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Departments > Fire > History
The Oak Lawn Fire Department was organized in 1923 by Paul Bruggeman, Charles Hall, Nick Schmalen, Al Schultz and John Steinfatt. Through their combined efforts the Village Fire & Water Committee was created. Nick Schmalen would later become the first fire chief. Oak Lawn’s population at that time was approximately 2,400 people.
Not long after, ten other men joined the department. In order to raise funds to purchase gear and equipment, the members held event such as a masquerade ball in February 1924. The proceeds from the events went to purchasing a Roe fire truck and 1000 feet of hose, costing $5,000. For over three-quarters of a century, from its humble beginnings as a small volunteer department to the full-time, 94 member, professional organization it is today, the Oak Lawn Fire Department has never wavered from its initial goal – to best serve the citizens and visitors of the Village of Oak Lawn through fire prevention, fire suppression and advanced life support services.
Paramedic Program
In 1974, four firefighters – Don Biel, Tom Carey, Dave Tobin, and Rich Moran - became the first OLFD paramedic students. These four attended paramedic training at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. There were originally fifteen paramedics from the program’s inception. At that time the training was conducted through programs at Ingalls and Loyola Hospitals.
On December 9th, 1976, the OLFD began providing paramedic service. On that first day, paramedics were dispatched to an adult male with no heartbeat. Advanced Life Support services were administered, returning a heartbeat and breathing to the patient. The program had its first save on the first day of service.
The departments “charter” paramedics”, as they are referred to, included the following: Charles Barsevick, Donald Biel, Roger Bong, Gary Brockman, Thomas Hosek, Daniel Kelly, Patrick Kelly, Kenneth Leonard, Richard Moran, Edward Stroner, and David Tobin.
Today under the direction of Division Chief Pete Lombardi, and Advocate Christ Medical Center, the Oak Lawn Fire Department’s highly trained Paramedics respond to over 7000 Emergency calls for service each year.
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