office of the state fire marshal july 2019

Office of the State Fire Marshal July 2019

WWW.SFM.ILLINOIS.GOV/ 1

Page 2 Marshal’s Minute 1 OSFM Training

Page 3 Visit from Governor’s Office Page 12 Grilling Safety

Page 4 -5 OSFM Employee Spotlight Page 13 Take the Pool Pledge

Page 6 Join Us at the Fair Page 14 Kids Korner

Page 7 Join Us at the Du Quoin Fair

Page 8 New Arson Investigators

Page 9-10 OSFM Milestone Anniversaries



Marshal’s Minute-State Fire Marshal Matt Perez

Pools are a favorite destination for many Illinoisans to cool off

during the hot summer months. It’s important to follow all posted

rules and to pay attention to your children. Drowning is the

leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4

according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In 2018,

between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at least 148 children

younger than 15 fatally drowned in swimming pools or spas,

according to the USA Swimming Foundation across the United

States. In Illinois during that same period, six children under the

age of 15 drown.

A national public education campaign run by the Consumer

Products Safety Commission (CPSC) called Pool Safety was

launched in 2010. This campaign was mandated by the Virginia

Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and helps provide safety information that parents,

caregivers and pool owners should take into consideration to ensure safety in and around pools

and spas. This act was named after Virginia Graeme Baker, a seven-year-old girl who drowned

after she was trapped under water by a powerful suction from a hot tub drain. Here are some

simple steps to keep children safe in and around the water:

• Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas. Always check to make sure the gate is locked or closed when leaving the pool or spa!

• Keep the pool and deck clear of floats, balls and toys after you leave the pool.

• Always swim with a buddy.

• Designate an adult Water Watcher to supervise children at all times! Stay off your phone, put your book down, and pay attention to whoever is in or around the water!

• Never leave a child unattended in or near water.

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim

• Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults

• Teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments

• Ensure any pool or spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards. If you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safer drain covers.

Reviewing these steps can help to remind you about the dangers that pools and spas pose if not

used correctly! It only takes a few seconds for tragedy to strike!



Visit from Governor’s Office

Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell and

Bria Scudder visited OSFM on July 10th!

Deputy Governor Mitchell talked with

staff and department managers about

OSFM operations and programs being

offered. Mitchell oversees OSFM,

Department of Natural Resources,

Department of Corrections, IDOT, IEMA,

Military Affairs, ISP, Capitol

Development Board, Procurement Policy

Board and Tollway Highway Authority.

Mitchell confirmed the Governors

commitment to public safety agencies!

Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell & Fire Marshal Matt Perez

Left to Right…Bria Scudder, Deputy Governor Mitchell, Fire Marshal

Perez, Deputy Director Armstead, Chief of Operations Simpson and

CFO/CAO Wickenhauser



OSFM Employee Spotlight

Bobby Joe Brown

Hello everyone, my name is Bobby Joe Brown, Special Agent,

K-9 Handler with the Division of Arson Investigation. I was

born and raised in Beardstown, Illinois, graduating in 1986

from Beardstown High School. I have been married to my

wonderful wife Heidi for 19 years. I have two step-children

and two awesome grandchildren. My favorite hobbies are

Crappie fishing and going to the drag races. My favorite food

has got to be Italian, does not matter what it includes if it’s

pasta, I’m in! Along with my fire service training I went to

PTI training and worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Cass County.

It all started for me in 1991 as a paid-on-call firefighter! I

became a volunteer firefighter in my hometown of

Beardstown, Illinois. After serving four years as a paid-on-call

firefighter I was hired by the fire department in 1995 and

required to attend paramedic school and work on the ambulance. After completing my training as

a Paramedic, I worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic and promoted to Captain. I continued my

firefighter training in 2001, taking the fire investigation mods at the Illinois Fire Service Institute

in Champaign. The bug bit me big time and I knew then I wanted to be an Arson Investigator and

possibly work for the Fire Marshal’s office someday. I continued my journey with the fire

service becoming the Fire Chief for the City of Beardstown in 2004 and served in that role until

2008. I left the fire department in 2008 to pursue my dream of being a fire arson investigator

fulltime. I went to work for a private fire investigation company working as a fire investigator

for three years before being laid off due to downsizing of the company. That was a difficult time

for me, what did I do wrong I thought, leaving the fire department and now laid off. My career

took a small turn and I applied and was hired by Ameren Illinois and went through a three-year

apprentice training program and became a Journeyman Natural Gas Trouble man. I did

everything from construction of new gas mains and service lines, to responding to emergencies

such as hit gas lines, to gas leak calls. It was a great job, but the entire five-and-a-half years I

worked for Ameren I kept feeling the heart strings calling me back to fire investigations. Every

time I would see a fire truck responding or I would get called out to a structure fire to verify the

natural gas was shut off properly, I realized being a fire investigator was all I really wanted to do.

