Jan 20
This from Mike Summa:
Taken from the Oak Forest Fire Dept. Facebook page is the refurbished 2005 F-450. Work done by Everest Emergency Vehicle. Box was taken off old chassis and rebuilt. New box placed on 2017 F-450. Also ordered was a Stryker Power-Load cot system. Amb 39 will run out of station 1.Mike Summa
Oak Forest FD Ambulance 39. Oak Forest FD photo
This from Eric Haak:
Here are a few images of companies working a MABAS Box in Oak Forest on the morning of 12/30. The call was originally received by Markham for a commercial property at 165th and Pulaski at 4:42. Markham Engine 33 landed first and reported that the fire was in a small warehouse and that they had a little fire through the roof. It was also determined that it was Oak Forest’s call and they were dispatched shortly after. The fire was in a 50×50 metal clad building that appeared to be filled with different vehicles. The nearest hydrant was appoximately 300 feet away and access was very tight. The alarm was boxed at 5:11. The fire was put out using three lines working from the front of the structure and vent holes were eventually cut in the rear of the building. I did not stay until the fire was completely out so beyond that, I can’t comment. Temperatures hovered slightly above zero throughout the incident.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Excerpts from the chicagotribune.com:
Oak Forest Fire Chief Jack Janozik will retire as of June 29. He was hired by the city on a part-time basis in 1986 and began his career as a full-time paramedic/firefighter in 1992.
Janozik was named fire chief in March of last year following the resignation of Chief David Griffin. Janozik was a deputy chief at the time, and Lt. Patrick Duffy was then promoted to deputy chief.
At next week’s city council meeting, Mayor Hank Kuspa is expected to ask the council to appoint Duffy as fire chief.
From the Oak Forest Fire Department Facebook page:
It is with a heavy heart that The Oak Forest Fire Department informs you of the passing of Retiree Lt. Leonard Bonnevier. Len passed away Monday, January 30, 2017. He was a thirty-year member of the Fire Department, having served as Chief for 2 years 1991 to 1993. Lt. Bonnevier was instrumental in formation of the Third District Fire Chiefs (MABAS24) Fire/Arson Investigation Unit. Leonard also received the OSFM Medal of Valor in recognition of his exceptional display of bravery and heroism as a firefighter in the line of duty for using his experience, training, and education in life-saving skills in the rescue of a female patient in 2006.
Oak Forest Fire Department retired Lt. Leonard Bonnevier. Oak Forest FD photo
From the Village of Oak Forest.org:
Fire Department receives more than $285,000 to purchase new equipment
Thanks to a $285,819 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Oak Forest Fire Department will be able to replace mission-critical gear that is more than 10 years old.
“We are extremely grateful to receive this award, which fills a tremendous safety need for our emergency responders, “said Oak Forest Fire Department Chief Jack Janozik. “I am very proud of our staff, who worked incredibly hard on the grant application.”
As part of the grant’s requirements, the fire department will contribute $28,581 toward the purchase of 28 breathing air pack harnesses, 56 cylinders and 44 air masks. In addition, 44 firefighters will receive a complete set of personal protective clothing, including helmets and boots.
FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program enhances the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations, and state fire training academies for critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operations efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.
May 27
This from Mike Summa:
Hello,This is Oak Forest 1967 Seagrave. It is 1000/500. It’s long gone, it may have been sold to a department in Minnesota. Enjoy!–Mike S.
Mike Summa photo
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.
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
David Griffin has resigned from his position as Oak Forest’s fire chief after being put on leave earlier this month.
In a March 8 letter to the mayor, Griffin said that he was resigning from his position as chief due to personal reasons, but asked that he immediately return to the department with his rank of lieutenant.
Griffin, who was named to the chief’s position in June 2014, was placed on paid administrative leave March 3 after some purchase invoices for the department were red-flagged as requiring further investigation, City Administrator Troy Ishler said. The invoices were not paid by the city. Ishler said Griffin remains on leave from the department, and it has not yet been determined when he will return as a lieutenant.
The city council may be asked at its meeting Tuesday to approve a new or interim chief. John Janozik is the department’s deputy chief.
Griffin, 43, of Tinley Park, has been with the fire department more than 15 years and has held the rank of lieutenant since 2012. He was appointed chief to replace retiring Chief Terry Lipinski.
thanks Dan
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
A Cook County judge on Wednesday acquitted a former Oak Forest deputy fire chief of criminal responsibility in connection with his wife’s embezzlement of about $350,000 from her employer.
After a three-day trial, Circuit Judge Kerry Kennedy found Charles Sopko not guilty of theft and operating a continuing financial crimes enterprise. Kennedy said he was not completely swayed by the prosecution’s argument that the couple’s increased spending reflected the stolen funds and that Sopko should have known the money was not legitimate.
They presented evidence during this week’s trial that Charles and Michelle Sopko spent money on luxury vacations, cars and a mobile home and ran up expensive credit card bills for other personal expenses. While Charles Sopko may not have actively participated in the thefts, he was guilty of a crime once the money went into his bank account and he spent it, prosecutors contended.
But in announcing his verdict, Kennedy said he had a “doubt in my mind” that the Sopkos’ lifestyle was afforded largely by the embezzled money, mentioning that several family members and friends of Charles attended the trial. “There are a whole cadre of people out there who care about him. How do I know they didn’t give him some of this (stuff),” the judge said.
In his closing argument Wednesday, Assistant State’s Attorney Michael O’Malley said Sopko should have realized that his family’s spending during the period of the thefts far exceeded its annual income, which consisted of his Oak Forest Fire Department salary of about $91,000 and his wife earning about $10,000 per year. “This family survived on the pocketbook of Palos Heights taxpayers,” O’Malley said “This guy had developed a lifestyle that was well above (the family’s) means.”
But Kennedy responded, “Did the Sopko family live above their means? Show me someone who doesn’t.”
The key prosecution witness was Detective Sgt. James Hennelly, of the Cook County sheriff’s police financial crimes unit, who in great detail showed how much the Sopkos spent during the time that Michelle was stealing funds from the fire district.
Michelle Sopko was expected to testify Wednesday in her husband’s defense, saying he had no knowledge of her thefts, but she was not called nor did the defense present any evidence or testimony.
In his closing argument, defense attorney Jason Danielian said his client was not aware of the embezzlement scheme and that he should be seen as a victim of his wife’s criminal activity.
Charles Sopko, who while removed as deputy chief remains a fire lieutenant, declined to comment on the verdict. He previously turned down a plea agreement from prosecutors that would have placed him on two years’ probation — choosing instead to go to trial on charges that would have mandated prison time if he had been found guilty.
Also Wednesday, Michelle Sopko appeared for a hearing before Kennedy on her request for a reduction of her prison term, which is being served at the Decatur Correctional Center in central Illinois.
The hearing could not be conducted because she no longer has an attorney. A public defender was appointed to represent her, and the hearing was continued to September.
More on this can be found HERE.
This from Kevin Griffin:
Oak Forest responded to a garage fire this morning. Engine 11 was the first company on scene
Kevin Griffin photo
Kevin Griffin photo
Kevin Griffin photo
Kevin Griffin photo
Kevin Griffin photo
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
