2023 OSFA Convention Program

COVER CREATOR

Drew Haley designed the cover.

He is a Tahlequah local and long-time friend.

Drew has done a little of everything, and he’s one of the folks who makes Tahlequah interesting.

He’s owned a skate house, a record shop, been the ED of the Main Street Association, sold locally roasted coffee and, most notably, produced a local access TV show that gained notoriety featuring a local tribal attorney, a couple of firemen, as well as some regionally, and now nationally famous musicians.

He’s a jack of all trades. He’s kind of a big deal.

-- Jim Ed Nimmo

Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

Jim Ed Nimmo, President

Welcome to Tahlequah, where the red fern grows.

I am glad you are all here and look forward to having a good time with you all this week.

Tahlequah is a special place to me; simply put I love this town and area. I would encourage you to get out and see the many different things we have to offer from the Illinois river to Lake Tenkiller.

Tahlequah is the capital city of the Cherokee Nation and I encourage you to check out the Cherokee Heritage Center and other museums and cultural attractions around town.

You are in the Cookson Hills of the Boston Mountains. This is where the Ozarks begin when coming in from the plains.

I know the folks around town are excited to have you here and you can count on warm hospitality, not just because it is June.

I look forward to seeing you all this week. Let’s have a big, big time. If you have any questions, look for someone in a green shirt and they’ll get you hooked up.

Be good to yourselves and be good to each other.

Welcome to Tahlequah!

2022-23 OSFA Executive Board

Tony Lopez

1st Vice President

Donnie Bennett

2nd Vice President

Cary Provence

3rd Vice President

Cliff Davidson

Past President

OSFA President

Jim Ed Nimmo OSFA President and Tulsa Fire Captain

Dear Oklahoma State Firefighters Association attendees:

Osiyo and welcome to the Cherokee Nation and our capital city of Tahlequah. With more than 450,000 tribal citizens, the Cherokee Nation is the largest tribal government in America.

Today, we call the 7,000-plus miles of northeast Oklahoma our home. We have an economic impact of over $3 billion across our reservation and tribal jurisdiction.

Tahlequah is a community with a rich history, and it is the perfect location to explore the tribal culture and history of the Cherokee Nation.

It is home to many significant Cherokee museums and historical sites, including the iconic Cherokee National History Museum, which offers a comprehensive collection of artifacts and exhibits that chronicle the history of the Cherokee Nation from our origins to the present day.

Art enthusiasts can enjoy Cherokee art along our downtown art pathway and the Spider Gallery, which showcases the works of local Cherokee artists and offers unique

insight into contemporary Cherokee culture.

Without doubt, Tahlequah offers a unique experience to learn about the history, culture and art of the Cherokee people.

Additionally, there is an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. Enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in Tahlequah, including miles of scenic hiking trails that are perfect for exploring the beauty of Green Country. The Illinois River is a popular destination for kayaking, rafting and fishing.

Your annual convention promises to be a wonderful experience, and we hope you will take the time to explore our city and engage with our community members.

Please enjoy the hospitality and history of the Cherokee Nation.

Wado, Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation Principal Chief

Welcome to Tahlequah!

The city of Tahlequah is thrilled to extend a sincere thank you for selecting our community to host your 129th Oklahoma State Firefighters Association convention!

If it were feasible to roll the red carpet down our main street, Muskogee Avenue, please know I would like to see that was done for your stay in our community.

We value your time here and hope you have an opportunity to take the time to visit our local shops, restaurants, museums, the Illinois River, Lake Tenkiller and enjoy the evenings in Tahlequah.

We are appreciative of the rich history of the Cherokee Nation and have many venues where you can learn more about the culture and broaden your knowledge about this wonderful community.

Please take lots of photos, share your wonderful experiences on social media and help us tell the Tahlequah story. Enjoy your time with us and plan another visit or vacation soon. We appreciate you and your valuable service to Oklahoma communities across this great state!

Suzanne Myers, CRS, RCC, Mayor of Tahlequah

As Fire Chief of the City of Tahlequah, it is my honor and pleasure to welcome the attendees of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to Tahlequah for your 2023 annual convention.

TFD is honored to have you visit our city and invites you to enjoy all the city and community have to offer. There is no doubt that you will enjoy your stay in our city with all there is to do and the friendly atmosphere of our community.

The firefighters and community are confident that your stay here will be one that you will remember; from the river, to the lake, to the downtown shopping, and everything in between.

Our city and community are excited to have the Oklahoma firefighters come to our side of the state. Our firefighters have worked hard alongside Tulsa firefighters to make your stay as memorable as possible.

We have several activities scheduled that will show you the beautiful parts of our city and county. And hopefully will show you a reason to come back and visit.

On behalf of the Tahlequah Fire Department, and the City of Tahlequah, I wish you a productive conference and an enjoyable stay in our city.

Casey Baker, Tahlequah Fire Chief

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• Oklahoma Firefighter tags cost $35 a year (on top of regular tag fees)

• $20 goes directly to the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum/Memorial

• Tags can be purchased from local tag agents any time during the year

• Tags can be customized to 6 letters as approved by the Tax Commission

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OSFA Executive Director Mike Kelley

On behalf of the board and staff of the OSFA, I would like to personally welcome you to the 129th Annual Convention in Tahlequah.

The annual convention is your opportunity to elect your representation and conduct the business of your OSFA.

As a member driven organization, you, the attendee, chart the course for the year ahead. I would encourage each of you -- whether it’s your 1st or 40th convention -- to take the time to introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

Each person, regardless of background or experience, has an equal voice in this organization and I would encourage each of you to use that voice to better the organization. Your voice helps us to serve the firefighters of Oklahoma in a more meaningful and efficient way.

I want to take this opportunity to thank your dedicated and remarkable staff -- Sheri Nickel, Madelyn Roth and Raegan Layne. They work extremely hard and are passionate about serving the firefighters of Oklahoma.

The work that the association accomplishes would not be possible without these three amazing women! They are constantly working to modernize our systems so that we can deliver the best possible service to you, our member. Please, when you see them this week, thank them for their hard work!

Additionally, I want to thank your OSFA Board!

Your OSFA Board does double duty -- they represent you making organizational decisions and they also represent you as 5 of the 13 pension board trustees.

No one cares more about our pension system than those five individuals do, and they demonstrate that through their professional dedication to the board. When you see them this week, thank them for their willingness to serve you and the firefighters of our state.

Thanks, as well, to each of

you who served on a committee this past year! I can’t stress enough how much your time and effort to serve your brothers and sisters is appreciated!

Thanks to you, the delegate, who is giving of your time to get involved in your organization. This organization wouldn’t exist without you sacrificing your time to attend and make your voice heard.

We count on the delegates and the many committee members to share their visions about how we can improve the fire service in Oklahoma.

If you have never served on an OSFA committee, I would encourage you to apply for one that interests you at OSFA.info. The committees are chosen from those individuals who apply. The meetings are available via Zoom to enable greater participation and input from stakeholder’s statewide.

President Nimmo’s convention planning committee has done an outstanding job preparing for your arrival. It is our hope that you not only enjoy your time in Tahlequah, but also make friends and mem-

ories that last a lifetime!

May God bless you and keep and multiply your efforts as you serve the OSFA and your local communities!

Mike Kelley OSFA Executive Director and Retired OKC FD

OSFA Administrative Director

Sheri Nickel

O’siyo! Welcome to the 2023 OSFA Convention!

I am excited to be in Tahlequah this week as this is one of my favorite Oklahoma towns. The atmosphere here always seems inviting and I have many fun memories here from floating on the river every summer to eating at my favorite pizza place in the world, Sam and Ella’s.

Being a member of the Cherokee tribe myself, I am thrilled that Jim Ed has reeled the Cherokee Nation in as a major sponsor of this year’s event and that they see the value of being a part of our profession.

Usually convention planning is stressful and overwhelming for the office staff, but this year’s convention planning team has done a fantastic job of putting together the program.

I will admit that there were times we were worried because we were afraid that we were going to be blindsided with the unknown, but whenever we were finally looped in we were overwhelmed with gratitude that this crew pulled it all together and made sure all of the details were worked out.

So, whenever you see Jenn or Chief Baker or any of the Tahlequah guys this week, give them a high five for a job well done.

Whether you are a convention veteran or a first timer, I want to encourage you to look beyond the fun and games and be inspired by the business meetings and elections.

This is where your future as a firefighter could be affected by your vote.

More times than not, when changes are implemented, we receive phone calls in the office asking why we are doing what we have done, and we have to remind you that it was voted on at a convention.

As an example, we increased membership dues this year as approved at the 2021 convention in Guthrie. We also enforced the change in limited membership as approved at the 2018 convention in Tulsa.

My advice is, be informed, talk to the candidates for the board and read

the resolutions in this program and make sure you understand what boxes you will be checking on Saturday.

As always, we will begin another year in the OSFA history whenever we leave here on Saturday afternoon.

Jim Ed will hand the gavel over to Tony this week and we will keep pushing forward with doing big things in the Oklahoma Fire Service.

We need you to be a part of the push. Please don’t let this be the only event you are a part of in the 20232024 season.

Join committees, attend the upcoming mental health gala, be there at the Statewide Memorial in October, read the Oklahoma Firefighter magazine and stay in touch with your legislators and simply support one another.

We are all a part of the most wonderful profession in the world, and whether you are a boots-on-the ground firefighter or retired, we are all on the same team.

Make good decisions this week and make great memories!

Sheri Nickel OSFA Administrative Director

Sheri Nickel OSFA Administrative Director and Orlando FD

Gene Brown Museum Director

Bob Noll Museum Assistant

Madelyn Roth Membership Coord.

Raegan Layne Events Coordinator

Penelope Soldan Publications

Lance Gill Museum Assistant

1912 Tahlequah Fire Department

2023 Tahlequah Fire Department

Tahlequah Fire Department History

On April 19, 1895, flames swept down both sides of Muskogee Avenue from Shawnee Street to Delaware Street, destroying three residences, 14 businesses and one stable which was the source of the fire.

This devastating fire became known as the “Great Fire of Tahlequah.”

Waddie Hudson Fire Company No. 1

On April 26, the City Council passed as ordinance that no more wooden buildings could be erected in the business district. To fight these fires, the town established the Waddie Hudson Fire Company No. 1, a volunteer fire department, and acquired a water wagon with a pump.

On June 5, 1905, the City Council was asked to recognize the needs of the department. The council answered with the procurement of a new wagon and equipment from the New York Bettering and Packing Company at a cost of $1,362.35, and a team of horses to pull the equipment was bought for $350.

On September 12, 1906, the City Council published an ordinance: “The Waddie Hudson Fire Company No. 1, a volunteer company, and the User and Custodian of the city’s fire equipment, is hereby declared a part of the administration of the incorporated town of Tahlequah.”

The staff began with 21 firemen. Also in 1906, the Tahlequah Fire Department became a member of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association.

City of Tahlequah Fire Department

The Waddie Hudson Fire Company No. 1 continued until 1912 when the City Council called for a special election for bonds in the amount of $3,500 to be used to purchase a city fire station which would be operated by the City of Tahlequah.

Thus began the fire department, which Tahlequah has maintained since

that time.

In 1918, the renamed Tahlequah Fire Department received its first mechanized equipment. The “pumper” was a used 1916 Kissel truck purchased from Anderson Fire Equipment.

Geo. F. McNett was the first driver, and in 1926, Sid Bean (1938 OSFA President) was also a driver.

In October 1930, the Tahlequah Fire Department received a new 1931 Chevrolet with a 350 gpm pump and a 70 gallon water tank.

OSFA Involvement

For more than 100 years, it has been an honor for the Tahlequah Fire Department to be a part of the OSFA.

Over the years, the Tahlequah FD has been a growing and changing service and the OSFA has helped to shape that service.

Tahlequah FD has had four OSFA Presidents: Sid Bean (1938), Steve Smith (1982), Robert Adrian (1992) and Ray Hammons (2009).

Fire Station 2

The Tahlequah Fire Department continues to grow with the times, and in 1976, the City Council was again asked to expand the department.

This time, the council met these needs with a new station which is the current Station 1 located on Chickasaw Street, and again in 2011 with the construction of Station 2 in the Southridge addition.

Services have also expanded to include public education, a smoke detector program and many types of rescue services.

Legacy

Today, the Tahlequah Fire Department welcomes what the future holds for its department, the OSFA and fire service itself.

As the theme for the 115th OSFA Convention in 2009 stated: A Bond Forged By Fire Can’t Be Broken.

28th OSFA Convention held Sept. 12-14, 1922, in Tulsa

Bunk Room Alarm #2

Fire House Game

Tulsa FD Truck #1

Tulsa Fire Department History

In late 1897, a fire broke out in the downtown business district. The fire spread to the bank (north) and Egan’s Store to the south.

The fire was intense and impossible to control. The flames leapt along the wooden buildings, and the effort in saving the remainder of the block would be in vain; the whole east side of Main Street lay in ashes.

