Orland Fire honors Chicago officer who saved pool drowning victim’s life

Chicago Officer presented with the Orland Fire Protection District's William Bonnar Life Saving Award

The Orland Fire Protection District Tuesday honored Chicago Police Officer Sgt. Cindy Guerra for her role in saving the life of a 12-year-old boy from drowning during a backyard pool party in Orland Park.

Guerra, a 22 year Chicago Police veteran, said she was overwhelmed by the public response to what she was “something that comes naturally” to first responders such as police and fire fighters who are trained to save people’s lives.

From left OFPD Trustee Blair Rhode, Trustee John Brudnak, Cortez’s mother, Cortez, Fire Chief Michael Schofield, Cortez’s sister Taylor, Sgt. Cindy Guerra, Cindy’s son Joseph, and OFPD Trustee Jim Hickey.

Orland Fire Chief Michael Schofield present Guerra with the William Bonnar Life Saving Award, named after a longtime Orland Fire battalion chief who before joining the Orland Fire Protection District was a paramedic with the city of Chicago in the 1970s.

“We are very honored to have Chicago Police Sergeant Cindy Guerra here today, and especially Cortez whose life Cindy saved,” Schofield said in presenting the award to Sgt. Guerra.

“Firemen, policemen, or paramedics. When we are on duty or off duty, we are always ready to respond.”

Guerra thanked the board for the honor and the audience for attending the meeting, saying that she just acted out of training and instinct to help. She said she became a police officer after being inspired by seeing women fighting crime in the popular TV series Charley’s Angels.

“I thought it looked cool and decided that helping and protecting people is what I wanted to do,” said Guerra, who worked in the police department's Special Investigations Unit as a sergeant before transferring to the Office of News Affairs a few weeks before the accident.

Cortez, the young boy who was involved in the pool incident, and Sgt. Cindy Guerra, who saved him using CPR

“You don’t do things to expect accolades or praise. You just do it. You act instinctively. To be recognized like this is overwhelming. I appreciate it and am so grateful.”

Guerra, worked as a police officer in a Chicagoland suburb before joining the Chicago police department, introduced Cortez.

“It wasn’t just me. Taylor [Cortez’s sister] came up and alerted an adult that Cortez was at the bottom of the pool,” Guerra recalled.

She said another police officer who was at the pool party celebrating a school graduation helped Cindy lift the boy out of the pool at a graduation party Saturday July 16, 2016 that was being held at Guerra’s cousin’s Orland Park home. Guerra gave the boy CPR, saving his life.

Cortez was with his mother, sister Taylor and relatives at the board meeting and said he was grateful to Sgt. Guerra for saving his life.

Schofield said it was important to remind the public that first responders like firefighters and police officers perform acts of heroism to save lives all the time.

The incident took special significance, Schofield said, in the wake of a series of violent attacks against police officers that has occurred across the country.

Sgt Cindy Guerra and Fire Chief Michael Schofield. Schofield presented Guerra with the William Bonnar Life Saving Award July 26, 2016

Photo: Orland Fire Protection District Battalion Chiefs receive Chief Fire Officer certifications

Photo: Orland Fire Protection District Battalion Chiefs receive Chief Fire Officer certifications

On May 26, 2016, Fire Chief/Administrator Mike Schofield (far right), Battalion Chief Bill Bonnar (2nd from right), Jr, Battalion Chief Nick Cinquepalmi (center) and Battalion Chief Greg Ferro (far left) received their Chief Fire Officer certification.  

This is the highest certification that the Office of the State Fire Marshall recognizes and the Orland Fire Protection District’s Command Staff now all hold this title, as Battalion Chief Dan Smith (2nd from left) completed his certification previously. 

The program consists of: Leadership, Communications, Personal & Professional Development, Community Relations, Intergovernmental Relations, Human Resources, Legal Issues, Strategic Planning, Emergency Management, Code Enforcement & Public Education, Budget & Finance, Life Safety Initiatives, and is designed and intended for Command level officers and/or Administrators who have the responsibilities of supervising and administrating a Fire Department or Fire District.

Fire Chief/Administrator Mike Schofield (far right), Battalion Chief Bill Bonnar (2nd from right), Jr, Battalion Chief Nick Cinquepalmi (center) and Battalion Chief Greg Ferro (far left). Battalion Chief Dan Smith (2nd from left) 

Registration begins June 6 for Fire District Kid’s Camp

Registration begins June 6 for Fire District Kid’s Camp

The Orland Fire Protection District will host the annual Kid’s Fire & Life Safety Camp beginning Tuesday July 12 through Friday July 15 offering programs to educate children between the ages of 8 and 12 on fire and life safety.

The camp is made possible through support from the Orland Fire Foundation and is dedicated to exposing school aged children to fire & Life safety lessons dealing with potential hazards around their homes and schools along with several life lessons that are also important.

