2007
Summer 2026
Orland Fire District Appoints a Fire Chief / Administrator, a Deputy Chief of Operations and a Deputy Chief of Administration
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees administered the Oaths of Office to recently named Fire Chief / Administrator John Purtill, Deputy Chief of Operations, Joshua Girdick, and Deputy Chief of Administration, Shawn Richards.
Retired Fire Chiefs Robert Buhs and Michael Schofield spoke to the many qualities that make a great Chief, the same qualities held by these 3 newly appointed Chiefs.
They spoke of Chief Purtill and Deputy Chief Girdick’s many accomplishments with the Orland
Fire District, and to the qualities and experience being brought to the district by Deputy Chief Richards.
First, Trustee Jeffers administered Deputy Chief Richards’ Oath of Office, and his wife and daughters pinned his badge. Next, President Damas Kaspar administered Deputy Chief Girdick’s Oath of Office, and his wife and daughter pinned his badge. Lastly, Trustee Tolan administered Fire Chief / Administrator John Purtill’s Oath of Office, and his wife and children pinned his badge. Congratulations Chiefs!
Fire Chief / Administrator John Purtill, Deputy Chief of Operations Joshua Girdick, Deputy Chief of Administration Shawn Richards
Pictured L to R: Trustee/Secretary Jeffers, Trustee Zekich, Trustee Greenfield, Deputy Chief of Operations Girdick, Fire Chief / Administrator Purtill, Deputy Chief of Administration Richards, President Damas Kaspar, and Trustee/Treasurer Tolan
Orland Fire Protection District TRUSTEES
BethDamasKaspar,President
DJJeffers,Secretary
BridgetTolan,Treasurer
AngelaGreenfield
TinaZekich
FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MatthewRafferty
BrianO’Neill
MohammedJaber
CHIEF/ADMINISTRATOR
JohnPurtill
DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS
JoshuaGirdick
DEPUTY CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION
ShawnRichards
OPERATIONS
BATTALION CHIEF
CarlJones
BATTALION CHIEFS
ThomasPanzica
MichaelSiefert
DouglasDePersia
MISSION STATEMENT
TheOrlandFireProtection District’sstaffisdedicatedto preservinglifeandproperty whilevaluingfullaccountability toeachotherandthepeoplewe serve.
Beth Damas Kaspar President, Board of Trustees
Dear Orland Fire Protection District Residents:
As President of the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees, I am incredibly proud to serve our community. The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) maintains an elite standing, holding a rare ISO Class 1 rating and internationally accredited status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Serving communities across Orland Park, Orland Hills, and Orland Township, the district operates 24/7 with over 100 career Firefighter/Paramedics.
Every member of our team, from the Chief to our Firefighters, is a licensed Paramedic. All front-line engines and trucks are Advanced Life Support (ALS) units, ensuring that we deliver the fastest, most effective emergency care possible, because every second truly saves lives.
The Board of Trustees recently appointed a new Fire Chief/ Administrator and two Deputy Chiefs. We are fully confident that this outstanding Command Staff will continue to lead our department with excellence.
Please join us on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for our Annual Open House! Come see our Firefighter/Paramedics in action as they demonstrate the vital skills they use every day to keep our community safe.
Have a wonderful, safe summer!
Warm Regards,
ORLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Beth Damas Kaspar
Board President
The Orland Fire Protection District offers 2 types of training: one for the professional that needs CPR as a term of employme is a fee for this class), or the FREE Family & Friends CPR course, for anyone interested in learning CPR that does not need completion card.
Basic Life Support Provider 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.
Class Time 9:00 to 1:00 PM.
Fee: $50
Remaining Classes in 2026:
* 07/25/26
* 09/26/26
* 11/21/26
* 08/29/26
* 10/17/26
* 12/19/26
CPR classes are conducted at:
Orland Fire District
Administration Bldg.
9790 W. 151st St. Orland Park, IL
Free Friends & Family CPR
The FREE Family & Friends CPR course is any resident of the Orland Fire District 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.
Class time 9:00 to Noon.
Fee: Free
Remaining Classes in 2026:
* 07/18/26
* 09/12/26
* 11/14/26
CAR DONATIONS NEEDED
Do you have an unused vehicle parked in your driveway? If so we can help you help us! The Orland Fire District always needs donated vehicles for their Training Division. By donating your unwanted vehicle, you help our Training Division provide our Paramedics with skills and tactics needed to handle car fires, car accidents and rescue entrapment scenarios. Vehicle donations will also assist our Fire Investigators with analyzing the many reasons for vehicle fires.
• We will accept cars, SUV's, and pickup trucks. We do not accept vehicles that are burned or that were involved in a fire. We cannot accept boats, motorcycles or other types of vehicles.
