Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- In this week’s fire report, the Park Forest Fire Department responded to Matteson for a report of smoke in a building. Good news, the PFFD was only needed as a backup, and there did not appear to be a fire.
For the week of July 30 through August 5, 2017, there were 78 total responses. Of these, 18 were fire/service calls, 60 were EMS.
Response Activity
Late on July 30, units from the Park Forest Fire Department responded to 21555 Harlem in Matteson to assist with a report of smoke in the building. After standing by for about 45-minutes while Matteson units checked the building thoroughly, Park Forest units returned to service.
Training Activities
Monday, July 31 thru Wednesday, August 2, shift members participated in a rescue drill which included the removal and care of a patient entrapped in a rolled over automobile.
On Thursday, August 3 and Friday, August 4, shift members completed a relay pumping drill.
On Friday evening, the POC (Paid On Call) division completed a drill on hydrant drops.
Fire Prevention Bureau Activities
This week four members of the department traveled to Pennsylvania to pick up the new fire safety education and sprinkler demonstration trailer from the manufacture. Two public education members and two mechanics made the trip to inspect and be trained on the vehicle and its systems. While there are a few things to still get ready, this new trailer should provide a boost to our public education and home sprinkler awareness efforts. This trailer costs just over $107,000, with the majority of the funds coming from a Fire Prevention and Safety grant from FEMA.
Other Activities
On Monday, July 31, the fire department held an officers meeting. These quarterly meetings bring the department’s officers and command staff together to discuss issues related to the fire department and its operation.
On Tuesday, August 1, units and personnel from the fire department participated in the Park Forest Police Department’s Unity Day/National Night Out. The fire department participated in the touch-a-truck aspect of the event as well as having three members who assisted in the fund raising efforts at the dunk tank by acting as “dunkees.”
On August 3, the Fire Chief attended a pre-school year briefing with Matteson School District #162, reviewing aspects of their emergency training and planning programs. After the large group meeting the Park Forest FD and PD met with representatives of Indiana and Illinois schools to discuss their plans specifically.
On Friday, the fire department hosted the group from NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) who are living and working in the Village for 6-weeks. The department provided a civic leadership type introduction to the fire department, EMS and firefighting operations. After the group’s weekly briefing, our members hosted them to a home cooked meal at the Fire Department.