A group of men subsequently gathered in mid-1900 to discuss the dangers of fire, and they laid the groundwork for Tulsa’s Volunteer Company.

A water well was located at the northeast corner of 1st & Main Streets. A gear pump was installed, operated windless and was propelled by manpower, until the arrival of a team of horses.

A wooden reel held about 300’ of 2” linen hose. The force from the pump was sufficient enough to throw a stream onto any building in town. The business district was within the 300’ radius of the hose. Anyone hearing the alarm pulled the hose to the fire.

Rolla C. Alder was accepted as the first Fire Chief (volunteer). His men responded to fires, deployed hose and pumped water in a much more efficient manner than ever.

The volunteers gained prestige among the business men due to confined damage. The Town Council then allowed the men to be paid for each fire they responded to, and also approved the purchase of a chemical wagon.

Tulsa’s first fire engine was a regular wagon on which was mounted two large chemical extinguishers. There were two reels that carried about two hundred feet of garden hose used for spraying chemicals.

The wagon was promptly named Old Soda Fountain. The person nearest the engine house at the time of a fire hitched the nearest horse team. The department was strengthened by imposing fines for not attending drills and meetings.

Tulsa’s volunteer fire department migrated to the paid service that we know today in 1905. A waterworks system was installed that included fire plugs. Gamewell fire alarm boxes also began to appear on street corners.

Tulsa was the first City in Oklahoma to adopt the Gamewell Fire Alarm & Telegraph system. The system was discontinued in 1988 after 83 years, but it was cutting edge at the time.

Chief Alder was sent to KCMO to purchase horses, harnesses, releases, slide pole, gong, etc. That was enough to initiate Tulsa’s first paid department which was installed on December 6, 1905, and housed at Antle’s Livery. The firemen slept in quarters above.

In February 1906, Tulsa received praise for providing updated fire equipment and complying with insurance underwriters. The TFD was said to be the most perfect in the

Tulsa Fire Chief R.C. Alder

country.

Mr. Ingalls, head of the Rating Bureau, said that if all the cities in America would pattern their fire protection after Tulsa, fire losses would be diminished by 50%.

Hose Company #1 was tested for response on March 19, 1906. The Inspector for the OK Fire Insurance Association came to Tulsa, and expressed the thought to Chief Alder that the fire team (horses) was too large to make any time to the scene of a fire. He asked for a test.

They went to Box #39 at Fifth & Cheyenne and turned in an alarm. They made the hitch and responded in one minute and 20 seconds. This proved the inspector’s error.

Chief Alder asked the City Commission for a motorized fire engine in 1907, and they complied. A Webb Pumping Engine was the fourth to be put into use in the United States. By October 1, 1913, there was not a piece of horse drawn equipment on the Department. Everything was motorized.

Tulsa was the first city west of the Mississippi to have a completely motorized fire department. Modernization helped keep control of fire loss, but also did the old time methods employed by Chief Alder. He organized city-wide cleanup campaigns. He, with the assistance of the firefighters, made a thorough canvas of the city, cleaning up old papers, rags, etc., to help eliminate fire hazards.

After attending a meeting of the Fire Chiefs of Oklahoma (Guthrie) in December, 1907, Chief Alder returned to Tulsa and announced to the firefighters that he had been selected to serve on a committee of three to formulate a bill that would give the firefighters a pension.

The bill was to read that the OK Constitution provide that 2% of all fire insurance premiums collected be put in the treasury of the city where the fire occurred; 1% of this money was to go to the pension for firefighters and the other 1 % was to go for the maintenance of fire apparatus.

The Fireman’s Relief and Pension Law was first established in 1909, with first appropriations received in 1913.

Following are

more TFD facts from over the years.

In February of 1919, firefighters formed IAFF L-176 and were granted a Charter by the fledgling International Association of Firefighters.

Later in 1919, the Tulsa Fire Department went to “A” & “B” Platoons. Men worked an 84 hour week; each day was divided into two shifts; from 0800 to 1800 hours (10 hours) and the second shift was from 1800 hours to 0800 hours (14 hours).

The men would change shifts on the 1st & 15th of each month, giving equal day and night shifts to all. This shiftwork was in effect until 1935, when shifts went to a 24-on and 24-off, starting at 0800 hours and continuing through the next morning at 0800 hours.

The Tulsa Fire Department of 1927 was rated among the nation’s best by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Chief Pitts stated that this was due to the efficiency of the Department as to its system and employees.

Tulsa Firefighters started a volunteer insurance program in 1931. Each man signed an agreement to donate $10.00 to the survivors of an active firefighter in the event of his death on or off the job.

In 1934, the department moved into the fireproof, isolated and brand new Fire Alarm Headquarters located at Eighth & Madison.

The electrician’s shop was built adjacent to the Fire Alarm Headquarters. Stations had duplicate alarm circuits with a register and tapper on a primary circuit and a register sounder, gong and automatic lighting on a secondary circuit. Each Station also had a fire (red) phone.

Windshields were installed in the trucks in 1936, the first being Engine 12.

A 16-foot aluminum Rescue Boat was obtained for the department in 1936, along with “Hard Hat” diving helmets and dragging rigs. A trailer for the boat was made in the TFD shop.

During the Depression years, firefighters took a 5% cut and then a 10% pay cut. The department had dropped to 148 men in 1936 and lost two more in 1937. The TFD had lost more manpower and was down to 145 men. It would

1910 -- Tulsa Firefighters playing cards at Station #1

remain at this number through 1940.

In 1943, Tulsa Fire Department vehicles were equipped with mobile two-way radios. Tulsa firefighters had their own radio station in 1945. A 110-foot high aerial was placed at the Fire Alarm Office and the new ultra-high frequency wave length station (FM 155 KC) was on the air. The Tulsa Fire Department was one of the first in the mid-west to be so equipped.

A Fire Lane System was put into use in 1948. It is similar to the Opticon system in use today that enabled responding fire equipment to traverse selected lanes, while opposing traffic would be halted by synchronized traffic lights. At the Alarm Office, a Kardex file system told the operator what route the fire equipment would take, and a button would affect all traffic lights along the route.

On July 16, 1950 the A/B/C Platoon rotation began. A total of 73 firefighters had been hired and given a 10-day training period. “C” Platoon went on duty at 0800 hours. They were relieved by “A” Platoon at 1800 hours. At 0800 hours, they were relieved by “B” Platoon, and so the 56hour week had begun.

A total of 26 Drivers were promoted to Captain and 50 Privates were promoted to Driver. On January 29, 1955, the TFD went back to a 24-on/ 48-off duty schedule, maintaining the 56-hour week.

In 1952, the Tulsa Fire Department built a Training Center at Newblock Park. A Drill Tower, five stories high; a drafting pit; a spacious concrete pad; hydrants; and a school room and offices made up the structure.

In 1956, the Tulsa Fire Department hired the first black firefighters -- Merle Stripling, Cleatus Stephens, Henry Collier, Robert Shanks, Clifford Horn and Milton Goodwin.

In 1957, TFD provided two SCBA for each 4-man company.

On July 15, 1958, Chief Sartain announced a new Fire Alarm System. The Fire Alarm Office had been completely remodeled and the new vocal alarm system was placed in service. The Gamewell System was kept in service as a backup.

Chief Sartain said that “instead of alerting every Station when an alarm comes in, the new system will tone only the Companies assigned. However, the Companies not assigned will know which Companies were”. The new system led the way for several fire departments to attain like equipment.

In 1961, the Tulsa Fire Department received the highest honor ever afforded a fire department in Oklahoma. The Department was selected by the National Fire Protection Association as the actors for their production of a training film entitled “Fighting Tank Fires.” The film was shot at the Training Center and has been viewed all over the world.

Service Pay was adopted for firefighters by the City of Tulsa and was put into effect July 1, 1962.

In 1964, rookie firefighters were given the first monthlong session of training prior to going on company. Training previously had been only two weeks. They were trained in actual firefighting by burning urban renewal houses.

The London Square Apartment complex was the scene of a tragedy in 1965, as a young mother and her three children perished in a fire that involved their apartment. This fire brought to a head the fact that fire walls were not being built into these multi-dwelling structures.

In 1971, Governor Hall signed into law a Collective Bargaining Bill for Firefighters and Policemen. The law enabled the two departments to negotiate with the city governments for whom they worked and, if that failed, they could arbitrate. However, the findings of the Arbitration Board would not be binding on the City. The citizens voted to raise the City Sales Tax one cent, making it a tax of two cents per $1 purchase.

On June 8, 1974 a tornado cut a path through Tulsa. The emergencies handled by the fire department were varied and included fires, trapped victims, flood victims and others. Three command posts were established. They were at Fire Stations 1, 18 and 28.

Management expressed that “the ability to support fire department needs and initiatives with documentation

1945 -- Ladder 3 at Renbergs Fire

would determine their success in the future.” Three member crews on Engines and Ladders was a major concern for Fire Department Management.

In 1977, Fire Companies received walkie talkies, six new American LaFrance 1500 gpm Pumpers and 150 new air bottles.

In 1978, for the first time, personnel safety policies required firefighters to utilize full protective clothing and mandated the use of SCBA.

The department established an average 4 minute response standard in 1981, which continues to this day.

On March 21, 1982, there was a fire reported at United Plating Works. Upon arrival, there were flames and smoke visible and lines were laid. No one was killed at the time of exposure to the smoke and fire gases.

After the fire, several men came down with symptoms, such as nose bleeds, sore throats, chest pains, difficulty in breathing and headaches. One succumbed to chemical bronchitis. The symptoms started showing up as soon as five hours after the fire, and in the many years following. Men died as a result of this fire.

Fire Department members had a roles in the movie production of “The Outsiders.” Fire Station 3A was called to fill a small pool in Crutchfield Park. The pool had to be drained and refilled several times. Before it was over, all three platoons at Station 3, Station 10B and Station 9C were

involved. Other involvement included the wetting down of city streets and railroad tracks for night filming. FS03 was hired on their off days to assist in the smoke and fire production at an old abandoned home west of Skiatook.

Stress Services Inc., a private, nonprofit organization funded by the City of Tulsa, was developed in 1982 to provide counseling services to TFD members and families. The goals included individual, marriage and family counseling, as well as stress management education.

In the spring of 1982, 24 individuals were hired to create what became known as Swing Companies. The idea was for the whole crew to take their Kirk Day together. Thus, a crew of four was created to rotate through a district to allow all Fire Companies their City Shifts.

In January of 1983, Nomex flashover hoods were issued to the members of the Tulsa Fire Department.

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Fire Commissioner Roy Gardner made headlines on Aug. 9, 1983, by suggesting the City of Tulsa contract out fire response. The suggestion was prompted by the high percentage of workman’s compensation claims being filed by firefighters. The City Commission approved a study by Risk Management Consultants on injuries suffered by Tulsa Firefighters and ways to prevent them.

The three alarm fire at the One Eton Square Apartments on Feb. 23, 1984, was apparently started by a spark from a welder’s torch. Thirteen of the 29 apartment buildings were destroyed. Damages ran into the millions of dollars.

During 1987, the department’s Public Education section developed and implemented a response to the senior citizen fire fatalities. The results were astounding. The senior fatality rate dropped to 25% of Tulsa’s fire fatalities, and to a rate 1.9% below the 1987 national average. The Fire Department received the International Fire Chiefs Fire Service Excellence Award for the program’s achievement.

The department began a 5-year Master Plan and became heavily involved in the implementation of Tulsa’s Enhanced 911 System. Microcomputers were installed in each station and firefighters were trained in their use to meet the

1963 -- Tulsa Snorkel #1 in Station Bay

future demand of data management.

The Tulsa Fire Department hired its first female firefighters on June 3, 1991, and in 2023 staffs 23 women. Fourteen have retired.

In 1993, Local 176 donated smoke detectors to Project Life. Firefighters were used to install these smoke detectors in high risk neighborhoods. The pilot program covered a two square mile area.

Project Life was a success due largely to the volunteer

installers. Firefighters went door to door installing 562 smoke detectors in an area of Tulsa with the highest fire statistics. This continues.

On Jan. 19, 1994, the top two floors of the Petroleum Club in downtown Tulsa were totally destroyed. The fire was started on the 16th floor by two 13 year old boys. Approximately 120 Firefighters responded.

At 9:04 a.m. on April 19, 1995, an explosion at the Alfred P. Murrah Building in OKC killed 168. Rescue workers responded from TFD.

Six Thermal Image Cameras were put in all District Chiefs cars in 1998. The cameras were used for search & rescue, fire attack, haz mat & overhaul operations. A few years later they were distributed to each fire company through a grant from the Citizens Crime Commission.

In 1999, TFD decided to have a bigger role in providing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to the citizens of Tulsa by adding five Advanced Life Support (ALS) engine companies. This also triggered the addition of an EMS branch with one EMS training officer, two EMS support personnel and an EMS Director. As the number EMS calls steadily increased so have the number of ALS companies.

