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Apparatus Staffing
Why Do We Send an Ambulance and a Fire Truck to Medical Emergencies
The Orland Fire Protection District utilizes a Computer-Aided Dispatch system that identifies the closest available unit in order to respond as quickly as possible to each emergency. All of our units are staffed with Paramedics and equipped to provide Advanced Life Support. This flexibility on response provides the best medical care to those in need. The dynamic response platform may result in a fire truck arriving before or in conjunction with an ambulance for medical emergencies. Regardless who arrives first, the combination of units brings up to five Paramedics to each emergency. If the emergency does not warrant all of the Paramedics, the extra Paramedics return, leaving the appropriate amount of help needed to address the situation.
Currently the Orland Fire Protection District staffs a minimum of five ambulance crews, four engine companies and two truck companies daily, all staffed by Paramedics with Advanced Life Support equipment.
Ambulance
Apparatus
Service Provided Staffed by 2 Paramedics Advanced Life Support 12 Lead Cardiac Monitor
Primary Function
Provide Advanced Life Support medical service Life saving medications Transportation to hospital Rescues Ventilation Support the Fire Engine
Crew Extinguish the fire Vehicle Extrication Advanced Life Support
Fire Truck Fire Engine
Staffed by 3 Firefighter/
Paramedics Advanced Life Support Carries Manpower Ladders, Fire Pump, Water,
Tools Staffed by 3 Firefighter/
Paramedics Advanced Life Support Carries Manpower Fire Pump, Hose, Water,
Tools
01-27-20 Horton Plaza Fire—14400 Block of John Humphry Drive
On January 27, 2020 at 8:15 p.m., the Orland Fire Protection District received a fire alarm for Horton Plaza on John Humphrey Dr. While responding, a 9-1-1 call was received for a fire inside the pet store at 14412 John Humphrey Dr. Engine 5 arrived on scene to find a small fire near the front door and activation of the sprinkler system. The call was upgraded to a commercial fire response. Engine 5 made entry, extinguished the small fire and begun ventilation of the unit. Additional companies arrived and assisted with removal of smoke from inside the pet store units. After a few minutes the smoke was removed from the store and surrounding businesses. The owner of Chicago Fish and Coral / Chicago Bird House arrived and all animals were assessed and found in good condition. No removal of animals was needed and a board up company sealed one broken window used for ventilation. The sprinkler system will be fully repaired in the morning by the building owner. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The quick activation of the sprinkler system kept the fire in check and allowed companies to protect the pets inside of the business.
Two accidents involving vehicles crashing into Orland Park buildings
On February 7, 2020 at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Orland Fire District responded to a crash into the Dunkin Donuts Restaurant on 157th & Harlem Avenue. The driver of an SUV was leaving a car wash at 157th and Harlem Avenue in Orland Park when it was "cut-off" by another unknown vehicle, fire officials said. The SUV then plunged into the side of a Dunkin Donuts, crashing through a plate glass window and two brick columns, fully entering the restaurant. Fortunately, the area of the restaurant that the car struck was under construction. The driver was not injured and declined medical treatment or treatment at a local hospital. The main part of the Dunkin Donuts remained operational as the damaged area was sectioned off. No one was injured. In another accident about 10 hours later at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning February 8, 2020, a young man was driving his car southbound on Poplar Road heading towards at "T-intersection" at 147th Street when he failed to stop, crossed the main road and then struck a home. Poplar road stops at 147th Street and then continues 600 feet to the east southbound from 147th Street requiring cars to make two turns in order to continue on the road. The car struck the front door of the home, which faces the oncoming street, and wedge itself through the brick facing entering one-third of vehicle's length into the family room. The driver, identified only as a 21 year-old male, was transported to Palos Hospital with minor injuries. The owners of the home—a husband and wife, were upstairs sleeping when the crash occurred and no one from the family was injured.
