Oak Lawn swears in multiple fire department promotions; mayor proclaims Fire Prevention Week

The Village of Oak Lawn on Oct. 14, 2025 swore in multiple members of its fire department and the board issued a mayoral proclamation designating Oct. 5–11, 2025 as Fire Prevention Week.

Mayor Borderer presided as Battalion Chief Michael Lowney, Bureau Chief Charles O'Donnell, Captain Michael Curran, Lieutenant Jeffrey Kane, Lieutenant William Durst, Lieutenant Keith Giles and firefighter-paramedic Santino Tichina took oaths of office before trustees and family members. Michael Lowney, newly promoted to battalion chief, thanked the mayor and trustees for the opportunity: "I'd like to thank your mayor and the board of trustees for giving me this opportunity tonight to serve the village and for this promotion," he said.

The mayor read a proclamation stressing fire-safety education and the increased risk posed by lithium-ion batteries, saying the village is "committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in the village of Oak Lawn and visiting." The proclamation cites the Illinois Constitution's home-rule provisions as the authority for local action and urges residents to charge batteries safely, use certified chargers and recycle batteries responsibly.

Officials paused briefly for photographs following the oath-taking. The public portion of the meeting continued with other agenda items after the promotions and proclamation.

The actions taken were ceremonial promotions and a mayoral proclamation; no new regulatory requirements or code changes were adopted in this segment. The Village invited the public to follow fire-safety guidance and local outreach events during Fire Prevention Week.