The Newsletter Orland Fire Protection District
Fall 2023
THANKSGIVING SAFETY The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving! Kids loves to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important —especially on Thanksgiving when there is a lot of activity and people gathered.
Here are some important tips:
Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food Stay in the home when you are cooking your turkey and check it regularly Keep children 3 ft. away from a hot stove. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee can cause serious burns Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over toys, kids, purses or bags Keep knives out of the reach of children Be sure electric cords from knives, crock pots, coffee makers, mixers are not dangling off the counter in reach of a child or pet Keep matches and lighters out of the way and not within reach of children Never leave a lit candle in an unoccupied room or in a room where children are present Make sure your smoke detectors are working and test them by pushing test buttons
Have activities such as games, puzzles and books that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Kids can get involved with Thanksgiving preparation with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen.
See Page 7 for Safety Tips for cooking a turkey in a deep fryer!
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Orland Fire Protection District Administration TRUSTEES John Brudnak, President Beth Damas Kaspar, Secretary Jayne Schirmacher, Treasurer Tina Zekich Angela Greenfield
Michael Schofield Fire Chief/Administrator
FIRE COMMISSIONERS Matthew Rafferty Brian O’Neill Donald Jeffers
CHIEF/ADMINISTRATOR Michael Schofield
DEPUTY CHIEF Nicholas Cinquepalmi
ADMINISTRATIVE CHIEF John Purtill
OPERATIONS CHIEF Erick Johnson
BATTALION CHIEFS William Leddin James Hynes Nickolas Tufts
MISSION STATEMENT 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.
Dear Residents: On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Fire Commissures and the members of the Fire District, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving. As we enter the holiday season, please check our web page for safety tips on holiday lights, trees and other decorations. The Orland Fire District continues to offer state-of-the-art treatment. Most recently, the addition of a LUCAS device to each ambulance, has been shown to improve quality of chest compressions, increase ETCO2 levels, as well as being able to sustain life-saving circulation during prolonged resuscitation attempts. We have also added the new Stryker Xpedition Stair Chairs, which allow Orland Paramedics and Firefighters to safely and ergonomically move patients up and down stairs, utilizing a powered track, while decreasing the risk of First Responder injury and fatigue, and increasing patient safety. We are working hard to make sure your holidays remain safe, and if you need us we are prepared to give you the best service possible.
Happy Holidays!
Michael Schofield Fire Chief
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Basic Life Support Provider CPR
Free Friends & Family CPR
Basic Life Support Provider CPR is for the professional that needs CPR as a term of employment. This course follows the guidelines for CPR and foreign body airway obstruction maneuvers outlined by the American Heart Association.
The FREE Family & Friends CPR course is for anyone interested in learning CPR that does not need a completion card. Registration is still required so that the Orland Fire Protection District can accommodate all requests.
CPR classes are conducted at Orland Fire Protection District Administration Building, 9790 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL
CPR classes are conducted at Orland Fire Protection District Administration Building, 9790 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL Class time 9:00 to Noon.
Class Time 9:00 to 1:00 PM. Fee: Free Fee: $50 Upcoming Classes:
Upcoming Classes:
December 16, 2023 January 27, 2024 February 24, 2024 March 23, 2024
December 9, 2023
January 20, 2024
March 16, 2024
REGISTRATION FOR THESE CLASSES IS DONE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE: WWW.ORLANDFIRE.ORG
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MEET Finance Assistant Micaela Enriquez Micaela (“Mickey”) was hired by the Orland Fire District on September 19, 2019 as a temp and was officially hired on April 5, 2021, as a Finance Assistant. She graduated in 1997 with an Associate Degree in Accounting from Harold Washington College; in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Saint Xavier University; and is currently enrolled at Southern New University for a Master’s Degree in Taxation. Throughout her career Mickey has worked as an Accounts Receivable Clerk, Billing Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk and currently as a Finance Assistant for the OFPD. Upon graduation, she is interested in doing individual and corporate taxes. Mickey currently lives in the Chicago area by Midway Airport with her 2 children: Stephanie (23) who graduated from the University of Texas and Isabella (12) who is currently attending Saint Michael School in Orland Park.