The Airgas fire on Aug. 18, 2003, received national media coverage. The explosive inferno at Airgas Mid-South began about 4:30 p.m. in the plant’s storage yard, which holds containers of compressed gases. Over 5,000 cylinders were involved. Amazingly, no one was injured. An additional four homes and a business were damaged.

The blaze caused the evacuation of a three-quarter mile radius around the fire and closed Interstate 244 in both directions. During the early stages of the incident, exploding cylinders could be seen shooting across I-244. None of Airgas’ products were considered toxic except anhydrous ammonia, which was well away from the flames. The fire was brought under control about 7:45 p.m. The fire triggered a second alarm with off-duty call back.

Dec. 9, 2007, began as one of the worst ice storms Tulsa has ever seen. In the first 24 hours, TFD responded to 198 structures fires, resulting in six civilian deaths. From Dec. 9 to Dec. 15, there were 719 residential fires, 22 commercial fires and 831 EMS calls, with a total loss of life of 60.

Almost the entire city was without electricity. The members stepped up to the challenge, volunteered to work overtime surveying the damage and compiled a list of each homes’ needs in order to return electrical services by Christmas day.

After the collapse of the financial markets and the downturn in the economy in 2008, city revenue would fall off drastically. Mayor Bartlett proffered an 11% cut in department wages or layoff 147 members.

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IAFF L-176 Union started lengthy negotiations with the city and were able to develop a plan that would be shared by all members. This would add up to the cuts the city needed to get through the budget crises and would not affect the members close to retirement pensions.

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1982 -- Tulsa FD Station #2 with Rigs

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The union called for a special ballot box vote, and it passed. This not only saved members jobs, it also showed the citizens of Tulsa how important their safety is to those who protect them.

The Tulsa Fire Department began working on a new Squad plan. Originally touted as a smaller, less costly apparatus to operate, two squads were added to the busiest stations. A paramedic was assigned to each squad. The squads would respond to medicals and MVAs.

After a 6-month pilot program, and paired with a vote by the membership, they accepted a slightly different program. Five engine companies with two person ALS squads over a 3-year period. They would go in at stations that had tele-squirt ladders. The station would be staffed with one Captain, two Drivers and five Privates. This would reduce the number of Captains in the field by 15, but still have a minimum of six at the station, four on the ladder, two on the squad. This program was reversed beginning in 2019 and the Engines & Captains/ Drivers were restored.

Mobile data terminals were adopted in 2013. Fire apparatus improved record keeping, hydrant mapping and interaction with dispatch.

The Barnard Elementary School caught fire shortly before 5 a.m. on Sept. 5, 2014. It is significant in Tulsa’s history in that eight firefighters were injured in a series of backdraft explosions and were treated for burn-related injuries to their hands, sides of their faces and lower legs. Two firefighters suffered third degree burns and were hospitalized as a result of the 3-alarm fire. The ATF Response Team was activated

to investigate. The cause of the fire was related to construction. Firefighters returned as able.

The department upgraded to Survivair SCBAs in November 2014. Each member was fitted with a personal mask. The tanks supplied more air than the smaller older tanks and replaced those that were 15 years old. Members were required to qualify via an obstacle course.

The City Council recognized the effort in the creation of the Tulsa Fire Museum in a proclamation dated March 17, 2015. The museum is dedicated to the perpetuation of the history of Tulsa’s Fire Department. It is a place of service. The museum hosts special firefighter related events, including the Smoke & Guns weigh-in, the TFD Memorial service and meetings of the Tulsa Retired Firefighters Association.

Phase One of the Fire Safety Training Center was dedicated at TCC Northeast in July 2015. The opening included the center’s brand-new FS101, as well as a 6-story drill tower with movable doors, walls and floors, an outdoor classroom, a retention pond and a special operations building for search and rescue vehicles and hazardous material resources. Future phases of construction will be determined

In 123 years, the Tulsa Fire Department is a shadow of its original self -- geographically, demographically, technologically, etc. Twelve Fire Chiefs and many thousand men and women have provided service to this village, town, municipality and now city. More than 17 men have given the ultimate sacrifice; more are being documented.

One thing remains constant -- the pride in helping people in their time of most need.

--

Ladder 79 at 124th OSFA Convention in Tulsa

Tulsa Firefighters in gear circa 1900s

Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association

AR-15 RIFLE

Hosted by ORFA

Proceeds benefit Oklahoma Firefighters Museum & Memorial

Drawing is June 10 at OSFA Convention Need Not Be Present to Win

To purchase raffle tickets, go to www.osfa. info/events

Director

Tippy Pierce

James

Welcome to the 42nd Annual Convention of The Oklahoma Retired Firefighters As

I am looking forward to a great convention and the opportunity it brings for us to spend time together remembering the past and shaping the future for retired firefighters.

I want thank Yogi Cole and the Tahlequah Fire Department for working to ensure that we have a great experience here.

I hope that while you are here you have the chance to make some new acquaintances with both retired and active firefighters.

I appreciate the opportunity you gave me to serve this great group of people and our organization.

Enjoy your convention!

James Fullingim

President

2022-23 ORFA Executive Board

Fullingim, President

Mike Duncan

1st Vice President

Erick Reynolds

2nd Vice President

A.K. “Yogi” Cole

Past President Marshall Dunnam

3rd Vice President

James Fullingim

ORFA President and Retired Norman FD

sociation.

ORFA

ORFA Executive

FUNDRAISER

42nd Annual ORFA Convention

Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 • Tahlequah, Oklahoma

9:30 a.m. Registration -- Cherokee Casino Meeting Room -- Tahlequah, OK

11 a.m. Lunch

Noon

General Session -- Cherokee Casino Meeting Room

Posting of Colors -- Tahlequah Honor Guard

Flag Salute -- Yogi Cole, Past President

Invocation

Call To Order -- James Fullingim, President

Fraternal Welcome -- Casey Baker, Tahlequah Fire Chief

City Welcome -- Tahlequah City Manager

Cherokee Tribe Welcome

12:30 p.m.

Memorial Service -- Mike Duncan, 1st Vice President, & Erick Reynolds, 3rd Vice President

Appointment Of Parliamentarian: Phil Ostrander, Past ORFA Executive Director

Appointment Of Committees: Nominating • Resolution

Introductions -- James Fullingim, President

Break

Guest Speaker -- Admiral Doug McClain

OSFA Welcome and Memorial Report -- Jim Ed Nimmo, OSFA President

Legislative Report -- Don Armes & Julia Jernigan-Smith, OSFA Lobbyist

Firefighters Pension System Report -- Chase Rankin, Executive Director

MASA Presentation -- Les McGee

Business Meeting:

First Report of the Nominating Committee

Membership Report -- Marshall Dunnam, 3rd Vice President

Chapter Reports -- Dr. Erick Reynolds, 2nd Vice President

Break Opportunity to Visit with Candidates for 3rd VP -- Coffee & Refreshments Served Inside Room

Committee Reports: Resolutions • Nominating

Election Of Officers

Old Business / New Business

Awards: T. Dick Cagle Fire Mark Award • George Fina Flamebeaux Award

Financial Report - Tippy Pierce, Executive Director

President’s Report – James Fullingim

Election Results

Presentation to Past President

Installation Of Officers -- Yogi Cole, Past President

Presentation to New President

Presentation To New Past President

Comments From Board

Election Of OSFA Delegates

Door Prizes /Adjourn Sine Die Hospitality Room -- Tru Hotel (3457 Cherokee Springs Road)

ORFA Constitional Resolution 23-01

WHEREAS The Constitution and By-Laws of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association (ORFA) have been under review over the past year and;

WHEREAS at the request of the Executive Board of the ORFA the Committee has met several times since the 2022 Conference to review the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association to determine any proposed changes beneficial to the membership and;

WHEREAS in the current constitution there is no Article to address Executive Board Meetings and;

WHEREAS there is a need to ensure transparency and information sharing with the members of the Association. The Executive Board proposes the addition of Sections 4, 5 and 6 to Article IV.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article IV be changed to include the following:

ARTICLE IV – ELECTIVE OFFICERS

Section 4. All regular meetings conducted by the Executive Board of the Association shall be posted on the ORFA website two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 5. All agendas and meeting minutes shall be posted on the ORFA website.

Section 6. All items should be discussed in open session other than items that require confidential communications between Executive Board Members and the Executive Director. Items to be discussed in executive session shall be stated on the agenda and no action shall be made concerning executive session items. All items requiring action shall be made in open session. Items appropriate for discussion in executive session shall include:

A. Discussion concerning the employment and/ or compensation of the Executive Director and/or any other employee(s).

B. Discussion regarding items that would violate the confidentiality of any individual or organization.

C. Discussion concerning any legal actions that would impair the organization’s ability to investigate and/or litigate any pending action.

Respectfully submitted: ORFA Board

ORFA Constitional Resolution 23-02

WHEREAS the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association is a Century old institution created with the intent of offering an opportunity for retired firefighters or their surviving spouse to offer support and assistance to both active and retired firefighters when needed and work to protect and improve the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

WHEREAS the ORFA is governed by a Constitution Approved by the membership and;

WHEREAS the Association Constitution is much like our nation’s constitution in that there may occasionally arise different interpretations of the same written document and;

WHEREAS the Association has created a resolutions and constitution committee to research and propose any needed changes to keep our Constitution current, clear in intent and content and;

WHEREAS the Resolutions and Constitution Committee has met numerous times since our last convention and has drafted and approved a proposed new version of our Constitution with clarifications and simplifications without changing the intent of the document and;

WHEREAS the items listed in Article II-Objective are all of equal importance, it was inferred by some that the order of said items determines their priority. It doesn’t, but we reworded the objectives to clarify our focus.

WHEREAS the Constitution needed some additional clarification and simplification and we believe we have done just that in our attached draft proposed constitution.

WHEREAS the modifications to our constitution in the attached draft have been reviewed and approved by the ORFA Constitution and Resolutions Committee as well as the Executive Board of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Resolutions and Constitution Committee recommends a Do-Pass on ORFA Constitutional Resolution 23-02.

Respectfully submitted: ORFA Resolutions & Constitution Committee, Chair Phil Ostrander

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association. (NOTE: Any reference to “Association” in this constitution shall mean the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association.)

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE

Section 1. To assist the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association in pursuit of their goals.

Section 2. To cooperate with the executive board and executive director of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association in serving the best interest of the active firefighters of the state, and members of this Association, as described in Article III of this constitution.

Section 3. To assemble in an annual ORFA meeting for the purpose of fellowship, discussion of timely issues of concern to the membership, encourage participation as active members of the Association, and encourage formation of local/area/district retired firefighter organizations, and protect and improve the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility for membership in the Association shall be automatic for any retired firefighter or their surviving spouse.

Section 2. Classifications of membership shall be defined as follows:

ACTIVE PARTICIPATING MEMBER: The retired firefighter or their surviving spouse who is paying dues as set forth in Article VIII of this constitution.

HONORARY MEMBER: The title of “Honorary Member” may be bestowed on any person who has rendered the Association outstanding service, through act(s) or deed(s). Honorary Membership may be bestowed on person(s) by a majority vote of those in attendance at any annual meetings of the Association.

LIFE MEMBER: All past presidents of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters association shall automatically become Life Members of this Association and shall not be required to pay dues.

Section 3. Only Active Participating Members have full voting rights at the annual Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association meeting.

Section 4. Proxy votes shall not be recognized in any form.

ARTICLE IV - ELECTIVE OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers of the Association shall be President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President and Immediate Past President. Officers shall be retired firefighters who are Active Participating Members of the Association. (NOTE: Any reference to “officers” in this constitution

shall mean those officers described in this Section.)

Section 2. Officers of the Association shall be retired firefighters elected at the annual ORFA meeting; the exception being the Immediate Past President. Officers shall be retired firefighters elected from the Active Participating Membership for a term of one year. A simple majority vote of those Active Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting shall constitute an election. Should a vacancy occur in any office, the Association Officers must appoint another retired firefighters who is an Active Participating Member to fill the unexpired term until an election can be held at the next annual ORFA meeting to fill that position. No more than one person who retired from the same city shall serve on the Board simultaneously.

Section 3 In accordance with OSFA’s Constitution, Article 3 Section 4, The President shall serve as Liaison Officer to the OSFA Executive Board and shall serve at ORFA’s expense in liaison capacity between the two organizations, and, therefore, shall have no vote nor proceed through OSFA chairs.

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall preside over all meetings of the officers and the annual ORFA meeting of the membership. The President shall serve on the Oklahoma Fire Pension and Retirement Board as provided in Oklahoma State Statutes 49-100.3 (3). The ORFA representative to the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System Board must be a retired member of that Pension System.

Section 2. The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence. The 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of both the President and 1st Vice President.

Section 3. Meeting of officers shall be at the call of the President, with timely notice to all officers, but shall not exceed four (4) meetings per calendar year. Exception: Special meetings may be called with unanimous consent of officers.

