Okff april 2017 color

Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

April 2017 Volume 34, Issue 3

FIGHTING NW OKLAHOMA FIRES See Pages 16 & 17 For More Photos

I N S I D E

OSFA Executive Board Members’ Comments............................................................. 5-8 Executive Director’s Report ...............................................................................................7 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report .................................................................................. 10 COFT Report .....................................................................................................................14 Museum Report ...............................................................................................................18 Volunteer Fire Service Committee Report ................................................................... 21 Executive Board Meeting Highlights ............................................................................. 26 Firefighter Near-Miss Report .......................................................................................... 27 ISO Report ........................................................................................................................28 OSFA Membership Benefits............................................................................................ 28

ChangeService ServiceRequested Requested Change

OKLAHOMA STATE STATE FIREFIGHTERS FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA 2716 N.E. 50th St. 2716 N.E. 50th St. Oklahoma City, City, OK OK 73111 73111 Oklahoma

Non-Profit Org. Org. Non-Profit U.S. Postage Postage U.S. PAID PAID Okla. City, City, OK OK Okla.

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2April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

klahoma Firefighter April 2017 • Volume 34 — Issue 3

Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 2716 N.E. 50th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 424-1452 • 1-800-308-5336 Fax (405) 424-1032 osfa@osfa.info • www.osfa.info

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 20173 Published monthly by and for members of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to educate its membership, to improve the fire service, and to enhance the value and dignity of their profession, either paid or volunteer.

Editor in Chief Phil Ostrander phil@osfa.info

Managing Editor Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

Letters to the Editor: Oklahoma Firefighter encourages the open exchange of ideas, opinions and concerns among members of the fire service community. Letters to the Editor should: concentrate on issues, not personalities; be typed; be signed by the writer and include writer’s telephone number; and be mailed (or emailed) to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association: 2716 N.E. 50th St., Oklahoma City, OK, 73111 (osfa@osfa.info). Oklahoma Firefighter reserves the right to publish, edit and condense letters according to space limitations and the editor’s judgement. Great care will be taken to ensure the message in the letter is not altered. Anonymous letters will not be published.

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Oklahoma FirefighterApril 20175

President

n

Mike Duncan

2016-17 OSFA Executive Board

Dewey FD

mduncan51 @aol.com • 918-214-6865

Hello All!

Spring is here. We’re getting a little bit of rain in our part of the country.

We have had a couple of pretty good wildland fires south of us.

Hopefully everything will green up with some moisture in it so we will get some relief before it gets hot again.

Remember to rehab and drink plenty of fluids at the wildland fires or any fires or incidents that we may have.

The Dewey Convention work is coming along, and

we have most of it together.

We were looking at doing some Firefighter games, but with all that is going on, there is not enough manpower to go around. So we are not going to do the games.

We are looking at having horseshoes at the MDA Picnic on Thursday, June 8.

And the Memorial Service will be Thursday morning..

Here is a quick look at 2017 Convention activities: • The 21st Annual OSFA Bass Fishing Tournament is Wednesday, June 7, at Grand Lake’s Bernice Point.

• The 123rd Annual OSFA Golf Tournament is Wednesday, June 7, at Adams Golf Course.

• The 13th Annual OSFA Poker Run is Thursday, June

8. More details next issue.

• The 2017 OSFA Sporting Clays Tournament is Thursday, June 8. More details next issue.

NVFC’s Spring Board Meeting will be April 6-8 in Alexandria, VA, and I’m looking forward to going to it.

The National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium put on by the Congressional Fire Services Institute will be April 5-6, and I will also be attending some of that.

PRESIDENT: Mike Duncan 918-214-6865 • mduncan51@aol.com 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Matt Lay 918-760-9065 • matthewlay@icloud.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Dereck Cassady 580-761-5338 IAFFLocal2479@yahoo.com

The Legislative session is about to wind down, but

there is a little bit more time to go. We are watching and working on any legislation that pertains to the Fire Service or any that may affect it.

Know your legislators so that when we need to contact them, they know who you are.

There is a lot going on with Cancer Awareness which

is very much on the rise in the Fire Service. Learn the prevention things that we can do.

Mental Health is another big issue, and we need to learn the signs for that, as well. We need to watch out for our Fellow Brothers and Sisters and get them help or talk about it.

You all are invited to the 123rd Annual OSFA Convention June 7-10 in Dewey. I hope to see you all there.

The Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association’s 36th Annual Convention is Tuesday, June 7.

Stay Loyal To The Duty!

3RD VICE PRESIDENT Mike Kelley 405-623-4388 • mkelley@local157.org PAST PRESIDENT Raanon Adams 580-512-2037 • lfd191@aol.com www.osfa.info (405) 424-1452 • 1-800-308-5336

123rd Annual OSFA CONVENTION June 7-10 at Washington County Fairgrounds in Dewey

DUES: Membership in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association will be forfeited if dues are not paid by May 11.

CREDENTIALS: Delegate registration must be on the credentials form with proper signature. Pre-registration may be mailed at any time, but all credentials are due in the OSFA office no later than May 31.

REGISTRATION: Registration cost for delegates and members is $60.

Registration cost for spouses and guests is $50.

The OSFA encourages all members to attend convention, whether as a delegate or as an interested member.

Everyone should pre-register, including spouses and guests.

This allows the OSFA office to have your name tag pre-typed so the registration lines can move more quickly. You do not need to pre-pay to preregister. You can also call the OSFA office to register members and guests.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Days Inn & Suites in Bartlesville is the host hotel.

It is located at 1410 A SE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006.

The hotel’s phone number is 918-331-9151.

Rooms are $50 per night. (Check-in time is 3 p.m., Check-out time is Noon).

Book by May 15 to receive the special rate (mention Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to receive the correct rate).

MEETINGS: Daily meetings will be held at Washington County Fairgrounds, 1109 N Delaware, Dewey, OK 74029.

ACTIVITIES: Golf Tournament is Wednesday, June 7, at Adams Golf Course, 5801 Tuxedo Blvd, Bartlesville. Cost is $75 per person or $300 per team. Tee times at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Bass Tournament is Wednesday, June 7, at Grand Lake. Sporting Clays Tournament is Thursday, June 8, site TBA. Firefighter Games are Thursday, June 8, at Washington County Fairgrounds. Poker Run is Thursday, June 8,.

MDA PICNIC: The Muscular Dystrophy Association will host the picnic on Thursday, June 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m at Washington County Fairgrounds.

This is MDA’s way of showing appreciation to firefighters around the state for

2017 OSFA Convention Deadlines APRIL 11: LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS DUE APRIL 11: CONSTITUTIONAL RESOLUTIONS DUE APRIL 26: DEPARTMENT DELEGATE ELECTIONS APRIL 26: NEW EMPLOYEES COUNT IF DUES PAID MAY 11: MEMBERSHIP FORFEITED MAY 31: CREDENTIALS DUE

ATTENTION ALL CANDIDATES FOR THIRD VICE PRESIDENT Oklahoma Firefighter will give approximately 1/4 page of free space to all candidates running for Third Vice President of the OSFA. Deadline for submitting information and/or photos is April 15 (for June issue).

Contact Oklahoma Firefighter editor Penelope Soldan via email (penelopes@osfa.info) to take advantage of this offer.

all they do for MDA. MEMORIAL SERVICE: To honor those members who have passed since our last convention, a Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 8, at 10 a.m. at Washington County Fairgrounds.

If a family member is unable to attend, the OSFA asks that someone from their area pick up the certificate and deliver it to the department or family.

DOOR PRIZES: Each department is asked to bring three door prizes.

Please indicate who the door prizes are from and turn them in at the registration table.

Grand door prizes will be given away at the banquet, and you must be present to win.

BANQUET/DANCE: Scheduled for Friday, June 9, at Washington County Fairgrounds.

BUSINESS MEETING: Reports from the State Fire Marshal, the Firefighters Pension and Retirement System and the OSFA Committees will be presented. Written reports also will be made available from some of the different organizations in the fire service.

You will select the OSFA Third Vice President, who will represent you and serve on the State Pension Board for the next five years.

There will be detailed discussions and voting on legislative and constitutional resolutions that will affect the fire service over the next few years.

Questions? Call OSFA at 405-424-1452 or 1-800-308-5336.

6April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

1st vice PREsident n

Matt Lay

Tulsa FD

Spring Break has never meant much in the way of relief for Oklahoma Firefighters.

While the communities we serve are thinking about time away from work, school, or home, our crews are on the job and ready to protect those homes.

My hat’s off to all those who responded to the Northwest Oklahoma Complex Wildfires or the dozens of other fires that broke out all over the state.

There were wildland task forces and aviation assets crisscrossing the state in that organized chaos to which we have all become familiar.

My appreciation also goes out to all of our fire service partners out there including the Oklahoma Forestry Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Fire Crews, National Guard Aviation Units, Office of Emergency Management, the Red Cross, and so many more.

Off the fireline, things stay almost as busy …

Tulsa Fire -- We saw 27 new firefighters walk across the stage having completed the rigorous five-month Tulsa Fire Academy on March 24.

These recruits were hired under a $2.7 million SAFER Grant awarded to Tulsa last fall.

This group is already on making their presence known – a little special recognition to Travis Eason (E10C) that caught two first-in house fires his first shift out (see photo below).

3rd vice PresidenT

matthewlay@icloud.com • 918-760-9065 OFCA -- About the time you get this issue, we’ll be completing the 95th annual Conference of the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association hosted by Tulsa Fire Chief and OFCA President Ray Driskell.

Great line-up of training and speakers, hope you made it!

COFT -- The Council is committed to completing its work on this year’s tax credits, but may be offline as early as April 15.

Be sure to submit your Volunteer Tax Incentive forms by that date, if at all possible.

Pending Senate and Gubernatorial approval of HB 1833, the duties of COFT will be consolidated under the State Fire Marshal’s Office moving forward.

State Fire School -- This year’s Educational Advisory Committee has really outdone themselves with almost 200 already pre-registered for our event in May. These firefighter attendees are coming from all corners -- from Connecticut to California.

You will not want to miss this incredible FREE training event! See pages 12 & 13 for more info on how to register.

After training each day, we’ve got a reception with your instructors and speakers, FOOLS Bash, and Smoke & Guns 4 at the BOK Arena.

See you there!

Legislation -- Its crunch time at the State Capitol.

Fourth straight year of budget failure at the state level has all departments and agencies scrambling to maintain funding, programs, and services.

The OSFA Legislative Committee and lobbying team have been instrumental in pushing back against numerous pieces of bad fire service legislation.

Meanwhile, we have successfully advanced bills on several fronts that will positively impact our firefighters and fire departments across the state.

Make sure you’re signed up to receive email alerts on the website www.osfa.info and notification on the OSFA App in case we need your help!

Tulsa Fire / E-10-C: From Left – Dustin Bartling, Travis Eason, Captain Travis “TK” Fry, Blake Hollingsworth

Never a dull moment, folks. We’ll see you out there. Take Care and God Bless.

Digital newspaper edition now available!

Want to read Oklahoma Firefighter on your smart phone, laptop or other digital device?

Simply email the OSFA office at amyh@osfa.info and request digital editions of OSFA’s official publication.

Now you can!

Please provide your name and address for verification purposes.

n

Mike Kelley

Oklahoma City FD

mkelley@local157.org 405-623-4388

By the time this article is published, we will have completed the OFCA’s 95th annual Conference held March 29-31 in Tulsa.

I am proud to serve an all-inclusive organization that represents all groups of firefighters across our great state, including volunteer, paid, chiefs and retirees.

The numerous committees of the OSFA where the work gets done (the rubber meets the road) are also fully represented by all groups.

Anyone that is interested in serving on committees can sign up at the convention in June.

We have several other events coming up, so make plans to attend the ones that interest you.

The OSFA Legislative Reception will be Wednesday, April 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at your Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.

The Educational Advisory Committee has been hard at work putting together great training opportunities for the 2017 OSFA State Fire School May 4-7 at the Tulsa FD Training Center/Tulsa Community College.

The 36th Annual ORFA Convention will be June 6 in Dewey.

The OSFA’s 123rd Annual Convention and the Women’s Auxiliary’s 85th Annual Convention will be June 7-10 in Dewey.

On pension legislation being debated by some members, there has been some confusion over HB 1705 which is a technical correction bill.

Amendments to that bill would have no effect on the administrative rule change which would require a distribution of interest earned in the DROP accounts.

HB 1705 does contain some language in it to say that the pension system will roll over money on behalf of a benefit recipient in the event the system makes a mandatory distribution and the recipient meets the IRS requirements for the system to do so. It is a technical correction bill.

An amendment to HB 1705 would only alter technical corrections for the System offered as necessary by the System’s tax counsel.

It would not, however, alter the administrative rule changes as adopted by the pension board in December 2016 after the required comment period and public hearing.

All hazard responders this time of year provide plenty of opportunities for our members to showcase our training and experience.

Our members made national news in responding to the wild fires in the northwest part of the state and the threat of severe weather and continued wildfire threat will keep us all busy over the next several weeks.

Stay aware and have your brothers and sisters backs!! Stay safe!!

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 20177

OSFA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR n

Phil Ostrander Who are you?

phil@osfa.info

405-424-1452

retired or surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters that are receiving their earned benefits.

We are proud of the fact that Oklahoma is one of Is who or what you are only a hand full of states that offer a state pension to based on how others perceived Volunteers.

It includes a line of duty disability and you? also a not-in-line of duty disability benefit.

Not really, but how others There is a death benefit and the surviving spouse react or interact is based primarily on their perception is entitled to the monthly pension benefit after the of you. firefighter passes away.

That perception is based on several factors that inWe operate from the bottom up. Our ultimate auclude how you define yourself and often how others thority is the membership at convention. They elect a define you. five member Executive Board with a minimum of one Is it OK to allow others to define you? volunteer.

In reality, you can’t control how others view you The OSFA Board hires an Executive Director who but you can do your best to ensure that what they see is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the asis an accurate picture. sociation under the oversight of the Board.

To make sure the picture others share is painted The Executive Director hires the staff who operate with the proper stokes and the right colors, here are the office, museum and memorial. some facts about the OSFA. The Board appoints members to our standing comThe OSFA was founded in 1894 as the Territorial mittees who make recommendations to the Board or Firemen’s Association by representatives of Oklastraight to the Convention regarding any issues they homa City FD, El Reno FD and Guthrie FD. deem necessary.

We have met at convention every year since, exSome of our committees are responsible for hostcept 1917 (because of WWI). ing events. One is the VolunWe know this because teer Fire Services Commitwe still have the detailed tee which hosts the annual convention books from Volunteer Fire Caucus. conventions all the way The Volunteer Fire Caucus back to number one! is an open invitation meeting The OSFA started out where all volunteer firefightas an all-volunteer asers are invited to share their sociation but has adapted specific concerns and recomwith the changing times mend potential solutions. and today represents all Another is our Educafacets of the fire service. tional Advisory Committee.

