Monday, May 6, 2013
Around 600 racers participated in the first-ever Run for Your Life Safety 5K Run/Walk in Tinley Park on Sunday. The event earned about $10,000 for I Am Me, a nonprofit camp for young burn victims. Check out some of the images from the day.
The Run for Your Life Safety 5K Run/Walk organizers from the Tinley Park Fire Department and Fire Prevention Bureau had modest goals for the event, which was held Sunday morning at the 80th Avenue Metra station. For one thing, this was the inaugural outing for this benefit race, with proceeds going to I Am Me, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance’s children's burn camp, which helps kids with significant burn injuries ages 8 to 16 build self-esteem through outdoor activities. PHOTOS: Running 'Boston Strong' in the First Midwest Half Marathon The 5K also was competing with another race Sunday, May 5, the First Midwest Half Marathon in Palos Heights. Given those considerations, a turnout of about 200 runners and walkers would be considered …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The woman reportedly suffered burns to about half of her body during the Monday morning fire on Woodland Drive.
A 49-year-old Oak Forest woman who was trapped in a condo fire earlier this week remains in critical condition at Loyola University Hospital's Burn Center. The woman suffered burns to about half of her body and was reportedly in a medically induced coma. The fire on Monday inside a second-floor unit in the 5200 block of Woodland Drive was accidental and caused by a dropped cigarette, said Oak Forest Fire Chief Terry Lipinski. Officials said the woman was trapped when flames blocked her from leaving the condo. READ: Oak Forest Police Officer Hurt in Attempted Fire Rescue The woman was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox but was transferred to Loyola later on Monday. An Oak Forest police office who was at the fire before fire crews …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Both the officer and a woman who became trapped in an Oak Forest condo during a Monday morning fire were injured. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.
Update 4:17 p.m. Monday, March 25 The Oak Forest police officer treated for smoke inhalation was released shortly after the incident and appeared to be doing well. Update 10:31 a.m. Monday, March 25 An Oak Forest police officer is being treated for smoke inhalation after attempting to rescue a woman trapped in a Monday morning condo fire. The officer was taken to Palos Community Hospital for treatment, authorities said. The unidentified woman, who was the only person home at the time, was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. Fire officials are still investigating what sparked a fire in a multi-unit building at about 9 a.m. Monday, March 25, in the 5200 block of Woodland Drive in Oak Forest. The woman was unable to leave when a …
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5200 Woodland Dr, Oak Forest, IL
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Friday, March 1, 2013
Two cars are off the road, with reports of extrication. Traffic on 167th Street eastbound is snarled as crews work the scene.
Update: One person is confirmed dead, while three others were injured and transported to area hospitals, Sun-Times Media reports. One of the injured was taken to Christ Medical Center, while the other two injured were transported to South Suburban Hospital, the report said. 167th Street remains blocked off between Central and Cicero avenues, due to the investigation, according to the report. ---- Crews are on the scene of a three-car accident with reports of extrication, near 167th and Lockwood Avenue. An SUV appears to have driven off the road, on the eastbound side of the street. A four-door Sedan is off the road on the westbound side of the street, facing the wrong direction. Another SUV with heavy front-end damage is on the westbound…
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Lisa Alfaro has served as the Oak Forest Fire Department's administrative assistant for 12 years. The Oak Forest City Council recently honored her for her hard work and award of Administrative Professional of the Year, from the Illinois Fire Chiefs Associ
Alfaro, administrative assistant for the Oak Forest Fire Department for the last 12 years, was recently named the 2012 Administrative Professional of the Year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. Alfaro was recognized by the Oak Forest City Council on January 22 for her years of exceptional service to the fire department. "Lisa is an invaluable member of the team," said Oak Forest Fire Chief Terry Lipinski. "She exudes a positive and helpful spirit while keeping the daily operations of the administrative office coordinated and organized. We couldn't do it without her." Lisa and her husband Scott have raised two children in Oak Forest and are active members of the community. For the full proclamation, visit the city's website.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the man’s death as accidental.
