On April 7, 2018 at the Annual Awards ceremony Firefighter Tyler Triemstra was recognized as the 2017 Firefighter of the Year.
The fire department held it's annual awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon at Dining on the Green in Downtown Park Forest. Firefighters and their families along with village officials gathered for the event that acknowledges the efforts of the firefighters. Fire Chief Tracy Natyshok welcomed the guests and presided over the event. The ceremony culminates with the announcement of the previous years Firefighter of the Year.
Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Triemstra joined the Park Forest Fire Department on September
6, 2011. He began his fire service career with the Beecher Fire Department and also served with the New Lenox Fire
Protection District prior to coming to Park Forest. Tyler is always eager to
learn new practices and helps fellow shift members overcome obstacles. He
has served as a mentor to probationary firefighters, helping them
become familiar with departmental operations.
Tyler has been working to improve his own education,
specifically towards the completion of his Associates
Degree in Fire Science. He not only serves the citizens of Park Forest, but our
neighboring communities as well. Tyler specializes in water rescue and serves
on the MABAS Water Rescue Team as a rescue
diver. Tyler embodies the characteristics of a firefighter and an excellent
paramedic and stands as a role model for the department.
Several other members of the department were recognized that day for their service to the community of Park Forest. Awards ranged from working at structure fires under dangerous conditions to saving a life on an emergency medical call. The department's officers reviewed calls from 2017 and narrowed them down to fourteen different emergency incidents that where extreme circumstances requiring firefighters to perform at an extraordinary level. Twenty eight members of the department received recognition and were awarded with service medals. We thank all of the department members and acknowledge their zeal for firefighting.