We have 15,800 duesThis committee has develpaying members. oped a State Fire School that Of that group, there is quickly turning into a are approximately 8,600 Phil with Rep. Kevin McDugle at the Emergency nationally recognized model. volunteer firefighters. The Preparedness Day March 25 in Wagoner County This year’s school already balance of the memberhas students signed up from all ship is career and retired across Oklahoma.

We also have students coming from firefighters. as far away as Connecticut, Colorado, Louisiana and The OSFA, as the leader in the Oklahoma fire serArkansas. vice, has historically played a role in most every fire Just today, we got an email from the Fire Chief of service related group and their mission. the San Diego (CA) Fire Department asking if it was The Office of the State Fire Marshal, OSU-Fire OK to share the info with his members.

Service Training and the Council on Firefighter TrainThis school has around 140 class offerings, all at ing are just a few of the initiatives that came from the NO CHARGE to participants.

OSFA. Sign up soon at our website www.osfa.info to be a The OSFA was also instrumental in the creation of part of the great event! the Fireman’s Pension and Relief Fund. We were there The membership of the OSFA owns and operates and in the photo when the bill was signed into law in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum and the 1907 by Oklahoma’s first Governor, Charles Haskell -Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial here on the and that photo can be seen at the Oklahoma FrefightCampus of the OSFA at NE 50 and I-35 in Oklahoma ers Museum in OKC. City (right by the OKC Zoo).

For decades, the OSFA provided the pension We are in the preliminary phases of a planned $5 record-keeping and administrative support to the million expansion, which will double the size of the cities and towns across Oklahoma, often helping the museum. communities with volunteer fire departments adminOur beautiful Fallen and Living Firefighters Meister their pension systems. morial is nationally renowned. We hold a statewide In 1981, all the local pensions were combined by memorial service at the Memorial the first Sunday in the state into the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and October.

It is a “must see” event.

Retirement System as we know it today.

The OSFA represents the Oklahoma Fire Service All Paid Firefighters in Oklahoma are part of the at the national level with appointments to the NFPA. pension system and many volunteer departments We participate in the Congressional Fire Services have made the choice to participate.

Institute, and have two members who serve on the As of June 30, 2016 there were 8,253 Active VolunNational Volunteer Fire Council Board of Directors. teer firefighters in the pension system. There are 7,512

2nd vice PresidenT

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Dereck Cassady

Ponca City FD 580-761-5338

With the Legislative Session in full swing, bills are quickly moving through the House and Senate, I hope each of you are keeping up on the bills that effect firefighters and that you have contacted your legislators and let them know where we stand on those issues.

If you have not, please do so. All it takes is a quick email or phone call.

Our lobbyists are spending many hours at the State Capitol. Be sure you have the OSFA app downloaded to your smartphone, as that is the quickest way for them to get information out to you.

State Fire School is right around the corner and the Educational Advisory Committee has been working hard to make this the best fire school yet.

Registration is open at osufst.org. Go online and get registered today. Don’t miss out on this year’s school.

With over 100 classes being offered, I’m sure there’s some that will fit your needs and desires.

As I’ve visited a few departments and talked to some of you on the phone, I’ve noticed what seems to be a growing epidemic.

It seems that some have a lack of good work ethic and a lack of pride in their job. Some would just call it laziness.

Sometimes it’s the simple things like showing up to work on time, coming to work clean shaven, having your shirt tucked in or not wearing your hat backwards.

Have pride in your job. Do the little things that gives the appearance that you’re a professional.

Keep your ego in check. We aren’t entitled to anything. What we get we must earn.

If you do the little things and have a positive can-do attitude, it will show in your work ethic.

We all are going to make mistakes, but if we’re doing the little things right, the bigger tasks will be easier to take care of.

Have pride in your job, have pride in your department and have some pride in yourself.

Storm season is upon us. Everyone make sure to be safe out there!

We represent you on many other boards and commissions.

The OSFA has a history of receiving and successfully implementing grant programs with funding through FEMA and National Homeland Security.

We recently received and are in the implementation phase of a$2.2 million Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Grant from FEMA. Because of space, I’ll end this article here. But I could go on and on, because here at the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, this is only a small sampling of who we are, where we came from and where we are heading.

Be Safe and wash your gear!

8April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

Past PresidenT n

Raanon Adams lfd191@aol.com

•

Lawton FD

580-512-2037

I read a good article the other day and I decided sharing it would be better than anything I could pen.

While it certainly applies to the fire service, it also applies to every aspect of life -- from little league sports, to school, to church, to politics.

Andy Starnes, the author of the following article, is a firefighter and has a couple of really good blogs. Check them out.

The Loneliness of Leadership Statistically, there are fewer leaders today due to many reasons, but what those who choose not to lead often fail to realize is this: Those who step up and lead are not perfect.

Those who choose the lead are not better than anyone else nor think more of themselves; in fact they often struggle with insecurity and doubt more than you know.

Those who lead are often maligned, slandered, and opposed by those who would rather criticize than do the hard work of resolving long standing issues that leaders tackle head on.

Those who choose to lead suffer from depression as they often wonder if their efforts are worth it. Many leaders fail to see the fruit of their labor in their own lifetime yet they keep working.

Those who choose the lead care more about others and their calling than they do about themselves. And they often suffer divorce and relational conflict because the majority cannot understand why they sacrifice so much to receive so little.

Those who choose to lead are often the first to suffer from political, personal, and spiritual attacks because the devil doesn’t come after the complacent.

Those who choose to care enough to fulfill the calling on their own heart have smaller bank accounts but have dividends paid to them by the lives they impact.

Those who step in front of adversity and take the brunt of a punishment of a wrong that was not their own understand that they were made to shield those in their influence.

Those who spend sleepless nights on projects, plans, and praying fervently for change in a world that often rejects them will not be forgotten.

Those who love while others hate and withhold harsh words in the face of those who spit anger at them are stronger than we realize.

Those who lift up the broken only do so because they know that they too were once lifted up by someone else.

In closing, if you know a leader who works fervently, know that you only see a portion of their efforts. In reality, they never stop.

So the next time you feel like criticizing the leaders around you; take a moment and consider these words mentioned here. Consider that they care about the mission and people so much that they are willing to endure such hardship not for recognition but for the sake of an outcome that only God and they can see.

Support our leaders! Pray for them and their families! Take a moment and look around you. The things you enjoy currently may have been bought and paid for by a lifetime of personal sacrifice. Let us not destroy our future by attacking those who work to improve it.

God Bless, Andy Starnes -- Bringing Back Brotherhood Ministries Andy is 2nd generation firefighter and a Career Captain with over 24 years of experience in the fire service. He is passionate about teaching, encouraging and supporting up and coming firefighters with biblically principled messages on where to draw our strength from and why living a God centered life is extremely rewarding.

Andy believes to be a great firefighter & leader, we need to be more than one dimensional. That firefighting tactics are important and great, but not enough to be a great servant leader.

Andy is a Level II instructor with an associate degree of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology. He is very knowledgeable on modern fire behavior and also serves as a member of Kill the Flashover Project and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

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ORFA REport

My time is rapidly coming to a close as the President of the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association.

At the ORFA Convention June 6 in Dewey, I will be moving on to the role of Past President. I will say that hopefully I have played a role in leaving the association in better shape than when I got there.

We have changed some procedures and marketing practices over the last three years that have resulted in our membership coming back up to a level we haven’t seen in over 10 years, and it is still growing.

The ORFA Board has discussed, developed and submitted a resolution to be considered at convention that will open up opportunities for a more diverse group of retired firefighters to join and remain a part of the fire service family.

Many volunteer firefighters that don’t meet the qualifications of our current constitution to join have inquired, and we have been forced to turn them away.

I find that uncomfortable and sincerely believe that we need to be as inclusive as possible in the ORFA. It appears that once again, there will

By Phil Ostrander be no COLA for retired firefighters this year. The bottom has fallen out of the state budget again this year.

There is a glimmer of hope for some minor relief next session in the form of a stipend or maybe even a COLA. But unless you have huge lungs, don’t hold your breath.

We have asked and we have explained the plight of our retirees, but retirees just can’t seem to get to the top of the list. I don’t have to tell you about the difficulties of retirees making ends-meet because you are living it. The really sad part is that there are some worse off than us.

If you can, please make an effort to attend the ORFA Convention in Dewey.

It is a lunch followed by the business meeting. We will vote on any resolutions brought forth and elect officers, give you updates on the legislative session and the OSFA, and as always answer any questions you have.

There is no charge for you and your guest, and all retired firefighters are welcome. Please register for the ORFA Convention online at www.osfa.info or call the OSFA office at 405.424.1452.

I look forward to seeing you all!

2016-17 ORFA Executive Board PRESIDENT Phil Ostrander, Tulsa phil@okgov.us 918-231-7765 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Dana Cramer, Norman dcramer3@cox.net 405-570-1387 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Juan Rodriguez, Lawton jrod911@gmail.com

3RD VICE PRESIDENT Tippy Pierce, Moore fftip@swbell.net 405-924-1104 PAST PRESIDENT John A. Soos, OKC jasoos@suddenlink.net 405-224-0880

OSFA / Museum Staff Executive Director Phil Ostrander • phil@osfa.info

Administrative Assistant Riley Blackwell • rileyb@osfa.info

Administrative Director Steve Lumry • stevel@osfa.info

Administrative Assistant Trisha Chain • trishac@osfa.info

Special Projects Tim Bartram • timb@osfa.info

Publications Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

Volunteer Recruitment/ Retention Coordinator Sheri Nickel • sherin@osfa.info Administrative Assistant Amy Hall • amyh@osfa.info

Museum Manager Gene Brown • geneb@osfa.info Museum Assistants Quintin James • Robert Noll Melvin “Buddy” Lummus

Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers the following question:

““What can you do today that you could not do 10 years ago?”

Here is what they said: w Eric Harlow, Guhrie: Put a girl’s hair in a ponytail! w Tom Marcum, Mooreland: That’s an easy one ... drive a fire truck! I’m currently in my 7th year in the service and loving every minute of it! w Juan Rodriguez, Lawton Retired: Have coffee with my wife every day. w Eddie Hogan, Bethany Retired: Anything I want, anytime I want!

The “semi-retired” life is all that it is cracked up to be and then some. Keep them pension checks coming and that Plan B interest escalating! w SR Hunter, Bethany: We have improved equipment, technology and training which allows us to provide a higher level of response to our customers. The effectiveness and efficiency of our service delivery continues to improve every year based on these factors. w Greg Lindsay, Oklahoma City: Watch a movie while the children drive. w Bruce Anthony, Tuttle: Today, I can spoil my 7-year old and 4-year old grandsons. Ten years ago, that was only a dream of retribution one day to my kids. LOL! w Bryan West, OSU-FST: I can tolerate asparagus now, although I am not sure why I would want to. Ten years ago, I would not try it. (The asparagus is “change”).

w Sheri Nickel, Shattuck: I am working full-time in the OSFA office as the Volunteer Coordinator. Serving at this capacity is something I would never have dreamed of doing 10 years ago whenever I was the district secretary for a soil conservation office and a volunteer firefighter for the town of Breckinridge.

Although I do miss actually fighting fire in northwest Oklahoma, I appreciate where I am now serving in the fire service and am honored to be working with the leaders that I am. w Clifford Lewis, Oklahoma City Retired: I can say today that I am 79. I couldn’t say that 10 years ago :) Praise the Good Lord! w Michael “Pee-Wee” Minor, Madill Retired: Balance my TV tray on my belly while sitting in my recliner; it’s gotten bigger since retiring. w Mike Weinkauf, Orlando: Ten years ago, we didn’t have the capability to communicate with our neighboring departments like we do now.

It has made our way of fighting fire much better than before because we can communicate better. w Bert Norton, Midwest City: Order things off my phone. w Mike “Rookie” Billingsley, Nichols Hills Retired: Sleep late! w Kevin Stoneking, Oklahoma City Retired: I would have to say accepting the things I can’t change.

May’s question --

“What’s the best gift you’ve ever given someone?”

Feel Free to Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 20179

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Oklahoma Rural Water Association Mike Westmoland Leak Detection Specialist

The Effects of Water Hammer Water hammer commonly occurs when a valve in the distribution system such as a fire hydrant is opened or closed too quickly. This is caused by the sudden movement and stopping of the water in the distribution system.

Once the water starts moving in the pipeline and is suddenly stopped, it creates a sudden rise and fall in pressure in the pipeline.

This rise and fall in pressures travels throughout the distribution system very rapidly and affects all parts of the water system, many times causing leaks or major disruptions.

To avoid this situation, it is advised to open and close all valves slowly. Although we understand during an emergency we tend to get in a hurry, this is not always the best method.

When water hammer does occur this can cause major problems such as an interruption of service or complete loss of service.

Working together both water systems and fire departments can continue to provide valuable services to our communities.

We would like to thank all the firefighters for their hard work and dedication and for the wonderful jobs they have done to help everyone affected by the wildfires we have had and continue to battle.

JOIN US AT

MOORE ATHLETIC GOLF CLUB (920 SW 19th) Monday, April 17, 2017 at 9 a.m. for the

Moore Firefighter’s Santa Express 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Moore Firefighters invite you to participate in their 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Proceeds will be used by Moore’s Santa Express Program to provide gifts for underprivileged children within the community.

We hope to see you there!

• $70 per person / $280 per team • Four-Man Scramble • Registration at 8 a.m.

• Shot Gun Start at 9 a.m.

• Limited Space Available • Top Teams Receive Pro Shop Credits • Closest to Pin Prize on every Par 3 • Long Drive Contest Prize • Mulligans 2 for $10 or 1 for $5 • Mulligan Tickets also used for Raffle • Closest to Custom-Painted Fire Hydrant takes it home (you haul it) • Lunch served after Tournament For more information: Scott Lance 405-833-5389 Robert Crain 405-990-9907 Ronnie Rawson 405-823-4542

Moore Firefighter’s Santa Express Golf Tournament

Team Captain__________________________ Team Captain Phone #__________________ E-mail________________________________ Player #1:_____________________________ Player #2:_____________________________ Player #3:_____________________________ Player #4:_____________________________

Send Payment & Form to: Moore Fire Department Attn: Santa Express 2400 S. Fritts Blvd., Moore, OK 73160

10April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

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OSFA WOMEN’S AUXILIARY NEWS

By now, everyone knows about the destructive fires that have plagued Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.

At this point, over 300,000 Oklahoma acres have burned.