After several years of going through the application process with the State of Illinois applying

for jobs with the Fire Marshal’s office, I finally got hired in 2016 as an Arson Investigator I.



OSFM Employee Spotlight cont.

The next chapter, K-9 Handler. In the spring of this year I was given the opportunity to become a

K-9 Handler. I was notified I would be going to the state of New Hampshire for training with the

Maine Specialty Dog program sponsored by State Farm Insurance. I was both very excited and a

little unsure if I made the right choice to become a K-9 Handler. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted

to become a Handler, but I was told the program was very demanding and that Paul Gallagher,

owner of Maine Specialty Dogs, had no problem sending you home after four weeks of intense

training without a dog if you didn’t meet his high expectations. To say the least it was one of the

most amazing experiences I have ever gone through. I was very fortunate to be paired with my

amazing K-9 Partner Sasha, a two-and-a-half-year-old female black lab. The training and the

friends I made while in New Hampshire will last a lifetime. Also adding to the unbelievable trip,

I was fortunate to be able to attend the training with fellow K-9 Handler Greg Vespa, who

received his third K-9 Ross although Division Director Ooms was sure that between nineteen

hours in the same vehicle together for the ride to New Hampshire and then returning with two K-

9’s for the long ride home, we would be ready to intentionally leave the other at a truck stop

somewhere in the middle of New York before the month was complete. Well it turned out Greg

and I ended the trip safely, we returned to Illinois without choking one another and I feel we now

have a great friendship. This job is everything I expected it to be and more. The experiences and

the people you meet are amazing.

Sasha Arson K-9



Join us at the Fair!

2019 State Fair Tent Schedule

Friday, August 9th- Illinois Association of Fire Protection

Districts

Saturday, August 10th- Illinois Professional Firefighters

Association & International Association of Arson Investigators

Sunday, August 11th- Illinois Fire Chiefs Association & IFSAP

Monday, August 12th- MABAS

Tuesday, August 13th- Chicago Fire Department

Wednesday, August 14th- Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

Thursday, August 15th- Illinois Fire Service Institute & Illinois

Society of Fire Service Instructors

Friday, August 16th- Illinois Fire Safety Alliance

Saturday, August 17th- Illinois Firefighters Association

Sunday, August 18th- Illinois Fire Inspectors Association &

Northern Illinois Alliance of Fire Protection Districts

State Fair Springfield

The Illinois State fair is

right around the corner

and again this year OSFM

will be there! Our tent

will be open daily from

10 AM through 5 PM.

OSFM will be in the

Twilight Parade, which

steps off at 5:30 PM on

Thursday, August 8th.

Organizations from across

the state will be helping to

staff the State Fair tent

again this year. Make sure

to stop by and say hello!

You can also catch OSFM

Staff in the Governor’s

tent on Main Street.

First Responders Day

Friday, August 16th

All police officers, firefighters and EMTs who show their badge at the

gate will be admitted to the Illinois State Fair for FREE. Also, look for

special offers and discounts from various food vendors while you enjoy

your day at the fair!



Join us at the Fair in DuQuoin!

First Responders Day

Sunday, September 1st

All police officers, firefighters and EMTs who show their badge at the

gate will be admitted to the Illinois State Fair for FREE. Also, look for

special offers and discounts from various food vendors while you enjoy

your day at the fair!

Du Quoin State Fair August 23rd-September 2nd

OSFM is off to southern Illinois

for the Du Quoin State Fair again

this year!

OSFM will be in the Twilight

Parade on Friday, August 23rd.

The parade steps off at 6PM and

will weave through the

fairgrounds.

The always exciting Firefighter

event waterball will take place

Sunday, August 25th!

Our tent will be open from 4 PM

until 9 PM during the week and

Noon to 9 PM on the weekends

and Labor Day.

Make sure to stop in and visit

with staff from OSFM and learn

more about what programs we

have to offer.



Welcome New Arson Investigators

OSFM welcomed four new arson investigators with a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, July

2nd in the auditorium. Fire Marshal Matt Perez administered the oath with Springfield staff in

attendance. In a private ceremony, each received their badges from the Fire Marshal. These new

additions bring the number of arson investigators to 17 statewide.

