Monday, September 9, 2013

OFPD adds 11 firefighters at swearing-in ceremony

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OFPD adds 11 firefighters at swearing-in ceremony

The Orland Fire Protection District swore in eleven firefighters who completed their year-long training requirements at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Thursday, September 5.

The new firefighters were sworn in by Orland Fire Commissioner Craig Schmidt during ceremonies at the Orland Fire Protection District Training Facility, 10728 W. 163rd Place. They will fill existing personnel vacancies created over the past two years, including through retirement.

Orland Fire Chief Ken Brucki described the job of firefighters as “one of the most honored but dangerous occupations” in the world.

“When there is an emergency in the community, firefighters are one of the first on the scene.  Firefighters are there at devastating ravages of fire, motor vehicle accidents, tornadoes, hazardous materials incidents, rescue operations, medical emergencies and many other critical incidents,” Brucki said.

“Firefighters are civil servants as sworn officers, following standard policies and procedures of the fire service and standard operating procedures of their departments; they are there to prevent human suffering and death, to stabilize the incident and prevent damages and loss of property.”

The eleven firefighters who were sworn-in to service are Donald Andersen, Douglas DePersia, Chad Erickson, Kevin Frawley, James Karp, Michael Neubauer, Daniel Ritchie, Isaac Salazar, Timothy Sierazy, Jennifer Smith and James Wooten.

An invocation was offered by Pastor Shawn Nettleton.


New recruits being sworn in




Battalion Chief Michael Schofield welcomed the new firefighters saying they will become part of an important “team” effort.

“In our team, no single firefighter is more important than The Team. No single engineer is more important than the team. No Lieutenant of Chief is more important than the team,” Schofield said.

“Everything you do reflects on the Fire District, on duty or off duty. You must always take in to consideration what the effect does your action have on the Team. Starting today, you have the opportunity to change the face of this fire district.”


Brucki said he hopes to instill in each new firefighter “a strong sense of awareness, stressing the importance and value of firefighters to themselves and families, fire departments, and their communities. The Orland Fire Protection District’s staff is dedicated to preserving life and property while valuing full accountability to each other and the people we serve.”

The Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees voted in July 2012 to hire the 11 firefighters, allowing the 11 candidates to begin the training process.

(older photos from original recruitment training from 2012, below)

The recruits at the beginning of their training in 2012


FULL AGENDA of Swearing In Ceremony:


Welcome                                                                    Commissioner Craig Schmidt

Posting of Colors &                                                   Orland Fire Protection 
Pledge of Allegiance                                                 District Honor Guard  

Invocation                                                                 Pastor Shawn Nettleton

Chief’s Address                                                                                       Fire Chief Ken Brucki

Video Presentation                                                   Created by Stephanie Koenig

Director of Training                                                                            Lieutenant David Piper

Orland Training Academy                                        Lieutenant Erick Johnson

Swearing in of Firefighters/Oath of Office             Commissioner Craig Schmidt

Closing Remarks                                                                 Battalion Chief Michael Schofield


Chief Brucki’s speech:

Today we are here for a swearing in ceremony for firefighters, one of the world’s most honored but dangerous occupations.  When there is an emergency in the community, firefighters are one of the first on the scene.  Firefighters are there at devastating ravages of fire, motor vehicle accidents, tornadoes, hazardous materials incidents, rescue operations, medical emergencies and many other critical incidents.
Firefighters are civil servants as sworn officers, following standard policies and procedures of the fire service and standard operating procedures of their departments; they are there to prevent human suffering and death, to stabilize the incident and prevent damages and loss of property.

It is a great honor to have this opportunity to swear in these recruits of the Orland Fire Protection District.

In doing so it shall be my intent to instill a strong sense of awareness, stressing the importance and value of firefighters to themselves and families, fire departments, and their communities.

The Orland Fire Protection District’s staff is dedicated to preserving life and property while valuing full accountability to each other and the people we serve.

One of my mentors, Retired Chief Eddie Enright delivers a powerful speech on Duty , Pride , and Tradition.  I would like to pass along my thoughts on some of his words.

“DUTY” is defined as at one’s post or work, a task or chore one is expected to perform. It is answering the bell and being asked to perform tasks that challenge our physical and mental toughness under extreme conditions. It is our duty to prepare for these tasks through training, leadership, and “Esprit De Corps”. It is our moral obligation to be doers in the fire service, to prepare for combat and meet the enemy -“BATTLE READY”.

“PRIDE” is defined as a state or feeling of being proud, a reflection of credit upon oneself. Pride is feeling good after a job well done! It is a feeling of goose bumps as you recount your actions; by going somewhere nobody else can go. By making a rescue and saving a life by being a part of a unit that successfully achieves its goal. Pride is wiping a tear from your eye and swallowing a lump in your throat, as you are hugged and kissed by a loved one thankful you have returned safe and sound. Pride is a glow in your kids as they brag about you being a firefighter. Pride is wearing your uniform, proud of your colors, proud of your co-workers and fire department.

Being a member of “THE NOBLEST BREED”.

“TRADITION” is defined as the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, and information from generation to generation. A long established or inherited way of thinking or acting “Courage in the face of danger is a tradition of the fire service”. Firefighters of the past stand by us today, passing on their legacy and dedication to us, and our fire departments. Tradition is the maintenance and connection of values with our heroes, pacesetters, and examples set by our idols! It is our foundation.

