Archive for March 23rd, 2016

Oak Forest Fire Department news

Excerpts from the Village of Oak Forest:

The City of Oak Forest has named Jack Janozik as its new fire chief and Patrick Duffy as its new deputy fire chief, effective immediately. Both appointments were approved on March 22 after the city council accepted the resignation of former Fire Chief David Griffin.

Janozik was hired by the City of Oak Forest in 1986 as a paramedic/firefighter. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He also served as the director of the Fire Prevention Bureau, and in 2014 was appointed to the position of deputy fire chief.

Throughout his tenure with the department, Janozik has received two merit awards from the city and earned recognition from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. He earned two associate’s degrees in fire service management studies and emergency medical services/paramedic studies from Moraine Valley Community College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency services management. He also has completed his certification as a chief fire officer through the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and serves as a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) 24 Safety Officer Response Team.

Duffy was hired by the City of Oak Forest in 1989 as a paramedic/firefighter and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2008. In this role, Duffy was responsible for staffing and scheduling, conducting business premise inspections, responding to multiple alarm incidents as a safety officer for MABAS Division 24, maintaining the National Fire Incident Reporting System, supporting the computer-aided dispatch program, and coordinating the use, maintenance and purchase of communication devices.

Duffy earned a bachelor’s degree in fire service management from Southern Illinois University and is currently pursuing a master’s of public administration from Governors State University. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Associated Firefighters of Illinois, the Illinois Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association.

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Homer Township FPD orders new engine

This from the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:

Congratulations and thank you to Chief Bob Tutko and the Homer Fire District on the recent purchase of a 2016 E-One Stainless Steel, side-mount, rescue pumper on a Typhoon chassis.This new pumper will feature an ISL 450 HP Cummins, 1,500-GPM Hale QMax pump, 1,000-gallon water tank, and painted ROM roll up doors.. This will be the second pumper purchase for Homer. We appreciate the continued support and look forward to delivering this custom unit in approx 90 days.

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New aerial for Dekalb (more)

Excerpts from the DailyChronicle.com:

Dekalb Fire Department officials are holding a communitywide contest to name their new ladder truck and have selected three options for the public to vote on.

The department bought the replacement ladder truck for $420,000 last year with Northern Illinois University contributing $275,000 as part of its fire service agreement with the city.

Firefighters have been training on the new truck, and it will hit the streets around the beginning of May, after the name is revealed.

“Fire departments throughout the county do these sorts of things,” said Pat Erikson, DeKalb firefighter/paramedic and public relations coordinator. “We wanted to continue that tradition in DeKalb. … and to make the community as much a part of the tradition as we are.”

The three concepts the department have chosen are “ ‘RIP’ Roaring,” “Spirit of DeKalb” and “The Baron.”

The first concept is dedicated to former Fire Chief Albert “RIP” Riippi who grew up in DeKalb and played football with Northern Illinois University and joined the fire department in 1959 and retired as chief in 1986.

“Spirit of DeKalb” is meant to incorporate the entire community and what DeKalb stands for, Erikson said.

“The spirit of DeKalb is not just a phrase,” he wrote on the concept plan. “It’s a philosophy that embodies the members of the community and all the members of the DeKalb Fire Department.”

“The Baron” is dedicated to the city’s namesake Baron de Kalb, a French military officer and major general who served in the Continental Army during the revolutionary war.

Community members can vote on the city’s website at cityofdekalb.com. Voting is open through April 18.

thanks Dan

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Rockford firefighters honored for cardiac arrest survival rate

Excerpts from WIFR.com:

The Rockford Fire Department was honored for having some of the highest numbers in the nation when it comes to cardiac arrest survival rates.

The department has been focusing on this project over the last four years. The team managed to increase their survival rate to 46 percent, the second highest in the nation behind Seattle.

Fire Chief David Bergsten says the Illinois Heart Rescue program has helped improve the level of service they provide the community.

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