The McDonald’s at 11050 Southwest Highway looked a little different on Saturday, Aug. 2.
Parked out front were two bright red fire trucks and a paramedic unit. Luckily, it wasn’t an emergency. The North Palos Fire Protection District was hosting its “Frozen with a Firefighter” event, inviting kids to stop by for a plastic helmet, a free slushy, some safety tips, and maybe even invent a handshake with a firefighter.
Inside, firefighter Kris Jensen was behind the counter helping prep frozen drinks. Other firefighters set up a table where kids could walk by and grab a goody bag, fire safety books, and a helmet. The idea was simple—make the fire department feel more familiar and fun for neighborhood kids.
“We’re not just here when something’s wrong,” Jensen said. “We’re part of the community, too.
“People think we’re just sitting around until there’s a fire,” he said. “But we’re always working—training, doing inspections, checking hydrants. It’s a full 24-hour shift, not downtime.”
Even something as small as handing out a slushy or answering a kid’s question helps people see what firefighters actually do, Jensen said. Events like this, he added, get conversations started.
Outside by the trucks, firefighter Derek Newtoff shared a similar view. “With Chief (Steve) Norvilas on board, we’re trying to create more chances for people to meet us, ask questions, and feel comfortable,” he said.
Some Palos Hills families came specifically for the event. Others had just stopped by for breakfast and ended up staying once they saw what was going on.
Greg Leja and his granddaughter had only planned to grab something to eat. “These guys took our parking spot,” he joked. “But we went inside, saw what was happening, and ended up sticking around. She’s having a blast.”
Anna Pedzimaz brought her 10-year-old grandson, Daniel. “My other son is a police officer,” she said. “So it’s nice for Daniel to see this side of things too. He’s really enjoying it.”
Frank Xirafakis came with his two kids, Chris, 8, and Evie, 6. “This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the gear firefighters use and how they help during emergencies,” he said. “It’s educational and fun. That’s why it works.”
Two-year-old Luka and his older brother, Nico, were all smiles as they bounced between the trucks and the safety table. Seven-year-old Journey Mackey summed it up: “I can’t choose my favorite part. Probably all of it.”
The event wasn’t just about fun. Inside, families picked up flyers and fire safety activity books. “There’s a page about choosing a family meeting place in case of a fire,” Jensen said. “I hope kids take that home and talk it over with their parents.”
Evan Kavooras, a supervisor at the Palos Hills McDonald’s, said the team was glad to host. “We haven’t done a community event like this since before COVID,” he said. “It felt good to get back into it. We also have a ‘Cone with a Cop’ coming up. It’s all about showing up and giving families a chance to connect.”
And with the weather finally cooling off after a long stretch of heat, it really did feel like the perfect day for it.
This was the first time North Palos Fire teamed up with McDonald’s for something like this, but the department said it won’t be the last.