Section 4. Any three (3) officers in attendance at a called meeting shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business of the Association

Section 5. Officers shall exercise general supervision over the Association’s affairs in the interim between annual ORFA meetings, and shall have full and complete jurisdiction over all business conducted by the Association in that interval.

Section 6. Warrants issued from the account of the Association must bear the signature of those authorized by the Officers of the Association.

On the next four (4) pages is a side-by-side comparison of the Proposed Amendments to the ORFA Constitution & By-Laws.

ORFA’s current Constitution & By-Laws are on the left-hand pages.

Proposed Amendments are on the right-hand pages.

Section 7. All meetings of Officers of the Association shall be open to the membership.

Section 8. Officers of the Association shall be responsible for the annual meeting arrangements at the selected site.

Section 9. The 1st Vice President shall serve as the ORFA liaison to the OSFA Legislative Committee. The 2nd Vice President shall be responsible for local chapter growth activities, membership expansion and recruitment activities. The 3rd Vice President shall be the 2nd Vice president ‘s assistant. This will give the 3rd Vice President time to learn these responsibilities.

ARTICLE VI – APPOINTED POSITIONS

Section 1. The duties of Secretary/Treasurer shall be assumed by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, unless otherwise directed by the Executive Board of Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, or otherwise as amended as provided in Article IX of this constitution. A separate account shall be maintained for Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association in an Oklahoma Financial institution. A report on the status of such accounts shall be made at the annual ORFA meeting.

Section 2. There shall be an Executive Director appointed by the new officers of the Association, following the annual ORFA meeting described in Article IX.

ARTICLE VII-COMMITTEES

Section 1. The President of the Association shall appoint such committees as deemed necessary to conduct Association business, both during the annual ORFA meeting and in the interim between annual meetings.

Section 2. Cornerstone Committee a) The mission of this committee will be to promote the sustainability, maintain the integrity and relevance of the ORFA by providing insight to the ORFA Executive Board to enhance membership, fundraising and other activities needed to support ORFA and OSFA.

Constitution & By-Laws of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association (as of June 12, 2022)

ORFA Constitional Resolution 23-02

Proposed Amendments to the CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE OKLAHOMA RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association. (NOTE: Any reference to “ORFA or Association” in this constitution shall mean the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association. Any Reference to OSFA in this constitution shall mean the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

Section 1. To serve the best interests of Association Members.

Section 2. Assist the OSFA in pursuit of common goals.

Section 3. Protect and improve the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

Section 4. To assemble in an annual ORFA meeting for the purpose of fellowship, discussion of timely issues of concern to the membership, encourage involvement as Participating Members of the Association, and encourage formation of local/area/district retired firefighter organizations.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility for membership in the Association shall be automatic for any retired firefighter or their surviving spouse.

Section 2. Classifications of membership shall be defined as follows:

PARTICIPATING MEMBER: The retired firefighter or their surviving spouse who is paying dues as set forth in Article VIII of this constitution. All past presidents of the ORFA shall automatically become Participating Members of this Association for life and shall not be required to pay dues.

HONORARY MEMBER: The title of “Honorary Member” may be bestowed on any person who has rendered the Association outstanding service, through act(s) or deed(s). Honorary Membership may be bestowed on person(s) by a majority vote of those in attendance at any annual meetings of the Association.

Section 3. Only Participating Members have full voting rights at the annual Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association meeting.

Section 4. Proxy votes shall not be recognized in any form.

ARTICLE IV - ELECTIVE OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers of the Association shall be President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President and Immediate Past President. Officers shall be retired firefighters who are Participating Members of the Association.

(NOTE: Any reference to “officers” in this constitution shall mean those officers described in this Section.)

Section 2. Officers of the Association shall be retired firefighters elected at the annual ORFA meeting; the exception being the Immediate Past President. Officers shall be

retired firefighters elected from the Participating Membership for a term of one year. A simple majority vote of those Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting shall constitute an election. Should a vacancy occur in any office, the Association Officers must appoint another retired firefighter who is a Participating Member to fill the unexpired term until an election can be held at the next annual ORFA meeting to fill that position. No more than one person who retired from the same city shall serve on the Board simultaneously.

Section 3. The Association Officers will be ex officio members of all association committees.

Section 4. In accordance with OSFA’s Constitution, Article 3 Section 4, The President shall serve as Liaison Officer to the OSFA Executive Board and shall serve at ORFA’s expense in liaison capacity between the two organizations, and, Therefore, shall have no vote nor proceed through OSFA chairs.

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall preside over all meetings of the officers and the annual ORFA meeting of the membership. The President or their designee shall serve on the Oklahoma Fire Pension and Retirement Board as provided in Oklahoma State Statutes 49-100.3 (3). The ORFA representative to the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System Board must be a retired member of that Pension System.

Section 2. The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence. The 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of both the President and 1st Vice President.

Section 3. Meeting of officers shall be at the call of the President, with timely notice to all officers, and shall be a minimum of four (4) meetings per calendar year.

Section 4. Any three (3) officers in attendance at a called meeting shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business of the Association

Section 5. Officers shall exercise general supervision over the Association’s affairs in the interim between annual ORFA meetings and shall have full and complete authority over all business conducted by the Association in that interval.

Section 6. Warrants issued from the account of the Association must bear the signature of those authorized by the Officers of the Association.

Section 7. All meetings of Officers of the Association shall be open to the membership.

Section 8. Officers of the Association shall be responsible for the annual meeting arrangements at the selected site.

Section 9. Officers shall identify and maintain a list of board operating rules.

Section 10. The 1st Vice President shall

serve as the ORFA liaison to the OSFA Legislative Committee. The 2nd Vice President shall be responsible for the Cornerstone Committee, as the Chairman. The 3rd Vice President shall be the Vice Chairman.

Section11. The Board shall approve, adopt, or amend the Association budget and the annual convention budget upon recommendation of the President and the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall prepare a line-item budget with supporting details for Board approval at the October meeting. The Association budget shall be approved by January 1 of the following calendar year. Copies of the Association budget shall be available to the membership at the Association office and at the annual convention.

Section 12. Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred: The Board shall establish the amounts and items to be reimbursed for expenses incurred by any member of the Board, Committees or other members serving in an official capacity of the Association, and identified in “board operating rules”.

ARTICLE VI – APPOINTED POSITIONS

Section 1. The Board shall annually employ an Executive Director whose terms and conditions of employment shall be set by the Board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Executive Director except in the event of death, removal, or resignation, shall hold the position until the next annual meeting of the association. They shall always be subject to the direction of the Board.

Section 2. The duties of Secretary/Treasurer shall be assumed by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, unless otherwise directed by the ORFA Executive Board, and/ or the OSFA Executive Board. A separate account shall be maintained for Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association in an Oklahoma Financial institution. A report on the status of such accounts shall be made at the annual ORFA meeting.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES of the Association shall be the LEGISLATIVE, CORNERSTONE and other committees as may be found necessary by the Board.

Section 2. The ORFA Executive Board shall appoint such committees as deemed necessary to conduct Association business, both during the annual Oklahoma Retired Fire Association meeting and in the interim between annual meetings.

Section 3. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE shall draft such legislative resolutions for submittal to the OSFA according to OSFA Constitution Article 12, for the enactment of Legislation as the OSFA may designate, see that such legislation is intelligently presented to the members of the State Legislature, and to have the same introduced and endeavor to have same passed and enacted into law.

Constitution & By-Laws of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association, CONTINUED

ARTICLE VIII– DUES

Section 1. Active Participating Members are also OSFA Pension Members and pay Association dues annually of thirty-six dollars ($36.00), from which OSFA Pension Member dues are paid as described in OSFA Constitution Article 8, Sect 2, and the remainder to be placed in the Association’s account. Dues must be paid to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, by July 1 of each year, or withholding arrangements made, as described in Section 3 of this Article.

Section 2. By payment of dues to the Association, a person automatically becomes a Pension Member of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association and shall receive the monthly newspaper and other pertinent information regarding firefighter activities.

Section 3. Annual dues may be paid by either full advance payment, or may be withheld in twelve (12) equal monthly payments from a member’s pension warrant issued by the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

Section 4. An accounting of fund income and expenditures shall be given at the annual ORFA meeting, as provided in Article VI, Section 1, of this constitution.

ARTICLE IX– ANNUAL MEETING

Section 1. There shall be an annual ORFA meeting of the membership of the Association at a location and time or date chosen by the officers.

Section 2. At each annual ORFA meeting a majority vote of the Active Participating Members in attendance shall determine the location of the succeeding annual ORFA meeting.

Section 3. Emergency meetings of the membership may be called by a majority vote of the officers. Location of the emergency meeting shall be determined by the officers.

Section 4. Delegates to the OSFA Convention shall be the Executive Board of the ORFA. If a member or members of the Executive Board already holds the position of Delegate at Large then the remaining allocated delegates shall be elected from the Active Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting in accordance with the OSFA Constitution concerning delegates.

Section 5. Only Active Participating members as set out in Article III §2, have full voting rights.

ARTICLE X – EXPENSES

Section 1. Officers of the Association shall budget sufficient funds for all necessary expenses for the efficient operation of the Association.

Section 2. Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred: The Officers shall establish the amounts and items to be reimbursed for expenses incurred by any member of the Board, Committees or other members serving in an official capacity of the Association.

ARTICLE XI– AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Section 1. Proposed amendments to the constitution shall be submitted by registered mail or hand delivered to the Association office, with date affixed and receipt given, by an active member over his or her signature not less than sixty (60) days prior to the opening day of the ORFA annual meeting.

Section 2. A majority vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those Active Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting is required to amend this constitution.

Section 3. This constitution may be amended by unanimous vote of those Active Participating Members in attendance at an annual ORFA meeting; otherwise, Section 1, of this

Article will apply.

ARTICLE XII– RESOLUTIONS

Section 1. Resolutions shall be submitted to the Association business office in Oklahoma City no later than sixty (60) days prior to the annual ORFA meeting.

Section 2. The Association President shall present applicable resolutions to the Executive Board of Oklahoma State Firefighters Association within thirty (30) days following the annual ORFA meeting.

ARTICLE XIII– RESTRICTIONS

Section 1. No member shall present her/ himself as spokesperson for the Association on any issue, for or against, unless expressly authorized by the consensus of the Officers.

Section 2. No member shall attempt to influence any person by representing himself as spokesperson for the Association, unless expressly authorized as described in Section 1 of this Article.

OKLAHOMA

RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I – ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1. The following shall be the regular Order of Business at annual meetings of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association.

Call to order

Reading of Previous Meeting Minutes

Opening Remarks by President

Treasurer’s Report Committee Reports

ORFA Chapter Reports

Old Business

New Business

Election of Officers

Election of Delegates to OSFA Convention

Appointment of Interim Committees

Adjourn

The order of Business may be deviated from at the discretion of the Chair.

ARTICLE II – RULES OF ORDER

Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority of all Parliamentary questions. Section 2. All members shall have floor privileges; all Active Participating Members shall have voting rights.

Section 3. Voting on issues may be by voice vote; the President determining a majority.

Section 4. Election of officers shall be by a show of hands, or may be by secret ballot as described in Section 5 of this article.

Section 5. On request of any five (5) Active Participating Members in attendance, voting shall be by secret ballot.

ARTICLE III – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of those Active Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting.

Section 2. By a seventy-five percent (75%) favorable vote of Active Participating Members in attendance, rules may be suspended to conduct business not otherwise scheduled.

ORFA Constitional Resolution 23-02, CONTINUED

Proposed Amendments to the CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE OKLAHOMA RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

Section 4. CORNERSTONE COMMITTEE

- The mission of this committee will be to promote the sustainability, maintain the integrity and relevance of the ORFA by providing insight to the ORFA Executive Board to enhance member services, membership, fundraising, and other activities needed to support ORFA and OSFA.

Section 4, A. MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE shall initiate and manage member services including recognition and delivery of information needs, ongoing communications to keep members informed engaged in our Association. All politics are ultimately driven by informed and engaged constituent votes. State Firefighters, Retired and Active have the constituent votes to succeed when informed and engaged.

Section 4, B. FINANCIAL COMMITTEE shall ensure the organization is operating with the financial resources it needs to provide programs and services through budgetary/financial oversight recommendations to the association Executive Director.

Section 4, C. FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE as directed by the ORFA Executive Board.

Section 4, D. RESOLUTIONS & CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE shall review and make changes to the ORFA Constitution and Bylaws and develop Resolutions if necessary to be brought to the membership at the annual ORFA Convention.

ARTICLE VIII– DUES

Section 1. Participating Members are also OSFA Pension Members and pay Association dues annually of thirty-six dollars ($36.00), from which OSFA Pension Member dues are paid as described in OSFA Constitution Article 8, Section 2, and the remainder to be placed in the Association’s account. Dues must be paid to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, by July 1 of each year, or withholding arrangements made, as described in Section 3 of this Article.