“Duty – Pride – Tradition” gives an individual the desire to serve – the ability to perform and the courage to act.

“DUTY” IS DOING IT.
“PRIDE” IS WEARING IT.
“TRADITION” IS LIVING IT.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings.


Battalion Chief Schofield’s Speech:

Congratulation on the completion of probationary period.

You are officially part of our family. You are part of a great team (which is the Orland Fire Protection District.

In our team, no single firefighter is more important than The Team. No single engineer is more important than the team. No Lieutenant of Chief is more important than the team.

Everything you do reflects on the fire district, on duty or off duty you must always take in to consideration what the effect does your action have on the Team.

You have a tremendous opportunity and it starts with a number and that number is 2012.

Your career here will be judge by three things your start date which is the only number that is known; you’re ending date; and the dash in between.

That dash is the most important thing of these three. The dash represents your entire time you spent with the Orland Fire Protection District.

Starting today, you have the opportunity to change the face of this fire district. You alone will choose what kind of an impact your dash will be some may choose to do nothing more than the minimum, others may choose to take full advantage of the opportunities that will face you. We look to you to be the leaders of our future.

It is much easier to set back and enjoy the ride then it is to be in the drivers seat. My wish for you is to be leaders, stand up, and be heard, get involved, we have so many opportunities for you, take advantage of them.

Unfortunately we do not know when that dash will come we all hope to reach retirement, but in the fire service know there are no guarantees in life, so we must cherish each day because that dash is always out there we just do not know when it might come.

When your dash comes, and you retire, your career will not be judged on what material things you have, what kind of car you are driving, how big your house is, how much money you have accumulated in your life, or what rank you have achieved. You will be remembered for what you have done for the fire service, how you treated your brothers and sisters here, how you help change the organization. How you left the fire district compared to how you entered it.

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to see changed? Be the leader we know you can be. We never know how much time we have.

The biggest gift you can make to the Team, to the fire district, to the Community during your time…during your dash, is you make this organization better than it is when you came in.

I want to also welcome your families, please stand up. It is only through your support that we have our newest members ere today.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Commissions, the Command staff and the administrative staff, the officers, engineers and firefighters of the Orland Fire Protection District, we say congratulations on this first step in your career.


END

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Honors given to firefighters and citizens for service and emergency services

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Honors given to firefighters and citizens for service and emergency services

The Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees and Fire Chief Ken Brucki recognized firefighters for length of service and residents for acts of courage at its meeting Tuesday, August 27, 2013.

Patrick Collier was recognizer for 15 years of service at the Orland Fire Protection District.


Four firefighters were recognized for their 30 years of services, Lt. Nick Anastos, Lt. Gerald Klotz, Lt. Joe Leddin and Firefighter/Paramedic Bob Proctor.


Two citizens received the OFPD Battalion Chief William Bonnar, Sr., Citizen Life Saving Award when they interceded to help another individual who had suffered cardiac arrest, Sarah Kane and Brian Wittmayer.

(Pictured are Brian Wittmayer and Sarah Kane with OFPD Chief Ken Brucki)

Sarah and Brian were having lunch at a restaurant when they saw a 16 year old experiencing cardiac arrest.

Lt. Mark Duke who presented the Awards with Fire Chief Ken Brucki said, “Sarah and Brian began CPR for several minutes until the ambulance arrived and their actions resulted in the successful resuscitation of the cardiac arrest victim.”

Chief Brucki noted, “One of things we pride ourselves in the district is our response time. The response time in this incident was less than 3 minutes. But still valuable time is lost and the assistance of these citizens in helping with CPR makes it more likely that a cardiac arrest victim will survive. This is another example of how this makes a difference. Their training in CPR has contributed to the survivability of the 16 year old boy.”

Seven citizens were recognized for their efforts to help save the life of a 3-year-old who almost drowned at the Orland Centennial Pool in August. They are lifeguard Patrick Melaniphy, Pool Patron Dave Bornstein, Team Leader Lucas Fritsch, Lifeguard Rebecca Mallon, Squad Leader Christie Demas and Assistant Manager Will Seidelmann.


Pictured are Patrick Melaniphy, Lucas Fritsch, Christie Demas
and Assistant Manager Will Seidelmann with OFPD Chief Ken Brucki.

Chief Brucki poses with former Police Officer David Bornstein.

Brucki said, “Those first few minutes mean everything and contribute to the survival of the individuals involved.”


Officials of the Village of Orland Park, including Trustee Patricia Gira, attended the board meeting to show support for the award presentations.

end

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

OFPD to Commemorate Firefighter Remembrance Memorial Sept. 14

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OFPD to Commemorate Firefighter Remembrance Memorial Sept. 14

The Orland Fire Protection District will officially commemorate the Firefighter Remembrance Memorial on Saturday Sept. 14 at 8 am at the northeast corner of the OFPD Administration Building, 9790 W. 151st Street.

OFPD Engineer Ray Marquardt, whose father Lt. Raymond Marquardt  passed away on Sept. 14, 2009 as a result of a line-of-duty related illness, will participate in the memorial service joining Fire Chief Ken Brucki, and members of the OFPD Board of Trustees.

Attached is a flyer detailing the event information.

The memorial was constructed by Eagle Scout Candidate Kyle LaHucik, a member of Boy Scout Troop 725 in Mokena. The project took two years to plan

RAY HANANIA
312-933-9855 cell

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

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

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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.

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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.