More importantly, there has been devastating loss of life, livestock and property.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost family members, homes, and property. And with all the firefighters who are working so hard to end this nightmare.

Although the majority appear to be contained, high fire conditions remain in our state. Now, more than ever, it is important that we all observe burn bans, watch weather conditions, and encourage and practice fire safety.

Convention is only two months away!

The Women’s Auxiliary is a great organization to belong to and can be a huge support to our loved ones who protect our communities.

Although you do not have to be a member of a local auxiliary to attend convention, we encourage you to join an established auxiliary or work to start one. I will be happy to send an information packet to anyone interested in establishing a new auxiliary.

We urge all women to attend the convention -- even if your firefighter is not able to come.

I’m sure the Dewey ladies are preparing a great time for us and I will have information on all the

Susan Walker

activities next month.

In the meantime, there are things you can be doing to get ready: • Every person attending should bring three gifts to our meetings for door prizes. We always have fun at door prize time!

• Each year, the Women’s Auxiliary has a silent auction before the Friday night banquet.

The silent auction helps to provide funds for several efforts we support. We contribute to scholarships, the burn apartment in Oklahoma City, and the Oklahoma Firefighters Memorial, among other things.

If you have new items or gift certificates you would like to donate, we would welcome them.

• Reminder about the Woman of the Year award.

Deadline is May 15.

• Your local auxiliary’s annual report is due May 1.

You can get a jump start on convention by sending in your individual and unit dues to Erica Koch now.

Dues are $10 per individual and $10 per local auxiliary. Please remember when submitting your auxiliary dues to include a list of names, addresses and e-mail addresses of all members and the names of your officers.

• Finally, at convention time we elect the new Junior Board Member to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Women’s Auxiliary Board. Please bring a nomination to convention -- we are looking for fresh faces!

I know much of this is a repeat of previous articles (and you may see it again next month), but I want to be sure everyone is ready for convention!

Jr Board Member

We have so much fun and meet people from all over the state that become good friends. Hope to see you there!

Women’s Auxiliary 2016-17 Board PRESIDENT Diana Cramer

cramerdr@cox.net (405) 613-2513

VICE PRESIDENT Tennie Green tennie.green@gmail.com

(405) 440-7060 SECRETARY/TREASURER Erica Koch ejv97@cox.net

(405) 308-2010 JR BOARD MEMBER Susan Walker sw233821@gmail.com

(580) 351-4116 PAST PRESIDENT JeanAnn Gaona bellarosabooks@yahoo.com

(405) 706-9224

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Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201711

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page to ponder Tammy McKinney Oklahoma City FD Tammy.McKinney@okc.gov

Safety & Health Committee Being a firefighter means having a fairly broad knowledge base on many different topics.

From fighting fire (structure, wildland, vehicle etc.), vehicle extrication, rescue, EMS and potential terrorism, to a variety of other topics our communities challenge us to problem solve for them.

To add to this challenge is meeting the communities needs in a SAFE and effective manner.

The SAFE part of meeting the need is what I would like for you to ponder today.

It is almost an oxymoron to tell a firefighter to “be safe” because what we do is inherently unsafe and at times extremely dangerous.

Here in is the challenge, doing this job in a safe and effective manner.

We teach our recruits very early in their career that EVERYONE is responsible for safety, and if they see something, say something to their officer.

The challenge for the recruit is to find the balance in what is “acceptable risk” and what should be shared with the company officer.

We assume that through experience and common sense, they will eventually reason through this.

As most of you reading this probably know, it is a very dangerous practice to “assume” anything in the fire service, especially when it comes to matters of safety.

Every time the opportunity presents itself, safety should be the primary discussion with your younger members.

Help them develop the reason, help them develop the instinct it takes to be responsible for safety.

n

What is your department safety culture? What is your personal safety culture?

How often is safety a topic of discussion for you and your department?

If it is not a common practice (every day) to discuss safety, then this is a culture change I suggest you implement.

For the seasoned firefighter, safety discussions do not have to be long arduous conversations. They can be short briefs.

For example, if you are getting ready to train on vehicle extrication, a safety brief is as simple as: Check your PPE (are you visible and protected), pay attention to traffic, watch your pinch points.

If training new recruits, this is an opportunity for you to elaborate on what it means to “pay attention to traffic” and setting up your safety zones (TIMS training is a great reference for this).

These same briefs can be called out while en route or when on scene before you exit the apparatus.

Volunteer personnel should concentrate on getting to the scene safely and once on scene, go over in your mind what safety precautions you should take to accomplish the mission.

The idea here is to engage yourself or your personnel to those conditioned safety messages prior to task execution.

Even though this job is inherently dangerous, it can still be done with a reasonable amount of safety.

Empower everyone in your department to be the safety officer through training, constant safety conversation and using safety briefs when responding. Always engage your personnel to think safety first.

Chaplain’s corner

To post prayer requests and find up-to-date information on the Oklahoma Fire Chaplains, go to www.okfirechaplains.org.

Membership is open to all who are involved with the fire service chaplaincy.

Some of our members are full-time career chaplains; the majority are volunteers.

Others are firefighters or paramedics who have religious training, denominational officials, laypersons, or seminary students.

Membership Qualifications: Members are appointed to the chaplaincy by a fire service agency.

Globe Gear Giveaway 2017 Applications Must be Received by June 1

Since 2012, Globe, DuPont Protection Solutions (DuPont), and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered to provide state-of-the-art turnout gear to fire departments in need.

In 2017, Globe will donate a total of 52 sets of gear to 13 all-volunteer or mostlyvolunteer fire departments in the U.S. and Canada that are members of the NVFC. Each winning department will receive four sets of new turnout gear. Globe also provided a complimentary NVFC Membership to the first 500 applicants. Please note that this number has now been reached.

To be eligible to apply for four sets of turnout gear through the 2017 Globe Gear Giveaway, departments must meet the following criteria: • Departments must be all-volunteer or mostly-volunteer (over 50%).

• Departments must serve a population of 25,000 or less.

• Department must be located in the United States or Canada and be legally organized under state/province law.

• Department or individual applying on behalf of the department must be a member of the NVFC. Learn about member benefits and join at www.nvfc.org/BeYourBest.

• Departments must demonstrate a need for the gear.

• Only one application will be accepted per department. Any subsequent applications received for that department will be disqualified.

• Departments who receive a donation of four sets of gear must use the gear for the benefit of their department and not for any other purpose. Gear cannot be resold.

• Departments who receive gear agree that their department name, details from application essay, and photo may be used in media by Globe, DuPont, and the NVFC for the purposes of promoting the donation program.

The 2017 application period will close June 1, 2017. After the application period has ended, the applications will be reviewed by an expert panel selected by the NVFC. Thirteen winning departments will be selected to receive four sets of gear each.

Two to three winners will be selected each month between July and December.

Winners will be contacted directly before the public announcement is made each month.

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12April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

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educational advisory committee report Melanie Colvin

Greetings!

The time is fast approaching for OSFA State Fire School 2017, and what an amazing training opportu-

nity it is going to be!

There are more than 120 classes being offered May 4-7 at Tulsa Fire Department’s Training Facility, and the Tulsa Community College NE Campus.

State Fire School is open to ALL first responders and is FREE! This means that any first responder can attend these unique training classes at no cost.

Please take time to review the classes offered.

You can do this by going to www.osfa.info for information. Make sure to sign up soon, classes will fill up quickly!

OSFA has a cell phone app you can download.

Messages will be sent out during the school with valuable information about classes and locations for classes, food court and evening events, as well as door prizes. It is available for Apple and Android.

OSFA’s Facebook page has an event page that also contains information about State Fire School classes, and the sponsors and vendors that will be there.

OSU-FST also has an app that allows you to enroll in classes. OSU-FST has been gracious enough to allow OSFA to use its system to get first responders enrolled.

Slaughterville FD

mdcolvin72@gmail.com

OSFA STATE FIRE SCHOOL May 4-7, 2017 At Tulsa FD’s Fire Training Facility & Tulsa Community College NE FREE FOR ALL FIRST RESPONDERS

PennWell Publishing will also have information for sign-ups on its site at www.penwell.com. The great thing about this is that videos of several State Fire School classes will be available on the website at a later date for training purposes.

The Educational Advisory Committee has worked very hard to branch out and bring in instructors from across the U.S. to offer training. Many of these instructors are ones whom we may not have an opportunity to receive in our state on a regular basis.

Some of these personalities come here from institutions such as Tulsa Community College, OSU-FST, EOC, LSU, Penn Well, OEM, Oklahoma Forestry, New Mexico Tech, NVFC, National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, Code Green, Air Evac, IFSTA, FOOLS -- all offering their training and wisdom.

There are classes on Terrorism, Leadership, Health and Fitness, Hazmat, Wildland, Emergency Management, EMS, and Rescue Operations.

This year is unique in that we have made the school available to any first responder in the U.S. And OSFA has fielded calls from people in Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Missouri, Utah, New Jersey and several other states wanting to enroll.

Some of the more exciting events this year will include the premiere of the OSU-FST Grain Bin Emergencies Trailer. This will be the first time it is put in use!

Additionally, EOC will be working in conjunction with extrication equipment companies so that you can use tools hands-on, live and in action.

There truly is something for everyone! Not only are the classes going to be amazing, the evening entertainment will be, as well.

In speaking with the vendors and sponsors, we decided we wanted to give them an opportunity to meet you in a relaxed environment. So on Thursday night May 4), there will be a food and beer reception at the host hotel, the Hyatt Regency (100 E 2nd St in Downtown Tulsa).

This is an appreciation dinner for them and their participation, because without them, we would not be able to have such an amazing opportunity to offer our first responders. Please come eat, mingle and stop by their booths during the school and show them appreciation for being there.

On Friday night (May 5), the FOOLS Bash will be held. And I don’t know about you, but I always get goosebumps when I hear the pipes and drums! If you have never had the opportunity to hear them live, you need to be at the Bash!

Saturday night (May 6) is the Smoke & Guns Event at the BOK Center. If you have never heard about Smoke and Guns, it is Firefighters vs Police MMA and Boxing Charity Event.

The non-profit Organizations benefiting from this event are the Special Olympics and the Oklahoma Burn Camp. The Oklahoma Burn Camp is a 5-day camp for children ages 6 to 16 that have suffered from major burns or have disfiguring type injuries requiring hospitalization. Burn camp gives them an opportunity to meet and make lasting friendships in an environment of unconditional acceptance.

Go to www.okffburncamp.org to find out about burn camp. Tickets for the Smoke & Guns event are on sale at bokcenter.com. Please join in helping these outstanding organizations and get your tickets today!

I can’t say enough what a great opportunity State Fire School is for us as first responders. It gives us training we can take back to our departments and share. It gives us opportunity to network and meet other vendors, sponsors and fellow first responders that can only be beneficial in a sharing of knowledge, technology and fellowship.

I sincerely hope that you are able to attend. I look forward to seeing people again from other departments that I don’t get to see often and meeting even more first responders.

Lastly, thank you for all you do! Continue to learn, train and improve! See you at State Fire School!

OSFA STATE FIRE SCHOOL

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201713

A sampling of courses being offered for 2017 State Fire School

FIREFIGHTER TRACK Blue Card IC Training & Certification Instructor: Kyle Trumbly

Charleston 9: A Study of change following tragedy Instructor: Dr. David Griffin Unconscious Competence: Do you Train to Live Instructor: Dr. David Griffin BNSF: Flammable Liquid Fire Fighting Strategy and Tactics for Rail Incidents Instructor: K. Farquher

OPAL: Respnse to Pipeline Emergencies Instructor: Brent Bloyed

Basic Boat Operator Instructor: Brian Weatherford

Use of Drones in the Fire Service

This is My Nozzle Instructor: Justin Mann

So you want to be in the Boat Operations Buisness?

Instructor: Brian Weatherford

Aircraft Down and you are First Due Instructor: Nick Palmer

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRACK

ICS-EOC Interface - G191 Instructor: Chuck Kerns

Grant Writing 101 Instructor: Pam Reynolds

Emergency Management Instructor: Chuck Kerns

First Due Fire Company Operations Instructor: David Trifords

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING TRACK

Wildland Fire Assessment Program Instructor: Ron Roy

Advanced Forcible Entry Instructor: Clint Bowring

Learning OKFIRE Instructor: JD Carlson

Rapid Intervention Team Operations and Safety & Survival Instructor: Brad Tobin

Forestry G230 Instructor: Forestry

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRACK

Basic Life Support for Tactical Operator Instructor: Bobby Miller

Forestry Collector Instructor: Forestry

Procedural Cadaver Lab Instructor: Paradigm

Forestry Aviation Ops Instructor: Forestry

Traffic Incident Management (TIMs) Instructor: Alan Sanders

Flow , Move, Coordinate: The Modern Fireground Instructor: Wes Sitton FirstNet: How Data & Broadband Connectivity will change the Fire Service Instructor: Mike Worrell Raising Ladders Instructor: Brian Brush

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRACK

Making HazMat Refreshers Fun Instructor: Gray Young

Standpipe Operations Instructor: Brian Brush

Railroad Safety & Haz-Mat Awareness Instructor: Dillon Magers

Lessons from the Spartanburg Experiments & the Changing Tactics of Firefighting Instructor: Doug Lea The Perfect Storm: Preventing Operational Tragedy Instructor: David Mellen Electrical Safety for First Responders Instructor: Ron Roy Medical Response to Firefighter Mayday Instructor: David Mellen The New Firefight Instructor: Peter VanDorp High Rise Firefighting Instructor: Jack Murphy Dallas Officer Shooting: First In Chief Officer and Lessons Learned Instructor: Tami Kayea

VOLUNTEER TRACK

Women in the Volunteer Fire Service Instructor: Kelly Hanink The ABCs of Generation XYZ Instructor: Ron Roy Who is speaking for the volunteer & What are they saying?

