Eagle Newsletter - Winter 2024

The Newsletter

Orland Fire Protection District

Winter 2024

Orland Fire Retains It’s ISO 1 Rating!

The Orland Fire Protection District is proud to announce that effective 2/1/24, it will again have been awarded, for a second time, the coveted ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The Orland Fire Protection District again joins 1 of approx. 388 Fire Departments nationwide—out of roughly 40,000 fire departments to receive an ISO Class 1 rating. This is thetop rating awarded to any community. More specifically, an ISO Class 1 rating represents an exemplary fire suppression program. It is reviewed through the Public Protection Classification® program. ISO's purpose is to help communities evaluate their public fireprotection services in order to be held to high national standards.

Thanks to Verisk's representatives Randy Downs and Irene Tiscareno for traveling to the OFPD this a.m. to present us with our plaque. Also thanks to Orland Park Village Manager George Koczwara and Orland Fire Commissioner DJ Jeffers for attending this presentation. Many thanks to the Village of Orland Park and the Village of Orland Hills who, without their support, we would not be able to maintain this exemplary rating!

Orland Fire Protection District Administration

TRUSTEES

JohnBrudnak,President

BethDamasKaspar,Secretary

JayneSchirmacher,Treasurer

TinaZekich

AngelaGreenfield

FIRE COMMISSIONERS

MatthewRafferty

BrianO’Neill

DonaldJeffers

CHIEF/ADMINISTRATOR

MichaelSchofield

DEPUTY CHIEF

NicholasCinquepalmi

ADMINISTRATIVE CHIEF

JohnPurtill

OPERATIONS CHIEF

ErickJohnson

BATTALION CHIEFS

WilliamLeddin

JamesHynes

NickolasTufts

MISSION STATEMENT

TheOrlandFireProtection District’sstaffisdedicatedto preservinglifeandproperty whilevaluingfullaccountability toeachotherandthepeoplewe serve.

Dear Orland Fire District Residents:

We are counting down the days until Spring arrives…

The Orland Fire Protection District continues in it quest to be the best Fire District in the State of Illinois. We renewed our status as an ISO1 Fire District, along with renewing our status as an Internationally Accredited Fire Department, making us in the top 1% of fire departments in North America.

We continue to focus on providing the best EMS service response times and using the latest technologies available. This month we rolled out the Pulse Point app (see page 11). This app will alert trained citizens to an emergency in their immediate area, along with the location of the nearest AED. This new technology will save lives. We pride ourselves in providing the best EMS service possible and the numbers show it in our success rate with cardiac arrests.

Did you know that every Firefighter, from the Chief down to the newest member, is a Paramedic, and that every fire engine, arial ladder, and ambulance is paramedic-equipped. Every fire vehicle carries the necessary Paramedics and equipment to treat any medical emergency not every fire department can say that. This allows quicker response times to medical emergencies. We have 13 ALS equipped units staffed every day.

We are proud to say we continue to evolve and become better each day through training and the commitment of our members.

Please check out this edition of the Eagle and see what we have been up to this past few months.

Be Safe!

Fire Chief Michael Schofield

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.

CPR classes are conducted at Orland Fire Protection District Administration Building, 9790 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL

Class Time 9:00 to 1:00 PM.

Fee: $50

Upcoming Classes:

• March 23, 2024

• April 27, 2024

• May 18, 2024

Free Friends & Family CPR

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

Class time 9:00 to Noon.

Fee: Free

Upcoming Classes:

• March 16, 2024

• May 11, 2024

REGISTRATION FOR THESE CLASSES IS DONE THROUGH

OUR WEBSITE: WWW.ORLANDFIRE.ORG

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

MEET

I'm Mark Hogan, a Lieutenant on Black Shift at Station 2, with nearly 10 years of serving the District. I started as a Volunteer Firefighter when I was 21 and I've been a Paramedic for 15 years.

When I'm not on duty, you'll find me at my kids' basketball and football games, cheering them on. I also spend time volunteering with Project Fire Buddies and the 100 Club of Illinois.

Q & A

What do you enjoy most about working at Orland Fire District?