Children who live in Orland Park can enroll for free beginning June 1, but they are required to present a report card from their local Orland school. A fee of $30 (Check only, no credit cards) is required for children from outside of Orland Park who can begin signing up June 27 for any remaining spots.

Grade school kids who participated in the 2015 Orland Fire Protection District's annual Fire & Safety Camp which this year will be held June 12, 2016.

The program accommodates up to 40 children in activities from 8:30 am until 11:30 am each day, with certificates presented on Friday.

Applications can be obtained online at www.OrlandFire.org and should be returned to the OFPD Headquarters at 9750 W. 151^st Street prior to July 1, 2016.

The camp is designed to be fun, entertaining and educational; while providing the campers with the knowledge to keep themselves out of harm’s way.  The participants have lectures and lessons each day, followed by hands on opportunities to actively participate in exercises designed to reinforce what they have been taught.

The Injury Prevention Team at Advocate Children’s Hospital and Advocate’s Injury Prevention Specialist Alix McNulty will present Bicycle Safety, Poison Prevention, Concussion and a distracted driving scenario.

Orland Fire Prevention District firefighters will present hands-on first-aid training and the children will be taught about the basics of CPR, how AED’s work and why they are important, and what to do in response to choking. Firefighters will help the kids make First Aid kits and they will be able to view firsthand emergency response equipment including the Fire District ambulances.

The American Red Cross will present “W.H.A.L.E. Tales” which addresses water safety for the children. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1-4 and most commonly occurs in swimming pools. The children will hear about the importance about being around water.

The American Red Cross will also review basic safety practices to the campers.

During the four-morning program, children will also learn how to prepare for tornadoes, floods, medical emergencies, choking, seizures and burns.  They will learn the tools to be ready for any disaster that may come their way and help families feel comfortable responding to a sudden emergency! By practicing how to prepare for emergencies and understand that by sharing what they have learned with family and friends, they can help create a prepared community.

Gordon Bowe, from Operation Lifesaver, will be back again to discuss the importance of Train Safety! It has hidden dangers that all pedestrians need to be made aware of, especially children, who don’t think about these hazards. Operation Lifesaver is working to change people's behavior around railroad tracks and crossings.

The program is coordinated by Betsy Dine, OFPD Fire and Life Safety Education Coordinator.

Please visit our website for details.  www.orlandfire.org

Sprinkler minimizes fire damage at Orland Park retirement home, saves lives

Sprinkler minimizes fire damage at Orland Park retirement home, saves lives 

A sprinkler system installed at the Lexington Health Care assisted and independent living retirement home, 14601 John Humphrey Drive, is being credited with saving lives and helping to significantly minimize damage caused by a small fire there this morning.

The fire started in the basement maintenance area of the assisted living home just after 8 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Investigators identified the cause as a coffee maker that was located on a shelf above a desk.

Sprinkler minimizes fire damage at Orland Park retirement home, saves lives

The fire quickly spread to objects on and around the desk, and up the wall of the room when the water sprinkler system activated and suppressed the fire instantly.

A sprinkler system installed at the Lexington Health Care assisted and independent living retirement home, 14601 John Humphrey Drive, is being credited with saving lives and helping to significantly minimize damage caused by a small fire there this morning.

The Orland Fire Protection District was alerted and responded to a fire alarm activation due to the sprinkler system operating. The initial crews reported a water flow alarm and investigated to find smoke in the basement with water flowing from a sprinkler head. A fire extinguisher was used to completely extinguish the smoldering material.

The smoke that was confined to the basement and workshop area was removed by firefighters using power fans. Because the fire was controlled quickly no residents had to be moved or evacuated and normal operations were maintained throughout the incident.

All floors were evaluated for hazards and deemed safe. Fire damage was limited to the desk and items on the shelves above.

“Every year at our Open House, we demonstrate how important fire sprinkler systems can for businesses, properties like assisted living centers and even in private homes in saving lives, and fighting and preventing damage caused by fires,” Orland Fire Protection District Fire Chief Michael Schofield said.

“This was a perfect example of how the sprinkler system quickly prevented the fire from spreading throughout the property, and minimized the intrusion on the lives of the residents in the home. We didn’t have to evacuate the property or disrupt the healthcare services there. We made the property safe and completely extinguished what could have been a far worse fire.” Schofield also credited the fast response of the District’s fire fighting teams.

Orland Fire personnel were assisted by a fire truck and team from neighboring Tinley Park.

Schofield named full-time Orland Fire Protection District Chief

The Orland Fire Protection District Tuesday named Michael Schofield, 54, as the district’s new fulltime fire chief approving a three year contract effective March 1, directing attorney Jim Roche to negotiate and recommend Schofield’s salary.

One of the district’s top three longest serving firefighters, Schofield became “interim Fire Chief” after Fire Chief Ken Brucki requested a leave-of-absence in August for “personal reasons” and subsequent request for retirement in January.

A 44 year resident of Orland Park, Schofield served as a Battalion Chief and managed the Orland Fire Protection District’s Operational Services before being named interim chief. 