Instructor: Ron Roy TECHNICAL RESCUE TRACK

Grain Bin Awreness Instructor: OSU-FST

Damage Assessment & Overview Instructor: Chuck Kerns

Traffic Incident Management (TIMs) Train-the-Trainer Instructor: Alan Sanders

HEALTH & FITNESS TRACK

Line of Duty Death - Panel Discussion Instructor: Dana Mugavero After the Oath, Fitness needs to be a priority Instructor: Robert Piparo

TERRORISM TRACK

Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents Instructor: NM Tech Initial Law Enforcement Response to Suicide Bombing Attacks Instructor: NM Tech Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings Instructor: NM Tech Prevention of and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents Instructor: NM Tech Homemade Explosives: Awareness, Recognition, & Response Instructor: NM Tech

INSTRUCTOR TRACK

The Mobile Instructor Instructor: Gray Young NFFF: LACK: Leadership, Accountability, Culture & Knowledge Train-the-Trainer Instructor: Nick Perkins NFFF: Courage to be Safe Train-theTrainer Instructor: Michael Anderson

LEADERSHIP TRACK

Taking Control of those Pesky Procedures Instructor: Kelly Hanink Reputation Management for the Fire Service - Preventing Member Derailment Instructor: David Lewis Leading from the Front

Building a mentally resiliant department Instructor: Jordan Petersen

Instructor: Bryan Lloyd

Behavioral Health in the Fire & Emergency Services Instructor: Mike Haly

Instructor: Brian Wood

Support for a First Responder in Trouble Instructor: Dana Mugavero Principle Driven - Reality Based Self Defense Instructor: Rick McGhee

Barn Boss Leadership

Lessons from the Right Seat

Instructor: David Casey

The Art of Miscommunication

Instructor: David Casey

Politics in the Oklahoma Fire Service: An Open Discussion Instructor: Phil Ostrander

Grain Bin Operations Instructor: OSU-FST

FF Cancer Support Network Instructor: Curtis Dunn

Basic Vehicle Extrication Instructor: EOC Tech

Have my Medics Gone Mad? Addressing Employee Mental Health Instructor: Ann Marie Faring

Instructor: Dennis Compton

Calling a Code Alert, Affect on our Mental Health Instructor: Ann Marie Faring

How to be an Effective PIO Instructor: Stan May

Advanced Vehicle Extrication Instructor: EOC Tech Rope Rescue Instructor: Tech Resq

Effective Fire Officers Must be Leaders (LEADERSHIP)

Instructor: Tom Jenkins

Register for 2017 State Fire School online at www.osfa.info

14April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

CounCil on FireFighter training CounCil on FireFighter training

Five Levels of Firefighter and Officer Programs: A Departmental Training Program Framework

CoFt around our State CoFt around our State Mcalester oKeFo grads Mcalester oKeFo grads Fire Fire Department Department

By Christopher Neal COFT - Executive Programs Manager

For us it’s about effectiveness to reduce loss and increase safety. For the insurance industry it’s about reducing loss to protect investments. The 5-levels makes that a win-win for both. And it’s not just theoretical, “the proof is in the pudding” as its said.

Two prime examples are Bridge Creek and Atoka, both of who adopted and implemented the 5-levels firefighter program, and dramatically reduced their ISO ratings and consequently their residents’ and businesses’ insurance premium expenses.

In Bridge Creek alone, residents reduced their premiums an average of over $300 annually. That is a major economic impact, and that in addition to the benefits in firefighter competence and safety.

• The 16 Life Safety Initiatives can be established within the 5-levels programs (as comprehensive departmental frameworks) as goals, definable and measurable checkpoints towards those goals, and cultural underpinnings (e.g. safety culture) for the department philosophy, mission, values, etc.

It just makes sense, and both strengthen each other.

• Fire Department Accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) places a high level The second graduating of importance (and thus outcome) onclass trainingon and the competency, drawing a strong relationship between the two in their OKEFO program.

The third will meaThe second graduating classclass on the surement (assessment). start soon.

Don’t miss it! Contact Dr for The 5-Levels is an excellent foundation and framework OKEFO program.

The third class will that effort: measurable, valid, locally-focused, accommodates Erick Reynolds for application assisstart soon. Don’t miss it! Contact Dr but not limiting to certification-based training, and respected tance.

Erick for both withinReynolds the fire service andapplication outside (e.g. cityassismanagers, elected officials, media, professional associations and stantance. dards bodies/organizations, etc.).

S r v i vu r v i v al al Su

• Ok • Ok la la

t t gh gh F i r e fFi i r e f i

e• e• v ic v ic

In last month’s article, we looked at the 5-Levels of Firefighter and 5-Levels of Officer programs, in particular the strength of the program as a career-long roadmap for your personal professional development.

In that, we looked at the history and unique specifics of the program: ... that it was developed by grassroots firefighters and training experts across the Oklahoma fire service. You set the bar for yourself, and in the end it exceeds the national standard. ... that firefighters through the COFT have representatives for each area of our state’s fire service means that YOU drive the program design, updates, and oversite.

In other words, “the tail doesn’t wag the dog” meaning some unaccountable bureaucratic staffer sitting behind a desk mandating what your training courses and levels will be.

As we have often noted, if it doesn’t make you better at what you do and safer doing it, it’s not what we do at COFT. ... that validity is ensured in several ways including (but not limited to) content, expert, and historical.

This means the 5-Levels does what it purports to do – give you the framework and authority to determine the best way to prepare YOU to do your job well and safely. ... that the program is not a training program, but rationally and effectively weaves together all available programs across all venues – public/private; certification/non-certification; local departmental-developed training all the way through Pittsburg County and Firefighters McAlregional, state (e.g. OSU-FST CareerTech),and and national ester Fire Chief Bret Brewer after a McAl(e.g. NFA); and higher education.

Pittsburg County Firefighters and McAl... that allows for and supports reciprocity across higher ester Classic Fire School planning meeting. ester Fire ChiefandBret Brewer after a McAleducation, certification, non-certification so that you don’t What it all Means to You and Us – the have toester repeatClassic courses/training, but can take full advantage of Fire School planning meeting.

Oklahoma Fire Service all. a Fi re Se m o r ... that your department chief as AHJ is given the authority h programs are not only unique in our nation’s fire i re5-Levels to determine the best mix of training courses that best meet ma FThe Se ho service,rbut extremely powerful and effective in their aim (and local risks for your department, and in fact for each firefighter as we have often noted) -- to make you better at what you do within your department. and safer doing it. ... ensuring that even while each firefighter’s path is unique, As I’ve noted to so many of you, I’ve really come to apprecithat collectively firefighters are equally trained and prepared ate the strength and potential of these programs like no other across the state whether in a large department or small, rural er &(including nationally and internationally) to impact -C seen or urban/suburban, volunteer or paid. i t i z eI’ve ety n S a fdramatically (and so) our service for the better. e The strength of these factors in impacting individual fire-r y &only scratched the surface. But just as the programs C t e fighters through individual roadmaps that are equal across thei t i z e n SWe’ve af are YOUR programs – in design, update, and oversite, the service, are the same that also make the programs a powerful and effective framework for a strategic, comprehensive depart- responsibility and accountability for their success (or failure) is solely in your (our) hands as well. mental training program.

As with all programs, it is easy to let someone else handle For both the training officer responsible for training and the it all, after all – we each have incredibly busy schedules these chief as AHJ, it brings together all available training, and bases days in a tenuous and wobbly society. that mix on your local risks and resources.

But the truth is this – no one holds the bureaucratic position And that means that each individual firefighter within your we discussed earlier, it’s in your hands. department can have a plan that is unique, yet flexible across Literally, the success and/or failure is up to each individual their career to include steps (ranks) and work (e.g. operations, – to push the program in their department, to stay true to your prevention/pub-ed, code enforcement, administration, etc.). own plan, to participate in updating the programs, and to supYou never stop training. Yet as each firefighter is unique, the port the programs through educating and holding your local AHJ must ensure that there is consistency across individuals, city/board leadership and state legislators accountable. positions, and work assignments.

Right now as the COFT mission has been put on hold in this The 5-levels does that for you, and in a valid, simple, and year of transition, we have the opportunity to once again make measurable way. It truly is a win-win-win for the individual these programs what they will be in the future. firefighter, the authorities responsible for the departmental In other words it’s still halftime. But shortly it will be time training program, and the department as a whole. again to do the work, whether in COFT or as the mission it It is for these same reasons that the 5-levels also play a adopted elsewhere (and as of the state of this writing the Office positive, rational, and effective part of ancillary programs that of State Fire Marshal - a wise and good move endorsed by the impact the department as well.

COFT).

• ISO changes in recent years have placed a stronger The potential for the 5-Levles programs is virtually unlimemphasis on training, which includes a strong emphasis on ited, but only with support, participation, and holding each documentation and rational approaches to types of and comother accountable. It’s YOUR choice. bination of training. The 5-levels strongly meets ISO’s criteria, May God bless each of you, your family, and each on your and really goes hand-in-hand by a focus on mitigating specific department. Be safe! (not general) local risk.

Miami Fire Department Miami Fire Department

Jon: Bobby’s Story We have been presenting each month over the past year individual stories of how Jon Hansen impacted you.

This month we share Bobby Johnson’s story. Chief Johnson has served since 1986 with the Chandler Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief since 2006.

Chief Johnson is highly regarded in not only his department, but also in his community and with the fire service across the state. That respect was evident when in 2015 he was recognized by the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association with the J. Ray Pence Leadership Award.

Chief Johnson currently serves as the Rural Fire Coordinator’s representative to COFT.

thank You thank You

What can I say about Jon that has not already been said?

Well, I met Jon for the first time at an OKC firefighter’s funeral, then after that crossing paths with him again on many other occasions.

Jon was my HERO and an inspiration to everyone he met. He loved the fire service like no one I have ever known. He loved all firefighters and called us all “a brother from another mother.”

Our friendship grew as time went along, and he much help to meInsurance when my sonComMajor Whatwas ansoHonor!

State Todd W. Johnson battled brain cancer. When Todd missioner John theComsecpassed JonDoak helped with the service.

What anaway, Honor!

Stateattended Insurance ond day of John the Fire Chiefs Winter WorkHe made everyone feel so important and missioner Doak attended the secproud to be a firefighter, and his love shined shop.

He presented me with a Certificate ondthrough day ofwhen the he Fire Winterbecause Work-it wasChiefs COFT Director of Commendation from thea Certificate Oklahoma kept him close to all he loved. shop.

He presented me with Insurance and one from We had Department, a very close relationship.

He loved of Commendation from the Oklahoma toGovernor, come to our Mary department golfI am tournaments our Fallin. humbled Insurance from and eatingDepartment, chocolate pie! He and called one me one day and honored.

Any and all success I have said he was coming to Chandler to see “the ourand Governor, Mary Fallin.

I am humbled had in the fire Service, I credit and point Super Chief.”

I asked him who was in town that and honored. Any and all success I have we would meet?

Heothers said “I’llwho tell you when deI get to you and many really hadthere.” in the fire Service, I credit and point serve it!and Thank youothers all so much!

Pictured When hemany arrived, he gave me a big hug and to you who really deis Alicia Hayward, COFT Customer Sersaidit! that I was the Chief!

I quickly replied serve Thank youSuper all so much!

Pictured that if I was the Super Chief,John then he was “Top vice Rep, Commissioner Doak, Me, is Alicia Hayward, Gun”, the best of theCOFT best! Customer Serand Fire Deputy Chief Richard KelWe continued our relationship through vice OKC Rep, Commissioner John Doak, the Me, ley, Council Chairman. darkest times together.

His faith and love with and OKC Fire Deputy Chief Richard Kelour God was like the love he had for the fire ley,service.

Council Chairman.

I love you Bother Jon, and I miss you. I look forward to seeing you and Todd.

Miami personnel receive Master Firefighter Certs. Congrats Miami Fire!!!!

Miami personnel receive Master Firefighter Certs. Congrats Miami Fire!!!!

Bobby Johnson & Jon Hansen

www.COFT-Oklahoma.org • 405-601-8862 • fax 405-655-5805 • email contact@coft-oklahoma.org www.COFT-Oklahoma.org • 405-601-8862 • fax 405-655-5805 • email contact@coft-oklahoma.org

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201715

n

OSFA Report

Sheri Nickel

Shattuck FD

sherin@osfa.info

OSFA Volunteer Recruitment/Retention Coordinator In the midst of the firestorms that raged across NW Oklahoma and other areas of our state recently have been a large majority of volunteer firefighters.

The ones that left their day jobs to jump into their bunker gear and hang off of a truck or hold a hose as the last defense between someone’s home or land and the wildfires.

Honestly, we all are a little crazy to go into some of the situations that we do. We get adrenaline rushes and we don’t think twice about where our dedication is when the tones drop.

Firefighters are tough, but so are the issues that we are faced with in the fire service. A lot of small problems have to be tackled in order to get people in those trucks.

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association helps confront issues that make it easier for us to be volunteers.

Problems are addressed at the yearly volunteer caucus, and recruitment and retention seems to be the most problematic.

The SAFER grant was awarded to the OSFA, and the work is being done to help get good, trained firefighters into your stations.

But once those recruits are in your stations, you have to create an environment where they

will want to stay.

Fire Chiefs, encourage your people to train together and learn how to put what they learn to use when the tones drop.

Help your younger guys raise understanding amongst their employers. Visit with the employers who give your people jobs, shake their hands and help them understand the mission of the fire department.

Treat ALL of your members like they are important to the department. Never demand, always ask while leading by example.

Little things make a big difference when dealing with people who are expected to train for hundreds of hours and perform the same tasks as their career counterparts in their spare time after working a full 40 hours elsewhere.

Volunteer firefighters are not only saving lives but saving local governments money.

Many of our dwindling rural towns can’t afford to pay firefighter’s the amount of money it takes to protect the property that is being protected this year.

It’s been a while since the importance of volunteer firefighters has been as evident as it is right now. The dry, heavy fuel loads and unseasonal warm temperatures are creating these pastural beasts that we haven’t seen in while.

This is the year that will make ‘em or break ‘em. Let’s make sure we are keeping them safe.

SAMMY MARTIN (405) 850-3752

n (800) 779-5521 n www.CONRADFIRE.com n (913) 780-5521

OSFA Volunteer Recruitment/Retention Coordinator Sheri Nickel has been making the rounds to county chiefs meetings around Oklahoma, including the Osage County Fire Chiefs Meeting at Pawhuska FD and the Washington County Fire Chiefs Meeting.

ROGER BROWN (785) 865-6941

RYAN REEVES (405) 269-3844

STEVE MARTIN (405) 620-1891

Firefighters Serving Firefighters WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS

FIREFIGHTERS SERVING FIREFIGHTERS

RYAN REEVES (405) 269-3844 STEVE MARTIN Thank you to the Oklahoma CONRAD FIRE Efor QUIPMENT AND SAMMY MARTIN R.REEVESCity Fire Department (405) 620-1891 SMARTINPIERCE working with Cary Provence and Conrad Fire EquipConrad Fire Equipment and Sammy Martin would likePIERCESALES to WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HARRAH, @OKPIERCE.COM KLAHOMA FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR ment on their recent Holmatro rescue toolOpurchase COXINET.NET thank and congratulate the@Oklahoma City Fire Department @COX.NET RECENT PURCHASE OF A PIERCE TANKER on its recent purchase of these 5 Enforcer pumpers For your loose equipment needs in Oklahoma, SAMMY MARTIN (405) 850-3752

We Appreciate Your Business

contact Cary Provence 405-623-8216 caryp@conradfire.com

16April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

Extreme Conditions Fu Al Sutherland, Oklahoma Mesonet Agriculture Program Coordinator and Oklahoma State University Assistant Extension Specialist, wrote three articles on weather conditions leading up the the devastating March 6, 2017 Northwest Oklahoma Complex Fires in Beaver, Harper, and Woodward Counties.