I enjoy the opportunities the OPFD has given me to become the best Firefighter I can be. The District has supported me in continuing my training and education. I also enjoybeingon multiple specialtyteams, the IL Task Force Rescue Team, and pursuingmypassionforinstructing.

What is the hardest thing about being a Firefighter?

The hardest thing is missing important milestones, holidays, or events with my family.

What are your hobbies and favorite pasttimes outside of work?

Give me a boat and some open water, and I'm happy. I also enjoy going to concerts or sporting events with my wife and working on my real estate projects.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?

I would like to visit Ireland to experience Dublin's history and I'd like to kiss the BlarneyStone.

What inspired you to pursue the career of Firefighter/Paramedic?

My grandfather was a Police Officer in Oak Forest for over 20 years. My mother was also a volunteer Firefighter. Their dedication and selflessness inspired me to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career as a Firefighter driven by a deep-seated desire to make a difference and serve my community.

If you could tell your 13 year-old self one thing, what would it be?

Keep working toward your goals, but be patient. You can always keep improving and learning.

Mark Hogan Lieutenant

Do you sleep with your bedroom door open or closed? Have you ever thought about the significance of why sleeping with your bedroom door closed is a better option? Sleeping with your door closed during a fire can significantly impact your chances of survival. Closing the door serves as a crucial barrier, limiting the spread of smoke and flames into your sleeping area. It can reduce the amount of toxic smoke, which is filled with dirt, fumes, and carbon monoxide. This minimizes the risk of smoke inhalation, which is the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in residential fires. In the event of a fire, bedrooms with closed doors create a safer environment by slowing down the progression of heat and toxic gases. This can buy you valuable time, allowing for a more controlled evacuation or rescue. Additionally, closed doors can help maintain a higher level of oxygen within the room, providing a better chance of survival if you find yourself trapped. It is a simple yet effective measure that can make a critical difference in ensuring your safety during a fire emergency. This also increases Firefighter safety. The “Close Before You Doze” campaign not only benefits residents but also enhances the safety of firefighters. Closed doors can limit the fire’s intensity making it more manageable for emergency responders when they arrive on the scene.

Educational outreach provides an opportunity to teach individuals, families, and communities about the science behind fire behavior and the simple yet effective steps of closing doors for enhanced safety. Closing doors serves as a proactive and preventive measure against the devastating effects of residential fires. It empowers individuals to take control of their safety and that of their loved ones by adopting a small but impactful habit. Close all your doors when you exit a room. The “Close Before You Doze” campaign is backed by statistics and research that demonstrate the positive impact of closed doors on survival rates and property damage during fires. These data-driven insights provide a reason to adopt this practice.

Fire is getting Faster and Burning Hotter!

Today, our furniture, clothing, and household materials are made with synthetic and engineered materials, which means fires burn hotter and faster than they did before. And, homes with an open concept lack the physical barriers, which allows flames, heat, and smoke to move more freely, making it challenging to contain the fire within a specific area. Additionally, increased airflow in open layouts can contribute to the rapid escalation of a fire, posing greater risks to occupants and property. Because fire burns hotter and faster, the flashover point happens much faster. Therefore, Closing doors help stop the spread of fire!

40 + years ago, we had almost 17 minutes to escape a fire; today, it’s just 3 minutes or less. This reduction in time requires more urgency with escape planning. Check your smoke alarms, and make sure you change your alarms every ten years or when they stop working. Replace them with the 10-year sealed battery alarms and be sure to use interconnected alarms, if possible, when one goes off, they all go off, so have an escape plan, and make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out of every room in your home 2 different ways and know where the meeting place is, in front of your home. Practice this plan twice a year with your whole family. People now have less time to get out of a burning house, even if their smoke alarms have alerted them to the fire.

For more information and to watch the video “Close Before You Doze”, use this link: https://closeyourdoor.org/#makea-900-difference

FIRE & LIFE SAFETY

HAVE YOU UPDATED ALL YOUR HOME’S SMOKE ALARMS?