• The vehicle must be able to be driven by the donor safely to the Orland Fire Protection District Training Facility located at 10728 West 163rd Place, Orland Park, IL.
• Most importantly, the cars must have a clear title. We cannot accept cars or vehicles without the title.
• The Orland Fire Protection District does not pay donors for their vehicles but we can offer a donor letter for tax deduction purposes.
To get a donation form, please visit our website at: www.orlandfire/training/cardonations
Community Risk Reduction Education
Our summer camps were held in mid-June. They are planned by our Fire Prevention Bureau’s Community Risk Reduction Educator, Betsy Dine, who brings the OFPD’s safety message to the community with various events, camps, luncheons, etc.
Young Campers Learn Lifesaving Skills at Fire & Life Safety Camp
Junior Cadet Fire Academy
On June 15, 2026, children ages 8-12 participated in the OFPD Fire & Life Safety Camp, an educational and interactive program designed to teach important safety skills while providing a fun and memorable experience. The mission of the camp is to educate children on a variety of topics to help keep them safe at home, at school, and in their communities. Throughout the day, campers learned about medication safety, concussion awareness, lithium-ion battery safety, fire prevention, CPR, AED use, first aid, emergency medical services, and how to properly call 911. Campers practiced what information dispatchers need, how to remain calm, and the importance of staying on the line until instructed to hang up. One of the most exciting highlights of the camp was the opportunity for campers to operate a real fire hose and spray water just like firefighters. Participants also toured an ambulance, explored emergency equipment, and learned how paramedics respond to medical emergencies.
On June 16, 2026, teens ages 13 - 18 participated in the Orland Fire Protection District's Junior Cadet Academy, an interactive, hands-on camp designed to introduce young people to emergency services and teach valuable life skills for everyday situations. Throughout the day, participants experienced what it is like to be a Firefighter/Paramedic. The academy featured a variety of educational and practical training sessions led by fire service professionals and community partners.
Students learned: Canine Search and Rescue Operations, Firefighter Orientation, Protective Gear, and Training, Search and Rescue Techniques, Stop the Bleed and CPR, Vehicle Extrication Operations, Fire Hose Operations, Live Fire Suppression Activities.
This academy helped students build confidence, responsibility, and an appreciation for the dedication required to serve their community. Participants left with a greater understanding of public safety careers and the knowledge that they can make a difference during emergencies.
Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is a data-driven, proactive process that identifies and prioritizes local risks, followed by the strategic investment of resources to prevent emergencies and lessen their impact. It shifts emergency services from solely reacting to crises to preventing them.
Fire Pits & Recreational Fires
In Orland Park, backyard fire pits and recreational fires do not require permits, but they must be located at least 5 feet from property lines in rear setbacks.
• Placement: Permitted in rear setbacks and must be kept at least 5 feet from the property line.
• Safety & Conduct: Fires must be actively supervised at all times and fully extinguished before you leave the area. Only clean wood may be burned; burning household trash, leaves, or yard waste is strictly prohibited
• Nuisance Policy: If a fire District officer receives complaints or finds the smoke injurious to health/property or unreasonably interfering with the enjoyment of life, they reserve the right to order the fire extinguished.
• Outdoor Use Only: Never operate propane, charcoal, or pellet grills inside homes, garages, or balconies.
• Safe Placement: Place your grill at least 10 feet away from house siding, deck railings, and overhanging trees.
• Lid Open: Always open your gas grill lid before lighting it to prevent dangerous gas buildup.
• No Fluid on Flames: Never add charcoal lighter fluid directly to coals that are already hot or lit.
• Constant Supervision: Never leave a lit grill unattended, even for a brief moment.
• Three-Foot Buffer: Maintain a strict 3-foot "kid and pet-free zone" completely around the grill area.
• Proper Apparel: Avoid wearing loose clothing or hanging sleeves that could easily catch fire.
• Ash Disposal: Let charcoal ashes cool for 48 hours, or thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal bin.
Emergency Preparedness 101: Navigating a 911 Call
Call Immediately: Dial 911. If you are in a situation where speaking might put you in danger (like a home intrusion), stay on the line and press numbers to answer the dispatcher's "yes" or "no" questions.
State Your Location First: Clearly provide your exact address, cross streets, or prominent landmarks. Even if your phone provides GPS coordinates, dispatchers must verify the location.
Describe the Emergency: Briefly tell the dispatcher what is happening so they can determine whether to send police, fire, or emergency medical services.
Answer All Questions: Answer the dispatcher's questions clearly. This does not delay help; dispatchers can dispatch responders while simultaneously collecting critical information.
Follow Instructions: Listen carefully to the dispatcher. They are trained to give you step-by-step first aid, CPR, or safety instructions until help arrives.