These articles were originally posted as three blog articles in the Mesonet Weather and Climate Blog at http://agblog.mesonet.org.

Excerpts follow:

February’s Weather Role in NW Oklahoma Complex Fires Intense, devastating fires flared up March 6 in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

The speed and intensity of these fires tragically caused six fatalities, thousands of livestock losses, wildlife losses, hundreds of miles of lost fencing, the destruction of at least 20 homes and an undetermined number of lost structures.

This article, Part 1 of 3, covers weather factors in February that contributed to extremely dry conditions in Beaver, Harper, and Woodward Counties.

The number of March fires in Oklahoma was actually greater on other days. On those days fires flared up, but conditions were not as extreme as on March 6.

The extreme conditions that came together in Beaver, Harper, and Woodward Counties included a lack of February rainfall, low relative humidities and high winds. The four main fires in these counties -- Starbuck, Beaver, 283 Selman -- were grouped and designated as the Northwest Oklahoma Complex Fires.

Low rainfall, warm temperatures, and below average relative humidities dried dead fuels. The 1000-Hour Dead Fuel Moisture on March 6 was 5-6 percent between Woodward and Beaver. 1000hour dead fuels are larger, downed, wooden branches 3-8 inches in diameter.

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well it has been a very long and stressful couple of days. I have been relieved of command from the fire around Buffalo for a little while and I will hopefully get some sleep.

But I wanted to take a minute to say Thank You to our community.

You all could see that we were in need of resources such as water, Gatorade, and snacks and you stepped up to help us. Once again you all have humbled me, and we can’t tell you what that means.

Everything you all have provided has been great, but non perishable items are preferred. All items are put to good use so do not think that everything was not appreciated.

I want to also say Thank you to our employers because without them allowing us time off we would not be able to be firefighters. Now, with all that being said I am going to try and take a nap. Love you all and God bless!

-- Buffalo Fire Department -- Facebook Post -- March 8

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Relative Humidity’s Role in NW Oklahoma Complex Fires As relative humidities drop, standing, dead plant stems dry out. Dense, dead, dry grasses were the primary fuel source for the devastating fires that flared up on March 6 in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

This article, Part 2 of 3, It covers the relative humidity conditions in Oklahoma leading into this horrendous fire day.

uel NW Oklahoma Fires March kicked off with relative humidities unusually low across Oklahoma. On March 1, the highest afternoon humidity was 23% at the Westville Oklahoma Mesonet site. As a reference, it’s good to remember that whenever relative humidities drop below 30%, fire risk ratchets up. Add high winds and firefighters prepare themselves for a bad fire day.

What would be the largest fire of the NW Oklahoma Complex Fires, the Starbuck fire, ignited between 11 a.m. and noon on March 6 to the northeast of Beaver. At 11 a.m., the relative humidity at Beaver was 17%.

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma Ranchers are incredibly resilient, and there is no doubt they will recover from the #NWOKFires. But it is difficult to find words to express the sense of loss and sadness surrounding these communities as they assess the damages from this recent record-setting firestorm.

The losses are very personal. Many of the ranching families have literally worked for generations to build their genetic stock and have lost everything.

Wishing there were more things we could do to help ... But folks across the country sure are trying! #PayItForward #OklahomaStrong #OKFire -- Oklahoma Forestry Services -- Facebook Post -- March 12

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Wind’s Weather Role in NW Oklahoma Complex Fires The stage was set. The players for a drama of tragic proportions assembled. Two leads waited their cue. Already on stage were fine dead fuels from previous growing seasons, low moisture in February, and super low humidities.

The next player in the drama entered, high wind speeds. This article, Part 3 of 3, explores weather conditions that set the stage for the NW Oklahoma Complex Fires that broke out on March 6.

At 11 a.m., winds across Beaver County were out of the southwest. Wind speed at the Oklahoma Mesonet Beaver site was 37 miles per hour. To the west, wind speeds at Goodwell and Boise City were 43 miles per hour.

Unnoticed a spark entered the stage. Small as it was, it triggered an inferno. In the dense, dry fuel, high winds quickly turned that spark into flames that flared up and rushed forward.

The Starbuck fire ignited northeast of Beaver. In its early stages, it appeared as two yellow pixels on a GOES-16 satellite image. At 2 p.m., it was well defined across the border of Oklahoma and Kansas. Three new fires had started in Kansas. What will be the 283 Fire in Oklahoma was in its infancy.

The multiple large fires in Oklahoma and Kansas were starting to show movement to the southeast at 6 p.m. Southeast of the Starbuck fire in Oklahoma were the 283 fire and Selman fire. The large fire threatening Ashland, Kansas was to the fire farthest to the northeast. Two large fires were visible in Texas.

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Report for Thursday, March 16

Oklahoma Forestry Services & Southern Area Incident Management Team NW Oklahoma Fire Complex Total Acres: 782,333 • Containment: 82 percent Starbuck Fire (2 miles west of Gate, Oklahoma): 662,687 acres (approx. 472,000 acres of 71% of the Starbuck fire is in Kansas.

Beaver Fire (between the towns of Beaver and Elmwood along Highway 273): 2,962 acres.

283 Fire (1 mile west of Laverne, Oklahoma): 69,395 acres.

Selman Fire (10 miles east of Fort Supply, Oklahoma): 47,289 acres.

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201717 AT LEFT: Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese.

Photos Courtesy of Eric Harlow, Deer Creek Fire Protection District, Carmen Fire Department and Sheri Nickel.

18April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

n

Museum news

Gene Brown

Museum Manager

What’s happening at the Museum?

The Ben Franklin Collection currently on display at the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum has been donated!

CIGNA Ins has honored our Museum by choosing us over the Smithsonian to display this part of the collection. The rest of this collection is in the Smithsonian.

The Ben Franklin Collection was on loan. When we contacted them to renew the loan agreement, we were told that they wanted to send the collection to the Smithsonian.

We asked them to consider us to keep and care for their collection.

After working with them and showing how it is displayed and protected, they were very impressed. They decided that we would care for the collection and donated all of it to our museum.

It is now ours permanently.

The Diorama has been completely rebuilt. This was done at minimal cost. The lumber was saved from the Museum Gift Shop when we reworked it, and we salvaged all we could from the old diorama.

The diorama is greatly improved over the old display. We added LED lights to each display.

The Ben Franklin Collection

The Old #9 Station has been completely reworked. We moved the gongs to make them easy for visitors to get up close and personal to them.

All the electronics have been rewired to make the display work properly and safely.

We added a desk and made a dispatch board to show how it would have looked in that era, and everything is in working order.

We added a telephone pole and mounted an alarm box and light to complete the display. This is as period-correct as we can make it.

The area around the Steamer has been cleaned up. We added the Life Net and miniature hand engine to the area. The ledge has been cleaned off and we placed artifact on it to make it more interesting to the viewer.

We moved the helmet display case to the front of the steamer display. It includes helmets from the 1800s and 1900s.

We have added a display case in the lobby. It contains items from around the country. These are interesting items that really don’t pertain to our Mission.

The permanent display case in the main area has been changed to display items dealing with the OSFA.

Diorama depicts progression of firefighting through the years -- from bucket brigade to modern apparatus

We are almost done with digitizing all the pictures in the collection.

This will allow us to preserve them properly. They will be on CD to show them.

Record Keeping: The original Oklahoma Territory Fireman’s Association book has been digitized. It is saved on the hard drive and on CD. This will allow us to look at it without any harm to the original.

We are also digitizing all the old records that cannot be replaced.

Accessions are moving forward. This has been a slow process but it’s moving forward.

Don’t be afraid to volunteer. We would love have all the help we can get! And please take time to visit your Museum!

2716 NE 50th Street • Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Mon-Sat 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Sunday 1 to 4:30 p.m.

FREE admission for OSFA Members & their Families

the kloset

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201719

uniforms apparel gifts

40”x50” Throw Blanket

Serving Firefighters Since 1991

O W N E D & O P E R AT E D B Y F I R E F I G H T E R S

2400 S. WESTERN AVE., OKC

405-631-1199

COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT TO FIREFIGHTERS ... ... Just as it is to the OSFA

TO SIGN UP FOR OSFA TEXT MESSAGES: Text OSFA to 95577 NOTE: OSFA Text Messaging will be used only for highly important, time sensitive information and meeting reminders

Tulsa Firefighters Help Make Citizen’s Day

20April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

Are You Retired or Getting Close to Retirement?

While at the grocery, a Tulsa Firefighter was approached by a patron about dropping her wallet in the sewer.

After accessing if it was even possible, firefighters from Engine 31 were able to remove a grate and enter the sewer 20 feet down to retrieve the wallet.

Special thanks to Captain Brown and the Firefighters of station 31. The Tulsa citizen was extremely grateful.

Shared on Tulsa Fire Department Facebook Page

Enroll Now

Social Security Strategies § Decide when and how to begin benefits § Learn strategies to optimize the Social Security you receive § Get straight-forward answers to your questions and concerns

Two opportunities to attend:

Sat. April 22

Sat. April 29

9-11 a.m.

9-11 a.m.

Franklin Road Campus, Norman

South Penn Campus, South OKC

Registration Fee $19 For more information or to enroll call 405.364.5763, ext. 7260 or visit mntc.edu

Your Instructor: Jeff Gorton CPA, CFP®, RICP® Jeff is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner®, and a Retirement Income Certified Professional® specializing in individual tax and retirement planning. He is also an Investment Advisor Representative under Brookstone Capital Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Jeff also has a life and health insurance license.

Jeff specializes in working with retirees in the areas of tax planning, benefits, retirement planning, estate planning, and safe money techniques.

FRANKLIN ROAD CAMPUS: 4701 12th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069 SOUTH PENN CAMPUS: 13301 S. Penn Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73170

mntc.edu 405.364.5763

Firefighters Take Part in New Standpipe Operations Class at Edmond FD From Chief down to Firefighter -- from Oklahoma City, Edmond and Tulsa -- crews worked together in our training tower March 16 on a new training program for Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training.

The new Standpipe Operations Class will help fire departments around the state be better prepared for fires in buildings with these systems.

Smaller fire departments who are seeing new high-rise hotel construction from casinos, to suburban departments with newer larger apartment buildings and even the big cities with existing high rises will be assisted by this joint training project.

Shared on Edmond Fire Department Facebook Page

Know Before You Go

Response Area Risk Analysis

By Kenn Fontenot Chair of the NVFC Health, Safety, and Training Committee Tones drop at 0230 for a structure fire alarm at the local bulk fuel distribution facility.

You are responding with one pumper, one tender/tanker, and a rescue vehicle. Upon arrival you have fire involvement for a transfer pump extending to a large storage fuel tank. NOW WHAT? Having previously done a thorough response area risk analysis of the facility, you know that this is beyond your capabilities to handle with your department’s equipment. You immediately go into the defense posture, evacuate the pre-determined area as set forth in the risk/response plan, protect the exposures that are not in the no-go zone, and let the event play itself out.

You may ask, “Why bother responding at all if all we are going to do is watch?”

Our nature of being aggressive as firefighters is one of the traits we are most proud of. However, a critical culture change we need to make is to stop risking firefighter death or injury for an incident we cannot handle.

Conducting a realistic response area risk analysis is one of the best tools we have to avoid a disaster such as the event in West, TX. Departments that conduct good response area risk analysis and develop operational plans based on the results will have the advantage of not needing to come up with a plan when arriving at the scene.

First, departments must evaluate the department’s personnel. Questions such as training, certification, experience, decision-making capabilities, and other criteria have to be honestly examined. Do you have enough personnel? Are they trained and certified? What is their experience level? (Important note – certification does not equal experience!)

Next is the fire department equipment. Can your department establish and maintain sufficient water supply for the event. For example, if you have limited pumping capacity or limited water supply for the emergency, an offensive attack is out of the question. Once water supply is established, can the fire department maintain the fire flow needed to control the event?

Mutual Aid companies may be able to help fill any gaps discovered in either personnel or equipment.

Consider what these companies can provide and how long it will take them to arrive once dispatched. For high-hazard or high-risk occupancies, consider Automatic Aid versus Mutual Aid. While having a discussion with Chief Alan Brunacini before a lecture, he suggested this in regards to being aggressive: “Beware of the command officer with a firefighter mentality.

We must learn to be more pessimistic rather than being overly optimistic as operation managers.” Command officers must be realistic about the department as well their own ability to handle this emergency.

A complete and thorough risk assessment of the hazard is the final part to complete the process. High hazard facilities are those which may have the potential for a large loss of life or a catastrophic fire or explosion.

The assessment should include but not be limited to: life safety concerns (occupants and firefighters), building construction, occupancy type, materials stored or manufactured, water supply, needed fire flow, protection systems, and utilities.

Once the data has been gathered and stored for easy access, training based on the findings should be done. Using the pre-incident information, drills should be conducted on how to control any type of emergency at these high hazard locations.

Completing a risk analysis for your first due area and drilling with the information gathered will enable a more coordinated and effective response to any emergency at these locations. Additionally the risk of loss of life of occupants and responders will be greatly reduced.

It is far better to Know Before You Go than to Learn Once You Get There.

Kenn Fontenot is a Charter Member and First Fire Chief of the LeBlanc Volunteer Fire Department, as well as Captain/Safety Officer for the Milton Volunteer Fire Department.

Kenn is a Principal Member on the NFPA 1001 standards committee and Alternate Member of NFPA 1021, is the Chief of Training for St. Landry Fire District #3, served for 14 years as the Regional Fire Training Coordinator at the Louisiana State University Fire and Emergency Training Institute, and is a past-President of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Association. He holds an Associate Degree in Fire Science.

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201721

n

Volunteer Fire Service Committee Report Michael Weinkauf

Orlando FD

mweinkauf@ditchwitch.com Hello my fellow firefighters!

I hope that all of you that attended the 15th annual OSFA Volunteer Fire Caucus in February and enjoyed it as much as I did.

I know that for me as a volunteer in this great state that we live in, it was an eye-opening experience.

Personally for myself, it was the first one that I have attended, but I assure you it will not be the last.

As a member of a small fire department, I found it quite interesting that a lot of us have the same concerns -- whether it be large or small departments, volunteer or semi-volunteer.

I also found it interesting that as we come together with other people from the fire service, and when you ask a question about a specific item or method, there is someone who has done it or knows someone who does.