Section 2. By payment of dues to the Association, an eligible person as qualified in Article 3 Section 1 shall automatically become a Pension Member of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association as per OSFA constitution and bylaws article 2 section 7 and shall receive OSFA Publications and other pertinent information regarding firefighter activities and become eligible to attend and vote at the Annual ORFA Convention and to attend the annual OSFA convention and vote through their ORFA elected delegates.

Section 3. Annual dues may be paid by either full advance payment or may be withheld in twelve (12) equal monthly payments from a member’s pension warrant issued by the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

Section 4. An accounting of Association income and expenditures shall be given at the annual ORFA meeting, as provided in Article VI, Section 2, of this constitution.

ARTICLE IX – ANNUAL MEETING

Section 1. There shall be an annual ORFA meeting of the membership of the Association at a location and time or date chosen by the officers.

Section 2. At each annual ORFA meeting a majority vote of the Participating Members in attendance shall approve issues properly before it and determine the location of the succeeding annual ORFA meeting.

Section 3. Emergency meetings of the membership may be called by a majority vote of the officers. The officers shall determine location of the emergency meeting.

Section 4. Delegates to the OSFA Convention shall be the Executive Board of ORFA. If a member or members of the Executive Board already holds the position of Delegate at Large then the remaining allocated delegates shall be elected from the Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting in accordance with the OSFA Constitution Article 9 Section 2 concerning delegates.

Section 5. Only Participating Members as set out in Article III Section2, have full voting rights.

Section 6. The Board shall, after the close of each annual convention, convene for the purpose of disposing of such business as may have been referred to it by the delegates of the convention and the appointment of an Executive Director.

ARTICLE X – EXPENSES

Section 1. Officers of the Association shall budget sufficient funds for all necessary expenses for the efficient operation of the Association.

Section 2. Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred: The Officers shall establish the amounts and items to be reimbursed for expenses incurred by any member of the Board, Committees or other members serving in an official capacity of the Association.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Section 1. Proposed amendments to the constitution shall be submitted by registered mail or hand delivered to the Association office, with date affixed and receipt given, by a participating member over his or her signature not less than sixty (60) days prior to the opening day of the ORFA annual meeting.

Section 2. A majority vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting is required to amend this constitution.

Section 3. This constitution may be amended by unanimous vote of those Participating Members in attendance at an annual ORFA meeting; otherwise, Section 1, of this Article will apply.

ARTICLE XII – RESOLUTIONS

Section 1. Resolutions shall be submitted

by a Participating Member over his or her signature to the Association office no later than sixty (60) days prior to the annual ORFA meeting.

Section 2. The Association President shall present applicable resolutions approved at the annual ORFA meeting to the Executive Board of Oklahoma State Firefighters Association for distribution forthwith.

ARTICLE XIII – RESTRICTIONS

Section 1. No member shall present her/ himself as spokesperson for the Association on any issue, for or against, unless expressly authorized by the consensus of the Officers.

Section 2. No member shall attempt to influence any person by representing himself as spokesperson for the Association, unless expressly authorized as described in Section 1 of this Article.

OKLAHOMA RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I – ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1. The following shall be the regular Order of Business at annual meetings of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association. Call to order

Reading of Previous Meeting Minutes

Opening Remarks by President

Treasurer’s Report Committee Reports

ORFA Chapter Reports

Old Business

New Business

Election of Officers

Election of Delegates to OSFA Convention

Appointment of Interim Committees

Adjourn

The order of Business may be altered at the discretion of the Chair.

ARTICLE II – RULES OF ORDER

Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority of all Parliamentary questions. Section 2. All members shall have floor privileges; all Participating Members shall have voting rights.

Section 3. Voting on issues may be by voice vote; the President determining a majority.

Section 4. Election of officers shall be by a show of hands or may be by secret ballot as described in Section 5 of this Article.

Section 5. Upon request of any five (5) Participating Members in attendance, voting shall be by secret ballot.

ARTICLE III – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of those Participating Members in attendance at the annual ORFA meeting.

Section 2. By a seventy-five percent (75%) favorable vote of Participating Members in attendance, rules may be suspended to conduct business not otherwise scheduled.

T.W. Blackie Oliver

evereTTe BreWer

Bernard Flaming

HOWard ray STOOpS

ray caTlin

Harry pilkingTOn

ernie ledBeTTer

Tim FOrd

Jim nOrTOn

T. dick cagle

peTe Brinegar

lOuiS m. BuncH

Bill c. mccaWley

larry BOggeS

HaSkell STarBuck

Bud SHepHerd

pHillip reeSe

Wendell gilliam

gene “Sam” OrucH

cliFFOrd r. leWiS

mike BillingSley

perry Brinegar

mike BOWer randy rOSe

JOHn g. HuBBard Jr

david BOWman

paul gallaHar

SHey p. FranceS

1998 OrFa execuTive BOard

2016 OrFa execuTive BOard

ORFA PAST PRESIDENTS

1917-35 John R. Moore, Oklahoma City*

1936 Marion H. Rodgers, OKC*

1937-38 Floyd Whittenberg, OKC*

1940 E.H. Miller, McAlester*

1941 George H. Stewart, Tulsa*

1946 George Ross, Oklahoma City*

1947-49 John D. Pugh, Oklahoma City*

1950 Sid Bean, Tahlequah*

1951-52 Luke Chenoweth, Oklahoma City*

1953 George H. Stewart, Tulsa*

1954 Alvin Gelbhar, Cushing*

1955-57 Andy Bean, Bristow*

1958-64 Charles S. Fuqua, Cushing*

1965-69 J.E. Davis, Oklahoma City*

1981-85 Shey P. Frances, Tulsa*

1986 Ray Catlin, Lawton*

1987 Pete Brinegar, Duncan*

1988 Phillip Reese, Bartlesville

1989 T.W. Blackie Oliver, Tulsa*

1990 Harry Pilkington, Tulsa*

1991 Louis M. Bunch, OKC*

1992 Wendell Gilliam, Bartlesville*

1993 Everette Brewer, Enid *

1994 Ernie Ledbetter, Okmulgee

1995 Bill C. McCawley, Moore *

1996 Gene ‘Sam’ Oruch, Oklahoma City 1997 John G. Hubbard Jr., Tulsa*

1998 Bernard Flaming, Enid*

1999 Tim Ford, Nichols Hills*

2000 Larry Bogges, Lawton

2001 Clifford R. Lewis, Oklahoma City

2002 Howard Ray Stoops, Tulsa

2003 Jim Norton, Moore*

2004 Haskell Starbuck, Shattuck

2005 Mike Billingsley, Nichols Hills

2006 David Bowman, Oklahoma City

2007 T. Dick Cagle, Tulsa

2008 Bud Shepherd, Slaughterville*

2009 Perry Brinegar, Duncan

2010 Mike Bower, Midwest City

2011 Randy Rose, Oklahoma City

2012 Paul Gallahar, Tulsa

2013 Bob Allen, Owasso

2014 Jackie Carner, Broken Arrow

2015 Tom Smith, Dewey

2016 John A. Soos, Oklahoma City

2017 Phil Ostrander, Tulsa

2018 Dana Cramer, Norman

2019 Juan Rodriguez, Lawton

2020 Tippy Pierce, Moore

2021 George Fina, Oklahoma City

2022 A.K. “Yogi” Cole, Tulsa

Juan rOdriguez Tippy pierce

geOrge Fina

TOm SmiTH JOHn a. SOOS pHil OSTrander

dana cramer

BOB allen Jackie carner yOgi cOle JameS Fullingim

ᎯᎠ VᏳ

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

6 a.m.

Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

(KIND OF A BIG DEAL) • June 8-10, 2023, in Tahlequah

Fishing Tournament -- Check-in not required -- Put in at any ramp

Lines out at 2 p.m.

Scales open 2-2:45 p.m. at Cherokee Casino North Side Parking Lot

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

4 p.m.

Lunch Provided for Participants -- Casino Parking Lot’s Tented area

Hacienda Vieja Taco Bar

Fishing Tournament Awards -- Cherokee Casino Parking Lot

Emcee Jamie Houston

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

7 a.m. & Noon

8 a.m. & 1 p.m.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Golf Registration -- Cherokee Springs Golf Club (700 E. Ballentine Road, Tahlequah)

Golf Tournament -- Cherokee Springs Golf Club

Lunch Provided for Golfers -- Burger Bar

Flight 1 Golf Awards - Cherokee Springs Golf Club

OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Luau -- Burnt Cabin Marina

Flight 2 Golf Awards -- Hospitality Suite, Tru Hotel by Hilton (3457 Cherokee Springs Rd.)

Cornhole Tournament

Karaoke with DJ Shawn Solo

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

10 a.m.

Convention Registration -- Chota Center Lobby (3307 Seven Clans Ave.)

Past Presidents’ Luncheon -- Chota Center Ballroom (Invitation Only)

Presentation of Colors -- Tulsa & Tahlequah Honor Guard, Oklahoma Fire Pipes & Drums

National Anthem -- Firefighter Mo Bassime, Tahlequah FD

Invocation -- Lieutenant Justin Hackworth, Tahlequah FD

Opening Ceremony - OSFA Board, Oklahoma Fire Pipes & Drums

Call to Order -- Jim Ed Nimmo, OSFA President & Tulsa FD

Fraternal Welcome -- Casey Baker, Tahlequah Fire Chief

Cherokee Nation Welcome -- Principal Chief Hoskin or Deputy Chief Warner City Welcome -- Suzanne Myers, City of Tahlequah Mayor

Introduction of Guests -- Jim Ed Nimmo, OSFA President

Tahlequah • CONVENTION HOSTS: Tahlequah & Tulsa Fire Departments

Speaker -- Bob Ed Culver Jr., Oklahoma House Representative, District 4

Appointment of Committees

Credentials, Nominating, Resolutions, Special Resolutions

1 p.m.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Float Excursion -- River by the Bridge Floats (17252 N. Hwy 10, Tahlequah)

OSFA Picnic -- Norris Park

Double Barrel BBQ

Must have voucher for food/drinks

Live performance

8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Bar Crawl/Poker Run -- Downtown Tahlequah

Led by Oklahoma Fire Pipes & Drums

The Branch - Emery’s Grill - Ned’s - Kroner & Baer - Dewaine’s Place

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Final Registration -- Chota Center Ballroom

Call to Order -- Jim Ed Nimmo, OSFA President

Invocation -- Rev. Clifton Loman, Tahlequah Chaplain

Women’s Welcome -- Kendra Engle, OSFA Women’s Auxiliary President & Ponca City FD Spouse

Partial Credentials Report

First Report of Nomination Committee

MDA Presentation

10 a.m.

Speaker -- Battalion Chief Mark Campanell, Gloucester City (NJ) FD

Survival and Trust: The Anatomy of Tragedy

Battalion Chief Mark Campanell, Gloucester City Fire Department

Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, Mark is a first generation firefighter who has spent over 25 years in the fire service with several years in the volunteer service and 20 years in a career department.

For the last 10 years he has been speaking regularly about his collapse survival experience and the lessons learned in the wake of the multiple LODD that shaped his career.

He is a strong advocate for mental health programs and the universal acceptance of them to better employee health and outcomes.

Survival and Trust: The Anatomy of Tragedy

Trust is the foundational value that is required to avoid tragedy.

Trust is not an item that can be purchased or a class to be attended, but a commitment to being true to ourselves, our brothers and sisters and our organizational mission.

Broken down into three basic principles, this lecture will display to the audience how we can learn from past tragedies by developing self-trust, company trust and organizational trust. Through recognition, we can better understand our own shortfalls and, hopefully, take the steps needed before tragedy strikes us again.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, continued

Lunch

1:30 p.m.

OSFA Awards Explanation -- Mike Kelley, OSFA Executive Director

Special Presentations/Recognitions -- OSFA Board

• Shey P. Francis Award

• Department/Unit Citation

• Meritorious Service Award

• Medal of Valor

• First In Last Out Award

• David Bain Award

• 100 Year Membership Awards

2 p.m.

