Orland Fire Protection Dist. Gets Grant To Buy Airway Simulator

ORLAND PARK, IL -- Orland Park just got safer, thanks to a $1,000 grant from Illinois American Water. The Orland Park Fire Protection District will be purchasing a Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy Airway Decontamination simulator to complement the fire protection district’s training center. The 2017 grant program provides financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving communities in IAW’s service areas. This year, approximately $75,000 will be awarded to 78 Illinois fire departments.

Since the program’s inception in 2010, over 425 grants totaling over $417,000 have been awarded. Illinois American Water tests and operates every fire hydrant annually. The organization also maintains more than 29,000 hydrants across the state in its various service areas.

“We know the critical role water plays in protecting homes and businesses and we also know resources for our local heroes often runs short,” said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water. “Through this grant program, we are able to partner on another level and further support our local heroes.”

The Firefighter Grant Program awards grants to provide personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, water handling equipment, training materials and
classroom programs. OFPD Fire Chief Michael Schofield thanked Illinois American Water during the check presentation.

“This grant will be used to purchase a Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination Manikin which will allow personnel to provide simulation to practice airway and lifesaving techniques in a non-hazardous and repeatable environment,” Schofield said. “Effective suctioning can make quite a difference to the resuscitated patient and clears the view for executing the intubation. It removes materials that otherwise might enter the lower airway, which can cause pneumonia, slowing recovery or resulting in death.”