F.O.O.L.S. International

The Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society (F.O.O.L.S.) is an organization dedicated to the camaraderie and brother/sisterhood forged between firefighters. The F.O.O.L.S. provide realistic fire training for real firefighters and feel it is their duty to keep their brother and sisters in the fire service as safe as possible on the fireground. The F.O.O.L.S. are about Duty-Honor-Tradition.

Contributors

Host

Chris Bednarek

Chris is a seasoned E-Board member, having served 2 terms as Treasurer and recently transitioning from Public Information & Technology (PIT) Chair to Vice President.

He retired as Deputy Fire Chief of South Chicago Heights Fire Dept. after a 20-year career with Chicago Heights Fire Dept. He also serves as Fire Certification Specialist Supervisor for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Over his 30-year career, Chris has worked as a firefighter, paramedic, officer, training officer, and rescue specialist with Illinois Task Force 1.

Chris has been an instructor at various academies, notably the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), focusing on rope, confined space, and vehicle rescue, and contributed to developing IFSI’s online basic firefighting programs.

He lives in Flossmoor with his wife Natalia, dog Jessie, and is proud of his daughter Teagan, who is finishing her senior year at the University of Illinois.

Guests

Guest

Fire Wife Life

“Fire. Wife Life." emerges from a shared moment of inspiration, a powerful conversation among a group of women who intimately understand the complexities of life as spouses of firefighters. It was on a balcony overlooking the ocean that the idea took root—a vision that transcended casual musings and ignited a collective determination to create something meaningful.

https://www.firewifelife.org/