And they are more than willing to help you understand or gain the knowledge you need to obtain the goals you have for your department.

If you are interested in making a difference in the fire service.

I would encourage you to talk to the other members of your department and make a game plan for attending the OSFA Volunteer Fire Caucus next year and let your department’s thoughts and concerns be heard.

You might be surprised to find out that there may be another department in this great state that has the same issues or thoughts as yours.

I know I was.

22April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Robert Jones Executive Director

James Reynolds

6601 Broadway Ext., Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-522-4600 • 1-800-525-7461 toll free • 405-522-4643 fax www.okfirepen.state.ok.us

n February 17, 2017 MEETING Members Present: Michael Duncan, Raanon Adams, Matt Lay, Jim Long, Mike Kelley, Paul Gallahar, Dana Cramer, Craig Freeman, Dereck Cassady, Brandy Manek.

Members Absent: Doug Jacobson, Janet Kohls, Frank Stone.

Others: Robert Jones, Director; Duane Michael, Assistant Director; James Reynolds, Assistant Director; Chase Rankin, Controller; Terri Williams, Executive Secretary; Marc Edwards, Legal Counsel; Troy Brown and Tim Nash, Andco Consulting; Michele Robbins and Andre Beck, River Road; Kitty Martin, Tom O’Halloran, Brian Foerster and Sam Scher, Lord Abbett.

Frank D, Melton/Broken Arrow - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective February 1, 2017: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Cassady to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective February 1, 2017.

Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Rafael Cintron/Lawton – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective January 20, 2017: Motion was made

by Adams and seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective January 20, 2017. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Kelley, Manek, and Gallahar.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Ranny D. Meservy/Lawton – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective February 1, 2017: Motion was made by Adams and seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective February 1, 2017.

Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Kelley, Manek, and Gallahar. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Richard M. Hartless/Norman – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective February 1, 2017: Motion was made by Long and seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective February 1, 2017.

Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Lay, Long, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: Cramer, Manek and Freeman. Motion carried.

Neil Taylor/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Long to modify the Application from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty” based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Scotty Johnson/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Long to modify the Application from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty, based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Robert Tindall/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Long and seconded by Kelley to modify the Application from “Service “ to “Disability in the Line of Duty” based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Randal J. Woods/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Long and seconded by Lay to modify the Application from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty” based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Donald C. Brown/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made

by Long and seconded by Lay to modify the Application from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty” based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: Freeman. Motion carried,

Barton D. Lewis/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective February 1, 2017: Motion was made by Long and seconded by Adams to approve the Application For “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective February 1, 2017.

Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Cramer, Lay, Long, Kelley, Gallahar, Freeman, and Manek. Motion carried.

Ranaldo Works/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Gallahar to modify the Application from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty” based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Paul Jenkins/Jenks – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Long to modify the Application from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty” based on the medical information submitted. Ayes: Duncan, Adams, Cassady, Freeman, Cramer, Lay, Long, Manek, Kelley, and Gallahar. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Marc Edwards/Request For Additional Service Time For Will Johnston & Richard Beets With The Grady County Fire Department After Establishment Of Membership In The System:Motion was made by Adams and seconded by Kelley to enter into Executive Session. Motion carried. Motion was made by Kelley and seconded by Lay to enter into Open Session. Motion carried.

There was no action taken on this item.

Member Services Coordinator

Terri Williams

Vicki Mulbery

Executive Secretary

Accounts Payable Administrator

Chase Rankin

Assistant Director (COO)

Controller

Duane Michael

Than Dinh

Assistant Director (CFO)

Martha Pierce

Thelisha Clark

Records Administrator

Latoya Battle Data Processor

Assistant Controller

n CONSENT AGENDA (March 17, 2017) CHECKS TERMINATED IN FEBRUARY 17, 2017: Agra Antlers Arkoma Bristow Checotah Clinton Clinton Colbert Davidson

Seldon J. Mcentire Dorothy Oldham Othel G. Harrison Lola V. Smith Joseph Spears Barney L. Brown Carol J. Allison Billy F. Lewis Betty Linker

Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased

Eldorado Erick Grove Guthrie OKC OKC Springer Tulsa Tulsa

William J. Freeman Ola M. Coop Sherman E. Ruchardson Clayton Davison Sherman M. Carthen Jr. James D. Imoe Jr. Patsy Smith Margaret R. Wickersham Phillip M. Tewell

Deceased Deceased Deceased Turned 22 Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased

$5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT: Agra Bartlesville Cashion Chandler Colbert Duncan Edmond Eldorado Eufaula Ft. Supply Geronimo Grove Indiahoma Leedey Lexington OKC OKC OKC Pond Creek Rush Springs Yale Tulsa

Palmer Marler Funeral Home On Behalf Of Seldon McEntire Stumpff Funeral Home On Behalf Of Gilbert Watters Cheryl Ann Wheelbarger, Widow Of James D. Wheelbarger Elly A. Johnson, Death Recipient Of Todd W. Johnson Billy M. Lewis, Death Recipient Of Billy F. Lewis Comanche Funeral Home On Behalf Of Kenneth W. Lewis Nancy R. Pierce Trustee Of Payne Living Trust (Raymond J. Payne) Lowell-Tims Funeral Home On Behalf Of William J. Freeman Hunn, Black & Merrit Funeral Home On Behalf Of J.M. Bailey Billings Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jessie Burgess Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home On Behalf Of Daniel T. Toombs Nichols Funeral & Cremation Service Behalf Of Sherman E. Richardson Becker Funeral Home On Behalf Of Roy V. Meyers Dickey I. Kauk, Death Recipient Of William Kauk, Jr. Wilson-Little Funeral Home On Behalf Of Charles Ramsey Pamela L. Angle, Widow Of Ronald J. Angle Barbara Imoe, Death Recipient Of James D. Imoe Deborah Rusher, Widow Of Larry Rusher Wilson Funeral Home On Behalf Of Timothy Barwick Elizabeth A. Norton, Widow Of Jimmy H. Norton Palmer Marler Funeral Home Of Bobbie J. Reed Rebecca Jean Carleton Common Law Spouse Of Jon R. Piard

APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM: Drumright Randall Fisher Owasso Joshua D. Walters McLoud Brennen Stewart Ponca City Reece T. Maitlen Newcastle Seth Oman Sulphur Nicholas Gagliardi APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 03/01/2017 Ardmore Patricia Doughty, Widow Of Doyle E. Doughty 03/01/2017 Bartlesville Mary Watters, Widow Of Gilbert R. Watters 03/01/2017 Freedom Sherry Beagley, Widow Of Jimmie M. Beagley 03/01/2017 Lawton Evelyn Wiersema, Widow Of Jerry Lee Wiersema 03/01/2017 Ringling Patsy Morris, Widow Of Emmitt Morris 03/01/2017 Rush Springs Elizabeth Norton, Widow Of Jimmy H. Norton 03/01/2017 Slaughterville Carolyn Houck, Widow Of Johnnie L. Houck 03/01/2017 Stillwater Sarah E. Duckwall, Widow Of Donald D. Duckwall 03/01/2017 Tulsa Loretta P. Duty, Widow Of J.D. Duty 03/01/2017 Waukomis Hazel P. Meyer, Widow Of Bobby R. Meyer APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION: 03/01/2017 Alva Timothy D. Starbuck 02/01/2017 Asher Lisa Odell 03/01/2017 Cherokee David C. Gilley 03/01/2017 Inola James C. Riddle 03/10/2017 Lahoma David W. Wedel 03/01/2017 MWC Kevin T. Wall 0301/2014 Mounds Jerry G. Keizor 01/01/2017 Mt. Park Pamela A. Ford 03/01/2017 Muskogee Jimmie C. Hughes 03/01/2017 OKC Christopher L. Fields

03/01/2017 03/01/2017 03/04/2017 03/01/2017 01/01/2017 02/01/2017 03/01/2017 03/01/2017 06/01/2016

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT: 03/01/2017 Grove Martin D. Easter REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS: Hired Matt Marlin Nw Rogers Cnty 05/21/12

Terminated 02/13/2017

Poteau Ratliff City Ravia Red Rock Roosevelt Seiling Snyder Stilwell Wapanuka

Terry L. Manlove Steven D. Shepard Randy S. McCollom Norris L. Adcock Troy E. Dunegan Troy J. Davidson III Rodney W. Bartlett Kevin Stuhmer Tommy R. Reeder

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201723

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Live long & prosper Ricky Womack

Oklahoma City Retired • Safety & Health Committee • hmcdoc@hotmail.com

Many events in my professional career have made an impact, but two which have had to this day a lasting and profound impact happened in March 1989 and April 1995.

Just last month March, my little daughter (age 5) and I were attending a Veteran’s Funeral Service at Resthaven Cemetery. After the service concluded, I took her by a grave site where my Capt. (OCFD St. # 8C) was laid to rest.

I took the time to try and explain to a 5-year-old that my Capt. was killed (in the Line of Duty) along with two other firefighters in a house fire doing the best that they could do. Then I realized it had taken place 28 years ago this March -- seems like yesterday.

Of course, April 19, 1995 is a day that most of us here in Oklahoma -- if not the USA -- know and remember the exact moment and place we where when we felt and/or heard the blast and the breaking news.

I responded immediately, as so many others did that eventful day, and worked throughout the night in what was left of the building, the pit and eventually the command post. I remember not being able to help/save so many.

An image that still concerns me is seeing an OCPD officer I had known for a few years, and who was street smart, having a break down in front of his patrol car. He was visibly upset, sobbing and beating with his fists on the hood of his car.

As I passed by after a break, I thought “I hope he receives some help” not realizing we all will need some help well after this is over.

Which brings me to my Live Long & Prosper article this month titled ...

Spirituality and Fire/Rescue Stress

One of the most neglected areas of our work dealing with the Fire Service, especially years ago, is “Spirituality and Firefighting Stress.”

We have little problem identifying the physical impact on the firefighter or even the way firefighting may effect the way a person thinks.

We see too often what a mass causality incident (stressful) does to personal relationships, but when it comes to the connection with the “spiritual,” we have a hard time getting a good grasp on what is happening to that individual Firefighter/Rescuer Paid or Volunteer.

Spirituality balances out our thoughts, emotions and behaviors. It drives us as individuals. It includes our spiritual belief coupled with our experience of a higher power and matches the way we have lived out our lives spirituality.

The reality here is that stress -- especially firefighting stress -- effects us spiritually. Sometimes it’s a positive, causing us to grow or to become stronger -- and sad to say sometimes it’s a negative -- causing a loss of faith in all things in our lives.

Perhaps that is the reason four out of 10 people with mental health issue seek the help of a chaplain or clergy, according to Capt. G. Caiazzo Force, Chaplain, US Navy Rt. A good healthy spirituality has great possibilities for helping a firefighter to heal and improve their health and well-being. It can provide supportive and healthy social networks.

Spirituality also offers new ways of thinking and processing experiences to make meaning out of traumatic events of firefighting and rescue.

When a firefighter -- paid or volunteer -- is plagued by re-experiencing traumatic firefighting events or is self focused, the spiritual professional can offer a balanced reflection and external focus to their life.

In isolation and disconnection, the FD chaplain or family clergy can help a firefighter to reconnect with a healthy community and make the firefighter feel a part of the Fire Department and community again.

Firefighting stress/traumatic loss of life events (also seen in combat) can produce a feeling of numbness and a sense of foreshortened future. Connection with clergy can help a person to find meaning in life again with purpose and hope.

For centuries, the great men and women of the ages have sought out the God

experience to bring them relaxation and peace. This is so helpful when a firefighter is experiencing or has experienced anxiety and a loss of sleep or an inability to concentrate.

When he or she is angry or feels hostile toward another because of a traumatic event, who better to be compassionate and offer forgiveness than your FD chaplain or your clergy.

Lastly, when the trauma of a firefighting event produces guilt and or self-blame, a good spiritual grounding can help restore that self worth and again provide forgiveness.

Throughout the Fire Service here in Oklahoma and the United States, chaplains are working side by side with others -- including mental health professionals and Fire Chiefs -- to restore our firefighters to their families and loved ones and to help them to return as valued members of our Fire Service.

We should know by now of the vast and many networks for mental health care (PTSD) for the First Responder and the Military Service Member, but we don’t often hear of the need for our spiritual needs being met.

Believe me, I am here to be a witness. If it wasn’t for our FD chaplain (OCFD) who saw and recognized over time the demons haunting me, I am not sure I would be able to give back today to the Fire Service men and women I so admire.

Seek within your Fire Department the chaplain, and if you don’t have one, look in the community for a clergy that might Ricky Womack volunteer. A properly educated, licensed with his 5-yearclergy, Pastor or Deacon -- try even the old daughter Military Chaplain Corp.

Create a PTSD or Critical Stress Debriefing Team to help talk with your firefighters after and even before incidents. If both the chaplain and team can respond to the scene, that is always a plus along with a Safety Officer.

I am so very fortunate I had a Chaplain who helped me through a dark time, both on the fire department and in the military. I was able to overcome many demons, attended the 20th anniversary of the OKC Federal Building Bombing (first time) and many programs that week.

I have to mention that the OKC National Memorial & Museum did an outstanding job taking great care of the family members, survivors, and Rescue Workers/ Law Enforcement during the week and anniversary.

I even rode my motorcycle in the ‘Ride to Remember” that Saturday -- a program which was in part organized by a friend of mine, a retired OCFD firefighter, which was his way of giving back to the citizens of OKC. Since attending the Memorial, I have found a burning desire (no pun intended) to do more within my parish which I have been a member of for almost 30 years.

And I hope in the not so distant future to volunteer as a FD chaplain.

To my fellow firefighters -- active and especially retired -- stay involved within the Fire Service, OSFA, the annual OSFA convention, Memorial Services your local FD Union. You have a lot of knowledge and experiences to share.

I would encourage you to face your demons -- what ever they are, if any. Look to your belief in spirit and God our Lord. Attend church become involved again within your community.

I have a focus to give back to the Fire Service, become an active and positive advocate for not only the paid professional but also the volunteer firefighter who still fights the devil each and every day and night.

I was so very blessed to have a daughter late in life, and she is a blessed and baptized child of God. Last month as I was explaining to her about my Capt. who had lost his life in a house fire, she had a simple understanding that my Capt. along with the two other firefighters are, as she put it, “in the loving arms of Our Savior Jesus Christ.”

As of this writing, the state has experienced many wildland fires with devastating livestock losses and at least one tragic death. May the Lord look over his family and take care of the ranchers and families who have lost their homes and livelihood.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Please stay safe and always have fun!

