Archive for June 13th, 2014

New fire chief for Oak Forest

The Southtown Star has an article about a new fire chief in Oak Forest:

Oak Forest aldermen on Tuesday night approved the appointment of David Griffin as fire chief, replacing retiring Chief Terry Lipinski.

Griffin, who became the interim deputy fire chief last month, has served 14 years with the Oak Forest Fire Department and was in charge of training. He said Lipinski ran the department well, and “it’s going to be a fairly easy transition for us. I don’t think anything needs to be remodeled.”

Replacing Griffin as deputy chief will be John Janozik, a 28-year department veteran whom aldermen also appointed Tuesday night. He served as the department’s first deputy chief for one year in 1996.

Griffin was named interim deputy chief May 27 after aldermen removed Deputy Chief Charles Sopko from the position. Sopko had been on paid suspension since he and his wife were indicted in December, accused of embezzling about $352,000 over 30 months from the Palos Heights Fire Protection District where Michelle Sopko worked part time as an administrative assistant/bookkeeper.

Griffin said Charles Sopko still is employed by the fire department, but neither he nor Janozik were certain of Sopko’s status, specifically whether he remains suspended with pay.

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Orland ambulance refurb

Kevin Griffin found information on the Orland Fire District website about an ambulance that was re-chassied.

new chassis for modular ambulance

Orland Ambulance 4 with a 2013 Ford E450 chassis. Orland Fire District photo

2013 Ford-Road Rescue Ambulance

  • Went into service in November of 2008 as Ambulance 2, assigned to Station 2
  • Reassigned in May of 2013 to Reserve Ambulance 7
  • Refurbished and reassigned in April of 2014 to Ambulance 4
  • Equipped with:
    • Advance life support medication and equipment
    • Cardiac monitors with 12 Lead acquisition and transmission capabilities
    • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) breathing circuits
    • Power operated cots
    • Stair chairs

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New truck for Oak Brook (more)

This from Josh Boyajian:

Caught Oak Brook’s new truck sitting outside their firehouse on Tuesday!

Pierce Arrow XT PUC quint

Oak Brook Ladder 94, 2014 Pierce Arrow XT PUC 105′ rear mount. Josh Boyajian photo

other photos are HERE and HERE

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