Orland Fire District elects woman Board President
Orland Fire Protection District Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, who recently won re-election to a six-year term as Trustee, was elected on Tuesday (May 5, 2025) to serve as the Fire District’s first woman Board President in the past two decades.
Damas Kaspar was sworn into her second term along with newly elected Trustees Donald “DJ” Jeffers, a former OFPD Commissioner who will serve a six-year term, and Bridget Eileen Tolan, who will serve a two-year term.
Two incumbent trustees, Tina Zekich and Angela Greenfield, were absent from the historic meeting, which was attended by nearly 100 friends, relatives, Fire District officials, and residents at the OFPD Administration Building on 151st Street.
Damas Kaspar, Jeffers, and Tolan won the confidence of the District’s voters in a landslide election on April 1, 2025, defeating two slates backed by former Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady, who both failed in a bid to take over the Fire Board.
The three successful Fire District Trustee candidates promised to prevent a takeover, or merger of the Fire District by local politicians and activists who sought to control it, and to continue to keep politics out of the Fire District, which is one of the nation’s top-performing Fire Districts. The OFPD enjoys the highest “Cardiac Arrest Save Rate” of 71 percent, compared to a national average of only 10-15 percent, and has the best-trained and performing Firefighters in the nation.
“It is an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District. As Treasurer, I look forward to serving with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while ensuring our brave & dedicated firefighters have the support they need to continue their exceptional service to the community,” Tolan said.
“I will work to bring a strong voice of fiscal responsibility and practical leadership to the Board, ensuring that our Fire District remains independent, transparent, and accountable to the people it serves. We are fortunate to have one of the finest fire districts in the state, and I am dedicated to helping it operate efficiently and effectively on behalf of all residents. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.”
During the Special Meeting, Jeffers was elected to serve as the board’s Secretary, and Tolan was elected to serve as the board’s Treasurer.
Outgoing board members John Brudnak, the former board president, and Trustee Jayne Schirmacher, were present for the ceremonies along with retiring Fire Chief Michael Schofield and Deputy Fire Chief Nick Cinquepalmi.
Brudnak administered the Oath of Office to Damas Kaspar. Damas Kaspar administered the Oath of Office to Tolan. Orland Park Mayor Kyle Hastings administered the Oath of Office to Jeffers, who previously served on the Fire District as a Commissioner since 2023.
“Before I start, I’ll tell you it’s an honor for me not only to be here, but to be administering the Oath of Office to DJ and to see our trustees here,” Hastings said.
“I’ve been around here since Mike (Schofield) was in high school. And I was here even when Mike’s mother (Margaret Evans Schofield) was here on the board, along with Jacqueline and everyone. This board is fabulous. We’re going to continue on to make this once again the greatest Fire Department there is in the State of Illinois. So, it is truly an honor to be here.”
Damas Kaspar has a distinguished career in healthcare, decades of community involvement, and a passion for service. Damas Kaspar brings a unique blend of leadership, expertise, and compassion to this important role. She served both as a Fire Commissioner and Trustee, and has demonstrated an ability to make thoughtful decisions that prioritize public safety and fiscal responsibility.
As a highly accomplished healthcare professional, Damas Kaspar holds advanced degrees in dentistry and endodontics and serves as a consultant for Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Her experience as a small business owner, leading an all-female endodontic practice, has taught her the importance of teamwork, accountability, and careful resource management. An active parishioner at St. Michael’s Church, she is a proud wife and mother of two children.
Jeffers is a successful small business owner/operator who graduated from Saint Xavier University with a B.A. in Business. His education also includes graduating from Marist High School, and he is a St. Michael’s Church Parishioner. The father of four, three sons & one daughter, Jeffers is a lifelong Beverly/Orland Park Resident.
Tolan is the Founder and CEO of Loch Alainn Construction and heads the John Tolan Foundation Charitable Fund. She is a former Palos Heights Police Department Community Service Officer (CSO) who worked alongside First Responders for many years, and a Marist High School alumnus. A member of St. Alexander Church Parish, she is a lifelong Palos/Orland Resident.
Margaret Schofield was elected Fire Trustee in 1991 and served as president through her passing in February 2002.
For more information, visit www.OrlandFire.org
His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
