Tuesday, July 23, 2013

OFPD recognizes nine firefighters for longevity, 20 and 35 years of services

Bookmark and Share


OFPD recognizes nine firefighters for longevity, 20 and 35 years of services

The Orland Fire Protection District recognized nine firefighters Tuesday for their longevity with OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki presenting them each with accolades and recognition for their service.

Brucki presented recognitions to six firefighters for 20 years of service and threefold firefighters for 35 years of service.

"I want to thank all of you for your many years of service. You have all served us well and we are proud of you," Brucki said at Tuesday's OFPD board meeting.

"I admire you all for the dedication you have shown to serving our district and our public."

Brucki joined OFPD Trustees Blair Rhode, Jayne Schirmacher, John Brudnak, Chris Evoy and Board President James Hickey in congratulating the nine firefighters.

The recipients are Firefighter/Paramedic Terry Campagne, Engineers Edward Dunne, Pamela Exline, Joseph Mandekich and Robert Murphy III, and Lieutenant Michael Srncik for 20 years of service, and Battalion Chief William Bonnar and Lieutenants Michael Copple and William Leddin for 35 years of fire service.

Each recipient was give a plaque to recognize their service and a service pin.

Bonnar, who received recognition for 35 years of service, generated laughter from the board and audience when he quipped, "Well, we're halfway there now."

(Photos Courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District and Battalion Chief Dan Smith):

From left: Engineer Robert Murphy III, Lieutenant Michael Srncik, Engineers Joseph Mandekich, Edward Dunne, and Firefighter/Paramedic Terry Campagne for 20 years of service. (Not pictured, Engineer Pamela Exline.)

35 Year recipients Lt. William Ledden, Battalion
Chief William Bonnar and Fire Chief Ken Brucki

35 year recipient Lt. Michael Copple and Fire Chief Ken Brucki

END

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Four were injured Thursday July 11 as a result of a roll-over vehicle crash.

Bookmark and Share


Four were injured Thursday July 11 as a result of a roll-over vehicle crash. 

Orland Fire responded to a vehicle crash with injuries in the area of 8900 135th St. at about 3:15pm. While responding, Orland Fire Dispatch notified responders a vehicle had rolled over with reports of entrapment. A pin-in response was initiated as well as Palos Fire for a response. Initial units reported the crash involved a single vehicle which had rolled and occupants were out of the vehicle being attended to by bystanders. 

Four patients were injured and required transport to hospitals. Orland Fire and Palos Fire each had two ambulances on the scene. The four ambulances transported a female adult and 3 children to Christ Hospital. 

At this time there is no information on the condition of the and Orland Park Police are investigating the cause of the crash.




Monday, July 8, 2013

Orland Park stove fire Monday - 5:20 pm

Bookmark and Share


Orland Park stove fire Monday - 5:20 pm



The Orland Fire Protection District responded to the 9100 block of Lincoln Court today at about 5:20 in the afternoon for a stove fire.  Initial arriving firefighters encountered smoke on the second floor of the three story building as they moved into the involved unit.  The fire on the stove and the adjacent cabinets were extinguished quickly before the fire spread in the kitchen.  All of the units in the building were evacuated safely.

Minor fire damage and smoke damage were limited to the unit of origin.  Fire companies removed smoke from the entire building before residents were allowed back into their homes.  There were no injuries at this incident.



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Orland Fire Protection District swears-in two new board members

Bookmark and Share


Orland Fire Protection District swears-in two new board members

Newly elected Trustees John Brudnak and Jayne Schirmacher were sworn into office at a special meeting of the Orland Fire Protection District board Tuesday, May 7, at 5 pm at the Fire District headquarters.

Local officials joined in commemorating the new trustees inauguration welcoming the new trustees during the brief ceremony. Officials attending included Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Orland Park Village Mayor Dan McLaughlin, Orland Hills Mayor Kyle Hastings, and Orland Trustee Brad O'Halloran. Also speaking was OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki. Gorman conducted the swearing-in of each of the new trustees.

Brudnak and Schirmacher join board incumbents James Hickey, board president, and trustees Chris Evoy and Blair Rhode. Brudnak and Schirmacher will serve six year terms ending in 2019. Hickey's term ends in 2015 and Evoy and Rhode serve through 2017.

During the past two years, the new board majority has worked hard to trim waste and more closely monitor budget spending, reducing the budget during the past two years to under $30 million, the first time the budget has been under $30 million during the past 5 years. By holding the line on spending, the board prevented spending from increasing the budget and cut spending by more than $1 million each of the past two years With trimming waste and holding the line on spending, the board has saved taxpayers more than $4 million, President Hickey said.

Photos courtesy OFPD Battallion Chief Dan Smith.


















Monday, May 6, 2013

Orland Fire District Foundation holds fundraiser Thursday May 2

Bookmark and Share


Orland Fire District Foundation holds fundraiser Thursday May 2

The Orland Fire Protection District Foundation held its annual fundraiser reception Thursday May 2, 2013 at 94 West Restaurant in Orland Park.

Foundation committee members, comprised of community members and fire district employees, determined this year's event will support three specific groups including the Kids Fire and Life Safety Camp, the
Community CARE Program, and the Residential Knox Box Program.

Community CARE provides training for individuals and businesses in CPR, AED and PADS.

The Kids Fire and Safety Camp is a weeklong children's camp hosted every summer by the Orland Fire Protection District to teach children fire safety practices and to understand fire prevention.

Activities include Combat challenge, CPR/First Aid, weather preparedness, fire prevention, Fire Safety Trailer, using fire hose, watching live fire and EMS scenarios, water day and many other activities The camp attracts as many as 60 children from the district each year.

The Residential Knox Box Program loans out boxes to elderly individuals who have debilitating medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, and limited mobility. These boxes safely store keys so  firefighters can enter a residence without damaging a door upon emergency entry.

"All of these programs are critical to raising fire prevention and emergency care awareness in our community. This education of the community assists firefighter response,"  Patti Brucki, a member of the committee said.  

Although there are some fees associated with the programs, funds raised by the Orland Fire Foundation help to keep those costs down to make them available to everyone.

The Orland Fire Foundation is a 501 ( C ) 3 organization providing fire prevention and public safety awareness to the Orland Fire Protection District. The Foundation was reconstituted last year after a short hiatus. All Donations are tax deductible.

Brucki urged residents and businesses who wish to help the Fire District and to support the programs to contact her and consider sponsorship levels. Brucki can be reached at 708-288-1643.

The Foundation accepted and raffled off a wide array of donations, such as Gift Certificates, Themed Baskets, Sports Memorabilia, Toys, Golf Packages, Jewelry or Event Tickets, for example, will be used for raffles to raise more funds during the event.

The Foundation also accepted donations of non-perishable food items for the Orland Township food pantry.  

Tickets for the Foundation event were $50 each.  Attendees enjoyed appetizers and entertainment by Jimmy "O" and Rhonda Lee.Guests were photographed on an OFPD fire truck.  


Photos courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District




















 end