24April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

www.osufst.org

1723 West Tyler, Stillwater, OK 74078 • (800) 304-5727 • (405) 744-5727 • Fax: (405) 744-7377

April 2017 CLASS SCHEDULE Current as of March 20, 2017

Courses are subject to change Call or check online for changes in courses

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted Emergency Services Instructor (Instructor I) (62405) April 1-9 (32 hours) Kiamichi Tech Center - Poteau

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62652) April 4 (8 hours) Chickasha Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations Refresher: Oilfield Emergencies (63717) April 8 (8 hours) Seiling Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62779) April 12 (8 hours) Del City Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part A (63096) April 1-2 (16 hours) Hickory Grove Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62985) April 4 (8 hours) Shawnee Fire Department - Station 3

Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (63650) April 9 (4 hours) Drumright Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62668) April 13 (8 hours) Ada Fire Department

Trench Rescue Technician Level I (63097) April 1-2 (16 hours) Guymon Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62639) April 5 (8 hours) Moore Training Center

Fire Fighter II Academy (62123) April 10-14 (40 hours) • $650 - All Participants OSU-PSC, Hwy 51 West of Stillwater

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62780) April 13 (8 hours) Del City Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62653) April 5 (8 hours) Chickasha Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62654) April 10 (8 hours) Norman Fire Dept Training Center

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62781) April 14 (8 hours) Del City Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62986) April 5 (8 hours) Shawnee Fire Department - Station 3

Fire Officer II: NFPA 1021 2014 Edition (63695) April 10-17 (40 hours) • $300 - Okla Emergency Responders • $500 - Out-of-state Public Responders Tulsa Technology Center - Sand Springs

Hazardous Materials Operations Refresher: Core Competencies (63859) April 15 (8 hours) Kingfisher Middle School

Wildland Fire Fighting: Fundamentals (63271) April 1-2 (16 hours) Sooner Volunteer Fire Department Water Shuttle (63443) April 1-2 (16 hours) Alex Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62640) April 3 (8 hours) Moore Training Center Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62651) April 3 (8 hours) Chickasha Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62984) April 3 (8 hours) Shawnee Fire Department - Station 3 Emergency Services Instructor (Instructor I) (63631) April 3-6 (32 hours) • $300 - All Participants Norman Fire Dept Training Center

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62667) April 6 (8 hours) Yukon Fire-EMS Training Center NIMS ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (64041) April 6-7 (16 hours) Region 1 MERC in Woodward Introduction to Water Rescue (64026) April 6 (8 hours) El Reno Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (63888) April 7 (8 hours) Cushing Fire Department

Introduction to Water Rescue (64025) April 3 (8 hours) El Reno Fire Department

Wildland Fire Fighting: Skills (63036) April 8-9 (16 hours) Hitchcock Fire Department

Curriculum Development (Instructor II) (61979) April 4-7 (32 hours) • $300 - Okla Emergency Responders • $400 - Out-of-state Public Responders Edmond Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part B (63098) April 8-9 (16 hours) Hickory Grove Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62641) April 4 (8 hours) Moore Training Center

Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (63343) April 8 (8 hours) Glencoe Fire Department Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (63344) April 8 (1 hour) Glencoe Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (64324) April 10 (8 hours) Broken Arrow Fire Dept Training Center Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (64325) April 10 (1 hour) Broken Arrow Fire Dept Training Center Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62655) April 11 (8 hours) Norman Fire Dept Training Center Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (63151) April 11 (8 hours) Altus Fire Department - Sub-Station Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part A (63615) April 11-12 (16 hours) Ada Fire Department NFA Leadership II: Strategies for Personal Success (62130) April 12-13 (16 hours) Midwest City Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62656) April 12 (8 hours) Norman Fire Dept Training Center

Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Level I & II) (62049) April 17-21 (40 hours) • $935 - All Participants Riversport Adventures Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62669) April 17 (8 hours) Muskogee Fire Department Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part B (63616) April 17-18 (16 hours) Ada Fire Department Fire Officer II: NFPA 1021 2014 Edition (64215) April 17-24 (40 hours) • $300 - Okla Emergency Responders • $500 - Out-of-state Public Responders Glenpool Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62657) April 18 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62670) April 18 (8 hours) Muskogee Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62658) April 19 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201725

www.osufst.org

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1723 West Tyler, Stillwater, OK 74078 • (800) 304-5727 • (405) 744-5727

Dr. Erick Reynolds

April 2017 CLASS SCHEDULE continued

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62671) April 19 (8 hours) Muskogee Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62672) April 25 (8 hours) Durant Fire Department

Flammable Gas Emergencies (LPG) (63084) April 19 (12 hours) Chickasha Fire Department

Introduction to Water Rescue (63102) April 25 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62659) April 20 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62664) April 26 (8 hours) Sand Springs Fire Department

NIMS ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (64242) April 20-21 (16 hours) MESTA-Mayes County Ambulance

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62673) April 26 (8 hours) Durant Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62660) April 21 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department

Introduction to Water Rescue (63103) April 26 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies (63378) April 21-23 (24 hours) Grove Community Center Fire Fighter II Academy (63848) April 21-30 (40 hours) Pryor Fire Department Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part A (63099) April 22-23 (16 hours) Claremore Fire Department Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (63618) April 23 (4 hours) Madill Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62661) April 24 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department

OSU FST Director

405-744-5727 (W) • 405-409-0961 (C) erick.reynolds@osufst.org

Courses are subject to change Call or check online for changes in courses

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted

fire service training

It is wildfire season in Oklahoma, and as of this writing we are facing severe wildfires across Oklahoma that have since already burned several thousand acres.

PLEASE be careful out there!

We appreciate all of our training partners across the State of Oklahoma. It allows for us to conduct much needed training for Oklahoma firefighters at a reasonable cost.

Thank you to the OSFA and the OFCA for helping us gather information about the training needs of Oklahoma firefighters. Thank you to Career Techs for hosting many of our training offerings. Thank you to the many other entities that play a critical role in helping us to, again, provide quality training to the firefighters of Oklahoma.

The annual Atoka Wildland School is scheduled for March 10-12 and will afford Oklahoma firefighters an opportunity to take part in incredible training offerings during this event!

In addition to the Atoka Wildland School, our Southeast Regional Fire School will take place in Stillwell May 19-21. We look forward to serving the incredible firefighters of Southeast Oklahoma with awesome training opportunities during this weekend!

The Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association Conference is rapidly approaching! The conference this year will take place in Tulsa. Please take advantage of this incredible professional development opportunity if it fits into your schedule!

We cannot say enough great things about the OSFA State Fire School May 4-7 in Tulsa. At this writing, the event has in place 135 different classes listed. Take time to review the class offering online. You can register with OSU-FST in a variety of ways to attend the event.

Again, this year it will be held at the Tulsa Community College/Tulsa Fire Department Training Center! We appreciate the leadership of OSFA Executive Director Phil Ostrander and the entire OSFA board in putting together this world-class event and the opportunity to partner with OSFA to help support this exciting four days of training opportunities.

Certification Proctor Training (63958) April 26 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62665) April 27 (8 hours) Sand Springs Fire Department

! Oklahoma Firefighters !

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62666) April 27 (8 hours) Weatherford Fire Department

Enter to Win IFSTA Training Manuals while

Protecting People in Your Community with FREE Smoke Alarms and Alert Devices!

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (62674) April 27 (8 hours) Durant Fire Department NIMS ICS 400 (EMI) Advanced Incident Command System (64243) April 27-28 (16 hours) MESTA-Mayes County Ambulance

Introduction to Water Rescue (63101) April 24 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

NIMS ICS 400 (EMI) Advanced Incident Command System (63181) April 28-29 (16 hours) Southwestern OSU - Weatherford

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62662) April 25 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part B (63100) April 29-30 (16 hours) Claremore Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (62663) April 25 (8 hours) Sand Springs Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations Certification (63380) April 30 (8 hours) Grove Community Center

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! The first 4 Oklahoma Fire Departments that send in 10 Completed smoke alarm applications will WIN 5 IFSTA training manuals for their department!

Fire Protection Publications and Oklahoma ABLE Tech, both at OSU, currently have a grant to install smoke alarms and alert devices for Oklahomans with disabilities.* • • • • •

Identify at least 10 people (or friends or family) in your community who have a disability.* Complete the applications and write your fire department’s name on each.

Submit the 10 or more completed applications.

Mail applications to Oklahoma ABLE Tech, 1514 W. Hall of Fame, Stillwater, OK 74078, or Email them to Oklahoma ABLE Tech www.okabletech.okstate.edu.

*Oklahoma residents who are deaf, have a hearing loss, are blind, have low vision, or use a mobility device such as a wheelchair, walker, or cane are eligible.

• •

All approved applicants will have the equipment installed in their homes by trained professional installers.

For official smoke alarm application forms – go to www.okabletech.okstate.edu For more information call Cindy 405-744-8301

26April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

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OSFA Executive Board Highlights

Roll Call: Mike Duncan, present and presiding; Matt Lay, present; Dereck Cassady, present; Mike Kelley, excused; Raanon Adams, present; Dana Cramer, present Others: Phil Ostrander, Tim Bartram, Gene Brown, Amy Hall, Dr. Erick Reynolds, Sheri Nickel and Bruce Anthony for OFCA. Guest: Bob Allen, OEM. Correspondence: Thank you card from Louis Bunch’s family read by the Board.

Fire Marshal Commission Report: Matt Lay The Fire Marshal Commission met a few weeks ago. The Legislative Session is getting started, they’re looking at budget items and they are watching a couple of bills that will affect code enforcement issues.

Discussed bills and provisions being challenged. They are tracking COFT Bill that will consolidate COFT with the Fire Marshal Commission.

Council on Firefighter Training: Matt Lay Council on Firefighter Training did not meet for January meeting due to the start of Legislative Session. The only bill Lay is aware of is the one that will consolidate COFT with the Fire Marshal Commission. Lay has not had a chance to discuss with Neal since Legislation was filed to determine what their concerns may be.

There is a Green Country meeting next week and they are supposed to get together before that.

Fire Service Training: Dr. Erick Reynolds Dr. Reynolds discussed upcoming events: Bob Smith Round Up March 10-12 in Atoka; Swift Water Class in March; Fire Fighter I starting March 26; 2017 HTRAIN Conference March 30-April 2 in Edmond; OSU-FST Golf Tournament April 21.

He anticipates the Grain Rescue/Confined Space Trailer will be done April 15 and they plan on having it at the State Fire School. Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program (OKEFOLP) starts Feb. 21.

Legislative Committee: Matt Lay The Legislative Committee met last month. There were about 120 pieces of Legislation that have some impact on the Fire Service. A lot we are just monitoring.

Title 19 Sub-Committee: Mike Duncan Title 19 Sub-Committee sent their proposals to the Legislative Committee. This will be an on-going committee due to there still being more work to do. Duncan feels that all sides of the Title 19 issues need to be looked at.

Safety & Health Committee: Tim Bartram Committee members met March 13. They are looking for a cause or project to take on. This committee would like something to get them more engaged.

Educational Advisory Committee: Dereck Cassady Committee members met March 15. They are still looking at a few more classes to come in. They are at approximately 108 classes right now.

The committee met with TCC on Friday and they have 49 class rooms available and should have plenty of space for what we will need. The meeting next month will be here and the next one will be in Tulsa. Bartram stated that Louthan is hoping to have registration live March 1.

Volunteer Fire Service Committee: Mike Duncan The committee had the Volunteer Caucus Feb. 4. There were three Resolutions brought up during Caucus: 1) Recruitment and Retention incentives, Scope Hunting and Fishing Licenses to better Volunteer Pensions.

2) Training and Funding.

3) Burn bans.

Museum Report: Gene Brown Brown stated there is a lot going on. The first stage of the diorama will hopefully be completed today. IFSTA books sales are going great. There is around $2,500 in books sales this month.

Brown is up to the 15th Convention in the original OSFA book and is getting that recorded and put on a disc. He believes there are hand written minutes up to 1933. Once completed, it will be put in Powerpoint to be easily accessible.

February 16, 2017 MEETING

Upcoming Dates to Remember: May 4-7, 2017 -- 2017 State Fire School at Tulsa FD’s Fire Training Facility & Tulsa Community College NE June 6, 2017 -- 36th annual ORFA Convention at Washington County Fairgrounds in Dewey June 7-10, 2017 -- 123rd annual OSFA Convention at Washington County Fairgrounds in Dewey June 7-10, 2017 -- 85th annual OSF Women’s Auxiliary Convention at Washington County Fairgrounds in Dewey The alarm and Old No. 9’s are near completion.

Bennington, OK is donating a 1967 International Harvester to the Museum. Brown said it is a nice truck and ready to be displayed. They are looking at a way to get it back to the Museum. They are great guys to deal with.

The Museum is looking at getting a computer set up for display so that guests can see pictures from departments and much more.

Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Report: Sheri Nickel Nickel has been out visiting fire stations and attended some County Chiefs Association meetings. Today there will be a SAFER Grant Stakeholders meeting at 2:00 p.m.

National Volunteer Fire Council: Mike Duncan Duncan discussed a phone conference he had March 15 with NVFC. They are looking at the Cancer Registry on a National level.

There is a committee on Women in the Fire Service that seems to be coming along and they are working on a survey that will be sent out to the women within the Fire Service.

NVFC is doing spot announcements on Recruitment & Retention and Suicide Prevention.

Ostrander stated that he has had some conference calls with NVFC where he has shared with them the preliminary stuff going on in Oklahoma. The Spring Conference is coming up pretty quick in Washington D.C. Duncan stated there is still a lot of talk on the National level on physicals. They have a committee that is looking at physicals for volunteers. He said that we have opposed it on the sense of having some type of funding mandate to go with it.

Lay stated that earlier we were talking about the NVFC Safety & Health Committee working on Mental Health-Suicide Prevention and physicals for volunteers. He feels those could be two projects for the OSFA Safety & Health Committee here in the state to take on at local level.

Ostrander discussed that the Share the Load Program receives a lot of phone calls from Oklahoma, which means that we are doing a decent job at getting the word out there but could be doing a lot better.

Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association: Bruce Anthony Anthony stated that Chief Ray Driskell could not make it to the meeting today due to the City Budget Presentation. He would like to remind everyone that the OFCA Conference is March 29-31 in Tulsa. All the vendors will be indoors.

Driskell has called a meeting of the OFCA Board at the OSFA Boardroom March 7 to discuss Legislative issues and will communicate with OSFA Board.

ORFA Report: Dana Cramer Oklahoma State Retirees would like to give kudos to the OSFA staff due to their membership is at a high and continues to grow. They are at a 10-year high right now on their membership. They had a good Board turn out for the Chief Winter Workshop and Volunteer Caucus.

The ORFA Golf Tournament has a tentative date of Oct. 18 at Choctaw Creek.

