Orland Fire Protection Board praises all first responders for emergency response to Monday’s storm

OFPD, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) Board of Trustees said firefighters and dispatchers responded to hundreds of emergency calls during the heavy storms that swept through the region Monday, reporting no major injuries.

Deputy Chief Joshua Girdick and Dispatch Director Des Breese said the storm caused significant damage to homes and property, prompting public health concerns and calls for assistance that were addressed quickly and efficiently.

Girdick said that firefighters responded to 86 emergency calls involving damage from downed trees, power lines, and flooded basements.

Breese reported that Dispatch answered more than 250 emergency 911 calls, handled more than 650 incoming and outgoing administrative phone calls, and coordinated more than 320 calls for service across our nine Fire & EMS member agencies.

“The Orland Fire Protection District handled 86 calls on Monday during the storm. There were a lot of reports of damage caused by downed trees, power lines, and flooded basements. Luckily, there were no major injuries encountered in Orland,” Girdick reported to the Board at its meeting Tuesday night.

“Firefighters did an amazing job responding to the damage reports and calls for help. I was also down in Dispatch with them during the storm. It was just inspiring to see them work, and the storm damage was overwhelming, but they did everything needed to assist our residents.”

The National Weather Service reported that an EF-0 level tornado had passed through Orland Park in the early afternoon, causing extensive damage; it was one of four tornadoes reported in the Southwest and South suburbs that left a trail of property destruction and some injuries.

Breese said that Dispatch received a surge of emergency calls, which were responded to quickly and efficiently to help residents get through the record storm damage.

“Following Monday’s severe storms, I want to recognize the incredible work of our dispatchers. We had team members voluntarily come in to help without being asked, all staying well beyond the end of their scheduled shifts, and simply doing whatever was needed to be done to support one another, our responders and the communities we serve,” Breese reported.

“That kind of dedication, teamwork, and selflessness can’t be taught. It speaks to the character of the people behind the headsets at Orland Central Dispatch.”

Breese said that in the seven hours of the storm, Orland Fire Dispatch “answered more than 250 emergency 911 calls, handled more than 650 incoming and outgoing administrative phone calls, and coordinated more than 320 calls for service across our nine Fire & EMS member agencies.”

“While the numbers are significant, what I’m most proud of is the team behind them. Their dedication to one another and to the communities we serve is what truly made yesterday’s response a success.”

Board members in attendance, including President Beth Damas-Kaspar, DJ Jeffers, Angela Greenfield, and Bridget Tolan, all thanked the firefighters and dispatchers for their professional and swift emergency response to the storm.

“During the recent storms, our dispatch center showed the dedication, professionalism, and commitment that make the Orland Fire Protection District so special. Every call was answered, every detail was managed, and every decision was made with the safety of our residents and first responders at the forefront. As a Trustee of the Orland Fire Protection District, I am incredibly proud of our dispatchers and the important role they play in serving our community. Their work requires skill, focus, and compassion—often during some of the most stressful moments our residents experience,” said Trustee Bridget Tolan.

“Thank you to every member of our dispatch center for the long hours, the steady commitment, and the care you bring to this responsibility. Your service matters, and our community is better because of the dedication you bring every day.”

For more information, visit www.OrlandFire.org.

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