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 A Logan County native, born and raised in the New Holland area, Aper joined the Lincoln Fire Department in August of 1997.
Aper, his wife and four children now reside in Lincoln.
When asked what drove him to become a firefighter, Aper replied:
"I have to be honest about it, it was economics. I had raised hogs
for five years, worked in a factory, and I just wasn't making the
money I needed to.
"I was a volunteer on the New Holland department and did have an
interest in this kind of work. I heard that Lincoln was doing
testing, I took the test, and I got the job."
Fourteen years later, Aper is still a vital part of the city fire
department and a greatly appreciated part of Chief Miller's crew.
April activity report
Following is a copy of the report submitted by Lincoln Fire
Department Chief Mark Miller to the Lincoln City Council members for
the month of April.
(Copy)
Emergency and fire
related activities
Emergency Runs for
April 2011 included the Lincoln Firefighters responding to 167
emergencies 2 fires with-in structures, 5 outside rubbish fires, 5
motor vehicle accidents, 4 electrical emergencies and 12 False
alarms activations.
Fire related runs
-- 45
EMS related runs --
117
Rescue related runs
-- 5
Non-Emergency
activities
Fire Inspectors for
the Lincoln Fire Department have been busy conducting investigations
and wrapping up several cases here in town. One such case Fire
inspectors testified in court on a traffic violation in which a
civilian driver did not yield to Fire truck responding to a vehicle
fire. Lincoln Police issued a citation for not yielding.
Fire Prevention
activities for April includes participation in the Health Fair at
the Lincoln Park District, Fire and Home safety talks to local Girl
Scout troops.
Inspectors work
hard on code enforcement in the following businesses, Old Pride
cleaners building, The Children's Place, Long Johns Silvers, All
About Floors, Lincoln Theater, Old Lincoln Furniture and the Mission
Mart.
Fire Inspectors
also have assisted with updating ordinances such as Firework
ordinances and False Fire Alarms.
Emergency Action
Plans have been conducted at the following facilities: ALMH 200
Stahlhut Dr. North Kickapoo house 1903 N Kickapoo, St Clara's Manor
200 5th street.
Crews also have
been briefed on High Speed Rail progress and preliminary planning
has been discussed for crossing closures.
Maintenance of the
station and apparatus
Maintenance of the
station and apparatus: The work on the station Exhaust system has
been started and is completed. A new 20kw generator was donated to
Lincoln Fire Department along with an automatic switch box from
Eaton Corp. Mayor Snyder assisted greatly in the donation. Due to a
complaint from a citizen stripes and stenciling have been placed on
the drive near the alley warning people of the step down.
Apparatus repairs
include two major repairs at this time. Engine 5101 was sent to the
body shop and has had damage repaired, tires are on order and will
be replaced in May. Truck # 5103 has been in the shop getting
hydraulic out riggers repaired and minor repairs done after items
were found after an annual ladder test. The work should be completed
by the end of the first week of May. Engine 5104 a 1991 pumper is
having electrical issues and does not have turn signals or hazard
lights. This is dangerous due to we cannot warn other drivers of
changes in direction. The Transmission is shifting very hard and
rough which also may be contributed to the electrical system. We
have had mechanics trying to fix this problem without
accomplishment. All apparatus have been serviced for spring of 2011.
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(Copy of report continued)
Training Activities
Training for the
month of April varied from advanced firefighter training with ground
ladders, aerial ladders and coordinated fire attack. Fire officer
training included communication skills and coordinated fire attack.
Fire fighters had refresher training on pumping apparatus and
setting proper discharge pressures for hand-lines, master streams
and foam lines.
EMS training was
conducted with assistance from Dr. Frank Adubato of 1st Choice
Chiropractic on care of your back and Lifting tech. Hazardous
Materials training included decontamination operations with the LFD
equipment and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital's new decon room.
Administrative
Currently in the
Fire Chiefs office updates to our rules and regulations has been on
going and policies for operating guidelines have been reviewed and
are in the updating process. Participation in the Chamber of
Commerce Job Fair was a great opportunity to communicate to area
High School students about the jobs in the fire service
More fire department news
Fire safety plans
Each month the Lincoln Fire Department develops several fire
safety plans involving area businesses and facilities. This is a
mandated program from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
Included in the development of the plan, fire inspectors visit
the location and do a walk-through, noting the location of utility
boxes, fire alarm systems and sprinkler systems, and check hydrants
in the area.
They compose a contact information sheet and get a feel for how
many people could be in the building at a given time of day.
They also discuss escape plans with residents or employees and
assure that personnel have had proper training on the use of fire
extinguishers. If training is lacking, the fire department will
offer that at the time.
Building and safety, fire and police follow up on closure of Long
John Silver's
When the Long John Silver's restaurant on the city's west side
closed in April, there was a list of tasks that needed to be
addressed by city departments.
When any business closes and a building is abandoned in the city
of Lincoln, John Lebegue of the building and safety office, Miller
and Chief Ken Greenslate of the police department have to become
involved in assuring that the abandoned building is safe and secure
from break-ins and has been left in a condition so as not to pose a
threat to public safety.
Miller explained that there are laws for the city that have to be
followed when a business closes, and it is the job of all three of
these departments to assure the safety and well-being of the general
public after such an occurrence.
Miller's safety note for the month
Update your medications list and have it ready if emergency
responders need to assist you.
[Chief Mark Miller and LDN]
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