Q&A What do you enjoy most about working at Orland Fire District? I have worked in different industries, but I really enjoy the people and the environment. Everyone is very nice and accommodating. They do not hesitate to help when an issue arises. I am very thankful to all the people who have been by my side ever since I started.
What is your favorite food? I don’t think I have a favorite food; I like different kinds of food such as Indian, Korean, Puerto Rican, Mediterranean, Mexican, etc. I am a big foodie. My mother always taught me to try the food before I could say I don’t like it.
What are your hobbies and favorite pasttimes outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my two daughters. During fall, we go apple picking at County Line Orchards in Indiana. I also enjoy spending time with my parents, we have early breakfast once a month on Sunday. Currently I am trying to finish my master’s in taxation which I only need one class and that is my capstone. I enjoy watching documentaries, Korean dramas and learning a new language which is Italian. I also enjoy swimming, which I used to do during high school and decided to pick it up again.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Since my parents retired, they have been traveling a lot and bring souvenirs from all their travels. I would like to do the same someday but for my first trip I would like to go to South Korea with my daughters. We enjoy the culture and mostly the food.
What have you learned the most from working with the Finance Team? I have amazing people in the Finance Team, my supervisor is the best in teaching me new things so that I can perform my duties well. Every day is a learning experience, and she is very passionate and patient when teaching me. I have learned so much and yet I feel that I have more to learn.
If you could tell your 13 year-old self one thing, what would it be? I would tell my 13-year-old self that life has its ups and downs but to never give up. The struggles in life are about learning and making better decisions. There was a time when I wanted to change the past mistakes in my life, but I have realized that those mistakes were learning experiences and they have made me stronger.
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FIRE & LIFE SAFETY NFPA’s NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK This year, from Sunday, October 8th – Saturday, October 14th, 2023 the NFPA’s National Fire Prevention Week was observed (not only do we promote fire safety during Fire Prevention Week, we also promote these messages throughout the entire month). This year’s message “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay attention to Fire Prevention” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions that can be taken to keep everyone safe when cooking. This message can be used throughout the entire month/year! During Fire Prevention Week, our Fire and Life Safety Educator Betsy Dine visited several preschool and kindergarten classes throughout the district. The important safety messages taught, provided lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. After each presentation, our Firefighters would show up on their fire truck or fire engine and show the classes what they look like in their turnout gear. It is important to show the children what they look like in and out of this protective gear, as we teach them that Firefighters are their friends and not to be afraid. They also go out to see the rigs and see some of their equipment that they use. Each class takes a photo with the crews and their rig.
Also, our FLSE Betsy Dine will be teaching the Thirdgrade Learn Not to Burn Program, as done in previous years. Six different fire and life safety lessons are taught throughout the year, each lasting 1 hour. After each lesson, each child brings home a family activity. Support from all family members is greatly appreciated and will help make every home and family safer. We ask that each child goes home to “teach” what they learned in class with their families and complete the family activity. Valuable fire and life safety messages are taught throughout the year. Some of those messages include but not limited to: Smoke Alarms, Stay Low and Go, Get Out and Stay Out!, Draw and Practice a Home Escape Plan, Hazards around the Home and Electrical Safety, Weather Preparedness and Fire Behavior, to name a few. During Fire Prevention Week/Month, the Fire Prevention Staff and Fire Crews attended Home Depot Safety Days, Lowes Safety Day, Fall Fests, Orland Park Village Events and several Trunk-or-Treats where we were able to spread the fire safety messages for the upcoming seasons and holidays.