Per the Illinois smoke alarm law: Office of the State Fire Marshal, effective January 1, 2023, The updated law required Illinois residents to replace their old smoke alarms with the type that has a long-term, 10-year sealed battery. This would apply to residents who are still using alarms with removable batteries or alarms that are not hardwired.

You can help by minimizing fire risks by being cautious! Place a long-term, 10-year sealed battery smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and all sleeping areas. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home. Use interconnected smoke alarms, if possible. When one goes off, they all go off. If you still have alarms that have replaceable batteries, ensure they have working batteries and replace them if needed. Smoke alarms MUST be replaced every 10 years, or when the alarm stops working. Check your smoke alarms once a month, using the test button. Plan and practice a home escape plan with your entire family, at least twice a year. Make sure you know two ways out of every room and have an outside meeting place in front of your home. Don’t hide, go outside! NEVER go back inside for anything. Get Out and Stay Out Call 9-1-1!

FIRE & LIFE SAFETY

NATIONAL BURN AWARENESS WEEK FEBRUARY 4-10, 2024

National Burn Awareness Week, an initiative of the American Burn Association, is a coming together of burn, fire, and life safety educators to make the public aware of the frequency, devastation, and causes of burn injury. The theme for 2024 National Burn Awareness Week was Flammable Liquids.

Burn injuries continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental death and injury in our nation where tragically, children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to burn injuries, and almost onethird of all burn injuries occur in children under the age of 15. Children under five were 2.0 times as likely to be seen for burn injuries at a hospital emergency department. The primary causes of injury include fireflame, scalds, contact with hot objects, and electrical and chemicals. Most of the injuries occur in the home. Today, 96.8% of those who suffer burn injuries will survive. Unfortunately, many of those survivors will sustain serious scarring, life-long physical disabilities, adjustment difficulties.

***PLEASE

EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT

2024 Poster Contest Winners

1st

WHAT’S NEW?

OFPD PARTICIPATING IN VILLAGE’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY KICK-OFF PARADE

Orland Fire District was happy to help kick off the holiday season participating in the Village of Orland Park 's annual holiday festival, tree lighting and parade on Sunday, November 26th. The parade featured over forty local businesses and organizations with decorated floats, vehicles, music and hundreds of walkers including marching bands, dance companies, theater groups and the special arrival of Santa!

DINNER FOR CREWS FROM THE JANE CALIENDOO FOUNDATION

On December 5th 7th, the Jane Caliendo Foundation provided dinner for all the stations and dispatch from Papa Joe's Italian Cuisine - Orland Park to honor our crews and the hard work they do each day, like they have done for the past few years.

Jane Schofield Caliendo was the sister of Fire Chief Michael Schofield, and a beloved teacher/coach at Carl Sandburg H.S. for over 20 years. Sadly, she died of colon cancer in October 2014. Her husband, James Caliendo keeps her memory alive through the Jane Caliendo Memorial Foundation, which honors Jane's dedication to high quality academics and athletics. It is a non-forprofit foundation which strives to provide resources in the way of scholarship opportunities to Carl Sandburg High School senior athletes so that warriors with the Jane Caliendo spirit, pride and purpose can be fostered through high school and given the skills, resiliency and pride to make a difference in our community as adults. Thanks to Mike, the owner of Papa Joe's, and James Caliendo for personally dropping in at Station 1.

WHAT’S NEW?

FIREFIGHTER RESPOND TO ORLAND HILLS FIRE

On December 12, 2023, OFPD Firefighters responded to a fire in Orland Hills. A quick response by Orland Professional Firefighters was able to keep the fire in check and ensure minimal damage and no injuries. Thanks Northern Illinois FireGround Photos for taking pictures of our Firefighters at work!

PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY—3 LIEUTENANTS AND 5 ENGINEERS

On Monday, January 15, 2024, Orland Fire District Fire Commissioner Matt Rafferty administered the Engineer's Oath of Office to Jon Kendra, Sergio Navarro, RJ Proctor, Mike Pericht and Dale Weber, and the Lieutenant's Oath of Office to Mark Hogan, Zach Zweizig, and Justin Dublin, at a ceremony held at the Orland Civic Center. Their families were all there to pin their badges. Trustees Zekich and Greenfield were in attendance, as well as many retired OFPD sworn personnel and off-duty personnel. Congratulations gentlemen!

