Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Students learn about Fire District careers at Junior Cadet Academy Orland Fire Protection District, IL – Young teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 were given an opportunity to learn about what it takes to become a firefighter during a day-long summer camp program hosted by the Orland Fire Protection District on Tuesday (June…
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Kids camp teaches young children basics of fire safety Orland Fire Protection District, IL – Several dozen young campers received training in basic fire safety and life-saving skills at the Orland Fire Protection District’s annual summer Fire and Life Safety Camp held at the district’s training center on 163rd Place in Orland Park. Children ages…
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Orland Fire Officially Promotes new Fire Chief John Purtill and Command Staff Deputy Chief John Purtill was sworn in Tuesday (June 9, 2026) as the new Fire Chief/Administrator for the Orland Fire Protection District at a ceremony held at the Orland Civic Center. OFPD Board President Beth Damas Kaspar opened the meeting, and she and…
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Orland Fire Protection District names new Fire Chief – swearing-in Ceremony June 9 The Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees will host a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, for newly appointed Fire Chief John Purtill. During the ceremony, the board will also swear-in Joshua Girdick as Deputy Chief of Operations and Shawn…
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Orland Fire Protection District Seniors to host Barbecue July 1, 2026 The Orland Fire Protection District Seniors Club will host a Senior BBQ Luncheon on Wednesday, July 1, 2027 to celebrate the nation’s 250th Anniversary in conjunction with the 4th of July. The BBQ on July 1 is open to Orland Fire District residents and…
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Village of Orland Park to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Year of Events The Village of Orland Park is proud to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a year full of special events and programs. The season of celebration will kick off with the Red, White & Blue BBQ Fest & Parade on Saturday,…
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Orland Firefighter reflects on 29 years of service after retirement Orland Park, IL – From the time he was a young child, Robert Winkelman always wanted to be a firefighter. Last week, he retired after 35 years of total fire service, including 29 years with the Orland Fire Protection District, most recently as a Battalion…
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OFPD extinguishes garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries reported The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a reported structure fire Thursday evening in the 10800 block of Caribou Lane involving an attached residential garage. Upon arrival, all occupants had safely exited the home. First arriving companies forced entry to access the garage and encountered…
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Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs The Orland Fire Protection District released the scheduled dates for the popular Kids Camp (Monday, June 15) and the Junior Cadet program (Tuesday, June 16), and urges interested parents to mark their calendars for the events and for the required registration….
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Orland Fire responds to laundry room fire at Mario Tricoci salon Orland Park, IL – A fire that apparently began in the laundry room of the Mario Tricoci salon in Orland Park on Friday, March 13, 2026, damaged an area of the business and forced its temporary closure. No one was injured. Orland Fire Protection…
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Orland Firefighters extinguish townhome fire Saturday, resident slightly injured Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a home fire on the 9100 Block of Greencastle Lane on Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026, hampered by numerous obstructions officials referred to as “possible hoarding.” One resident was treated for minor injuries. Firefighters with…
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Orland Fire District inducts firefighter trainees into fulltime positions Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) Wednesday (March 4, 2026) swore in five firefighter trainees to positions of full-time firefighters. The five inductees trained for more than a year before qualifying for the positions, and included Benjamin Bergen, Christopher Bailey, Philip McLaughlin,…
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OFPD to co-sponsor blood drive March 21 with Vitalant at Orland Library Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District will host a blood drive with Vitalant Blood Donor Center at the Orland Park Public Library, 14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, on March 21, 2026. The event will be held from 10 AM to…
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Orland Fire Protection District celebrates firefighter promotions Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District held a promotional ceremony on Thursday, February 26, 2026 recognizing five firefighters. Congratulations are extended to Orland Fire Protection District Lieutenants Michael Pericht and Jonathan Kendra, Engineers Jeff Anderson and Jason Smith, and Director of Dispatch Operations Des Breese…
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Orland Fire to host Coffee & Conversation Feb 25 on: Protecting your Finances, Info for Seniors, & Staying Safe Orland Park, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District and Fire Chief Kevin Doyle will host the next “Coffee & Conversation” on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 10 am until 12:00 pm at the OFPD Board…
Orland Fire Protection District cautions homeowners on using alternative sources for heat inside homes OFPD, IL – Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District on Thursday cautioned homeowners on using alternative sources of heat for their homes, warning they could easily cause fires. With the cost of heating a home rising, many homeowners have turned…
Orland Fire District appoints Des Breese as Director of Orland Central Dispatch Orland Fire Protection District, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District named Des Breese as Director of Orland Central Dispatch Operations. The Board of Trustees voted to approve the appointment on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, during their regular meeting. Breese succeeds Gina Cortez….
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Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Toy Drive for needy families and children. The Toy drive collections are located at all 6 of the OFPD Fire Stations and the Fire Administration Building, where toy donations can be dropped off. The OFPD Toy…
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