Orland Fire District honors firefighters for emergency response calls

Orland Fire District honors firefighters for emergency response calls

On January 2, 2014 paramedics responded to an individual with difficulty breathing at an extended care facility. On arrival, they determined the patient,  a 90 year old woman to be in cardiac arrest. They initiated high performance CPR and the patient was defibrillated and given medications. The patient was taken to the hospital with her blood pressure and pulse stabalized.

Recognized were fire fighters: Robert Proctor, Brian Thompson, Eng. David Nagel, lt Eric Johnson, Eng Robert Walsh, lt Peter Vassios, Daniel Ritchie and Chad Erickson.

Chief Brucki, Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Erickson, Engineer Dave Nagle, Engineer Rob Walsh, Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Thompson, Lieutenant Erick Johnson, Lieutenant Mark Duke. 

On Jan. 31, 2014, paramedics responded to a cardiac arrest call at an extended care facility. They initiated high performance CPR on the patient, an 81 year old male and they identified an obstructed airway. The obstruction was removed and after 20 minutes of resuscitation, the patient regained a pulse and blood pressure. Induced hypothermia was initiated according to standing medical orders and the patient was taken to the hospital where the patient resumed treatment and care.

On March 2, 2014, paramedics responded at a residence for an unresponsive 58 year old male. The patient was determined to be in cardiac arrest and high performance CPR was initiated. The patient was defibrillated several times after which he regained a strong pulse, blood pressure and spontaneous respirations. The patient was taken to the local hospital where he continued his treatment.

Recognized for both the Jan. 31 incident and the March 2 incident were: firefighters Lt. Robert Stachnik, Eng Steven Rivero, Lt. Erick Johnson, Eng. Robert Winkelman and David Popp.

Chief Brucki, Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Popp, Engineer Bob Winkelman, Lieutenant Erick Johnson, Engineer Steve Rivero, Lieutenant R.J. Stachnik, Lieutenant Mark Duke.

Fire Chief Ken Brucki said that a fourth fifer on March 12 at a home in Orland Park at 145th Street was particularly challenging because the home had a 300 foot “set-back” from the street.

“It was a very cold day and we had to stretch the hoses further. But we were fortunate that a neighbor had cleared the very high piles of snow from the fire hydrants nearby,” Brucki recalled.

“Our battalion chiefs and firefighters are always ready. We have four BC’s at the scene to lend a hand. They had heard the calls and came out to assist. It helped. I also personally went to the home of the neighbor to shake his hand and tell him how much his efforts to keep the fire hydrant cleared helped us to fight the fire at the home. The snow around it was several feet higher than the top of the hydrant so having it cleared meant the response was faster and effective.”

Brucki also said that the Fire Department would hire 10 more firefighters who are also paramedics immediately to replace 10 veteran firemen who are retired or leaving because of “normal attrition.” The proposal to hire the 10 firefighters to fill the vacancies was approved by the full board.

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Home fire on West 145th Street in Orland Park Wednesday

Home fire on West 145th Street in Orland Park Wednesday 

At about 1:50 pm on Wednesday afternoon, 3/12/2014, the Orland Fire District responded to investigate smoke coming from a home in the 9800 block of 145^th St.

The first arriving units reported heavy smoke showing and fire visible inside the front door of the one story home set back off the road. Initial efforts were made to attack the fire from inside the home. The fire in the living area had extended into the attic.

After finding areas the fire had burned through the floor, firefighting efforts were made from the outside until the fire could be controlled and visibility improved to evaluate the condition of the floor for firefighter safety. The fire was controlled in about an hour. Firefighters from neighboring Palos, Mokena, Homer, Northwest Homer, Crestwood, Tinley Park, Posen, and Palos Heights were on the scene to assist.

Other area departments staffed Orland stations during the incident. The two residents at home at the time of the fire escaped without injury. The Red Cross was called and on scene to assist the 7 displaced residents. Orland investigators determined the accidental fire originated in a back bedroom and the cause to be electrical.  

Fire Chief Ken Brucki said, "The Orland Fire District extends its appreciation to a neighbor who had taken the time to dig out the fire hydrant from the heavy wet snow at the end of his driveway. Those efforts saved time for firefighters so they didn’t have to search for it and dig it out when found. Clear access also provides for supply hoses to be connected more efficiently guaranteeing water in the hoses for the safety of firefighters inside."

Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District

Orland Fire District promotes Healthy Heart Awareness fundraiser

Orland Fire District promotes Healthy Heart Awareness fundraiser

David Nocera, owner of Mercedes Benz of Orland Park hosted a “Healthy Heart Awareness" Fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association on February 20, 2014.  

The Orland Fire Protection District was proud to participate along with a number of other invited guests and offered demonstrations on CPR, Automated External Defibrillators (AED), and techniques on how to save choking victims.

OFPD Battalion Chief Raymond Kay participated in the event to give attendees an opportunity to view firsthand how life-saving strategies are applied during emergency situations.

Kay is also leading the Orland Fire Protection District’s Community CARE program which seeks to place AEDs at various local communities.

“Having an AED and a staff person who is trained in operating an AED can assist in saving lives,” Kay said. “Those first few minutes can often determine whether a person survives sudden cardiac arrest. Having an AED and a staff person trained in its use can help sustain the patient during the first few minutes as emergency medical personnel and dispatched. It makes a difference and the Orland Fire Protection District is supporting a campaign to make more available through local businesses.”

                      

During the “Healthy Heart Awareness” fundraiser, officials from Mercedes Benz of Orland Park and the Orland Fire Protection District presented demonstrations on life saving techniques and presented information about the Community CARE program.  As a result of this event, Mercedes Benz of Orland Park owner David Nocera plans to purchase two AEDs.