WHAT’S NEW?

WHAT’S NEW?

LIFESAVING AWARDS PRESENTED AT 2/27/24 BOT MEETING

On Tuesday evening, 2/27/28 at the OFPD BOT Meeting, EMS Coordinator Lieutenant Josh Girdick and cardiac arrest survivor Mr. Don Torgerson, presented the William Bonnar, Sr. Life Saving Award, the Excellence in Dispatching Award, and several Unit Commendations.

Members of the Orland Police Department and Orland Fire Protection District respond to numerous calls for service that have a positive impact on the residents of the Orland community. One such call occurred on November 30th, 2023, involving Mr. Don Torgerson. At around 1 pm on that day, Dispatch received a 911 call for an individual who passed out at Huntington Bank located at 14701 LaGrange Rd. During the 911 call, Dispatcher Logan Maske was able to recognize and determine that Mr. Torgerson was in cardiac arrest and upgraded the alarm which brought additional resources to the scene. Officer Sean Murphy of the Orland Park Police Department was the first to arrive on scene and began providing CPR to Mr. Torgerson. Upon their arrival, personnel from the Orland Fire Protection District took over CPR and began providing Advanced Life Support care which included ventilations

EKG monitoring, defibrillation, medications, and intubation. After 22 minutes of continuous CPR, medications, and 7 defibrillations, Mr. Torgerson experienced a return of spontaneous circulation and had a pulse. At that time, he was transported to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital for additional care and treatment.

Officer Sean Murphy was presented with the William Bonnar, Sr. Life Saving Award

Dispatcher Logan Maske was presented with the Excellence in Dispatching Award; and

The following members with Unit Commendations: L, Ramirez, AJ Hiller, C. Murray, J. McCleary, B. Buenzow, S. McDonald, B. Steele, and J. Hynes

Mr. Torgerson has made a wonderful recovery and expressed his deep gratitude to the team that saved his life, stating that he has a lot more years with all his family, including, his 7 year old son who was one of his many loved ones at the presentation.

L to R: Chief Mike Schofield, Board President John Brudnak, Trustee/Secretary Beth Damas Kaspar, FF Brian Steele, Eng. Shaun McDonald, Engineer Chuck Murray, FF Jacob McCleary, survivor Don Torgerson, Battalion Chief Jim Hynes, FF Lucy Ramirez, OP Police Officer Sean Murphy, Dispatcher Logan Maske, Trustee Tina Zekich, Trustee Angela Greenfield

WHAT’S NEW?

FIRE / AMBULANCE EMERGENCY

Orland Park and Orland Hills…………….…....9 - 1 - 1

Unincorporated Areas………………....(708) 349-3121

TDD………………………...……...….(708) 349-6633

Administration (Non-Emergency)...…. (708) 349-0074

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

Animal Control…………………….…(708) 974-6140

Poison Control…………………….….(800) 222-1222

Upcoming Spring Events ‘23:

Please come visit at our OFPD table at the following events:

March

10 Daylight Savings Time: clocks are turned ahead 1 hour.

15 Senior St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon @ OFPD (SOLD OUT)

23 Family Health Fair-Orland Sportsplex

April

17 Coffee & Conversation 10 a.m. to 12 Noon Retired Lieutenant/EMS Instructor Chris Smith:

• Senior Survival Skills for Heart Attacks and Strokes

• Pink Angels Caregivers

June

1 Chick-Fil-A Safety Day (“Touch a Truck”)

18 Kid’s Fire & Life Safety Camp 8 to 12 yrs. old

19 Junior Cadet Academy 13 to 17 yrs. Old (These camps are 1-Day Camps for OFPD residents only; Lunch will be served times tbd)

Mark your calendars!

OFPD’s annual Open House will be held : September 7, 2024—11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Orland Training Facility 10728 West 163rd Place, Orland Park

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