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Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee
The Orland Fire Protection District, at its regular meeting on Oct. 28, 2025, officially welcomed the newly appointed Fire Chief, Kevin Doyle.
Doyle was welcomed to his first official meeting by Board President Beth Damas Kaspar and the Fire Trustees, and he thanked the board for their confidence in him.
“It’s been a great first week. It’s been nonstop meetings every day. I met with the mayor and police chief of Orland Park this week and will meet with the Mayor, Police Chief, and Village Manager of Orland Hills next week,” Chief Doyle said during his first remarks to the board.
“Our Fire District looks much different from the inside than it does from the outside. I have a truer appreciation for all of the great work being done here every day. We have a lot of dedicated people and a lot to be proud of. This is a tremendous organization.”
Doyle thanked the support he has received from the board and also from Deputy Fire Chief John Purtill, who served as the interim fire chief following the retirement of former Chief Mike Schofield, and also support from Nickolas Tufts, OFPD Operations Chief.
Doyle received his Associate’s Degree in 1984 from Moraine Valley Community College and his Bachelors in Fire Science Management from Southern Illinois University in 2000. He has served as the fire chief in several fire districts since 2011 including the Pleasantview Fire Protection District, the Palos Heights Fire Protection District, and the Homer Township Fire Protection District. He currently serves at the President of MABAS Division 19 and serves on the Executive Board of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs of Illinois.
The board also adopted a resolution honoring the memory of former Trustee Jayne Schirmacher who died of cancer on October 19, 2025.
Schirmacher served on the Board of Trustees from 2013 until 2025. Jayne was respected by her peers and colleagues for her integrity and kindness and she will be missed.
“Jayne was respected by her peers and colleagues for her integrity and kindness, and she will be greatly missed. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, OFPD Board President Beth Damas Kaspar said in adopting the resolution.
Here is the resolution that was adopted by the OFPD Board of Trustees on Oct. 28, 2025:
RESOLUTION 2025-04
In Honor and Memoriam of Former Trustee Jayne Schirmacher
WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness and gratitude that the Board of Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District acknowledges the passing of our former colleague and friend, Jayne Schirmacher, on October 19, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Jayne Schirmacher served as a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2025, during which she served as Treasurer from 2017 to 2025, and provided exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Orland Fire Protection District; and
WHEREAS, Jayne Schirmacher was respected by peers and colleagues for her dedication, integrity and kindness; and
WHEREAS, Jayne Schirmacher’s legacy of service and dedication has left an indelible mark on the Orland Fire Protection District and the community it serves;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District, on behalf of its members, staff, and the community, celebrates the life and accomplishments of Jayne Schirmacher and expresses its profound admiration for a life well lived; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board extends its deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jayne Schirmacher during this time of bereavement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Jayne Schirmacher as a token of our heartfelt appreciation and respect.
Passed by the Board of Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District, Cook County, Illinois on this the 28th Day of October 2025, by the following Roll-call vote:
TRUSTEES: DJ Jeffers, Tina Zekich, Angela Greenfield, Beth Damas Kaspar, Bridget Tolan
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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.
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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 [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
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