Training/Specialty Teams
Training Division Coordinator
Our Mission for the Lockport Township Fire Protection District Training Division is to provide quality, realistic training that makes a difference in our ability to safely & proficiently deliver the highest level of service to the community. Our Vision is to provide a progressive training programs that will meet the challenges of the future while focusing on continued improvements in operational effectiveness, personal development and community fulfillment. Our members training weekly in a variety of different topics that include Fire Supression, EMS, Vehicle Extrication, Building Construction, Terrorism Response, Drivers Training, Water Rescue and Recovery, Fire Investigation, and other fire service related topics. In addition, members can attend college classes and seminars to further their education in the fire service. Many of our members attend fire service classes through the Illinois Fire Service Institute and the National Fire Academy.
Specialty Teams
The Lockport Township Fire Protection District has 5 Specialty Teams that respond to specific incidents that require specialized rescue equipment and training. The members of these teams are not only Fire Fighters/Paramedics, but they have obtained special certifications and train monthly to provide our citizens with the best service possible.
Dive, Swift Water, Fireboat & ROV Teams
The Lockport Township Fire District Dive Team was established in 2006. We have ten members certified to the level of Dive Rescue 1 through Dive Rescue International. We are equipped with dry suits and full face Aga masks. As a team, we have the ability to perform surface rescue, under water rescue and recovery. We can assist the police with evidence/weapons recover and documentation. Our team trains monthly with the Joliet Fire Department.
Dive personal also are trained in surface ice rescue and ice diving. The Dive Team operates out of a 2002 Workhorse Van and pulls a 19 foot Zodiac boat with a 115 horse power motor and a Humming Bird side sonar system. The side sonar allows us to see images similar to an ultra sound. To date we have assisted Joliet Fire Department by diving for a possible bridge jumper, we have responded to calls in our district involving a car in a retention pond, a car in the I&M canal and assisted both the state police and the FBI in their investigation of the Peterson case.
Dive Team Members include: FF Jeff Young (1188)- Team Leader, Asst. Team Leader FF Josh Fitzgerald, Lt. Andy Fitzgerald, FF Tom Fulton, FF Keith Carberry, Lt. Pat Kelly, FF Ross Grady, FF Nick Morgan, FF Doug Sweeney and FF Scott Montgomery.
Swift Water Team Members include: FF Josh Fitzgerald-Team Leader, Asst. Team Leader FF Doug Sweeney, FF Tom Fulton, Lt. Andy Fitzgerald, FF Corey Alsip, Lt. Mike Rodeghero, FF Dario Diaz, FF Jeff Young, FF Brad Kurtyka, FF Nick Morgan, Lt. Pat Kelly, Lt. Jason Baron, FF Ross Grady, Lt. Courtney Foster & FF Bill Scholtes.
R.O.V. Team (Remote Operated Vehicle)include: Team Members include: FF Brandon Voight-Team Leader, Lt. John Matthews-Asst. Team Leader, Lt. Brian Dobczyk, FF Corey Alsip, Lt. Patrick Kelly, FF Daniel Sullivan, FF Ross Grady, FF Nick Felber, FF Doug Sweeney, FF Joe Netcel & FF Kyle MacDonald.
Fireboat Pilots include: FF Tom Fulton, Lt. Mike Rodeghero, Lt. Jamie Kozek & FF Chris Langheld.
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Hazardous Materials Team
The Lockport Township Fire District Hazardous Materials Team was formed in January of 2011. The team is comprised of ten members that are trained to a technician level as set by law. This team works in conjunction with federal, state, and local agencies including USEPA, Illinois EPA, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Cook County Sheriffs Police Bomb Squad, and local Public Works in order to properly handle the special needs of this type of call.
The Fire District conducts training with local railroad and pipeline companies to ensure that all members have hands on experience. This training uses props to ensure a proper response to leaks, spills, and fires of hazardous materials. Many members have also participated in federal training programs offered locally and around the country.
The LTFPD is a part of MABAS 19 and is supplied with more skilled equipment and technicians in case of complicated hazardous materials calls. All LTFPD Haz-Mat Team members are also members of the Southwest Hazardous Materials Response Team, MABAS 22.
Members include Lt. Michael Femrite (1185) - Team Leader, FF Thomas Clifton (1186) - Asst. Team Leader, Capt. Michael Lopina, Lt. Dale Jacobs, FF Matt Collier, Lt. Jason Vorrier, Lt. Phil Hutto, FF Bill Scholtes, FF Scott Montgomery, FF Richard Vander Veen & James Baumgartner.
Fire Investigation Team
The Lockport Township Fire District Fire Investigation Team was formally organized in 1993. Initially, the team was comprised of seven State of Illinois-Certified Fire Investigators and one State of Illinois-Certified Arson Investigator.
The Lockport Township Fire Investigation Team’s mission is to investigate the origin and cause of all fires within our fire district for the prevention of future fires. Fire causes are classified as accidental, incendiary, natural, or undetermined at the conclusion of an investigation. Our Fire Investigation Team, along with the Will County State’s attorney’s office and multiple law enforcement agencies within our fire district, has been successful in the identification, arrest, and conviction of persons involved in arson-related crimes. Our team assists and can be assisted by other fire departments with the investigation of fires through the MABAS box alarm system. ATF, OSFM, and accelerant K-9’s from other agencies are utilized as resources, as needed.
Currently the team is made up of (5) State of Illinois-Certified Fire Investigators and (3) State of Illinois-Certified Arson Investigators, three of which have been on the team since its inception. We attend monthly team training on various fire investigation topics to keep current with our field/policies and to satisfy our state-mandated re-certification hours. The team uses a recently purchased Fire Investigation Vehicle that replaced our older unit. The new vehicle was custom designed by our team members for our needs. The vehicle is self-supported with a generator, HVAC, scene lights, office area, and a tool/equipment area. It is used for fire investigation equipment storage/transport, as well as interviewing and support functions. The OFI Vehicle is housed at Station Four.
Team Members include:
Lt. Dan Martis (1183) - Team Leader & Training Coordinator, Lt. Dan Mullner (1184) - Asst. Team Leader, FF Jason Pytlewski, FF Brent Hullinger, FF Tom Clifton, Lt. Jason Vorrier, FF Brandon Voight, Lt. Curtis Cwudzinski, Lt. Brian Gimbel, FF Nick Cagle, FF Bill O'Connor and FF James Vickerman.
Technical Rescue Team
The Lockport Township Fire District Technical Rescue Team (TRT) was formed in 1993 under the leadership of then Lt. Dave Skoryi with 8 members. The Team is responsible for specialized rescue such as; High Angle, Confined Space, Trench and Structure Collapse. They operate out of a 35’ Enclosed Trailer pulled by a 2007 GMC ¾ ton Pick-Up and a Pierce 105' Ladder Truck.
The Lockport TRT Team was one of the original members of the Combined Agency Response Team (CART) (www.cartrescue.com). As a member of the CART Blue Team ( Lockport Fire Department & Homer Fire Department), the 41 members train together every month under the leadership of FF Hutto. The Blue Team is one of 39 deployable teams in the State of Illinois up to 72 hours of operation.
Illinois Task Force #1 is deployable up to 10 days of operations anywhere in Illinois or the United States.
Team Members Include:
Lt. Phil Hutto (1187) - Team Leader, Lt. Mike Rodeghero- Asst. Team Leader, Capt. Troy Galetti, FF Matt Collier, FF Tom Fulton, FF Ross Grady, Lt. Michael Femrite, FF John Baskerville, Lt. Ryan Lane, FF Bill O'Connor, FF Doug Sweeney & FF Jeff Young.