Independent Candidates for Orland Fire Protection District announce their slate

Three seats are up for election on April 1 for the Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees and three slates of candidates are competing for those seats.

The independent slate, Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety, includes two Orland Fire Protection District officials, incumbent Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, and incumbent Commissioner Donald “DJ” Jeffers. The third member of the slate is business entrepreneur and former Palos Heights Police Department Community Service Officer Bridget Tolan who worked alongside First Responders for many years. Click here to visit their website.

Kaspar and Jeffers have been in their OFPD positions since 2023. Trustees oversee policies and budgets while commissioners oversee hiring and employment issues.

Two other slates are also in the running, one backed by beleaguered Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and another slate is backed by several officials from Orland Township and Tinley Park.

Donald “DJ” Jeffers

– Commissioner: Orland Fire appointed 2023

– Small Business Owner Operator

– Saint Xavier University BA (Business)

– Marist High School Alumni

– St. Michael’s Church Parishioner

– Father of Four, three sons & one daughter

– Lifelong Beverly / Orland resident

Beth Damas Kaspar

– Trustee – Orland Fire appointed 2023

– Southwest Endodontics (Owner)

– UIC College of Dentistry DDS, MS

– Lurie’s Children Hospital Consultant

– Merrimac College B.A.

– Providence Catholic High School Alumni

– St. Michael’s Parish Student Parent

– Lifelong Lemont/Orland resident

Bridget Tolan

– Loch Alainn Construction Founder CEO

– John Tolan Foundation Charitable Fund

– Former Palos Heights Police Department Community Service Officer who worked alongside First Responders for many years

– Marist High School Alumni

– St. Alexander Church Parishioner

Lifelong Palos/Orland Resident

The Orland Fire Protection District has one of the highest Cardiac Arrest Save Rate which is 71 percent, compared to the national Save Rate which is only 10 to 15 percent, Fire Officials have confirmed in the past.

And, the OFPD has the highest rating for training and performance, an ISO-1 Rating which means that taxpayers and homeowners in the FIre District qualify for the lowest insurance premium rates. A lower ISO rating (ISO-2 through ISO-5) would result in higher premiums for homeowners.

Additionally, the Fire District has been praised for its transparency and for its detailed release of its annual financial data. Unlike many other governments, the Fire District also boasts a fully funded Pension Fund for its firefighters and employees, meaning that tax increases are not needed to guarantee the pension payments which is common among many other governments with weaker financial standing.

Jeffers said that the priority of the Fiscal Voice for Fire Safety is to protect these ratings which benefit the taxpayers, and to also ensure that every firefighter has all of the training and latest equipment to battle fires and save lives.

“The firefighters are our priority because they deliver the services that keep the residents and homeowners and businesses in the Fire District safe. Many governments look at our Fire District which is an independent government with envy and they would all love to control the district and its strong financial foundation,” Jeffers said.

“Our job is to ensure that the Fire District remains independent, away from the control of local politicians and village mayors and have all the resources they need to do their jobs with the least amount of risk to their own lives and the highest level of safety for our residents and taxpayers. We are very proud of our firefighters and what they do and we want to ensure they have the most professional environment possible to continue to their amazing achievements.”

To stay up-to-date on Jeffers, Kaspar and Tolan’s candidacy and to support their efforts to protect the Orland Fire Protection District, visit their Facebook Page by clicking THIS LINK or use this QR Code from your cell phone.