Careless smoking contributed to a fire that killed an Oak Forest man last week, according to authorities. An autopsy pinpointed “thermal injures and the careless use of smoking materials" as the cause of death for 58-year-old Stanley Chmura, according to a Sun-Times Media report. The Oak Forest Fire Department was called to the apartment fire Thursday in the 5000 block of W. 159th Street around 1:30 a.m. Chmura, of the 5000 block of W. 159th Street, was found inside the apartment’s living room after the blaze was put out, Oak Forest Fire Chief Terry Lipinski said Thursday. Chmura was revived on scene, but later died at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, where he was transferred after first being treated at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel…
Thursday, December 6, 2012
One man died from injuries suffered during an apartment fire in the 5000 block of 159th Street in Oak Forest Thursday morning.
One man has died following an early morning blaze in the 5000 block of 159th Street Dec. 6. Stanley Chmura, 59, was taken to South Suburban Hospital, where he died from injuries suffered during the fire, said Oak Forest Fire Chief Terry Lipinski. He was found in the living room of his small apartment after the fire was extinguished. The fire department was called to the burning apartment at 1:34 a.m. Four other departments helped in battling the fire, the cause of which is still undetermined. Chmura was the sole occupant of the one-bedroom apartment. There was no additional damage to any other apartments in the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Want the latest breaking news, delivered straight to your inbox? Sign…
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Oak Forest and Firefighters Union 3039 agreed to a new four-year contract that includes changes to salary scales and the creation of a new position in the department.
Months after the expiration of a previous contract, Oak Forest firefighters and city officials have inked a fresh agreement. Aldermen on Nov. 27 approved a four-year contract with Local 3039—one that includes adjustments to the salary scales and the creation of a new position within the department. The new contract Oak Forest Firefighters Local 3039 reached a new contract agreement that was approved by the Oak Forest city council on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The four-year contract comes after the previous contract between the city and the union expired on April 30, 2012. “I think we've negotiated a good contract for both sides,” Ishler said. “I think we'll both be happy with this contract.” Under the new contract, probationary firefighters who …
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Battle of the Badges Community Blood Drive, hosted by the Oak Forest Rotary and police and fire departments, takes place Saturday, Dec. 8, at Oak Forest Fire Station #1.
An Oak Forest favorite will return Dec. 8—and organizers are hoping to see the community support come pouring in. It's almost time once again for the Oak Forest Rotary’s annual Battle of the Badges Community Blood Drive. The Oak Forest Rotary's Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive takes place Dec. 8. The drive pits the Oak Forest Fire Fighters and Oak Forest Police officers in a contest to see who residents support more by collecting blood donations. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Oak Forest Fire Department #1. The winning side—either Oak Forest's bravest or finest—will take home a coveted trophy and bragging rights for another year. “Every year, the fire department seems to win [the trophy], I guess because people see …
Friday, October 26, 2012
A fire sparked in a document storage room at Arbor Park Middle School Friday evening. Without the school's sprinkler system, the building could have been engulfed, one Oak Forest fire official said.
A few halls of Arbor Park Middle School are flooded, and the stench of smoke lingers—but it could have been so much worse. An old radio or electronic device might have been the cause of a Friday night fire, and fire officials said if not for the sprinkler system, the school might not have been standing afterward. "If it wasn't for the building's sprinkler system, this place would still be burning," said Oak Forest Fire Lieutenant Jack Janozik. No students were present at the time of the fire, which started in a document storage room in the northwest corner of the building around 5:30 p.m. Firefighters trudged through hallways filled with thick, black smoke to deactivate the sprinklers. Custodians were inside the school at the time of …
Carla Erdey
11:56 am on Monday, May 6, 2013
My husband has volunteered at Camp I Am Me. It is truly a life changing experience for the young burn survivors and the volunteers. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance does an excellent job! more ›