Lockport Fire Protection District President Takes New Role

David Palya has been named an area representative for the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts.

That means he’ll be working to make Lockport Township a safer place for families to live.

Palya, 67, of Lockport, is the president of the Lockport Fire Protection District’s governing board. The Lockport Fire Protection District serves portions of Lockport, Crest Hill, Romeoville and seven townships in Will County.

Palya was elected to the six-year seat in 2013.

Palya is no newcomer to the board. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in April 1988. He then was elected to a six-year term in November 1989.

Palya is also a retired teacher from the Lockport High School District.

Palya’s swearing in ceremony was held on April 7 at the Illinois Association of Fire Protection District’s quarterly meeting.

Based in Springfield, Ill., and established in 1942, the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts works to protect fire protection districts from being affected by legislative, administrative or judicial action.

The area representatives work to promote the activities of the organization. They also serve as a liaison between the group and the local fire protection districts.

“I wanted to become an area representative so I could learn more about what fire districts are doing statewide,” Palya said. “I wanted to bring that knowledge back home so the Lockport Fire District can better protect residents.”

The Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts also has a foundation to educate the public on fire prevention and safety. The foundation maintains a scholarship program to promote the field of fire science in Illinois and helps make sure that fire service personnel receive proper training and have the right equipment.

“It takes a lot of training, equipment and resources to make a fire protection district effective,” Palya said. “But training is the most important aspect. It’s all about training.”

As an area representative, Palya also will be available to assist other local fire protection districts.

“If one of the districts has an issue with the firefighters’ pensions, they can call me. If they have questions they can’t answer, they can turn to me for information. The organization is a real resource. It has information on everything: equipment, life saving, legislation, attorneys,” Palya explained.