Fire Prevention Week also began our First-Grade, “Adopt -A-Firefighter” Program. Twelve of our district Firefighters began to teach the first-grade students at our district schools. At the beginning of Fire Prevention Week, they started by presenting the first of five different fire safety lessons, each lasting 20 minutes. It was previously arranged by the Fire & Life Safety Educator for a teacher and classroom to “Adopt” (take care) of their own Firefighter. It is through their very own “Firefighters” that the students and teachers learn about fire safety and injury prevention. Included in the program are these topics:
Get Out and Stay Out Reporting Fire and Smoke/ 911 Responding Correctly During Fire and Smoke Drills Know 2 Ways Out Burns
This year, once again, we partnered with Jamie and Jake from the Denise Wegner - State Farm Agency in Tinley Park. They graciously donated a box of Fire Prevention Week materials so we can promote fire safety awareness and prevention within our community and in our schools.
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FIRE & LIFE SAFETY SAFETY TIPS FOR COOKING A TURKEY IN A DEEP FRYER
Thanksgiving is a time for family and holiday traditions including taste testing Thanksgiving recipes. It's also a time where family members may want to join in the food preparation, so fire safety is important. With the speed of deep-frying a turkey, the irresistible flavor and juiciness, turkey frying has become a Thanksgiving tradition for some. Turkey fryers have the potential to cause fire and serious injury. Each year these deep fryers on average cause 60 injuries, 5 deaths and over $15 million in property damage according to the National Fire Protection Association. Because of injuries, Underwriters Laboratories does not safety certify any turkey fryers. If you plan to deepfry your holiday bird, be sure you know how to safely use the fryer, and use these turkey fryer safety precautions to help protect yourself, your guests and your home.
Be cautious of the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.
There should be 2 feet between the burner and tank.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfilling.
Choose the proper size turkey. A bird that's 8 to 10 pounds is best.
Purchase a fryer with temperature controls. Continuously check the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire. If you notice the oil is smoking, TURN OFF THE FRYER.
Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner back on.
Tips to prevent deep fried turkey accidents:
Wear protective cooking gear. Put on goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to help protect your hands and arms, also keep an "ABC" or grease-rated fire extinguisher close by. NEVER use water or a garden hose on a fire related to turkey fryers.
Never leave fryers unattended.
Keep outdoor fryers a safe distance from structures, off wooden decks and away from trees.
Never use fryers in garages.
Place the fryer on a level surface and avoid moving it once it's in use.
Always keep children and pets away from the fryer.
Once finished, turn off the burner and carefully remove the pot, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.
Opt for an oil-less fryer. This uses infrared heat, rather than oil, to cook the turkey.
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Never attempt to fry a frozen turkey. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups. Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Also, skip stuffing the turkey before frying.
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY
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Annual Holiday Toy Drive Benefitting Toy Box Connection Children’s Charity December 20th through December 31st
Once again, Orland Fire Protection District will be a drop off point for Toy Box Connection’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive ALL DROP-OFF LOCATIONS Administration Headquarters/Station 1 st
Station 4
9790 W. 151 Street, Orland Park
16515 South 94th Avenue, Orland Hills
Station 2
Station 5 th
15100 S. 80 Avenue, Orland Park
8851 West 143rd Street, Orland Park
Station 3
Station 6
15101 S. Wolf Road, Orland Park
17640 Wolf Road, Orland Park
PLEASE ONLY NEW UNWRAPPED TOYS CAN USE GIFTS FOR TEENS AS WELL—GIFT CARDS ARE A GOOD CHOICE!
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WHAT’S NEW? 9/11 REMEMBRANCE BELL CEREMONY The 9/11 terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people and changed the world as we knew it. The OFPD Honor Guard held it’s annual bell ceremony this morning to honor and remember those First Responders and all who lost their lives. Never Forget
OFPD PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS’ LOCAL 2754 PRESENTS CHECK TO RE;ACT On September 14th, the Orland Firefighters presented RE;ACT with a check from their charity golf outing held in July. RE;ACT 4 Ryan - The Ryan Elwood Awareness, Counseling and Training for First Responders Foundation 501(c)3, celebrates the life of Lieutenant RYAN ELWOOD, strives to create AWARENESS for the battle he fought, campaigns for much needed COUNSELING to help his fellow Fire Fighters and First Responders who face the same challenges each day and funds TRAINING to benefit the profession for which he was so passionate. The semicolon is included as it has come to represent hope and love for those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury.