Break

Presentation of Pete & Lela Stavros Scholarships

-- Mike Kelley, OSFA Executive Director

2:45 p.m. Reports

• State Fire Marshal -- Keith Bryant, State Fire Marshal

• State Forestry -- Mark Goeller, State Forester

• State Emergency Management -- Mark Gower, OEM Director

• Rural Fire Coordinators -- Melvin Mashburn, District 1

• Firefighters Pension System -- Chase Rankin, Executive Director

• Legislative Report -- Don Armes, OSFA Lobbyist

• Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association -- Tippy Pierce, ORFA Director

• Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association -- Kent Lagaly, OFCA Director

• Professional Firefighters of Oklahoma -- Ricky Burns, PFFO President

• Fire Service Training -- Caroline Reed, OSU FST Director

• Oklahoma Firefighters Museum -- Gene Brown, Museum Director

Written Reports have been requested and are on the back table if provided by the following Organizations: Baptist Burn Center; Department of Labor; Fire Marshal’s Association of Oklahoma; Insurance Services Office; International Association of Arson Investigators; Oklahoma Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians; State Risk Management; Oklahoma Firefighters Foundation; Fire Service Instructors of Oklahoma

Second Report of Nominating Committee

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Reception for Past OSFA Presidents -- Chota Center (Invitation Only)

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

OSFA Women’s Auxiliary’s Silent Auction -- Chota Center Lobby

Associate Members Reception -- Chota Center

7 p.m. Banquet -- Chota Center Ballroom

Invocation -- Marshal Aaron Garrett, Chaplain

Silent Auction Winners Announced

Live Auction -- Don Armes

Grand Door Prizes

Entertainment -- DJ

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Registration (For Pre-Registered Volunteer Firefighters Only)

Call to Order -- Jim Ed Nimmo, OSFA President

Invocation -- Rev. Clifton Loman, Tahlequah Chaplain

Seating of Delegates

OSFA Committee Reports:

• Legislative Committee -- BJ Baker, Tahlequah FD

• Educational Advisory Committee -- Jason Smart, Tulsa FD

• Safety and Health Committee -- Jeremy Williams, Guthrie FD

• Financial Advisory Committee -- Brady Bond, Garber FD

• EMS Committee -- Blake Braden, Guthrie FD

• Memorial/Museum Expanion -- Mike Bower, Ret. Midwest City FD

• Volunteer Fire Service Committee -- Shane Archuleta, Davis FD

• Benevolent/Membership Committee -- Melanie Colvin, Lexington VFD

• Public Education Committee -- Jacob Stangl, Edmond FD

Break

10:30 a.m.

Report of Convention Committees

Final Credentials Report

Distribution of Ballots

Report of Resolutions Committee

Balloting (Must Remain in Room)

Final Report of Nominating Committee

Correspondence from 2025 Host City -- Donnie Bennett, 2nd Vice President

Break

Report of Officers

Executive Director’s Report -- Mike Kelley

President’s Report -- Jim Ed Nimmo

Election Results

Executive Board Comments

Installation of Officers -- Cliff Davidson, OSFA Past President

Old Business

New Business

Report of Special Resolutions Committee

Unfinished Business

Presentation of Axe

Past President’s Comments -- Cliff Davidson

Invitation to 2024 Convention -- Tony Lopez, 2024 OSFA President

Assessments of Fines

Adjourn Sine Die

Announcements/Door Prizes

OSFA Legislative Resolution 23-01

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates at the 129th Annual OSFA Convention show the overall support of the organization toward our volunteer members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, along with the OFCA research, develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of enhancing statewide oversight/accountability and examine current and potential future minimum necessary standards for administration, training and funding of fire departments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, research, develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of proposing funding sources that would aid in the aforementioned while augmenting recruitment and retention; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these committees report back to the 2024 Volunteer Caucus and the 2024 OSFA Convention on their recommendations.

Respectfully submitted: By unanimous vote of the members present at the OSFA 21st Annual Volunteer Caucus, Chair Shane Archuleta

OSFA Legislative Resolution 23-02

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates at the 129th Annual OSFA Convention show the overall support of the organization toward our volunteer members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, along with the OFCA research, develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of evaluating forestry grant disbursements including clear updated language on how qualifications for receipt of grant funds are met to include minimum training standards if deemed necessary ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these committees report back to the 2024 Volunteer Caucus and the 2024 OSFA Convention on their recommendations.

Respectfully submitted: By unanimous vote of the members present at the OSFA 21st Annual Volunteer Caucus, Chair Shane Archuleta

OSFA Legislative Resolution 23-03

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates at the 129th Annual OSFA Convention show the overall support of the organization toward our volunteer members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and Legislative Committee, research the possibilities of working to develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of allowing a volunteer firefighter to retire upon reaching 35 years of credited service in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Pension and Retirement System and continue to serve his/her community as a volunteer firefighter while drawing a pension; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these committees report back to the 2024 Volunteer Caucus and the 2024 OSFA Convention on their recommendations.

Respectfully submitted: By unanimous vote of the members present at the OSFA 21st Annual Volunteer Caucus, Chair Shane Archuleta

OSFA Legislative Resolution 23-04

WHEREAS an Oklahoma fire service career allows each firefighter to obtain a certain standard of living level peculiar to each individual’s career as provided within applicable Oklahoma statutes. And,

WHEREAS for decades the stakeholders of the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System (OFPRS) have failed to provide a dependable, ongoing means by which retirees in the system can maintain the standard of living they have earned at the time of retirement. And,

WHEREAS said stakeholders should try a different “out of the box” approach in an attempt to obtain annual cost of living adjustments for all retirees in the system.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED a statewide referendum project shall be initiated by and coordinated through the OSFA to establish dependable legislation through which the maintenance of the cost of living level retiring firefighters have earned at time of retirement will be assured.

This referendum will call for a statewide election to incorporate language into statute providing that all retirees within the firefighter pension system receive an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA).

This COLA to be based upon and in line with an established credible index system such as that developed by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and utilized for annual COLA determination by Social Security Administration (SSA).

Respectfully submitted: Paul T. Gallahar

OSFA Legislative Resolution 23-05

WHEREAS An Oklahoma fire service career allows each firefighter to obtain a certain standard of living level peculiar to each individual’s career as provided within applicable Oklahoma statutes. And,

WHEREAS for decades the stakeholders of the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System (OFPRS) have failed to provide a dependable, ongoing means by which retirees in the system can maintain the standard of living they have earned at the time of retirement. And, WHEREAS said stakeholders should try a different “out of the box” approach in an attempt to obtain annual cost of living adjustments for all retirees in the system.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED said stakeholders shall seek legislation addressing cost of living for future retirees in the following manner:

All active firefighters (paid and volunteer) who have not yet reached their vesting date in the system, but who do vest after the effective date of said legislation, shall receive annual cost of living adjustments (COLA) after they retire.

Further, this cost of living adjustment shall be based upon a credible, established index system such as that utilized by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Respectfully submitted: Paul T. Gallahar

WHEREAS The Constitution and By-Laws of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA) was originally drafted many years ago and only a relatively few amendments have been made throughout the years; and

WHEREAS At the request of the Executive Board of the OSFA, the Legislative Committee has convened numerous times over the last several years to review the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association and any possible legislation to determine any proposed changes beneficial to the membership; and

WHEREAS in the current constitution there is no Article to address how Executive Board Meetings or Executive Sessions held during Executive Board Meetings are conducted; and

WHEREAS Roberts Rules of Order outlines how board meetings are to be conducted and how Executive Sessions are for specific issues such as discipline of employees, discussion of employment contracts, or consulting with an attorney under attorney client privilege; and

WHEREAS there is a need to ensure transparency and open communication with the members of the Association. We as members in good standing of this Association propose the addition of a new section under Article 5 “Responsibilities of the Board” of the Constitution and By-Laws:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article 5 “Responsibilities of the Board” be changed to add a new Section 2 as follows:

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD

Section 2. Executive Board Meetings and Executive Sessions: All regular meetings conducted by the Executive Board of the Association for the calendar year shall be posted on the OSFA website by December 15 of the preceding year. Special meetings may be held throughout the year when needed with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to the meeting. All agendas shall be posted on the OSFA website a minimum of 48 hours in advance of each called meeting.

Minutes ofthe meetings shall be posted on the OSFA website within 48 hours of being approved by the Executive Board. All items shall be discussed in open session unless specifically stated in Roberts Rule of Order for Executive Session or otherwise contained in this section. Items to be discussed in Executive Session shall be stated on the agenda and no action shall be taken concerning Executive Session items during the Executive Session. All items discussed in Executive Session requiring action shall have such action be taken in open session of the meeting. Items that may be considered in Executive Session may include:

A. Discussion concerning the employment and/or compensation of the Executive Director and/or any other employee(s).

B. Discussion regarding items that would violate the confidentiality of any individual or organization. “Confidentiality in this Section shall be defined as information entrusted by an individual or organization to the members of the Executive Board, either individually or collectively, of which unauthorized disclosure would be prejudicial to the reputation or working relationship with the entrusting individual or organization (i.e. State Pension Board, State Fire Marshal’s Office, ORFA, OFCA, Rural Coordinators, etc.).

C. Discussion concerning any legal actions that would impair the organization’s ability to investigate and/or litigate any pending action.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the remaining sections under Article 5 be renumbered to allow incorporation of this new section.

Respectfully submitted: James Heap

We’re proud to sponsor the 129th annual Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Convention

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OSFA AWARDS - Past Honorees

David Bain Award

2005 - Dana Cramer - Norman

2007 - Jerry Bower - Shawnee

2008 - Herb Bradshaw - Warr Acres

2010 - Michael Billingsley - Nichols Hills

2012 - T. Dick Cagle - Tulsa

2014 - Ray Hammons - Tahlequah

2015 - Pete Stavros (posthumously) - OKC

2016 - Larry Bogges - Lawton

2019 - James R. “Jim” Minx - Oklahoma City

2020 - George Fina - Oklahoma City

2021 - Mike Bower - Midwest City

Recognize any individual who has provided service both to their community and to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association and who possesses attributes that coincide with involvement in youth programs through church, school, and/ or community, provides a role model for other leaders, and has proven to be a person of courage and impeccable character.

Department/Unit Citation

Presented to a Department/ Unit that has displayed gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission \ under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.

• 2017 - Oklahoma City Fire Department Engine 15B (Travis Fryrear, Timothy Radford, Nathan Vandervort, Chad Grant) - Presented in recognition of their actions to deliver a set of 13-week premature twins.

• 2018 - Beaver Fire Department - Presented in recognition of their response during the 2017 wildfires.

• 2019 - Tulsa Fire Department - Presented in recognition for assistance with the John F. Futhey II State Fire School.

• 2020 - Buffalo Valley Fire Department - Presented for their efforts at a house fire which also resulted in attending to a firefighter hit in eye with a gunshot wound and attending to their fire chief who had symptoms of a heart attack.

• 2021 - Spavinaw Fire Department - Presented for overcoming obstacles and rebuilding leadership and camaraderie amongst members after being locked down in 2019 and not able to respond safely and efficiently.

• 2022 - Twin Lakes Fire Department - Presented for their resilience after a devastating fire destroyed their fire department in February 2021.

Dana Cramer

Jerry Bower

Mike Bower

George Fina

Michael Billingsley T. Dick Cagle

Ray Hammons Pete Stavros Larry Bogges

Herb Bradshaw

Jim Minx

David Bain

OSFA AWARDS - Past Honorees

First In - Last Out Award

2016 - Tom Low, Stillwater FD

2017 - Richard Walts, Ret. Ft. Sill FD

2018 - Bud Shepherd, Ret. Slaughterville FD

2019 - Clifford Lewis, Ret. Oklahoma City FD

2020 - Tom Marcum, Mooreland FD

2021 - Bill Hallman, Oklahoma City FD

2022 - Brady Bond, Garber FD

129th Annual Convention

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Presented to a member of the Association who has demonstrated excellent service to the entire membership by and through attendance at annual conventions, committee work for the Association (Convention and/or Standing Committees), volunteer work for the Association (in the Museum or for OSFA in general), and exemplifies what it means to be a firefighter and a member of OSFA.

Tom Low Richard Walts

Bud Shepherd

Clifford Lewis

Tom Marcum Bill Hallman

Brady Bond

OSFA AWARDS - Past Honorees

Shey P. Francis Award

Presented to persons who are deemed worthy of his example, who have made a sincere dedicated effort to improve working conditions, funding, training opportunities, and salaries and/or pensions for the firefighters of the State of Oklahoma.

Christine V. “Sparky” Francis (Shey’s wife)

1997 - Mary Elizabeth Carrol, Ardmore

2016 - Senator Don Barrington, Lawton

2018 - Dr. Erick Reynolds, OSU-FST

Medal Of Valor

2019 - T. Dick Cagle, Ret. Tulsa FD

2020 - Scott Van Horn, Oklahoma City FD

2021 - Paddy Metcalf, OSU-FST

2022 - Zach Bruhn, Oklahoma City FD

Presented to any firefighter who performs acts of courage, bravery and/or valor, who goes above and beyond the call of duty, who performs an extraordinary act of bravery or who shows exemplary action while on or off duty.

• 1998 - Thomas Reynolds (posthoumously), Terlton

Died in line of duty following a dune buggy accident where gasoline was dripping on him as he freed two young boys from an overturned dune buggy that caught fire.

• 1999 - Jim Clark (posthumously), Midwest City

Died in line of duty while responding to a car accident on the interstate. Clark purposely placed himself between an oncoming car and the accident victim he was tending at the scene of the accident.

• 2002 - Neal Young & Tommy Robertson, Harrah

Search and rescue for boy in cold murky farm pond.