03/07/20 Forest Preserve Fire On March 7, 2020 at approximately 9 p.m., the Orland Fire District responded to the area of 17500 104th , to investigate an outside fire. Engine 6 found a fire about a half-mile into the Forest Preserve East of 104th Ave. Approximately 2 acres had burned with fire was spreading North and East in the tall grass due to the strong southerly winds. Firefighters were able to contain it using grass paddles and water they carried in. Additional crews responded from Orland’s Station 3, 4, and 1 along with a brush truck from Tinley Park. The fire was contained in about 30 minutes with crews remaining on scene for an hour to assure it was out. The cause was undetermined and confined to about 3 acres overall.
04/03/20 Kitchen Fire
On April 3, 2020 just after 1 p.m., Orland Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an oven fire in the 8700 block of Golden Rose in Orland Park. Initial units arrived to a smoke filled townhome. The homeowner and a neighbor met the Firefighters outside saying they had used a fire extinguisher on it. Orland Firefighters entered finding a small amount of fire yet burning and extinguished with a small amount of water. The fire was confined to the area around the oven, damaging the microwave above and the adjacent cabinets. That unit and the neighbor’s unit were checked to assure there was no extension of the fire. Orland Firefighters remained on scene about a half hour to ventilate the townhome. There were no injuries and the cause was determined to be combustibles stored to close to the oven. There were no injuries.
07/13/20 Kitchen Fire On July 13, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., the Orland Fire Protection District received a call for a possible kitchen fire in the Hunter Ridge Apartments. Companies arrived to find a flash fire had ignited and burned out from an oven. While damage was limited to the oven, two people were evaluated and one transported with injuries. Companies checked for and found no further damage from fire in the unit or surrounding apartments. While the fire is under investigation, the Fire District would like to remind individual to be careful with cleaning products around gas appliances.
04/12/20 House Fire
On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Orland Fire District received a report of a house fire in the 13600 block of Howe Drive in Orland Park by a neighbor who reported seeing heavy smoke in the area. The residents were not at home at the time, but the fire took the lives of 3 dogs and 2 cats. Two cats and two ferrets were able to be rescued. Arriving units of Battalion 6 of the Orland Fire Protection District found the single-family, single story frame home engulfed in smoke and the fire in the living room. Multiple fire crews from the Orland Fire District arrived on the scene and assisted with fire control, search and rescue and overhaul of the structure. A full still alarm was called to provide additional manpower and equipment to the scene and to back fill Orland stations. Firefighters said the fire began in the living room of the home but the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. The home is currently uninhabitable.
07/29/20 Fire at Don’s Hotdogs
On July 29, 2020 in the early morning, Orland Fire crews responded to a report of a structure fire at Don's Hot Dogs, 7245 W. 151st St, Orland Park. Upon arrival, Firefighters found heavy fire showing through the roof. Crews began an aggressive attack and the fire was brought under control within an hour. The fire started in the rear of the building and the cause is under investigation. While the building sustained considerable damage, no injuries were reported.
09/05/20 House Fire
On September 5, 2020 at 2:50 p.m., Firefighters at the Orland Fire Protection District’s Station 5 were conducting their afternoon exercise routines inside the firehouse when they smelled something burning outside. The Firefighters rushed outside the firehouse to observe smoke coming from a home less than one block west of the firehouse located across 143rd Street. Engine 5 and an ambulance were immediately dispatched and arrived at the one and one-half story residential home in the 9000 block of Kathy Court, just as the homeowner was calling 911 to report the fire in his home. Firefighters arriving at the scene could see fire coming from the home’s attached garage. All of the occupants of the home, including all of their family pets, were able to escape to safety, with treatment for smoke inhalation provided to three of the family members. All three declined transport to a local hospital and were reported in good condition. The fire was brought under control within minutes and a search of the house revealed everyone was able to get out of the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
10/04/20 House Fire
On October 4, 2020 at approximately 11:30 p.m., the Orland Fire District responded to a 911 fire emergency call in the 15500 block of 117th Court. A fire blazed, burning and destroying the home. Crews faced heavy fire coming from the one-story frame property and responded quickly to advance a line and extinguish the fire. The house was in a rural area without a hydrant nearby Mutual aid was also provided by fire companies from neighboring communities.
The fire was put out quickly and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No injuries were reported.