Ostrander asked Amy to share what has been going on in the office regarding ORFA. Amy discussed that those who may have not had a Firefighter Tag in years or ever have been call-

ing wanting to join the Retirees or get a replacement card. A lot of this is due to they do not like the new Oklahoma tag.

In the process of them calling, we have also found that many are not even members and we explain to them the benefits that ORFA has to offer. Anytime a retiree sends back an application to join, we send them a Firefighter Tag Application in their packet with a brief letter stating why it is so important to have a firefighters tag. The proceeds of firefighter tags help fund the Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial and the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.

Ostrander stated that the Oklahoma Tax Commission has noted there seems to be a huge upturn in the number of Specialty Tag Sales this year.

Executive Directors Report: Phil Ostrander Ostrander discussed what is going on with Legislation and Bills. OSFA is working with OFCA on some of those bills.

At the Volunteer Caucus there was no support for Legislation that would mandate employers to let volunteer firefighters off under certain circumstances for non-essential employees.

Ostrander talked about OSFA’s Oklahoma Firefighter newspaper now being offered in an electronic format.

Tom Marcum is very appreciative for the OSFA sponsoring his expenses for the OKEFOLP Program.

Financial Report: Chase Rankin Rankin gave the Financial Report, Audit Report and Filed Tax Returns. There was discussion and approval by the Board.

Guest: Bob Allen, OEM Allen first off wanted to thank the OSFA for the flowers for his wife’s funeral and for Ostrander attending the funeral.

He discussed that OEM partnered with the National Weather Service regarding the App that you put on your phone that will pick up the smoke plume when the fire first hits.

They have continued to work on the app and you can put your cursor on a county and it will come up with several fire departments in that area. It will have the Emergency Manager information such as cell phone, Fire Chief of any metropolitan area and in the rural area this has helped quite a bit where they cannot see a fire very quickly.

The main reason Allen came in was to discuss that Oklahoma has not done well with FMAG. He stated that data is hard to collect. With FMAG, Oklahoma has to meet a threshold of $750,000 to get reimbursement.

Allen stated that if everyone can get the word out that they should call OEM and report every fire that the department went out on. They need the fire departments to call EOC (monitored 24/7) or report on WEBEOC and as an example say, “this is Fire Department; we went on a grass fire, 20 acres, 4 trucks and 8 firefighters.”

That is all they need and if that FMAG hits, they can go back and look at those dates, pick up the ones in the area that responded and they will have an OEM Representative to go to the Fire Department to help get a run report or help with paperwork to get maximum dollars. They need the fire department, size of fire, number of trucks and how many people.

This year for the State Disaster Drill, OEM is partnering with the Military for the Earth, Wind & Fire Exercise in November.

Old Business: Ostrander discussed the upcoming Chief’s Golf Tournament and sponsoring a Golf Team.

There was discussion by the Board for getting a table at the CFSI Conference in Washington, D.C., April 5-6.

New Business: 1) New EMS Committee -- This committee will be looking at Rules, Federal Funding and many other EMS related issues.

The Board will take time to look at the committee members list and then make a final decision. Duncan would like this committee to be a Standing Committee.

Lay discussed he had received a request from Tulsa. They have a class of cadets graduating and they are trying to do a luncheon. The Tulsa Fire Department and these cadets have had a tremendous impact on the OSFA State Fire School by providing facilities and staffing for the State Fire School.

Adjournment: 11:45 a.m.

Next meeting: March 16, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201727

n

NEAR-MISS REPORT By Greg Lindsay

First In? What does “first in” mean for you? When you hear a company was first on the scene, does it mean something?

Does it give you an understanding about the assignments, or how the incident progressed?

For some departments, the first apparatus to the call is responsible for establishing command, transmitting an on-scene report, completing size-up, determining the initial incident action plan, and allocating or requesting resources.

For others, the first in unit is the first to go to work. It is admirable to want to help; that is the reason why we show up. The optimum undertaking for this report is making it to the assignment.

The report highlighted this month involves an Engine and a Medium Rescue racing, stock car style, to the call. As you read, consider how your response profile would be different from this one.

Racing to the Call

Published: 2/21/2017 firefighternearmiss.com/Reports?id=8610 EVENT NARRATIVE What was the initial dispatch order?

The call was for a vehicle with entrapment on a rural road. While enroute, updated information was for a conscious female who could not get out of a stuck door.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

OKC Fire Department

When responding to an incident “smooth is fast.” Trying to “hurry every chance you get” is important, but abandoning the safety of your crew or the people you serve for the sake of hurrying is not a chance many fire departments would like to take.

Drafting a policy on emergency response is challenging because there are many factors that intervene in the decision process. To be sure, I would want the way I respond on an incident to be something I would be happy to see on the internet.

I am not sure what really happened in the photo below (found on the internet at www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/topics/i/108348032/fire-truck-photo-of-theday-fire-apparatus-accident.htm).

I suppose this engine company was tasked with responding to an area on the opposite side of the South Street Trolley line. I am almost certain the engine operator did not intend to have this outcome when the response started.

Decisions made prior to or during the response led up to this unwanted event.

What do you think the driver could share from the story told by this one photo?

Have you been in a responding apparatus where you were unsure about arriving safely?

Share the stories you have about your response. The lessons you learned the hard way could be easy lessons for others, and www.Firefighternearmiss.com is one way to tell a story anonymously to thousands of firefighters across North America.

While traveling to assist with automatic aid, our heavy rescue made visual contact with the engine and medium rescue of the home units. They were moving fast on a rural road and very close to each other.

Our driver said, “They are drafting off each other.” The two home units did not slow down for a stop sign controlled intersection and made a left-hand turn with limited visibility. Both home units left the pavement, driving across the grass of a residential yard, kicking up a cloud of dust in the process.

Our heavy rescue slowed down to allow the home units to proceed in front of us.

Our heavy rescue parked and the crew remained in the unit. The officer of the rescue got out and confirmed there was no need for our equipment.

LESSONS LEARNED Describe the lessons learned at this event: The desire to be first to the scene clouds the judgment of some firefighters.

What specific recommendations do you have regarding the lessons learned?

Driver training is essential to understand the consequences of driving heavy equipment while speeding. Intersections are a dangerous location and to run an intersection blindly put the public and firefighters at risk.

After reading, consider the following questions in an open forum with your crew: • What are the merits of this response profile?

• Is there an example you have seen that would promote you to write a policy allowing this type of response?

• What could require you to make responding at a high rate of speed across a residential yard part of the written protocol?

• Have you been in a responding apparatus when you thought the driver was being reckless? How did you handle it? Did you confront the driver personally or discuss within the crew the concerns you had? Was the confrontation dropped because nothing bad happened?

• Would you go back and do anything differently?

Making it to the assignment with all your tools and equipment is the best way we can have a positive impact on the event.

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28April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

n

ISO Report

Kevin Stoneking

ISO Coordinator

(405) 708-9367 kevin.stoneking@oid.ok.gov

In our last article, ISO Field Coordinator Yogi Cole mentioned the recent attention concerning “Subscription” Fire Departments.

Yogi mentioned that Oklahoma Insurance Department sent out a bulletin last June concerning a law passed in 2002.

Senator Sparks recently introduced Senate Bill 495 modifying the wording of the 2002 Law concerning “Subscription” Fire Departments. We do not know if this Bill will or will not become law at this time.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has requested the Insurance Services Office or ISO provide a list of the communities currently listed as having a “Subscription” Fire Department.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has shared this list with the Rural Coordinators.

To prepare for the potential implementation, the Oklahoma Insurance Department, the Rural Coordinators and ISO will be working together to update this information.

We will need your assistance to update this information, as well. We anticipate that: • Some communities should be added to this list.

• Some communities should be removed from this list.

• Some communities should remain on this list.

This is complicated by Incorporated Cities or Districts that do not have “Subscriptions” but protect an area with “Subscriptions.” This is further complicated by the terminology of “Subscriptions.”

“Memberships” and “Dues” may be considered as “Subscriptions.” We think we have a solution for different scenarios we will encounter.

Once updated, the Oklahoma Insurance Department intends to post and maintain this “Subscription” list on the OID website for public consumption. We anticipate that this list will be updated on a monthly basis.

ISO customers should also have access to the same “Subscription” information through the normal delivery.

We are here to help you navigate this decision. We have already seen a spike in the revenue generated by “Subscription” Fire Departments.

We are trying to track the positive effects of this Law. Generally, a reliable revenue stream has a positive effect on the Fire Protection Capabilities provided.

We encourage you to contact your local Rural Coordinator or your Local ISO Field Representative.

Or you can contact ISO Field Coordinator Yogi Cole at 405-213-9967 or ISO Coordinator Kevin Stoneking (that’s me) at 405-708-9367.

n FUNDRAISERS: Meno Fire and Rescue Pancake and Whole Hog Sausage Supper April 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Meno Gym. Supper is by donation and includes fresh pancakes, whole hog sausage, homemade maple, blueberry and dutch honey syrup.

Laverne Fireman’s Poker Run (April 8) & Open House (April 9). Register for Poker Run Saturday at Laverne Fire Station, then come back for the Supper & Pie Auction Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more info: Michael Carnagey (580-334-6028).

Moore Firefighter’s Santa Express 8th Annual charity Golf Tournament April 17 at Moore Athletic Golf Club.

Shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $280 per team or $70 per

individual. Proceeds will be used by our Santa Express Program to provide gifts for underprivileged children within the community. For more info: See ad on Page 9.

Heroes Fore Charities Golf Tournament April 17 at Oak Tree Country Club in Oklahoma City. Cost is $375 per team. All proceeds benefit Oklahoma City Fire Department Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Oklahoma and Oklahoma Military Charities. For more info: Tony Young (405-417-0400).

Yukon Fire Fighters Golf Tournament 2017 June 16 at Winter Creek in Blamchard. Shotgun Start at 9 a.m. Cost is $300 per team or $75 per individual. Free lunch, free range, cash prizes, raffles, door prizes. For more info: Jeremy Goodrich (405-760-1795) or Brent Weaver (405317-0560).

OSFA Membership Benefits Membership in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association offers a wide array of benefits and services.

• Lobbying for Pension benefits and Fire Service legislation is one of the most important services you receive.

This is conducted locally, statewide and at the national level.

• Subscription to OSFA’s official Oklahoma Firefighter publication, which keeps members up-to-date on legislative and training issues, as well as other news from around the Oklahoma fire service.

• National representation in the form of membership on NFPA Committees, IAFC, IAFF and National Volunteer Fire Council.

• OSFA decal which is dated each year of your membership for you to proudly display on your vehicle(s).

• Line-of-Duty Death Benefit of $2,000.00 is delivered in person for immediate relief to your family within 24 hours.

• Apply to join a committee and help make things happen.

OSFA committees include Legislative, Safety & Health, Educational Advisory, Memorial Funding, Benevolent, Membership, Volunteer Fire Service and Brent Hatcher Fund.

• An accidental death and dismemberment policy for $4,000 from American Income Life.

• Brent Hatcher Fund, a fund available to active firefighters who join the fund, ensuring that surviving families will receive a financial gift in the event of the death of a member firefighter (currently $2,180 -- $5 x the number of Brent Hatcher members).

• Distribution of surplus equipment on a first-come firstserve basis (when available).

• Training at the State Fire School and the Volunteer Caucus and Pension Seminars -- all at no charge. .

• The annual Firefighters Convention, where you can inter-

act with your peers and get involved in the process. Your department’s delegates have a vote at convention.

• Run for the Executive Board at the annual convention, and if elected, obtain a seat on the State Pension Board.

• Assistance with Grants, Fire Department operations and management, and Pension & Retirement issues, State laws and National-State-Local government agencies.

• Free admission for members and their families to the nation’s most comprehensive, member-held Firefighters Museum.

• Your name on OSFA’s outstanding Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial, which honors Oklahoma firefighters who have served their communities for more than 20 years or retired through disability.

• Firefighter license plate (numbered or personalized for your vehicle or motorcycle).

• Full access to the OSFA website and online job postings.

• Promotion of Fundraisers through Email Blasts and Facebook.

• Research on ISO information and counseling (insurance rating for your community).

• Research Attorney General Opinions affecting fire departments and firefighter pension issues.

• Provide information on NFPA firefighter qualifications (health examination).

It is a priority of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to embrace new members from all fire service disciplines and grow our membership to the point in which we remain the strongest leading force of Oklahoma’s fire service.

Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201729

OSFA Heroism Award Presented to Sarah Chase, 14, of Woodward own life in saving or attempting to save the life of another person.

On the afternoon of December 14, 2016, you smelled smoke and due to the massive flames, you and your siblings could not get out the bedroom door. Your quick decision to break the widow and get your siblings and then yourself to safety was heroic.

After making sure your siblings were safe and across the street, you then started trying to get help for your parents from surrounding neighbors. Due to your bravery and initiating rescue efforts, you and your family were all able to spend

On March 9, friends and family and firefighters gathered inside the Woodward Fire Station to honor Sarah Chase.

Not only was Sarah turning 14 that day, but she was receiving the OSFA Heroism Award.

She helped get her family to safety on Dec. 14 when she smelled smoke in the house.

In addition to the Heroism Award, Sarah received a granite plaque and $500 gift card from Woodward firefighters who pitched in money from their own pockets.

Woodward’s C-shift firefighters who worked the family’s house fire were on hand for the presentation, as well as Woodward Home School kids who toured the fire station afterwards and OSFA President Mike Duncan.

Following is the letter OSFA sent to Sarah regarding the OSFA Heroism Award.

Christmas together.

You showed courageous bravery by putting your life on the line to save your family’s life on that fateful day. Concern for your fellow man transmitted itself into action and we feel your efforts deserve recognition. Your quick response in an emergency situation reveals that you are a young lady of brave and unselfish character.

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association’s 15,000 members salute you for risking your life to save the life of another human being. We are pleased to present you with the prestigious Heroism Award.

Sincerely, Mike Duncan, President Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

Dear Ms. Chase, You have been commended for your actions on December 14, 2016 and your name was submitted to the OSFA Executive Board. Upon review of the facts, the Executive Board voted unanimously to present you with the OSFA Heroism Award.

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Heroism Award is bestowed upon persons who voluntarily risk their

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30ď źApril 2017ď źOklahoma Firefighter

OSFA Snapshots

Got something going on at your Fire Department?

Share the news! Email photos to osfa@osfa.info

Fargo Chiefs Meeting -- dinner included -- March 16

Thanks to everyone who dropped by OSFA the week of March 13.

The parking lot was full all week long with Spring Breakers enjoying the Museum, the Memorial, and the playground.

Hopefully everyone will come back to visit, especially when the new expansion is completed!

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Oklahoma FirefighterApril 201731

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32April 2017Oklahoma Firefighter

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