Awarded to: Sergeant Troy Siewert

Orland Park Police Commander Tom Kenealy, OFPD Lt. Mark Duke, Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy, Orland Park Police Officer Troy Siewert, OFPD Chief Ken Brucki

“Oftentimes we forget that firefighters and police work 24/7 and are constantly on-duty even when they are off of work,” said Brucki. “But we also recognize that many of our citizens have the training and experience to provide support until professional help can arrive. In all of these cases, the efforts of civilians contributed to positive outcomes. And we salute them all.”

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Orland Fire Protection District showcases shirts honoring veterans

Orland Fire Protection District showcases shirts honoring veterans

The Orland Fire Protection District’s personnel will wear special shirts every Friday designed to salute America’s active duty military men and women, and veterans who have served or sacrificed their lives in past service to their country.

Firefighters will be given the option to wear the special red shirts as an alternative to their regular Class B uniforms every Friday beginning this month as a salute to Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 and for the next year to recognize the sacrifices of veterans and those in active duty military service.

“Many of our employees are veterans and I felt this was a very appropriate way to recognize their service and the service of others, and also as a way to emphasize that our firefighters are like all of the men and women in our community who commit themselves to our safety and our way of life,” said OFPD Chief Ken Brucki.

Brucki, who last month directed Fire personnel to wear shirts in support of the fight against breast cancer, said “the community needs to know that we are not only vigilant to protect their interests, but that their interests and safety are also our interests and safety.”

Brucki said it was important that the public recognize the commitment Fire District employees have not only to their mission but also to the society as a whole. He said wearing the shirts is not mandatory but a choice for employees.

Photo

Personnel pictured from left to right are:  Engineer Steve Kovats (USAF), Lt. Tom Grossman (USMC), Chief Ken Brucki, Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Agle (Il. National Guard, active), Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Frawley (Il. National Guard, active), Lt. Kevin Kitchen (US Army), and FF/P Brian Thompson (US Army Reserves, active).

(Not Pictured: Engineer Jim Mazurkiewicz (US Naval Reserves), Firefighter Wally Rafacz (US Army), Engineer Steve Rivero (US Navy), Lieutenant Todd Schuneman (USMC, US Air Force Reserves.)

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Orland Fire responds to emergency call: Man’s hand caught in meat grinder

Orland Fire responds to emergency call: Man’s hand caught in meat grinder

The Orland Fire Protection District received an emergency call on Saturday (Nov. 3) involving a worker whose fingers were caught in a food meat grinder. The seriousness of the circumstances were aggravated when firefighters trying to extricate his hand from the machine had accompany the many to the hospital.

Fire Chief Ken Brucki said it was an extremely unusual incident.

“Once on the scene, the firefighters and paramedics were presented with an extremely serious incident which would test their skills and experience,” Brucki said.

“The worker had his arm stuck in a machine that grinds meat. The paramedics quickly began to treat the worker as the firefighters developed a plan to extricate the worker. It became quickly apparent that the extraction would be difficult and time consuming, the rescue team began to dismantle as much of the machine as possible on the scene.”

Brucki said that paramedics recognized that the patient had to be immediately transported to the hospital where the extrication had to be completed in the emergency room.

“It was obvious to the paramedics that the this rescue would require medical staff and an Emergency Room for the best outcome,” Brucki said.

“The decision was made to transport the worker with his arm still in the grinder part of the machine to Silver Cross Hospital where doctors could assist the rescue team in the removal.”

Brucki said it was the patient was taken to Silver Cross Hospital.

“This was a first in the history of the Orland Fire Protection District, we had never gone to a hospital to continue an extraction, Engine 3, Truck 1, Battalion 1 and Ambulance 3 all proceeded to Silver Cross hospital,” Brucki said.

“Once at the hospital firefighters conferred with Emergency room Doctors, it was decided that the extrication could not be done in surgery and that the firefighter would perform the extraction in a sub room of the ER where the firefighter could use a smaller version of the “Jaws of Life” to meticulously cut away the grinder portion of the machine.”

Brucki said it was “like a scene from a movie” with firefighters cutting the machine apart under the direction of the Emergency Room Doctors.

“The extrication lasted about 20 minutes and was successful the ER staff immediately took over care as the firefighters began to put their equipment back in service,” Brucki said. “This is another example of how well trained our Orland Firefighters are to handle unique situations.”

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