Terry Ooms, Division Manager

of Arson Investigation says, “I

look forward to working with

the new hires, this will greatly

benefit the state with shorter

response times and time

traveled! They all come with a

wealth of knowledge!”

They will begin training in

Marion and then shadow senior

investigators for several weeks.

The new hires will be stationed

in different parts of the state.

The mission of the Division of Arson Investigation is to provide fire investigation and law

enforcement services to the fire service, and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

The Division is responsible for

investigating suspicious fires

and explosions. Arson

Investigators are sworn peace

officers authorized to conduct

fire and/or explosion origin

and cause investigations,

interview witnesses and/or

suspects, conduct follow-up

investigations, execute search

warrants, collect evidence,

make arrests and testify in

court. The Arson Division also

consists of 7 canine teams.

These canines can detect

minute traces of ignitable liquids often used in fires and can lead investigators to a specific

location where the fire originated.

https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/About/Divisions/Arson/Pages/Meet-the-Dogs.aspx

https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/About/Divisions/Arson/Pages/Meet-the-Dogs.aspx



OSFM Milestone Anniversaries

Gwen Saddler - 40 Years Shelly Bradley - 32 Years

Deanne Lock - 31 Years

OSFM Anniversaries

Fire Marshal Matt Perez

and Division Managers

honored OSFM

Employees for reaching

milestone anniversaries!

“This agency wouldn’t

be what it is today

without these amazing

and talented

individuals” Fire

Marshal Perez

Mitzi Woodson - 30 Years

Janet Patterson - 30 Years

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/



OSFM Milestone Anniversaries

Edwina Wohlgemuth - 30 Years

Jim Boone - 25 Years

Scott Johnson - 20 Years

Vicki Cox-Fraase - 22 Years



OSFM Staff Training

Chicago Staff visits Memorial

& Capitol

OSFM Office Staff - Springfield & Chicago

OSFM office staff from Springfield and Chicago came together

for a day of training and fellowship at the Springfield office. Fire

Marshal Perez and members of the Executive Staff provided

information on: Current issues and daily operations at OSFM;

what OSFM plans are for the future; and safety training for the

workplace.

The biggest hit of the day was the potluck lunch that featured

grilled foods and the staff’s favorite recipes!



Grilling Safety

More and more people entertain

outdoors during the summer months,

leading to the increase of fires caused

by grills. July is the peak month for

grilling fires.

The National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA), reports over 70%

of U.S. households own at least one

outdoor BBQ, grill or smoker. Gas

grills contribute to a higher number of

fires than charcoal grills. NFPA

reports 64% of households own a gas

grill. On average, 10,200 home fires

are started by a grill each year. Each

year 19,000 patients visit the

Emergency Room with injuries caused

from grilling. Thermal burns are the

most common injury reports with over

9,000 reported.

.

Here are some tips to follow when you plan to grill!

• Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors

• The grill should be placed away from the home or deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area

• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill

• Never leave your grill unattended

• Always make sure a gas grill lid is open before lighting it

• Check the gas tank on your propane grills and hoses for leaks each time before using

• If you smell gas while grilling, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department

• Make sure charcoal grill coals are cool before disposing them in a metal container



Take the Pool Safety Pledge

Kids and adults should take the pool safety

pledge! Download the certificate here:

www.poolsafely.gov/pledge

http://www.poolsafely.gov/pledge

http://www.poolsafely.gov/pledge



Kids Korner

FIRE TRUCK HISTORY

1687- First fire engine company

went into service in Boston ,

MA.

1721-England, Richard

Newsham patents his design of a

“new water engine for

quenching and extinguishing

fires”.

1743-Thomas Lote: 1st American

made fire engine.

1841-America’s 1st self-

propelled, steam powered fire

engine built in NY, but was

destroyed by firefighter who

deemed it dangerous.

1873- LaFrance Manufacturing

company founded-maker of

hand/horse/steam powered fire

engines

1905-First Modern fire engine,

mounted on a truck body,

constructed by Knox

Automobile of Springfield, MA

1910-John P Aherns & Charles

H. Fox founded Ahrens-Fox

Engine Company.

1930-Ladders as tall as 150 feet

began appearing on fire trucks

1940-Fire Trucks began to be

fitted with aerial platforms,

“Cherry Pickers” to reach

formerly unreachable corners of

any building.

1960- The modern-day fire

truck-equipped with water

pumps, ladders, cherry-pickers

and enclosed seats for the crew

were born!

https://www.historicv

ehicle.org/fire-

engines-a-timeline/

https://www.historicvehicle.org/fire-engines-a-timeline/






office of the state fire marshal july 2019

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