Services included Suppression, Emergency Medical Services, Specialty Teams, as well as Training with each area managed by a lieutenant who reported to Schofield. Schofield joined the OFPD in 1977 as a cadet, eight years after the district was created. 

In 1979, Schofield became “paid on call,” which essentially was considered a part-time position. 

“Serving the residents of the Orland Fire Protection District has been my life and I am humbled and honored to be able to continue that service now as the District Fire Chief,” Schofield said. 

 “I want to continue the direction the Fire District has been going in. There are a lot of people in the Fire District, and a lot of great volunteers. Providing and maintaining the highest level of professional emergency and safety services is my goal.” 

 Schofield said he doesn’t anticipate making major changes during his first year, but said he hopes to see the district maintain and enhance training for paramedics and emergency responders. “There are no pressing issues right now, but I will take a close look at everything,” Schofield said. 

Schofield was hired full-time by the OFPD in 1986. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1989 and became a Battalion Chief in 2012. Fire District Board Chairman Chris Evoy praised Schofield saying the board was moved by both his three-decade career in fire service and that he is a longtime resident in the district. 

“We’re confident Fire Chief Schofield will do an exemplary job leading the district and supervising emergency fire response to uphold the safety of the district’s residents,” Evoy said. “He knows this district and what needs to be done.” 

Coincidentally, Schofield will celebrate his 30th year with the OFPD on his March 1 start date as full-time fire chief. During his part-time tenure with the OFPD, Schofield worked from 1983 until 1986 as a paramedic with the City of Chicago Fire Department. 

In 1985, Schofield received the paramedic award of valor from Chicago for the rescue of an employee involved in an industrial accident at the Nabisco plant in Chicago. Schofield also worked in Homer Township as a part-time firefighter from 1995 to 2002, and then in the part-time position as Homer Township Fire Chief from 2002 to 2012. 

Schofield is the co-founder of the Will County Fire Chiefs Association, and Past President of Mabas 19 mutual aid group. Schofield is married to Kathy and they have six kids, Nicole, Stephanie, Michael III, Andrew, Kathleen and Jacqueline. 

Michael Schofield III is an offensive lineman with the Denver Broncos and played in the 2016 50th Super Bowl that the Broncos won.

Orland Fire Public Education coordinator receives statewide honors

Orland Fire Public Education coordinator receives statewide honors 

The Illinois Fire Inspectors Association presented its highest recognition on Friday October 23, 2015 to Elizabeth “Betsy” Dine the Public Education Coordinator for the Orland Fire Protection District.

Dine received the IFIA’s “New Horizon Award” at the group’s annual Fire Prevention Week luncheon held at Medinah Banquet Hall, 550 Shriners Drive in Addison.

 IFIA President Mike Toika cited Dine’s achievements in educating the public to fire safety through a variety of programs.

The award is the second that the District has received this year recognizing its public education programming.

Betsy Dine

Earlier, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance present the “Life Safety Award” award to Dine and to Fire Officials.

The IFSA cited the OFPD’s annual Kid’s Fire & Life Safety Camp, which is dedicated to exposing school-aged children to safety lessons dealing with potential hazards that may exist around or in their homes and schools, while also making the educational experience fun, entertaining and educational.

The IFSA award was presented to the OFPD officials and to Dine at ceremonies held on October 8, 2015 at Bobak’s Signature Events in Woodridge.

A certified teacher, Dine was hired by the Orland Fire District in 2013 and has supervised and organized public outreach programs including expanding the annual Open House and the annual Kid’s Fire & Life Safety Camp.

As public education coordinator, Dine travels to area schools to speak with parents, teachers and children about safety and emergency response education as well as promoting the district’s programs.

Homeowner suffers 2nd degree burns in Orland Park town home fire

Homeowner suffers 2nd degree burns in Orland Park town home fire

One civilian was hospitalized following injuries during a fire at a Town Home in Orland Park on Saturday morning, officials of the Orland Fire Protection District said.

The fire was reported at an 8-unit, 2-story Town Home at 6:30 AM at 15829 Orland Brook Drive. The unnamed resident was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox for treatment of 2nd Degree Burns, paramedics and emergency officials reported. The individual's status is not available but he was expected to be moved by hospital personnel to the Loyola Burn Unit for additional treatment.

One Orland Fire fighter was treated for exhaustion and smoke inhalation at the scene of the fire, but was later released and is back on the job, Interim Orland Fire Protection District Fire Chief Michael Schofield said Saturday.

Witnesses reported the fire at 6:30 AM on Saturday after seeing smoke billowing from the roof of the town home complex. First arriving companies found heavy fire from several 2^nd floor units of the 2-story 8-unit Town Home building. A Box alarm was called for additional manpower and equipment. Multiple lines were deployed to control the fire and initial search of the all units were completed. The fire made its way from the upstairs unit to the building attic area.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The building suffered extensive damage. No other injuries were reported.

(Photos attached from the structure fire, courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District.)