OFPD NEW AMBULANCE 6
Orland Fire Protection District’s newest Ambulance 6 (6082) was placed in service on November 14, 2023. It is a is a 2023 Horton Ambulance on a Ford E450 Chassis
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WHAT’S NEW? ORLAND TOWNSHIP PET PALOOZA
CART TRAINING
On September 16, 2023, the Orland Township held their Pet-Palooza event on the Orland Township grounds. It is a day of pet-friendly and family fun activities, games, vendors, food and more. All proceeds of the event benefit the Orland Township Pet Pantry which coexists with the Food Pantry.
In early September, 2023, Orland Fire put their skills to the test for complex simulated rescues from tornado-damaged homes. In an orchestrated training event, firefighters in Combined Agency Response Team (CART) were deployed to three different Will County locations with varying levels of damage and fictitious rescue scenarios to navigate.
Orland Fire —Fire & Life Safety Educator Betsy Dine, CPR Instructor Chris Smith and administrative support personnel employee Amelia Milton represented the Orland Fire District with safety information and OFPD Trustees Angela Greenfield and Tina Zekich were in attendance as well—helping out the Township.
ACTIVE AGING WEEK Active Aging Week was held at the Orland Sportsplex from October 16th – 19th. The Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) spoke to the senior guests on Monday and Tuesday from 9-noon. On Wednesday and Thursday, The FLSE Betsy Dine and EMS Educator Chris Smith spoke to the guests about Cooking & Fire Safety /smoke alarms and CPR/AED Training. Paying Attention to Fire Prevention is the message that we promote at each and every event.
Trustees Zekich and Greenfield pictured with OFPD Lt. Winkelman, Eng. McDonald and FF McCleary
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FIRE / AMBULANCE EMERGENCY Orland Park and Orland Hills…………….…....9 - 1 - 1 Unincorporated Areas………………....(708) 349-3121
Please come visit at our OFPD table at the following events:
TDD………………………...……...….(708) 349-6633
NOVEMBER
Administration (Non-Emergency)...…. (708) 349-0074
26 3:00 – 6:30 pm Village of Orland Park Holiday Festival/Tree Lighting/Parade 14600 S. Ravinia Avenue Orland Park
Other Numbers: Orland Police (Non-Emergency)……...(708) 349-4111 Orland Hills Police (Non-Emergency)..(708) 349-4434 Orland Park Village Hall……………...(708) 403-6100 Orland Park Public Works…………....(708) 403-6350 Orland Township……………………..(708) 403-4222
DECEMBER 2 9:00 – 3:00 pm Two-Day Babysitter Academy Sign up and pay at www.orlandfire.org Orland Fire Protection District Headquarters 9790 W. 151st Street, Orland Park
Animal Control…………………….…(708) 974-6140 Poison Control…………………….….(800) 222-1222
The Fire Prevention Bureau also completed ALL school fire drills and annual fire safety inspections throughout the District this fall.
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8:00 – noon
Must be present on both days to receive a certificate and CPR/AED Certification
6 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. OFPD Senior Advisory Council will be on-site to Discuss fire and life safety topics and Answer Questions Orland Health & Fitness Center, Lobby Area 15430 West Avenue, Orland Park 9 11:00 – 2:00 pm Winter Wonderfest Open House Orland Park Library 14921 S. Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
16 8:30 – 11:00 am Knights of Columbus Breakfast with Santa Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant 14459 South La Grange Road, Orland Park Sign up by calling (708) 403-9099
Be sure to check Orland Fire and the Village of Orland Park’s websites for updated information, additions, etc. OFPD: www.orlandfire.org
Village: https://www.orlandpark.org/departments/ recreation-parks/special-events
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