Orland Fire Protection District swears in two new trustees, elects officers

Orland Fire District — The Orland Fire Protection District swore in two new trustees on Tuesday (May 23) who were elected in the April 4, 2023 elections to six year terms, Tina Zekich and Angela Greenfield.

OFPD Fire Chief Michael Schofield also reported during the meeting that the Fire District was working closely with the Orland Park Police Department and the Village to coordinate safety procedures for an upcoming summer festival scheduled to begin June 15 to avoid any possible repeat of the incident that took place at a Tinley Park carnival last week.

Tina Zekich and Angela Greenfield join the five-member Board of Trustees that includes President John Brudnak, Jayne Schirmacher and Beth Damas Kaspar.

Tina Zekich and Angela Greenfield were accompanied by family members and were given the Oath of Office by relatives during the meeting at the Orland Fire Protection District Board room. Tina Zekich was given the Oath of Office by her mother, Florence Zekich. Greenfield was given the Oath of Office by her son, Michael Greenfield, 18.

Orland Fire Protection District Trustees Beth Damas Kaspar, John Brudnak, Jayne Schirmacher (seated), Angela Greenfield and Tina Zekich at May 23, 2023 board meeting

Tina Zekich was born in Calumet City and moved to Orland Park in 1992. She attended Loyola University for undergrad and graduated from John Marshall Law School. Her practice is located in Orland Park. She is the mother of two boys, one who recently graduated from Sandburg and the other is going to be a junior at Sandburg. Tina Zekich served as a member of the District 135 School Board from 2011-2015 and said she “believes in volunteer work and feels it is important to be active and give back to the community.”

Angela Greenfield was born in Bridgeport and moved to Orland Park when she was a young child living in Orland Park for more than 40 years. A full-time realtor at @properties focused on residential homes working with buyers, sellers and investors. The mother of three sons, Angela Greenfield volunteers for several local charities supporting families suffering from health and financial challenges. She prides herself and family volunteering in the community.

Pastor Don Borling, pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park provided the opening prayer for the ceremony that was attended by about two dozens guests, relatives and friends of the trustees.

After the ceremony and following a brief break for refreshments, the board voted unanimously to re-elect John Brudnak to continue serving as Board President. Beth Damas Kaspar was elected Secretary and Jayne Schirmacher was elected Treasurer.

“We have the best Fire District in the country based on the training, performance and their ability to put out fires and save lives,” President John Brudnak said.

“Our cardiac Arrest ‘Save Rate’ is 71 percent, compared to a national average of 10 to 15 percent, precisely because they are the finest firefighter/paramedics in the country.”

Fire Chief Michael Schofield reported during the reconvened board meeting that Phase 1 of the district’s CAD update program has been completed. He announced that the Fire District was working closely with the Orland Police Department and the Village on the upcoming Summer Festival to be held June 15 through 18th.

“We are working together and we have a good plan for our public safety,” Schofield said praising the Police Department and Firefighters for their dedication to public safety.

For more information on the Orland Fire Protection District visit www.OrlandFire.org.

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