"Community CARE is a comprehensive community oriented program geared to save lives of cardiac arrest victims,” Kay said. "The Orland Fire District offers FREE CPR and AED classes in an effort to increase the chances to save a life.”

For more information on Community CARE or how to schedule a presentation at your event, Contact Battalion Chief Kay or visit the Orland Fire Protection District’s website at www.orlandfire.org.

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Garage Fire in Orland Park (Crystal Tree) Sunday morning

Fire hydrant in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Garage Fire in Orland Park (Crystal Tree) Sunday morning

On Sunday February 2, 2014 at 08:27 we had a report of a fire in a residence at 14537 Crystal Tree Drive.  The initial dispatch had Battalion 4, Truck 1, Engine 3, Engine 5, and ambulance 3 responding.  Upon our arrival Engine 3 reported heavy smoke coming from the attached three car garage of a large 4000 square foot home.  The alarm was upgraded to bring additional companies to the fire and additional units into the District to maintain emergency response District wide. 

The initial crews responded within 1 minute of the call and were on the scene within 4 minutes.  Engine 3 was the initial arriving company and made an aggressive interior attack while the first arriving Truck conducted a primary search to ensure the safety of the residents. 

There were two residents in the home at the time of the fire, both left the home immediately and are in good condition.  The fire was contained to the garage due to the quick response time and aggressive interior attack from the first arriving companies.  Although the fire was contained to the garage compartment, the rest of the home did suffer heavy smoke damage.  The fire companies doing salvage and overhaul did little additional damage making sure the fire did not extend to any other areas of the residence.  The fire is still under investigation and the focus of the investigation is being directed at one of the two vehicles located in the garage. 

Fire Chief Brucki said, "I was very proud of the rapid response and aggressive fire fighting techniques of the first arriving crews.  Given the weather conditions and the other various challenges, our crews acted quickly to prevent further damage to the residence.  The safety of the crews responding and the residents we serve is our main priority, however, we take pride in our ability to preserve property and assist the residents with cleanup after an incident.  We realize the trauma and devastation a fire has on our residence and make every attempt to assist them in their time of need."

One additional public safety note, with all the snow and the plowing efforts to maintain safe travel on the roadways, please make sure all hydrants are clear and snow removed from around the hydrant so that fire companied can first find the hydrant and then utilize it in the event of a fire, Brucki said.

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OFPD Orland Hills home damaged by Fire Wednesday night

OFPD Orland Hills home damaged by Fire Wednesday night

The Orland Fire District responded to a house fire in the 9300 block of Hunter Ct. Wednesday, January 29. Orland Fire dispatch received a 911 call reporting a fire in the garage at about 7 p.m.

Initial arriving units reported a small fire in the back of the garage with smoke showing from the roof and second floor. The fire in the garage was extinguished but it had burned inside and up the wall to the second floor. Orland Firefighters assisted by Tinley Park held the fire at the second floor before it had gotten into the attic. Due to the open truss flooring system used the fire had spread through much of the enclosed floor space above the first floor. There was significant smoke damage throughout the home. The occupants were home at the time of fire, were alerted quickly to the fire, and able to escape without injury.

The cause of the fire, at the time of this release, is under investigation.

Photos courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District

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OFPD Chief Ken Brucki responds to inaccurate news report on District Pension Funds

Orland Fire Prevention District Chief Ken Brucki responds to an inaccurate story which suggested recently that the District had failed to provide information to the Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas on the district's Pension Fund. In fact, the district provided the correct information but the county system isn't built to accommodate pension fund data that is "fully funded." The OFPD Pension Fund is fully funded at 101 percent. It is one of the best maintained pension funds in the MidWest. Very few pension funds can claim to be fully funded and to have a cash reserve on hand. Over the past four years, the district has consolidated expenditures, eliminated wasteful spending and held the OFPD budget to under $30 million for the past few years, only slightly growing this past year. The District's Budget management has saved taxpayers more than $5 million over the past four years by holding the line ons pending and eliminating waste. One of the jewels of the OFPD budget management is the maintenance of the Pension Fund which is one of the best in the MidWest and possibly the country. In this video, Brucki also discusses the impact of the severe weather on the fire department.

OFPD pushes use of AEDs in retail and public locations at Rotary Club speech

OFPD pushes use of AEDs in retail and public locations at Rotary Club speech

On December 19, 2013 the Orland Park Rotary Club hosted an Orland Fire Protection District presentation on Community CARE at Silver Lakes Country Club.  Approximately 30 members of the Rotary Club were present to hear Battalion Chief Raymond Kay speak about the districts program to save lives.  Community CARE is a program geared toward saving victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). 

Early CPR and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) are the key public components of the Community CARE program.  State laws like the Colleen O'Sullivan Law, which requires all indoor physical fitness facilities operated by any local government to have an AED on premises, is complimentary with the Community CARE program.

The program detailed how nearly 1,000 people each day in the country experience SCA.  While the national average rate to save SCA victims is approximately 10%, the average save rate in the Orland Fire District is approximately 46%.  

The rate in the district is due in great part to early CPR and AED use.  Members also had the opportunity to watch a CPR demonstration and to try CPR for themselves.

The Community CARE program is driven to work with community service groups like the Rotary Club, and retail establishments, in order to share the message about SCA, AEDs and how to sign up for FREE CPR classes.  To learn more about Community CARE go to the website at:  www.Orlandfire.org

Pictured above is (left to right): Battalion Chief Kay of the Orland Fire Protection District and John A. Bibeau, President of the Orland Park Rotary Club