• 2002 - Brad Knol, Nichols Hills

Prevented possible boiler explosion at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

• 2002 - James Fugate, Bartlesville

Rescued driver of a burning vehicle and stayed in the vehicle with a trapped passenger until rescue workers arrived.

• 2002 - Les Gomez, Oklahoma City

Rescued man from burning house without the protection of a hose line.

• 2003 - Christopher Denny & Jason Duff, El Reno

Rescued two children from drowning while off duty.

• 2004 - Jack Maxwell, Mill Creek

Risked his life and saved a woman from a house fire and knocked down fire with one other firefighter before additional units arrived.

• 2006 - John Destry Horton (posthumously), Chickasha

Went to the aid of Larry Crabb who was entangled in a barbed wire fence and was overcome by fire.

• 2006 - Larry Crabb, Acme

Rescued Destry Horton after freeing himself from an entangled fence and carried Horton 90 feet to safety and running for help while he had 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his hands and face.

• 2007 - Greg Stone, Anadarko

Entered a fully involved house fire to rescue a child.

• 2009 - Kyle Nonast, Weatherford

Entered a grain bin fire to assist firefighters trapped inside while efforts were made to cut them out, barely making it out.

• 2009 - Jack Eardman, Hobart

Responded to a grain bin fire as an ambulance medic and provided portable oxygen bottles to firefighters trapped inside. Secured the firefighters until they were pulled to safety and assisted with injured once outside the grain bin.

• 2011 - Donald Belden, Nowata

Responded to a house fire while going to the station and entered without PPE, saving a child.

• 2019 - Jason Kennedy, Buffalo Valley

Response to a house fire, patient care on fellow firefighter who was hit with a round of ammunition, and contacted air transport for fire chief who had symptoms of heart attack –both individuals survived.

• 2021 - Lonnie Bolar & Taylor Bradford, Waynoka

Gave the ultimate sacrifice when responding to a house fire. They went into the home looking for family members when the roof collapsed and trapped them inside.

• 2022 - Tad Smith & Hunter Munsell, Harmon

Rescued two Balko firefighters from their unit which had rolled and caught fire, loaded them up and called for help while transporting them out of danger.

• 2022 - Alan Clark, Ret. Beaver

Retired from the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department in 2017, Alan is still actively involved with the fire departments in Beaver County. He is the owner of Alan Clark Funeral Services in Beaver, OK, and was tasked with handling three line-of-duty deaths, one firefighter suicide and one accidental death of a fellow firefighter’s wife and several of his retired firefighter brother’s passing all within a year and a half.

On May 14, 1908, Governor Haskell signed the Pension Bill in the presence of W.C. Gruber (Guthrie FD ), J. Bart Foster (Chandler FD). George B. Gelder (Stillwater FD ), Ham P. Bee (Ardmore FD) and W. B. Anthony (secretary to the Governor).

* cHandler

W.a. peTerS * SalliSaW

e.H. miller * mcaleSTer 1929

J. ray pence * STillWaTer

geOrge B. gelder * yale

r.e. piTTS * TulSa

JOHn H. mOOre * ardmOre

geOrge B. gOFF * OklaHOma ciTy 1926

J.c. OSBOrne * OklaHOma ciTy 1931

geOrge F. rOSS * OklaHOma ciTy

J.e. Taplin * BlackWell

F.W. marSHall * Sapulpa

nOrriS Spradling * TulSa

geOrge HigginBOTHam * muSkOgee

geOrge H. STeWarT * TulSa

Wm. BarrOWman * purcell

geOrge gaTTiS * cHickaSHa

m.O. crOucH * SHaWnee

a c. WOOd * TulSa

W.F. daviS * paWHuSka

W.l. JackSOn * WilSOn

We are proud to support the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association and their steadfast commitment to the communities they serve.

©2023 Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Member SIPC. MC-1112250.

ruHl J. pOTTS * OklaHOma ciTy

l r. Julian * laWTOn

pierce * elk ciTy

SWeeney * enid

kenneTH lOng * pOnca ciTy

HarOld WOOd * nOrman

r.e. ricHey * TulSa

Jack gale * SeminOle

andy T. miller * OklaHOma ciTy

Jake amBerg * OklaHOma ciTy

rOy v kelley * enid

STanley HaWkinS * TulSa

andy Bean * BriSTOW

g.r. mcalpine * OklaHOma ciTy

r.m. pickenS * muSkOgee

F.r. reilly * WOOdWard

c. Haley * ada

Sid Bean * TaHlequaH

geOrge p. aSkeW * TulSa

BaSSil Tunnell * THe village

dOn FrOeSe * enid

Jim eppler deWey

ByrOn HOllander * OklaHOma ciTy 1968

lOuiS BuncH * OklaHOma ciTy

clinT TaylOr * TulSa 1969

geOrge king * TulSa

William g maddux * STillWaTer

Ted SmiTH * muSkOgee

naTHan STuFFleBean * paulS valley

ray d. caTlin * laWTOn

pHillip reeSe * BarTleSville 1962

JOHn gueST * OklaHOma ciTy 1963

Jack c. SanderS * TulSa 1964

JOHn F. nidiFFer * miami 1965

rOBerT aTcHley * WOOdWard 1961

Jimmie marTin * laWTOn 1966

1972 OSFA Executive Board

STarBuck SHaTTuck

B. SmiTH STillWaTer

mike BOWer midWeST ciTy

BuncH OklaHOma ciTy

“cHigger” BurcH

STeven r. SmiTH * TaHlequaH

BOB HOllander * OklaHOma ciTy

Bill c mccaWley * mOOre

T.W. “Blackie” Oliver * TulSa

JOHn a. SOOS OklaHOma ciTy 1984

merediTH lacey * muSkOgee

paul gallaHar TulSa 1985

craig Hadley * laWTOn

Wendell gilliam * BarTleSville

1978 OSFA Executive Board 1986 OSFA Executive Board

gerald garreTT TulSa

caSey mOrriSOn claremOre

ScOTT van HOrn OklaHOma ciTy

adamS

2020 OSFA Executive Board

2008 OSFA Executive Board members

ringWOOd

OSFA CONVENTION THEMES

The first OSFA President to give his convention a theme was Bill McCawley in 1983

89th: Over the Rainbow

90th: South of the Border

91st: Fun in the Fabulous 50s

92nd: Oklahoma Pride

93rd: Out West

94th: Salute to the Clowns

95th: MDA is “Beary” Special to Firefighters

96th: America’s Heroes

97th: Strength Thru Unity

98th: Tools of the Trade: Leadership, Friendship and Training

99th: Because ... Life Counts

100th: 100 years of Service

101st: Firefighters Answer the Call

102nd: Laying it on the Line: “Just Another Day”

103rd: Always Ready ... Proud to Serve

104th: Holding Our Own

105th: Shining a Light on the Next Millennium

106th: Together We Build

107th: 2001: A Fire Odyssey

108th: Community Partnership Caring and Sharing

109th: There When You Need Us

110th: Be Fit ... Go Strong ... Retire Well

111th: All for One and One for All

112th: Unstoppable

113th: Another For a Brother

114th: 9-11-01 - Never Forget - 343

115th: A Bond Forged By Fire Can’t Be Broken

116th: Oklahoma Fire - Band of Brothers

117th: Fully Involved

118th: United We Stand

119th: A Noble Cause

120th: Proud to Serve

121st: Steadfast! Resolutely, Dutifully, Firm, Unwavering

122nd: Fortitudo Per Unitatem (Strength Through Unity)

123rd: Loyal To Our Duty

124th: Invictus

125th: Acta non Verba (Action Not Words)

126th: Iron Sharpens IronForged Through Adversity

127th: Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri (Mindful of What Has Been Done, Aware of What Will Be)

128th: Pride in Professionalism

129th: ᎯᎠ VᏳ ᎤᎵᏍᎨᏓ (Kind of a Big Deal)

OSFA Women’s Auxiliary

Kendra Engle, President

It’s hard to believe a year has already passed so quickly. Welcome to the 129th OSFA and 91st OSFAWA Conventions! I would like to thank the OSFA staff and President Jim Ed Nimmo for inviting the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Women’s Auxiliary, once again, to participate in this year’s convention. I am proud to be part of such a wonderful organization and what the auxiliary stands for. The auxiliary was officially organized in 1929 and remains current today.

We have had a busy year and it has been a joy working alongside the women’s auxiliary board. We were able to deliver water, snacks and other goods to Mooreland FD during their large fire and time of need. We also held a toy drive to benefit the Family Crisis Center, as well as helped with the Memorial Golf Tournament dinner, Legislative Reception and Ride to Remember.

If you have ever thought about joining the women’s auxiliary, now is a great time to do so. If you are the relative of an active or retired, volunteer or paid member of the OSFA, we invite you to become a member of the OSFAWA. You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings or other activities. We have a luncheon planned for Friday and would love for you to join us. Tickets for the luncheon and additional info about the auxiliary will be available at our registration table.

The auxiliary will be hosting a silent auction and 50/50 fundraiser just prior to the banquet on Friday evening. Winners will be announced during the banquet. The money raised goes to various charities, such as the museum expansion project, Pete and Lela Stavros Scholarship Foundation, Oklahoma Fire Pipes and Drums, and the Oklahoma Burn Camp, just to name a few.

I would like to thank the Women’s Auxiliary for their support of all things fire service related and allowing me the opportunity to serve on their board. Thank you to my Executive Board for their hard work and dedication and to our Past Presidents who were always there to offer support and wise counsel.

Lastly, I would like to thank all firefighters for their devotion and hard work. They are appreciated more than they will ever know!

2022-23 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Board

Kendra Engle, OSFA Women’s Auxiliary President & Ponca City FD Spouse

Courtney Thompson

Vice President

Sara Johnson

Jr. Board Member

Ashley Corbett

Past President

Haley Thompson

Secretary/ Treasurer

91st Annual OSFAWA Convention

Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Women’s Auxiliary

June 8-10, 2023 • Tahlequah, Oklahoma

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Past President’s Reception (by invitation only) Depart Tru Hotel at 5 p.m. - Transportation provided

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Convention Registration -- Chota Center Lobby

9 a.m. Call to Order - Kendra Engle, President

Invocation

Museum Expansion Update

Presentation of Program

Executive Board Minutes

Treasurer’s Report/Report of Registration -- Haley Thompson

Introduction of Past Presidents

Recognition of First Time Attendees

Individual Introductions

Explanation of Committees

Nominations for Junior Board Member Candidates Introduced

Woman of the Year Nominations

Fines / Door Prizes

Adjourn

1 p.m.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Float Excursion -- River by the Bridge Floats (17252 N. Hwy 10, Tahlequah)

OSFA Picnic -- Norris Park

Double Barrel BBQ

Must have voucher for food/drinks

Live performance

8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Bar Crawl/Poker Run -- Downtown Tahlequah

Led by Oklahoma Fire Pipes & Drums

The Branch - Emery’s Grill - Ned’s - Kroner & Baer - Dewaine’s Place

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Final Registration -- Chota Center Ballroom

Red, White & Blue Day -- Wear Something Patriotic

Call to Order -- Jim Ed Nimmo, OSFA President

Invocation -- Rev. Clifton Loman, Tahlequah Chaplain

Women’s Welcome -- Kendra Engle, OSFA Women’s Auxiliary President & Ponca City FD Spouse

10:30 a.m.

