Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region's and State of Illinois' best Fire Districts.

Lifesaving achievements focus of media presentation by Orland Fire Protection District officials

Posted on May 27, 2023May 28, 2023 By News Editor No Comments on Lifesaving achievements focus of media presentation by Orland Fire Protection District officials
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Lifesaving achievements focus of media presentation by Orland Fire Protection District officials

FULL VIDEO BELOW

Orland Park — The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region’s and State of Illinois’ best Fire Districts.

Board President John Brudnak welcomed media and guests and outlined the district’s many achievements and the commitment to serving the needs of the district’s citizens, families and taxpayers.

Speakers presented an overview of the district’s finances, the amount of fire alarms they respond to, and also detailed their active schedule of educational events and public participation programs.

Among those attending and speaking were Fire Chief Michael Schofield, OFPD Finance Director Kerry Sullivan, Fire & Life Safety Education Coordinator Betsy Dine, Rosemaria DiBenedetto of the Senior Advisory Council, SAC members, OFPD Trustees Beth Damas Kaspar, Tina Zekich and Angela Greenfield, Battalion Chief Nick Cinquepalmi, and, attorney Megan Roche Steigauf​.

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region's and State of Illinois' best Fire Districts.
The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region’s and State of Illinois’ best Fire Districts. OFPD President John Brudnak discuss the district’s achievements and introduced the attendees

 

“When it comes to saving lives, extinguishing fires and saving homes, the Orland Fire Protection District is number one in the region, if not in the country. We are so proud of what our firefighter/paramedics achieve every day that they set aside their own personal safety to protect the lives and property of our citizens,” Brudnak said at the briefing held at the OFPD Admin Building, 9790 W. 151st Street.

 

“They are the epitome of what every First Responder strives to be. Over the past decade that I have been on the Fire District Board we have seen a steady movement away from politics and an intense focus on professional firefighting, which is what this district does best. The Orland Fire Protection District has the highest Cardiac Arrest ‘Save Rate’ of the region and possibly in the country. That is not a small achievement. Just ask the survivors, many of whom we have brought to this board room to celebrate and to honor the firefighter/paramedics who saved their lives.”

Brudnak said the OFPD District’s 71 percent ‘Save Rate’ towers above the national average which is between 10 and 15 percent.

“It represents what we stand for in this Fire District and where our commitments rest,” Brudnak said.

“We have a great board and their dedication is to our residents and our firefighters and it has shown in everything we do here,” said Schofield who began with the Fire District in 1977.

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region's and State of Illinois' best Fire Districts.
Fire Chief Michael Schofield addresses the OFPD achievements.

“As President Brudnak said, they are the best of the best. We train hard. We work hard. We perform hard.”

Schofield said the majority of the OFPD calls are EMS.

“If you look around this area in Orland we are surrounded by medical facilities. Our Fire Department is the busiest Fire District in the state of Illinois. No fire district runs more calls than Orland. We had more than 13,000 calls this year which is amazing.”

Schofield said that the district has one mission, “To do the best job we can for our citizens.”

Sullivan detailed the strength of the OFPD District’s financials and how the district maximizes every tax dollar to provide the best and most possible services at the least amount of cost.

Sullivan noted the district has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for past six years, and the Certificate of Achievement in Financial reporting for past 14 years.

She noted the 76 percent of the district’s revenues from property taxes which are subject to caps and the CPI is 7 percent and the district is capped at 5 percent also.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fees account for 13 percent of the district’s revenues, dispatch fee 4 percent, Grants from the state 3 percent and other sources 4 percent.

More than 84 percent of the budget goes to personnel costs with six percent covering supplies, repairs, equipment, utilities, & fuel. The OFPD Pension Fund is nearly “Fully Funded” which reduces the burden on taxpayers.

“Most importantly, the costs of Ambulance services for our residents is only collected from insurance coverage and residents do not pay when they need an ambulance to address an emergency,” Sullivan explained.

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region's and State of Illinois' best Fire Districts.
Curt Unander and members of the Senior Advisory Council discuss their services and encourage seniors to join.

DiBenedetto introduced several members of the Senior Advisory Council including SAC Chairman Curt Unander.