Do Not Hang Up: Stay on the line until the dispatcher gives you permission to hang up. If you call by accident, stay on the line and tell the dispatcher there is no emergency.
Congratulations to Lieutenant Mark Hogan, who was recognized at the June 16, 2026 board meeting for receiving two distinguished honors: the Medal of Valor from the 100 Club of Illinois, and the Firefighter Excellence award from the IL State Fire Marshal. Both awards reflect extraordinary courage and selfless service in the face of danger.
On April 23, 2025, our district assisted with a highly complex technical rescue in Posen. A fleeing subject had jumped from a highway overpass and became trapped on a bridge support structure beneath I-57, wedged between steel beams, completely out of reach and requiring a full division level technical rescue response. Multiple agencies from MABAS 22 and 19 worked together to develop and execute a safe plan. Among the OFPD rescuers on scene were Lieutenant Andersen, Firefighter Kasules, Firefighter Patterson and Lieutenant Mark Hogan.
DROWNING IT CAN HAPPEN IN AN INSTANT!
The final retrieval assignment fell to Lieutenant Hogan and Lieutenant Krause of Alsip Fire. They had to descend roughly 60 feet in darkness, fully aware that the trapped individual who had fled law enforcement could pose a threat and might be armed. Lieutenant Hogan proceeded with full knowledge of those risks, placing himself in harm's way to reach the victim. Together, the rescuers secured the individual in a harness and completed the extraction safely.
Lieutenant Hogan's actions that night demonstrated exceptional bravery, technical skills, and an unwavering commitment to protecting life under extreme conditions. His conduct reflects the very highest ideals of the fire service, and it is with deep respect that he was recognized for these well-deserved awards.
• The most important rule for water safety still lies with adults: never leave your child unsupervised near any amount of water for any amount of time.
• Not including boating incidents, on average about 10 people die from drowning every day in the United States, according to the National Safety Council.
• Boys younger than 15 die from drowning at twice the rate as girls.
• Emergency departments treat about 6,400 pool and spa injuries in children younger than 15 every year.
• If your child is a non-swimmer or a new swimmer, it is important to have them wear an approved life jacket near any type of water.
• Teach your child to ask permission before approaching any type of water and make sure there is a responsible adult supervision at all times.
• Never dive into a shallow end of a pool or a body of water with an unknown depth. Always enter feet first.
• Children should never swim alone, always have a buddy system.
• Don’t swim in moving water. Teach your children that water with a current can be unpredictable. Rivers, streams and creeks are off limits to children.
• Get out when you are tired, as drowning can occur when someone is too tired to make it back to shore or to the side of the pool. Set a time limit for swimming with your children and have them get out of the pool before they are too tired.
• Obey all “no swimming signs” on docks.
• Do not swim before, during or after thunderstorms.
Urgent Care or Medical Emergency?
When to Go to the Hospital
Anyone who thinks they are having a medical emergency (e.g., chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding) should not hesitate to call 911.
Hospital Emergency Rooms are prepared to care for every kind of medical emergency. Urgent Care Centers are also an option for minor emergencies or non-life-threatening conditions.
Urgent Care vs Emergency Room
• Abdominal pain
• Asthma
• Minor broken bones
• Colds & coughs
• Dehydration
• Flu Symptoms
• Foreign object in nose/eye/ear
• Minor burns, bruises & scrapes
• Rashes or insect stings
• Tetanus shots
• Sprains
• Stitches
• Urinary symptoms
Did You Know? The Power of "FAST"
• Amputation or deep wounds with severe bleeding
• Chest Pain
• Head injury with loss of consciousness or onset of seizures
• Multiple injuries
• Internal injuries and internal bleeding
• Large surface burns
• Physical or sexual assault
• Poisoning or overdose
• Stroke symptoms (weakness, numbness, dizziness and difficulty speaking)
• Suicidal behavior
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. before calling 911:
• F - Face Drooping: Ask them to smile. Is one side uneven?
• A - Arm Weakness: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down?
• S - Speech Difficulty: Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Is it slurred?
• T - Time to call 911: If they show any signs, call immediately.
ConcertinthePark/TouchATruck Night,CentennialParkWest,5-8pm
19 OFPDAnnualOpenHouse(CTC), 10728W.163rdPlace(TimeTBD) (wearecurrentlyplanningourOpen House. Besuretocheckourwebsite formoredetailsinAugust! Orlandfire.org
The Village of Orland Park holds many more events not listed here. You can check orlandpark.org/departments/recreationparks/special-events
Orland Fire Protection District 9790 West 151st Street Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 349-0074 Phone (708) 349-0354 Fax Www.orlandfire.org
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2026 GRADUATES!
To our OFPD employees’ children who graduated, and all the graduates in our community the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Never stop learning!
Thanks to all OFPD personnel who shared their graduate with us and congratulations!
