Fire Lieutenant Kurt Lichtenberg of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department said firefighters have volunteered each summer to run logistics at Camp I Am Me, a weeklong summer camp for children and teenagers who have experienced burn injuries. "They are really the backbone of camp," Lichtenberg said, describing the department's role in coordinating activities, radios and safety during camp operations.

Organizers and firefighters described the volunteer effort as recurring: a narrator for the camp said the support has occurred "every summer for the past 5 years," while Lichtenberg said he has been involved "the last 6, 7 years." Phil Zaleski, a Camp I Am Me staff member, said, "It's been an absolute blast. We're honored to be standing alongside Phil to do all the logistics for Camp I Am Me. It’s a fun role." The camp and department representatives said firefighters help manage about 50 to 60 campers and roughly the same number of volunteers over the course of the week.

Camp volunteers said firefighters perform behind-the-scenes tasks that include running radios, responding to activity needs and supporting special-needs campers. Lichtenberg noted one camp volunteer, Emma — called "Phoenix" on the radio — has been "answering the calls on the radio." Lichtenberg added, "She's doing just about more than I am now." The group also described routine event work such as picking up traffic cones after a parade route during camp activities.

The statements in this article come from camp recordings and on-site remarks by participants and staff; there was no formal action, vote or policy decision in the material provided. The organizers and the Hoffman Estates Fire Department framed the relationship as volunteer support rather than a department-directed program. The camp-run week and the firefighters' contribution were presented as recurring, operational assistance to ensure activities run smoothly for campers and volunteers.

Camp I Am Me is a weeklong program focused on children and teenagers who have experienced burns; no funding sources, contracts or formal agreements between the camp and the fire department were described in the provided remarks. The session closed with a brief sign-off from a presenter identified as Anne Hoffman.