Depart Tru Hotel by Hilton for Ladies Brunch (Transportation provided)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ladies Brunch -- Betsy B’s Mansion (feel free to wear a big, fancy hat) Invocation

Treasurer’s Report / Report of Registration -- Haley Thompson

Appointment of Committees -- Nominating, Resolutions, Bylaws

Memorial Service -- Ashley Corbett, Past President

Introduction of First Time Attendees

Nominations for Junior Board Member

Candidates Introduced

Woman of the Year Announcement

Fines / Door Prizes

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

OSFA Women’s Auxiliary’s Silent Auction -- Chota Center Lobby

6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Associate Members Reception -- Chota Center

7 p.m. Banquet -- Chota Center Ballroom

Invocation -- Marshal Aaron Garrett, Chaplain

Silent Auction Winners Announced

Live Auction -- Don Armes Grand Door Prizes

Entertainment -- DJ

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

9 a.m. Call to Order -- Kendra Engle, President

Invocation

Final Call for Registration

Reading of the Minutes

Treasurer’s Report / Report of Registration -- Haley Thompson

Convention Bills Allowed - VOTE

Resolution Committee Report

Nomination Committee Report

By-Law Committee Report

Invitation to the 2024 Convention -- Tony Lopez, OSFA 1st Vice President

Old Business

Nominations for Junior Board Member

Final Introduction of the Candidates

Clear the Halls -- Sara Johnson, Jr. Board Member

Roll Call -- Sara Johnson, Jr. Board Member

Ballot Disbursement

Election of Officers

New Business Funds Disbursement -- From the Floor

Fines

President’s Moment

Installation of Officers -- Ashley Corbett, Past President

Greetings from the New President -- Courtney Thompson

Presentation of the Past President’s Gift

Welcome New Junior Board Member -- Courtney Thompson, President

Door Prizes

Adjourn Sine Die

OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Proposed By-Laws Amendments

AMENDMENT 7 (Revised from 2022)

ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and all Annual Conventions, and appoint all committees and perform all other duties incidental to her office, or such requirements as directed by the Annual Convention or Executive Board. In addition, she shall be the Chairperson of the Membership activities, for example OSFA Functions where Auxiliary members are needed. Other duties include the following:

At-Convention:

f. Appoint Committees (Resolution, Nominating, By-Law)

PROPOSED CHANGES:

Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and all Annual Conventions, and appoint all committees and perform all other duties incidental to her office, or such requirements as directed by the Annual Convention or Executive Board. In addition, she shall be the Chairperson of the Membership activities, for example OSFA Functions where Auxiliary members are needed. Other duties include the following:

At-Convention:

f. Appoint Committees (Resolution, Nominating, By-Law, & Advertising) YES____

AMENDMENT 8 (Revised from 2022)

ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 2: The Vice-president in the absence of, or the inability of the President, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when the President is presiding, she shall assist the President in every way possible, and should a vacancy occur in the office of President, she shall assume all the duties of the President. She shall take minutes during the convention and provide such reports to the Secretary-Treasurer. Other duties include:

At-Convention:

c. Take minutes during convention meetings

PROPOSED CHANGES:

Section 2: The Vice-president in the absence of, or the inability of the President, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when the President is presiding, she shall assist the President in every way possible, and should a vacancy occur in the office of President, she shall assume all the duties of the President. She shall take minutes during the convention and provide such reports to the Secretary-Treasurer. Other duties include:

At-Convention:

c. Take minutes during convention meetings. The completed official minutes will then be provided to the Secretary - Treasurer no later than thirty (30) days following the close of convention to ensure they are included in the proceedings book.

YES____ NO____ AMEND____

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OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Past Presidents

1928 - Mrs. Charles Slemp, Blackwell*

1928-29 - Mrs. E.H. Miller, McAlester*

1930 - Mrs. A.B. Corkille, Tulsa*

1931 - Mrs. E.H. Miller, McAlester*

1932 - Mrs. J.C. Osborne, Oklahoma City*

1933 - Mrs. Frank Scott, Sapulpa*

1934 - Mrs. George Burke, McAlester*

1935 - Mrs. Phil Carmen, Tulsa*

1936 - Mrs. F.W. Marshall, Sapulpa*

1937 - Mrs. Harold Pitt, Oklahoma City*

1938 - Mrs. Jay Weisinger, Enid*

1939 - Mrs. Gene Cook, Blackwell*

1940 -Mrs. J.W. Holbrook, McAlester*

1941-46 - Mrs. George Stewart, Tulsa*

1947 - Mrs. V.E. (Rose) Pittman, Tulsa

1948 - Mrs. Yale Taplin, Clinton*

1949 - Mrs. Gene Cook, Blackwell*

1950 - Mrs. Garvin Martin, Tulsa*

1951 - Mrs. Luke Chenoweth, OKC*

1952 - Mrs. Andy Payne, Oklahoma City*

1953 - Mrs. E.O. Sherrick, Tulsa*

1954 - Mrs. Ed Apelt, Oklahoma City*

1955-56 - Mrs. H.O. Whittenton, Sapulpa

1957 - Mrs. Andy T. Miller, Oklahoma City

1958 - Mrs. Karl Kautz, Cushing*

1959 - Mrs. Austin Pricer, Oklahoma City*

1960 - Mrs. W.D. (Dyena) Woolbridge, Tulsa*

1961 - Mrs. T.R. Tinker, Tulsa*

1962 - Mrs. Andy Lang, Enid

1963 - Mrs. Charles Thomas, OKC

1964 - Mrs. Phillip (Geneva) Reese, Bartlesville

1965 - Mrs. John F. (Doreen) Nidiffer, Miami

1966-67 - Mrs. Leo Wilmott, Tulsa*

1968 - Mrs. Tom (Virginia) Perkins, Lawton*

1969 - Mrs. Don (Donna) Froese, Enid*

1970 - Mrs. Louis (Doris) Bunch, OKC*

1971 - Mrs. Jim (Carol) Rambo, Lawton

1972 - Mrs. John (Marjorie) LaFleur, Wooward*

1973 - Mrs. Doug (Glenna) Herren, MWC

1974 - Mrs. Gene (Wynona) Akin, Norman*

1975 - Mrs. Gene (Glenda) Oruch, OKC*

1976 - Mrs. Doug (Glenna) Herren, MWC

1977 - Mrs. John (Lucy) Hardin, Bethany

1978 - Mrs. E. Stanley (Cleta) Hawkins, Tulsa

1979 - Mrs. John (Lucy) Hardin, Bethany

1980 - Mrs. Ray (Pat) Holler, Dewey

1981 - Mrs. Jerry (Susan) Abraham, Lawton*

1982 - Mrs. Tom (Sharon) Tollison, Del City

1983 - Mrs Joe (Watha) Gage, Midwest City*

1984 - Mrs. Mike (Dixie) Howerton, Fairview

1985 - Mrs. Dariel (Lynda) Mathews, Frederick

1986 - Mrs. Archie (Debbie) Clark, Norman

1987 - Mrs. Claude (Brenda) Rex, OKC

1988 - Mrs. Bill (Judy) McCawley, Moore*

1989 - Mrs Everette (Marilyn) Brewer, Enid*

1990 - Mrs. Jim (Ruby) Eppler, Dewey

1991 - Mrs. J.D. (Pamela) LaFleur, Clinton

1992 - Mrs. Ronald (Susie) Burks, McAlester

1993 - Mrs. Bill (Jana) Kifer, Stillwater

1994 - Mrs. Tippy (Martha) Pierce, Moore

1995 - Mrs. Herb (Ada) Allison, Tulsa

1996 - Mrs. Marshall (Atonie) Dunnam, OKC

1997 - Mrs. Billy (Cheri) McCawley, Norman

1998 - Mrs. Eldon (Linda) Forrester, MWC

1999 - Mrs. Jackie (Shari) Ames, Warr Acres

2000 - Mrs. A.K. “Yogi” (Joan) Cole, Tulsa

2001 - Mrs. Phillip (Connie) Foster, OKC

2002 - Mrs. Bud (Vonda) Shepherd, Slaughterville

2003 - Mrs. Thomas (Linda) Hendricks, Moore

2004 - Mrs. Dana (Diana) Cramer, Norman

2005 - Mrs. David “Chigger” (Diane) Burch, Lawton

2006 - Mrs. David (Sandy) Thompson, Slaughterville

2007 - Mrs. Tom (Pam) Smith, Dewey *

2008 - Mrs. Steve (Cheryl) Lumry, OKC

2009 - Mrs. Jack (Ginger) Ellington, Bridge Creek

2010 - Mrs. Billy (Amanda) Claxton, Ada

2011 - Mrs. Jerry (Susan) Abraham, Lawton*

2012 - Mrs. Tippy (Martha) Pierce, Moore

2013 - Mrs. Michael (Ashley) Corbett, OKC

2014 - Mrs. Yogi (Michele) Cole, Tulsa

2015 - Mrs. Brian (Susan) Foughty, Moore

2016 - Mrs. Julian (JeanAnn) Gaona, OKC

2017 - Mrs. Dana (Diana) Cramer, Norman

2018 - Mrs. Paul (Tennie) Green, Dewey

2019 - Mrs.Marcus (Erica) Koch, OKC

2020 - Mrs.Ronnie (Susan) Walker, Lawton

2021 - Mrs. Yogi (Michele) Cole, Tulsa

2022 - Mrs. Michael (Ashley) Corbett, OKC

* Deceased

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1978 OSFa WOmen’S auxiliary execuTive BOard

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Thank You Note From Nimmo

It’s funny, I think we all naturally have a tendency to think we stand on our own two feet of our own accord, and I’m no exception.

Often, we take for granted all the little things that happen, that wouldn’t without the help of others, even those who aren’t asked.

If nothing else, both this convention and my time on the board with the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association have brought that to my attention.

I sincerely appreciate all those who have contributed to the success of this association and convention.

To Fire Chief Casey Baker and Assistant Chief Mark Whittmore of Tahlequah, I have said it before, but you guys have really cultivated something special in a Fire Department here in Tahlequah.

Without your help and cooperation, none of this would’ve been possible in Tahlequah. The dedication to OSFA of your department, not just by individuals, but culturally as a whole, is remarkable. I’ll never be able to repay you and your folks for all their help. You have all treated me like one of your own, and I appreciate it.

To retired Tahlequah Chief Ray Hammons, thanks bud, and well done laying the groundwork and preparing the next generation here for success.

Jenn Garvin, thanks for all your help

locally, it means everything.

To the OSFA staff, thanks for all you do to contribute to this organization and its members.

OSFA Executive Director Mike Kelley is possibly the most honest and forthright fireman I have known, and certainly the most genuine I have met since becoming a board member.

Thank you, Mike. Your dedication to the firefighters of Oklahoma is deeply appreciated. I know it has been a bumpy road, but remember what the good book says -- even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

Thanks to the members of Tulsa Fire Department, my guys at 7’s and the Executive board at Local 176.

Chief Michael Baker of Tulsa Fire Department, thanks for your support and understanding.

To Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and the Cherokee Nation, thank you for your support of firefighters across Oklahoma. Thanks for being there chooch.

To all our members and delegates who made the trip, thank you.

Finally to my wife Chrissi, AKA Ol’ Yellahair, thanks for standing in the gap when I’ve been gone.

are all,

Hi’a Doyu Ulsgeda Kind of a Big Deal!

2023 OSFA Convention Supporters

Adams Street Partners (Page 8)

Angelo Gordon (Page 15)

Ardian (Page 29)

Argonaut Private Equity (Page 6)

Aristotle Capital (Page 51)

Battea Class Action Services (Page 78)

Berman Tobacco (Page 36)

Bernstein Liebhard LLP (Page 33)

Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP (Page 46)

Beutel Goodman (Page 51)

Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP (Page 66)

Block & Leviton LLP (Page 30)

Brandywine Global (Page 48)

CF Private Equity (Page 26)

Capital Dynamics (Page 23)

Casco Industries (Back Cover)

Chautauqua Capital (Page 56)

Cherokee Nation (Inside Back Cover)

Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll (Page 48)

Conrad Fire Equipment (Page 21)

Dune Real Estate Partners (Page 76)

Earnest Partners (Page 72)

Fire Fighters Credit Union (Page 9)

Fred Alger Management, LLP (Page 56)

2023 OSFA Associate Members

American Income Life

Banner Fire Equipment

Busch & Associates

Casco Industries

City Carbonic

Conrad Fire Equipment

Core Construction

Fire Fighters Credit Union

Heartland Fire Trucks LLC

ITE Fire & Rescue

NAFECO

Oklahoma Heart Hospital

OSU Fire Service Training

Route 66 Emergency Equip.

Sharp Testing Services

SOS Fire Equipment

Survival Flight

VFIS of Oklahoma

Weis Fire & Safety

Welch State Bank

Workrite Fire Service

Garcia Hamilton & Associates (Page 68)

Grant & Eisenhofer (Page 67)

Hall Capital (Page 45)

IFM Global Infrastructure

Intech Investments (Page 56)

Intercontinental Real Estate (Page 59)

Jackson Square (Page 63)

Kaplan Fox, Kilsheimer LLP (Page 64)

Kayne Anderson Capital (Page 18)

L3Harris (Page 11)

Labaton Sucharow LLP (Page 55)

LGT Capital Partners (Page 25)

Lord Abbett (Page 60)

Manulife Investment (Page 45)

NAFECO (Inside Front Cover)

Nuveen (Page 8)

Public Consulting Group (Page 22)

PIMCO (Page 13)

RBC Global (Page 39)

River Road Asset Management (Page 60)

Saxena White P.A. (Page 4)

Schroders (Page 49)

Scott + Scott (Page 52)

TerraCap Management (Page 73)

Wellington Management (Page 72)

Oklahoma Firefighters Museum is expanding!

We have outgrown our current facility as evidenced by how many artifacts have been archived and stored out of view of the public.

Groundbreaking for Phase 1 took place Oct. 4, 2020. The $15 million expansion will double the square footage devoted to the museum, update the current space, contain interactive displays and an event center for additional museum space.

Tax Deductible donations are being collected and can be made to the OSFM Expansion, 2716 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, or online at www.osfa.info.

OKLAHOMA IS CHEROKEE STRONG

Cherokee Nation is proud to support Oklahoma communities through education and schools, health care, law enforcement and infrastructure. Oklahoma is our home, and we are honored to be part of its success.

PRINCIPAL CHIEF CHUCK HOSKIN JR. DEPUTY CHIEF BRYAN WARNER