“The Senior Advisory Council’s mandate is to serve as the liaison between the district’s senior population and fire district’s officials,” Unander said.

“SAC’s main purpose is to identify and address specific needs of the senior residents of our district. And as you all know, we have a lot of seniors in our district.”

Dine discussed the district’s many upcoming public information events and programs including educating young students to better understand the importance of life safety skills and fire education including with students as young as in the First Grade.

Upcoming programs, Dine said, include:

Fire and Life Safety Kids Camp, July 10 -12, for ages 8 to 12 years of age where they learn CPR, and other life saving techniques.

“They will understand the reasons for the really important message about why we need working fire alarms in our homes. Smoke alarms are supper important and we like to bring that message to the kids as young as pre-school,” Dine said.

“And the kids go home and tell their families they need them and they need to run escape drills. We learn all of these skills at the camps.”

Junior Cadet Camp for students between the ages of 13 and 16 years of age is held in July which offer “more in-depth” information about life saving strategies.

The Open House begins at the conclusion of the Junior Cadet Camp and will be held on July 13 from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM.

The OFPD also hosts Fire House Barbecues every month moving from each of the district’s six fire houses. The next BBQ is at Station 2 on June 7 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Orland Fire Protection District.

CLICK HERE TO view the video oon Youtube or use the widget below.


newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
News Editor
News Editor
News Editor at Suburban Chicagoland
Managing Editor and News Editor for stories published in SuburbanChicagoland
News Editor
Latest posts by News Editor (see all)
  • Court vacates order of protection, reuniting dad and daughter - September 18, 2025
  • Nick Uniejewski challenges anti-Arab Illinois State Senator Sarah Feigenholtz - September 11, 2025
  • Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Immigration Fraud - September 9, 2025
NPV: 32
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Features, Fire, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Angela Greenfield, attorney Megan Roche Steigauf​, Battalion Chief Nick Cinquepalmi, Fire & Life Safety Education Coordinator Betsy Dine, Fire Chief Michael Schofield, John Brudnak, OFPD, OFPD Finance Director Kerry Sullivan, OFPD Trustees Beth Damas Kaspar, Orland Fire Protection District, Rosemaria DiBenedetto of the Senior Advisory Council, SAC members, Tina Zekich

Post navigation

Previous Post: Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings
Next Post: Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train”

Related Posts

  • Orland Park kitchen fire in an apartment building Monday Aug. 8, 2021 at 9023 Franklin 2nd floor east unit around 6:30 pm. Photo courtesy of Steve Neuhaus for the Orland Fire Protection District
    Dinner kitchen Apartment fire Monday August 8, no injuries, minor smoke damage Business
  • “Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is joined by the 2017 Senior Citizens of the Year at Prime Time Restaurant in Hickory Hills.”
    Lipinski Honors 2017 Senior Citizens of the Year Baby Boomers
  • Actor Rob Schneider endorses Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr
    Actor Rob Schneider pushes for election of Robert F. Kennedy Jr elections
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes Blogger
  • Bill Foster Democrat 11th District Illinois
    Foster Announces Federal Funding for Programs to Combat Youth Substance Use in Naperville and Aurora Crime
  • Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts press conference to outline new property tax discount for affordable housing
    Kaegi praises legislative adoption of affordable housing tax relief law Chicago

More Related Articles

Store destroyed by looters and arsonists who participated in the Black Lives Matter protests in Chicago at the end of May 2020. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has abandoned victims of looting along with the members of the Chicago Police Department. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania The hatred and reverse racism of the protests Blogger
Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights Video Interview: Jeffery Leving discusses mission to defend Dads’ Rights Chicago
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in the middle of the COVID pandemic not wearing a face mask. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park. Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress Blogger
Lyons Mayor Chris Getty. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Getty hosts forum against Soda Tax Thursday Sept. 7 Government
The Primal Cut Steakhouse across from the spacious Metra Train station park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania IDOT awards $36 million to enhance Illinois transportation Business
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas with elected officials and Arab community leaders at the Arab American Heritage celebration at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo Maria Pappas: Your Cook County property tax bill is online now Cook County

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme