Oklahoma Firefighter Aug-Sept-Oct 2022

Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

Aug/Sept/Oct 2022

OKLAHOMA FIRE SERVICE

LEGENDS Rick Swineford Laverne FD

Carl Hickman

Sulphur FD / Mustang FD

Duck WorthleyMarlow FD

Their Stories on Pages 26 - 30

Alan Clark Beaver FD

Gary Marrs

Oklahoma City FD Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 1

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION 2716 N.E. 50th St. OKC, OK 73111

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Okla. City, OK Permit No. 570

OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMAOFFICE OFFICE OKLAHOMA OFFICE 3001 3001N.W. N.W.10th 10th STREET STREET OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OFFICE OFFICE 3001 N.W. 10th STREET

Oklahoma OklahomaCity, City,OK OK73107 73107 City, OK 73107 Oklahoma 3001 3001 N.W. N.W. 10th 10thSTREET STREET Phone: Phone: 405-945-0400 405-945-0400 405-945-0400 Phone: Oklahoma Oklahoma City, City,OK OK73107 73107 800-749-3552 800-749-3552 Phone: Phone: 405-945-0400 405-945-0400 800-749-3552

800-749-3552 800-749-3552

2August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Contents

August/September/October 2022

klahoma Firefighter

Volume 39, Issue 3

Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 2716 N.E. 50th Street OKC, OK 73111 (405) 424-1452 • Fax (405) 424-1032 osfa@osfa.info • www.osfa.info Published quarterly 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 Mike Kelley mkelley@osfa.info

128th OSFA Convention Photos- Pages 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14 Team Enid FD proved to be the strongest and took home the trophy from the Fire Truck Pull competition at convention

Co-Editor Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info Managing Editor Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info Get your Oklahoma Firefighter magazine the minute it goes to press!

Read it on your smart phone, laptop or other digital device!

20 - Museum Display

Simply call (405-424-1452) or email the OSFA office (osfa@osfa.info) and request digital editions!

22 - ORFA Conv. Photos

45 - First in OK Fire Service

Advertiser’s Index

44 - Oklahoma Fire Spotlight - Anadarko FD

42-47 - OFCA News

OSFA / ORFA UPDATES

FEATURES

7 - OSFA Past President’s Report 11 - OSFA 3rd Vice President’s Report 13 - Stavros Scholarship Recipients 17 - OSFA Executive Director’s Report 20 - Museum Director’s Report 23 - ORFA President’s Report 24 - ORFA 3rd Vice President Q&A 25 - OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Reports 34 - OSFA Volunteer Fire Service Committee 36-37 - OSFA Public Education Committee

33 - The Rural Firefighter: Corey Conrady 34 - Question & Answers 46 - OSFA State Fire School Photos FIRE SERVICE REPORTS 32 - Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains (OFSC) 34 - Fire Protection Publications (FPP) 35 - National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA) 38 - Firefighter Near-Miss 39 - OSU Fire Service Training (OSU FST) 40-43 - Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System

43 2 52 37 16 32 15 20 18 31 24 47 10 10 21 35 9 13 28 29 14 7 45 43

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Angelo Gordon Casco Industries Casco Industries Chief Fire & Safety Commonfund Capital Conrad Fire Equipment DACO Fire Equipment FPP / IFSTA Fred Alger & Company ITE Fire & Rescue Johnny Ray Art Kirkpatrick Architecture Lord Abbett Marsau MES Moore Norman Tech NAFECO OAEVT Phillips Murrah P.C. Roberts Testing Randy Dame LPL SOS Fire Equipment SOS Fire Equipment S&S Textiles

CONTACT osfa@osfa.info to place an ad in the magazine

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 3

128th OSFA CONVENTION

At Convention, Governor Stitt signed HB2487, restoring the 20-year pension for ALL firefighters and also allowing volunteers to increase the amount of money they make annually so they can still maintain “volunteer” status in the pension 4August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

June 8 - 11, 2022

in Enid

231 attendees representing 45 cities & towns

Convention Photos by Greg Roberts, Norman FD Retired

First-time OSFA Convention attendees

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 5

128th OSFA CONVENTION

Convention Photos by Greg Roberts, Norman FD Retired

6August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Meetings

Cliff Davidson: OSFA Past President’s Report Hello everyone! I hope you all are getting to enjoy the summer break with your kids and grandkids. As we all know, family is one of the most important parts of our lives and should always be one of our most important priorities.

I want to thank everyone who attended the convention in Enid, and I hope everyone had a great time. My number one objective was to make it as fun as possible.

Ringwood FD There where so many people that helped plan and organize and I can not thank them enough for their time and effort. I will not try and mention names because I know I would miss one or two. So, I will just say thank you to everyone who helped with convention.

As with every convention, a new board member is elected to the board, and I want to welcome Cary Provence to the board. Cary has always been involved with committees and has always worked for the betterment of firefighters across the state. I believe you all made a great choice in electing him to represent you.

As we start this new year, I encourage you all to get involved and be a part of your organization. You are the reason this organization exist, and it is here to serve each and every one of you.

In my four years on the board, we have been faced with several tough issues. I will admit there have been

days that it would have been easier to have stayed home to not have to deal with some of them. But I always realized that you elected me to represent you, and that it is our responsibility to try and make the best decisions for the organization.

It is my hope that we can all work together to reach the goals that we all set out to achieve.

There are many new changes being made to help the organization to be more efficient and effective for its members. There will be glitches and hiccups along the way, but we will work through them and get the organization where it needs to be.

I realize some of these new changes are not popular with everyone, and I understand your concerns. I have been in the fire service long enough to know firefighters usually balk at change. But the end goal is to get the organization to serve its members efficiently and effectively.

If you have any issues with any of the changes, you can reach out to the staff or your Executive Director and they will be more than happy to help you resolve the issue.

Thank you all for your support the past four years and I look forward in working with you in the future.

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 7

128th OSFA CONVENTION

128th OSFA Golf Tournament

Convention Photos by Greg Roberts, Norman FD Retired

8August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 9

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Cary Provence: OSFA 3rd Vice President’s Report Thank you.

Thank you for putting your faith and trust in me to sit on your board and represent all of you.

I am truly humbled to be in this position. I will do whatever it takes for all of you past, current and future Yukon FD firefighters.

Over my 22-year career, I have been fortunate enough to meet so many great people and experience so many amazing things because of the Oklahoma Fire Service. It is something I think about from time to time, and I cannot help but smile.

I remember the first day I walked into the fire station. I was greeted with open arms by a man who, although now retired, I am still able

Q&A with Cary Provence OSFA’s new 3rd VP was born and raised in Yukon.

He has been in the fire service for 22 years, joining Yukon FD in 2000. He was promoted to Driver in 2005 and to Captain in 2013.

In a recent question-and-answer session with Oklahoma Firefighter, Provence, 42, shared the following: When did you know you wanted to be a firefighter? It’s one of my oldest memories, being at my granddad’s fire house in Midland, TX, and watching them leave for a call. I think I was around 5 when I decided that’s what I was gonna be.

How’d you go about getting into the fire service? I started testing everywhere I could find that was hiring right after high school. I also started going through EMT and Paramedic school at the same time.

What do you like best about being a Firefighter?

Getting to help others. That is what this job is at it’s core -- it’s about serving others.

What are your hopes for the future? To support the future generations of firefighters and pass the old traditions on -- at least the good ones, anyway. They need to know where they came from and why we do what we do.

Why did you decide to run for the OSFA Executive Board? It’s an important job, serving not only current firefighters across the state but all the ones to come. We have a huge responsibility to protect what those before us have built and fought for while also looking into the future to see what, if any, changes are needed to make sure it lasts forever.

There’s work to be done and I am not the type to sit back and let others do the work for me, so I decided to do it myself.

What was the highlight of the 2022 OSFA Convention for you? The hospitality trailer, of course!

to call my friend and my brother. He was smart, passionate about the job, funny and, more than anything, he cared about me and he made sure I knew that.

You often hear rumors about the brotherhood of the fire service before you come in, but you do not really understand it until it is something you are a part of. He made sure to show me what it truly was about.

I have had some of my best and worst times on the job with him by my side and I am so thankful for him.

The lessons I learned from him over the years are so valuable to me and I do all I can to pass on what I have learned from him and others to everyone I can.

I would encourage all of you more seasoned firefighters out there to be sure you are not too hard on the new folks. A little breaking in is understandable, but maybe the way we learned was not necessarily the best way. They are the future and our lifeblood, so treat them as such.

Teach them, mold them and encourage them along the way. Do not leave this job with all those years of experience, knowledge and lessons locked up inside of you. Pass all of that on.

That is what will make the fire service continue to grow and the new generation successful. Do not make those newer members learn all the same lessons again the hard way.

Newer members, be a sponge, ask questions and do not be afraid to be a pest. Do not sit back and rest thinking you know your job; I promise you that you cannot ever know enough.

Push those older firefighters to teach you.

They may not show it anymore, but they were once young and gung-ho, and it is still in them somewhere. Help them find it again. Ask them.

I would bet they would be happy to tell you.

They might even smile while they do it.

You retired guys, do not hesitate to stop in your old fire stations and talk to the folks who are working there now. They like hearing from you and hearing your old stories. I have seen too many friends retire and never stop back by, for whatever the reason, and I hate it.

I think I speak for everyone when I say you are always welcome, so come on by.

If you are still active and do not have anything in your department yet, I encourage you to organize a retiree’s breakfast or something of the like. We are stronger together and we can all learn from each other, and it is kind of fun hearing from you.

This has been so much more than a job and has given me so much over the last 22 years, and I am excited for the future and to give some back. Thank you again for entrusting me with this responsibility.

If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Call or text at 405-623-8216 or you can email me at cprovence@yukonok.gov.

Keep getting better every day! Take care!

2022-23 OSFA EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT

Jim Ed Nimmo Tulsa FD

jimnimmo7@gmail.com 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Tony Lopez

Midwest City FD

tlopez@midwestcityok.org 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Donnie Bennett

Oklahoma City FD

donben1889@gmail.com 3RD VICE PRESIDENT Cary Provence Yukon FD

cprovence@yukonok.gov PAST PRESIDENT Cliff Davidson Ringwood FD

davidsoncliff@yahoo.com

UPCOMING EVENTS Sept. 14, 2022 26th Annual David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park Golf Course in OKC Sept. 20, 2022 3rd Annual Oklahoma Public Education Summit in Tulsa Oct. 29, 2022 ORFA Luncheon at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Oct. 2, 2022 Oklahoma State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at Oklahoma Firefighters Memorial Jan. 25-27, 2023 OFCA Winter Workshop in Stillwater

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 11

128th OSFA CONVENTION

Presentations

100 Years Plaque • Custer City FD Also receiving plaques for over 100 years with the OSFA were Heavener FD, Prague FD and Stigler FD

2022 First In Last Out Award • Brady Bond, Garber FD

2022 Department/Unit Citation • Twin Lakes FD

2022 Medal of Valor • Tad Smith and Hunter Munsell, Harmon FD

2022 Meritorious Service Award • Alan Clark, Beaver FD

2022 Stavros Scholarship Recipients with Family and Friends

Hannah Blankenship Cushing HS

12August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Kerry Cryer Tipton HS

Kylie Casey Morrison HS

Rylie Jantzen Ringwood HS

Meet the 2022 Stavros Scholarship Recipients

2022 OKLAHOMA EVT CONFERENCE

The Pete and Lela Stavros Scholarship Foundation was established in 2002. And when the first scholarships were awarded in 2004, five recipients received $500 to help with college expenses.

This year, five $2,500 scholarships were awarded. The deserving five were picked from a total of 52 applicants.

Hannah Blankenship

Cushing High School Daughter of Christopher Blankenship, Oklahoma City FD Major: Agriculture Business at Northwestern Oklahoma State University “The word bravery in the dictionary is described as courageous behavior or character. My dad being a firefighter, I am so honored to have such a brave person and role model in my life.”

Kylie Casey Morrison High School Daughter of Timothy D. Casey, Perry FD Retired Major: Business, Human Resources, Psychology at Northern Oklahoma College “It always meant a lot to me that my father was a firefighter, and how he served the communities around me.”

Kerry Cryer Tipton High School Son of Jeffrey Cryer, Tipton FD Major: Athletic Training at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma “I have witnessed the dedication and sacrifices my father, my uncles and my late grandfather have had for our community and surrounding communities through their volunteer services.

It takes special people to become firefighters and those people are our heroes.”

Rylie Jantzen

Ringwood High School Daughter of Brian Jantzen, Ringwood FD Major: Animal Services at Oklahoma State University “I take great pride in knowing that when someone in our community needs help with a fire or a medical call, my dad will be one of the volunteers to answer the call.”

Courtney Kerr

Covington-Douglas High School Niece of Curtis Taylor, Marshall FD Major: Criminal Justice Psychology at Northwestern Oklahoma State University

OTHER CONVENTION PRESENTATIONS: Shey P. Francis Award was given to Zach Bruhn of the Oklahoma City Fire Department Heroism Award was given to Brady Nichols of The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Troop I

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128th OSFA CONVENTION

Fun & Fashion

Enid FD - Winners of the Fire Truck Pull

Norman FD

Marcus Koch OKC FD

OSFA Board

Cleo Springs FD

14August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Convention Photos by Greg Roberts, Norman FD Retired

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Mike Kelley: OSFA Executive Director’s Report I’d like to start by thanking everyone who joined us at the 128th Annual OSFA Convention in Enid. If you weren’t able to make it, please make plans now to join us at the 129th next June in Tahlequah.

Thanks to the amazing staff here at the OSFA, Ret. OKC FD the Major County Fire Departments, Enid Fire Department, sponsors and the many volunteers who made for a successful and fun convention.

For those who don’t know, convention contains our annual business meeting, which is held on the Saturday of convention.

And that is where new officers are elected and the direction for the following year is set.

This is a membership driven organization and you, the members, tell us what your priorities are for the OSFA. There are multiple ways that you can do that -- attend convention in June, attend the annual volunteer caucus in February, serve on or interact with a committee, speak with a board member or a member of staff and get involved.

If you have an interest in a particular committee, notify the office and we will send you a link to the next meeting.

This organization is dedicated to representing you, the member, in every way that we can. The primary mission is the protection and preservation of our Pension System.

Did you know that the five OSFA board members that you elect are also on the 13-member state pension board? In fact, they serve as the chairmen of the board and its various committees.

When asked why someone should belong to the OSFA, that fact alone should be enough. In addition to that strong presence on the board itself, we are continuously monitoring and proposing positive legislation, as well as defending against harmful legislation.

Your pension is funded by city contributions, your contributions, insurance premium tax and investment returns. What does this mean to you the member? The contributions and the insurance premium tax level are established by state law and, as such, may be changed by state lawmakers.

The percentage of the insurance premium tax that funds our system is often looked at by lawmakers as money they could spend other places which is why it is vital for us to monitor legislative activity. The OSFA and our lobbyists work closely with our Pension System and their staff in protecting your pensions.

One of the other perks of membership is getting your name inscribed on the wall at the Living & Fallen Firefighters Memorial located here on the grounds of the OSFA. After 20 years as a member, you are eligible to have your name inscribed on this beautiful memorial. If you have never visited, make plans to come visit the memorial and your museum. Admission is free to OSFA members and their family.

I have visited the National Fallen Firefighter memorials and I believe that ours is the nicest that I have seen. We showcase it every October when we hold the annual Memorial Service for our members who have passed away in the previous year.

Make plans to attend this year in person or check it out streaming live on Facebook.

Another way to support the Museum/

Memorial besides your dues is by getting a personalized firefighter tag for your car, truck or motorcycle. Your Museum/Memorial receives a check every month from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for the proceeds from those tags.

In closing, we are in the process of evaluating everything that we do and how we do it. The reason is for you the member! You entrust us with your hard-earned dues money and we want to make sure that we are spending those dues as efficiently as possible.

We have a dedicated team in place that is passionate about the service that we provide. I have challenged them to bring forward new ideas and methods to connect with you, our members, and provide the most value for your membership.

It is an honor to serve the dedicated men and women of the Oklahoma Fire Service! Blessings to you and yours!

Q&A with Mike Kelley In April, Mike Kelley was officially named the Executive Director of the OSFA. He is the 11th person -- and sixth OSFA Past President -- to hold this distinction.

Kelley was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Bethany. He graduated from Putnam West HS and attended OSU/OKC, OCCC, OU and OSU. He served two months shy of 34 years with the Oklahoma City FD, joining in 1986 and spending the last half of his career as a Battalion Chief. He also spent 17 years as Secretary/Treasurer of the IAFF Local 157.

In a recent question-and-answer session with Oklahoma Firefighter, Kelley, 60, shared the following: How’d you go about getting into the fire service? My wife worked at a bank where all the security guards were retired firefighters. They would encourage spouses to apply. Probably the fifth time I was told about it I applied, and as I went through the process I started getting excited about the opportunity -- that was until I realized that I would have to take a 50% pay cut at a time my wife was eight months pregnant. After prayerful consideration and the acknowledgement that I couldn’t make the math work but I served a God that could, I accepted the job offer.

What do you like best about being a Firefighter? The fact that no two shifts were the same and the amazing people that I was blessed to work alongside.

What are your hopes for the future? For society as a whole but firefighters specifically to stop focusing on our differences and instead celebrate what we have in common and recognize that we can learn from each other only when we truly are willing to have an honest dialogue.

What did your time as Interim OSFA Executive Director teach you? Besides the fact that I didn’t want to do the job permanently? I realized how insulated the board truly was from the day to day operations and that’s not in itself good or bad, simply an observation from a different vantage point. It’s an enormous undertaking representing every firefighter in the State of Oklahoma regardless of rank or status. Intellectually you know that, however it isn’t until you’re faced with the challenge of false narratives and beliefs and the weight that it places on the organization that you fully appreciate the challenge.

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 17

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OSFA ARCHIVE Here’s a bit of history you may or may not know about your association: Oklahoma firefighters posed for pictures in the creation of the centerpiece 9-foot bronze sculpture at the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial.

Shahla Rahimi Reynolds’ “Just Another Day” design was selected in a blind vote from 15 artists who submitted plans. Her husband James Reynolds, by the way, was an Oklahoma City firefighter.

Shahla watched the movie “Backdraft” 26 times and photographed Oklahoma firefighters on a house that was burnt somewhere on 12th Street.

“I got up on a roof to do that, but I couldn’t get down,” she said. “I froze, and they had to bring me down.”

Then Shahla put together a composite figure using the measurements of approximately 100 firefighters.

“One of my models was Chief (Keith) Bryant,” she said.

“That’s how we came up with

the perfect size, but then we had to multiply that one-and-a-half times to get the 9-foot sculpture.”

In July 1999, Shahla began working on the sculpture in the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.

More space was needed, so the project moved to a warehouse supplied by Flintco Construction Solutions.

In all, Shahla submitted 23 drawings and three clay models of the Memorial. She then did a full-size sculpture out of styrofoam and clay, and that was used to make the rubber mold that a Colorado foundry used to cast the sculpture in bronze.

The sculpture was finished a week before the dedication ceremony, which was held during the 106th OSFA Convention on June 8, 2000.

On Oct. 8, 2000, the inaugural Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial Service was held. More than 100 gathered, and 256 names were read.

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Visit the online gift shop at www.osfa.info

OSFA & Museum Staff Executive Director Mike Kelley mkelley@osfa.info Administrative Director Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info Administrative Assistant/Membership Madelyn Roth madelynr@osfa.info Administrative Assistant/OFCA Raegan Layne raeganl@osfa.info Publications Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

Museum Director Gene Brown geneb@osfa.info Museum Assistant Quintin James quintinj@osfa.info Museum Assistant Bob Noll bobn@osfa.info Museum Assistant Lance Gill lanceg@osfa.info Museum Volunteer Greg Roberts groberts1960@gmail.com Museum Volunteer Andie Hernandez

20August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Gene Brown: Firefighters Museum Director Hello Everyone!

Fundraising is going very well this year. Here’s the break-down so far, with all proceeds going to the Museum & Memorial: • $5,720 -- Hall of Fame Classic Softball Tourn.

• $9,368.25 -- Big 12 Softball Tournament •$61,146 -- Women’s College World Series Ret. The Village FD • $10,000 -- Ride to Remember That makes a grand total of $86,234.25. And that is a record year for fundraising. I can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work that makes this possible. We have a great team here at your museum. This would not be possible without them.

Our next fundraiser is the 26th Annual David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park in OKC. Please mark your calendar for Sept. 14 and help us make the Memorial Golf Tournament a great success. We look forward to seeing all of you.

We applied for a Historical Grant through the Historical Society.

We were awarded $6,751.19, and with this money we bought three fireproof filing cabinets. They will be used to store our photo collection and all our historical documents. We also purchased much needed archival supplies to insure safe keeping.

I have to mention the staff.

Bob Noll takes care of the archives and is our historian. Museum volunteer Greg Roberts is keeping the photo collection and patch collection.

Lance Gill runs the gift shop and handles social media. He will also be producing films for the museum. And Museum volunteer Andie Hernandez works on grants and anything she can get her hands on.

Without them, none of our success would be realized. Thank you all for what you do.

The new shop is moving along. We finished the driveway and parking lot. It was finished in time for parking during the Women’s College World Series.

Now we are working on getting the walkway completed. Then we will move inside to complete the building. This will make it possible to move forward with our plans inside the museum.

Thank you all for your support. Together we can build the best Fire Museum in the country. Stay safe and come see us.

On Display at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum DIVING HELMET & AIR PUMP This Diving Helmet and associated manually-operated air pump was used by the Oklahoma City FD for water rescue and body recovery.

They were purchased and placed into service in the early months of 1936.

OKC Fire Chief George Goff purchased them from the A.J. Morse & Son Company in Boston, MA.

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Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 21

41st ORFA CONVENTION

June 6, 2022 in Enid

59 delegates, 16 guests and 1 non-member in attendance

Convention Photos by Greg Roberts, Norman FD Retired

22August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

James Fullingim: ORFA President’s Report The 2022 OSFA Convention is now behind us, and I would like thank Cliff Davidson for hosting the successful event.

I look forward to a productive year and am honored to serve as the ORFA President. I believe we have a great board in place, and I am excited to work with our new 3rd Vice President Marshal Dunnam.

As we are all well aware, this past year has produced many economic challenges. My initial experience on the Pension Board has revealed that it appears the loss to the Pension will be greater than I anticipated just a month ago.

One continuing issue we face is the negative impact of these economically depressed times to our pension system.

The Plan B portion of our pension Q&A with fund has grown exponentially in recent years, which compounds the James Fullingim negative impact of a market downturn to our system as a whole.

ORFA’s new President was We need to be proactive in born in Ada and raised in South Oklahoma City. seeking a solution to this problem to He graduated from Southeast ensure the sustainability of our penHigh School, received an AAS in sion in the decades to come. I believe Municipal Fire Protection from it is important to remember that the OSU/OKC and a BA in Business Plan A portion of our pension system and Ethics from Mid America affects all members and we should Christian University. not jeopardize our position to proFullingim joined the Norman vide COLAs by trying to maximize FD in 1981 at age 19 and retired in 2016, serving as Norman Fire Chief personal Plan B accounts. for the last 10 years of his career.

With that being said, seeking a After retiring from Norman FD, COLA this legislative session will he went to OSU/OKC and worked not likely be a fruitful endeavor, but as a full-time instructor for two I hope that we can gain support to years. In January 2021, he joined pursue an increased death benefit. the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s It has been mentioned in past that Office. our contact information for ORFA In a question-and-answer session with Oklahoma Firefighter, is out-of-date. Please take time to Fullingim, 60, shared the following: update your information with both ORFA and the Pension System.

When did you know you If you know retired firefighters wanted to be a firefighter? who are not receiving the Oklahoma In high school, I had some Firefighter magazine, it is most likely friends that had dads on the FD because they are not an ORFA memand it seemed like a likely fit ber. Please encourage them to join for me. the organization.

How’d you go about getting Finally, on Oct. 29, 2022 ORFA into the fire service? I enrolled will be hosting an indoor picnic at in the Fire Protection program the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum. at OSU/OKC after graduation This event will be taking the place of to keep myself on track while the golf tournament we have hosted I waited to turn 21. About that in years past. I am optimistic that we time, some of the metro area will see a huge turnout and look fordepartments dropped the age requirement to 18 and I ended ward to this being an annual event to up in Norman. get together with friends and family.

Ret. Norman FD

2022 ORFA AWARD RECIPIENTS Flambeaux Award

Randy Rose (pictured with 2021 recipient George Fina)

Fire Mark Award

Mike Bower (pictured with 2021 recipient T. Dick Cagle)

2022-23 ORFA Executive Board PRESIDENT James Fullingim, Norman nfdchief@hotmail.com 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Mike Duncan, Dewey mduncan51@aol.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Erick Reynolds, Milfay rerick@osufpp.org 3RD VICE PRESIDENT Marshall Dunnam, OKC dunnamm@yahoo.com PAST PRESIDENT A.K. “Yogi” Cole, Tulsa ycole@ipa.net

ORFA DIRECTOR Tippy Pierce, Moore fftip@swbell.net

In order to better communicate with our members, your contact information needs to be updated.

Please call the OSFA office at 405-424-1452 to verify your email and cell phone info.

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 23

n Q&A with ORFA’s NEW 3rd VP Marshall Dunnam

Oklahoma City FD Retired ORFA’s new 3rd Vice President was born in Yale and raised in OKC. He graduated from Western Heights HS and attended Catlin Aviation Pilot School and OSU-OKC. In 1967, Dunnam went into the U.S. Army and served one year in Vietnam with C Battery7/11 Artillery 25th Infantry Division. He received an honorable discharge in 1969.

In 1973, Dunnam joined the Oklahoma City FD and served for 26 years, retiring as a Major.

He helped train the OCFD recruit class of 1996.

Dunnam was elected to the OSFA Executive Board in 1992. The OSFA Convention theme during his year as President in 1995 was “Firefighters Answer the Call.”

In a Q&A session with Oklahoma Firefighter, Dunnam, 70, shared the following: When did you know you wanted to be a firefighter? After returning from Vietnam, I went to work for Dayton tires and after a few years with them decided that a career in the Fire service would fit me.

What did you like best about being a firefighter? I loved helping people and fighting fire.

But more than anything, the guys I worked with meant a lot to me.

Highlights included being promoted to the rank of Major and being elected to the OSFA Board. But I guess more than anything, it was the brotherhood of the job and lifelong friendships.

What are your future hopes Photo taken in 1984 at OCFD Station 1 . Marshall Dunnam is bottom left. and goals? One of my main goals is to have the death benefit did such a great job. His shoes are going to be hard increased to $15,000. Another goal is for more fireto fill. fighters to be involved with ORFA, and that means volunteers as well as paid members.

What was the highlight of the 2022 ORFA Convention for you? Meeting and visiting with old Why did you decide to run for the ORFA Execfriends I hadn’t seen in a long time. utive Board? When I came to the conclusion that Another point I would like to make is the George Fina was leaving the board and Oklahoturnout of the Oklahoma City folks. They mean ma City retirees needed someone willing to fill a lot to me and I’m proud to be a member of our George’s position. I do, however realize, George organization.

Firefighter Art By Johnny Ray Retired Tulsa Firefighter & Longtime ORFA Member

Johnny Ray served 22 years with the Tulsa Fire Department He is a Self-Taught Artist, Painting Scenes of Fires, Wildlife, Architecture, Westerns and Portraits Both Pieces of Art pictured are now available Art Print -- 18x24 n Gildan T-Shirt -- 7 Colors (Shirts come in Men’s & Women’s sizes Small to 2X) WHILE SUPPLIES LAST Cost for both Print & T-Shirt is $35 (plus $15 shipping) Please send check or money order for your purchase

Johnny Ray 2598 County Road 505 • Berryhill, Ark 72616 870-480-8091 • johnnyray1948@icloud.com 24August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

90th OSFA WOMEN’S AUXILIARY CONVENTION

Sara Johnson: OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report Hello! My name is Sara Johnson and I am the new Junior Board member for 2022-2023.

I am excited to take on this role.

Before I introduce myself, I want to take a minute to thank Chief Davidson and the city of Enid for a wonderful convention, as always. I am ready for next year.

A little about me -- I am still new to this fire family. My husband James Johnson and I have been married for two years. We have five wonderful children.

James is a member of the Tuttle Fire Department and serves on multiple committees for OSFA. I joined him for my first convention in 2021 and instantly decided to join the women’s auxiliary.

This year, I was elected to serve on the board, and I am so excited to be a part of history.

I am currently laying the groundwork to put together a local auxiliary for the Tuttle Fire Department.

It is not easy to be in the fire service, and the support from the community and their families means a lot.

I am excited to see what the next four years holds for the auxiliary, and I am hoping to gain more knowledge and friendships along the way.

If you need information on starting a local auxiliary, please reach out to a board member. We always love to see new faces.

Cornhole Tournament sponsored by the OSFA Women’s Auxiliary was won by Fargo FD (not pictured)

Kendra Engle: OSFA Women’s Auxiliary President Your ties to the Oklahoma Fire Service? My husband Kyle (Ponca City FD) has been a firefighter/EMT for 19 years.

What do you like best about being part of the Oklahoma Fire Service family? The unity.

I know if I’m ever in a bind, there is always someone I can call -- no matter where I’m at in the state -- who would be willing to help me.

What are your hopes for the future? I would love to see more wives become involved with the Women’s Auxilary. Just as the firefighters have their brotherhood, we, too, as wives share a special bond. So many wives are missing out on the special friendships developed within this organization.

What was the highlight of the 2022 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Convention for you? We had a great time during the ladies luncheon. We gathered at the Enid Country Club and enjoyed a lovely lunch followed by Bunco. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Donations made by OSFA Women’s Auxiliary at Convention: $500 $1,000 $1,500 $1,500 $1,000 $400

Oklahoma Fire Pipes & Drums Oklahoma Burn Camp Burn Apartment Hydrants for Hope Oklahoma Firefighters Memorial Pete & Lela Stavros Scholarship fund

All thanks to money raised from live & silent auctions

2022-23 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Executive Board PRESIDENT Kendra Engle kedamo10@yahoo.com VICE PRESIDENT Courtney Thompson courtneythompson524 @gmail.com

JR BD MEMBER Sara Johnson sjohnson033@yahoo.com

SEC/TREASURER Haley Thompson hthomp933@gmail.com

PAST PRESIDENT Ashley Corbett ashleyc814@att.net

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 25

Alan Clark Makes a Living Helping Those in Need and Those Left Behind Before becoming a volunteer firefighter for Beaver FD, Alan Clark was helping families and friends deal with the loss of loved ones.

He moved back to Beaver after college in 1974 and helped his dad purchase a local funeral home. Now he is owner and Funeral Director In Charge at Alan Clark Funeral Services -- a business he has been in for 48 years.

In 1987, however, Alan saw a need for volunteer firefighters in his home town. He was a Deputy in the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office at the time, as well as an EMT and instructor in a very limited ambulance area.

“The training through CLEET was able to bring up my awareness to what the ‘Redlights’ in our area actually needed and to respond for the benefit of the injured or what was needed at that time or on that particular call,” Alan said.

“I became a volunteer firefighter because we did not have enough manpower to support our station at the time. I have also encouraged many to join the volunteer fire service in their own areas.

“I know that rewards of firefighting are seldom stated to the firemen and the fire departments. I never let a single fire or call go by without bringing my team together to tell them how the land owner, property owner, accident victim and the rest appreciated the efforts of the department.”

No doubt thousands appreciate what Alan has done over the years.

He worked many events as the FEMA Region 6 Logistics Chief. Among those were: • 10 months at the World Trade Center • 7 months on Katrina, Rita and Wilma Hurricanes • 16 days at the Oklahoma City Bombing • 2 weeks on Joplin, Mo., tornadoes • 2 weeks on Tropical Storm Charlie

OKLAHOMA F

LEGE Alan Clark and his wife Joyce

Featured on the next few pages are Fire Service. These retired firefighters were kind enough to share their stori Of course, there are a multitude of who are deserving of “Legends” statu them to be featured in a future issue o Simply send an email to osfa@osfa as possible, including contact informa requirement is that the nominee must Retired Firefighters Association (ORF

• 2 weeks on Hurricane Ike • 2 weeks on Hayman Fire in Colorado • 3 days at the Moore tornadoes site • Consulted on Webber Falls bridge collapse • Assisted American Flight 587 “I have done many consultations on world disasters,” said Alan, who also served as an instructor for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction and Speaking of nominees, Oklahoma F became a Debriefer, work he continues to of individuals for a continuation of th this day. the magazine. Those themes were: “I even taught in Cape Town, South Africa, to help them build (emergency) teams n Oklahoma Firefighters in Pro Sp for the 2010 World Soccer Finals. n Diversity & Inclusion -- OSFA an “Since I retired (as Beaver FD Assistant n All One Family -- Firefighters w Chief in 2017), I have not left my department alone. I cannot drive a truck or squirt water, but I am ahead of the fires to warn So nominate any OSFA/ORFA/OF residents, read the smoke, find the water story to tell on the above topics, and O supplies and do the things my crews do not There are 16,000+ members in thes have time to do.” thousands of stories to tell -- although Alan was presented with the 2022 Meritorious Service Award at the 128th OSFA Convention.

“I have left a trail -- a trail of patterns, a trail of history, a trail of experience,” Alan said. “And and actually became an adjunct IN HIS OWN WORDS I want just ONE instructor there and helped write of the Oklahoma Stories from Alan Clark this nation’s FEMA Response Plan to State Firefighters to Mass Fatalities. continue with my Several years into being a firefightI trained 880 people in Oklahoma er, we had a house fire in town on a patterns and my before the Murrah Federal Building cold December day, and I did respond meaning, and legabombing on April 19, 1995. Many of as usual. My rider advised me that I cy will survive.” my state students ended up working was clear as I drove out of the station.

Apparently he and I had a different opinion of what CLEAR means, and I pulled the entire garage door structure out of the building and into the drive and then proceeded to the fire.

We won the house fire battle but I lost the battle of the garage door, and that is when I was made Safety Captain.

Alan Clark at the Joplin, Mo. tornadoes site with DMORTS and the Jasper County Deputy

26August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

During 1989, I built an Oklahoma Team to respond to Mass Fatalities here in Oklahoma. I attended many classes in Emmitsburg, Maryland,

this event. Honestly, this is actually the single best response I have ever been on because everyone on scene had some training for mass fatalities, and this would prove huge due to the conditions we were under.

I was highly impressed with each discipline that helped to know what they were to do and when to do it.

A huge response, and it became the model response plan. The Oklahoma Standard was born and I have preached this, taught this and lived this since then.

FIRE SERVICE

ENDS

e several standouts in the Oklahoma s led amazing lives of service and ies with Oklahoma Firefighter. f retired firefighters in Oklahoma us. So please feel free to nominate of OSFA’s official publication. a.info and provide as many details ation for the firefighter. The only t be a member of the Oklahoma FA).

Firefighter is also seeking the stories he themes featured in past issues of

ports nd ORFA Minority Members who Serve in Multiple Capacities

FCA member with an interesting Oklahoma Firefighter will follow up. se associations, so there should be h it may take many magazines!

Gary Marrs Followed His Father and Grandfather as Firefighter at OKC FD Hayden W. Marrs joined the Oklahoma City FD in 1922. He served 36 years, including 11 years with his son.

Hayden W. Marrs Jr. joined the Oklahoma City FD in 1947.

He served 29 years, including four years with his son.

“I am third generation on the Oklahoma City FD, following my grandfather and father,” said Gary B. Marrs, who joined the department in 1972. “After serving in the military, it seemed the right thing to do.”

During is 30 years at Oklahoma City FD, Gary achieved the following titles: • 1978 - Promoted to apparatus operator • 1983 - Promoted to Captain • 1987 - Promoted to District Chief • 1989 - Promoted to Deputy Chief • 1990 - Promoted to Assistant Chief • 1992 - Appointed Interim Fire Chief • 1993 - Appointed Fire Chief “As with most firefighters, you enjoy being with your second family at the station, the active work day from your responses and the feeling of making a difference in the lives of the public you serve,” Gary said.

“Leading a great department in response to the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal building has to be one of my proudest moments.”

After leaving OKC FD in 2002, Gary went to work as the Operations Director for Downtown OKC. Then Mayor Kirk Humphreys asked him to become his Chief of Staff.

“I served there for a year before resigning to run for Ward 1 City Councilman,” Gary said. “I held that office for three terms. I still serve on some City trusts and committees.

Asked what advice he wished to share with today’s Oklahoma firefighters, Gary said: “Never forget who you serve, and provide that service to the best of your ability every day.”

Driver Gary Marrs at Station 1 in the 1980s with Rescue Squad 1 From left are John Clark, Jackie Edmondson, Gary Marrs and Tom Story

Gary Marrs with wife Judy on the day he was sworn in as Oklahoma City Fire Chief

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 27

Rick Swineford and His Dad Merle Both Served at Laverne FD, but Never Together

OKLAHOMA F

LEGE

Even though his dad was in the Oklahoma Fire Service, Rick Swineford never planned on being a firefighter.

Merle Swineford joined the Laverne FD in 1958 and retired in 1978 after 20 years of service, reaching the rank of Fire Chief.

Rick joined the Laverne FD in 1983 and retired in 2008 after 25 years of service, reaching the rank of Fire Chief.

Similar paths, but they did not serve together in the fire service.

IN HIS OWN WORDS They, do however work together in the family business.

Stories from Rick Swineford “Rick was 28 when he joined the Laverne FD,” Rick’s mom Barbara said. “At the time his father was Chief, he had no interest in the FD. One of the most memorable calls was when a vacuum tank truck They were just a bunch of old guys. He was too young and just wanted backed into a hog waste lagoon and the driver was missing. This to have fun! Maturity came later. event happened on Dec. 1, 1999 at 7:54 p.m.

“Our business is repairing radiators and auto air The driver was well known to our department as he was always conditioning. Merle does radiator repair and helping us haul water to our fires.

Rick works on auto air conditioning. After A crane came out to pull the truck out of the lagoon, but there a hot day at work, Rick enjoys swimming was no body in the truck. The fluid in the lagoon was very dark and the owners did not want to drag the bottom for fear of poking a hole in his pool with his granddaughter (Sayin the liner. lor, pictured at right and on the cover The OHP and others brought boats to help us locate the body. I with her grandfather).” was the IC along with the sheriff of Ellis Co. A winter storm came in Rick said, “Dad is still working and recovery was postponed. The owners hired a special dive team. in the family business at age 95. We Help came from all the surrounding departments. We were in think he is one of the oldest firecharge of decontamination and safety. A large tent was set up and fighters still receiving a fireman’s various logistics were established. pension.”

Once again, Mother Nature decided to interfere and no body was found. On Day 15, the owners decided to build another lagoon and Shortly after Rick became a pump that one out into the new lagoon. It took a total of 25 pieces of firefighter, he was elected to serve heavy equipment, which included 17 scrapers and 8 large pumpers. as the Laverne FD Secretary/Treasurer. And after 12 years of holding Pumping started on Dec 17 and the body was recovered on Dec. that position, he was elected Fire Chief where he spent another 12 18 at 1 p.m. I went down the side of the lagoon and put the body in years of service. a rescue basket and decontaminated it.

“When I joined the department, we had two pumpers, one grass A lot of lessons were learned that day. rig and two air packs,” Rick said. “We shared a meeting room with the town’s maintenance crew. No one had very much training.

I don’t remember when I sarted to go to some of the OSFA conventions as a delegate. I do remember in 1987 Woodward held “Through Chief Bill Mulbery’s leadership, we started building a the convention. I was there to help the Woodward FD put on the great department. We started OSU training with Jack Holliman. Do convention. you remember those certificates with the yellow label of accomplishWe did a pit BBQ like we do in Laverne every Fourth of July. ments? Those were the good old days! The training was not hard and Alfred and Bill were able to get a buffalo to cook in the pit. Both we learned a lot as volunteers. departments worked together to serve a delicious meal.

“I am so proud that our department is carrying on with the things Oklahoma Firefighters Museum curator Sam Oruch was selling that we started. Some new FDs have started in our area, and that is a museum gifts out of his motel room. It was his birthday and somegreat asset to us. They all have mega brush pumpers and tankers.” one hired a lady dancer to give him a dance. There were many of my firefighter buddies and firefighter clowns who enjoyed the practical When asked to share advice with today’s Oklahoma firefighters, joke. Sam, I’m not so sure!

Rick said, “I would advise all the volunteers to stay on for more than Although I didn’t attend every OSFA convention as a delegate, I 20 years and keep that money in the pension system and let it grow. certainly enjoyed every event and learned so much.

The Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System is one of the greatest and first-rate in our nation.”

Rick and Merle Swineford at the Radiator A/C Conference last May in Houston

28August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

FIRE SERVICE

ENDS

Retired Marlow Asst. Chief Duck Worthley Still Happy to Help Folks in His Home Town

IN HIS OWN WORDS Stories from Duck Worthley Being from a small department, we took turns being on call, and in June 2005, we had recently gotten an AED. So I got sent to local baseball field where there were four games going on. In the middle of the backstops, there was two nurses doing CPR. on lady who came to watch her grandson play little league.

I grabbed my bag and AED, and it only took one shock to get her back in rhythm. We placed her on oxygen until the ambulance arrived.

Her grandson is now a Duncan firefighter, and his dad is an Oklahoma City firefighter who had been one of my volunteers. And the best thing is I talked to the lady in church last Sunday.

The picture (below) is with paid firefighter Jimmy Farmer on my right and volunteer firefighter Jeff Prater on my left.

We were counting money for the MDA Telethon that had been collected by our fire department.

We would set up at the red light on Main Street the same day of our first home high school football game. People were always very generous.

Roberts Testing

Ever since he was 10 years old, Jimmy Worthley has gone by the nickname of “Duck.”

That’s because people said he looked like a duck walking in his older brother’s baseball shoes when he would go after foul balls as the team’s bat boy.

And ever since he was in the third grade, he knew he wanted to be a firefighter. That’s when Marlow FD brought a truck to the school for a fire safety program. Duck was given a red plastic fire helmet.

“I started following the Marlow FD when I was about 14,” Duck said. “My brother-in-law (Orville Cullum) was on the department, and they always seemed glad to have someone to roll hoses and clean up trucks.

“I was put on as a volunteer as soon as I turned 18 (August 1973), and I was the first one put on the department at that age. We had a red Plectron box and the station would set it off. And we had hip-tall boots, helmets and rubber gloves to respond with. It was a couple of years later when we received our first SCBA.” While volunteering at Marlow FD, Duck helped with truck maintenance. His full-time job was working at a local service station as a mechanic.

So when a paid position over maintenance opened up at Marlow FD, Duck became a full-time firefighter and took care of the trucks.

“Coming from a small department with only five paid firefighters and 20 volunteers, there were multiple areas to cover,” Duck said.

“So I got my Firefighter One and Two and then my Instructor Level One and Two. “One of the first instructors I remember at Stillwater in Firefighter One was Bill Hulsey. He sounded a little bit gruff, but he had such a passion for teaching us the right way and to be safe while taking care of those who needed help because he wanted everyone to go home safely. I tried to put into my classes what I saw in him.”

Duck retired from Marlow FD in 2007 as Assistant Chief, having served a little over 31 years total. He also served as a field instructor for OSU Fire Service Training and spent 19 years working for a local ambulance service. He has maintained his EMT status for 20 years.

Still wanting to stay active, Duck started working at the Orscheln store in Duncan where he gets in 10,000 steps daily.

“Another reason I still enjoy working is to be able to talk to people without it being a life-changing event,” Duck said “A lot of times, it can be as easy as helping find product in the store or find what works best to keep grasshoppers off tomato plants. It is also a spot to see people I was in school with who I have not seen in years.

“I also have seven grandkids I keep up with and a 1966 Plymouth hot rod. I don’t know if it will ever be done, but it keeps me busy.”

Duck Worthley at the Central High FD Car Show last June with his 1966 Plymouth Belvedere convertable. Just over 2,000 were ever made.

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Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 29

Carl Hickman’s Life Spent Around Oklahoma Fire Stations In 1986, Carl W. Hickman became the youngest paid fire chief in the state of Oklahoma at age 22. He took the position with Sulphur FD, the place he grew up -- literally.

From birth to age 6, Carl lived inside Fire Station #1 with his family. His dad Carl E. Hickman was one of two paid firefighters for Sulphur FD, working six days on and one day off.

When his dad transferred to Fire Station #2, the family took up residency there and stayed until young Carl was 12.

“What an experience! I was exposed to all things fire service related at a very young age,” Carl said. “I followed my dad around the station every day -- probably getting in his way more than anything. I was allowed to attend the monthly fire meetings, and I knew everyone on the department. By age 10, I could even pump the trucks!

“I knew very early on that I wanted to follow in my daddy’s footsteps, and I set my sights on becoming a driver for the fire department. At the time, I had no ambition to be a fire chief.”

Carl began his career as a student firefighter with Stillwater FD in 1981.

He lived in Fire Station #2 while attending college at OSU. In the winter of 1982, he was hired as a full-time firefighter/driver with Sulphur FD. He just missed being able to serve with his dad, who retired from Sulphur FD in June 1981 after 21 years.

Four years into his fire service career, Carl was named Sulphur Fire Chief.

Then in 1990, Carl was hired as an Agent with the Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Office. He was assigned to fire investigations with a primary district of 11 counties in south-central Oklahoma.

Sulphur firefighter Carl He then became the Hickman takes a break Sulphur Fire Chief again after answering a call in 1993, a position he held until July 2005, when he was hired as the Mustang Fire Chief.

He retired from Mustang FD in December 2017 with just over 35 years of service. His total time as fire chief was 28 years.

In 2019, Carl was approached to fill the role of Interim State Fire Marshal, and in 2020, the “interim” was removed. He continued serving as the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal until May 2021, when he fully retired.

Asked if there are any Oklahoma Fire Service Legends who inspired him, Carl said, “Man, there are so many!

“One would be Jim Smith, retired Stillwater Fire Chief. Jim was an assistant chief when I was a student firefighter in Stillwater. Although I didn’t see Jim every day, he was a guy I looked up to; a role-model. I always had a lot of respect for him, and I am proud to call him my friend!

“Another was Wayne Lehew, a retired assistant fire chief for Chickasha Fire Department. I first met Wayne when he came to Sulphur to do some training for OSU-FST. “My dad was the biggest legend of all for me -- although I am a little biased on this one.”

30August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

OKLAHOMA FIRE SERVICE

LEGENDS IN HIS OWN WORDS - Stories from Carl Hickman I remember a particular call at a working house fire. It was very early in my career as a paid firefighter. This fire was ripping, with fire extending out the front door onto the porch as we arrived on scene.

I pulled a line, knocked down the fire on the front, then extended my line to a window on the side of the structure. Heavy smoke was billowing from the window and I had directed my hose stream into the window and thought I was really doing good.

A fire captain came up behind me and gave me a butt chewing for wetting down smoke! Sure enough, after the fire was out, I looked into the window I was spraying into, and there was no fire in that room at all … but I had totally soaked the contents, ruining everything in the room. It was a small lesson, but one that stayed with me the rest of my career.

Fast forward many years -- I was fire chief in a different department. We responded to another house fire with heavy smoke showing upon our arrival. I had been preaching to my guys the importance of doing a 360-degree survey of the structure for size-up.

The officer had ordered a handline into the front door without doing a complete 360. As they were deploying their hose lines, I walked around to the back of the house, and could see the fire on top of the stove in the kitchen through the back door. I walked in, used a large cup in the sink, filled it with water from the faucet, and extinguished the fire.

When the guys made entry into the kitchen with a hose line from the front door, there I stood with the fire extinguished. That incident sure reinforced a complete size-up.

One time we responded to a vehicle accident located in an area of our city where our experience had shown crashes at this location could be severe. I arrived on scene along with our rescue unit.

As the paramedics were attending to the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the crash, I tried to gain entry into the passenger side door of the pickup. I reached in, unlocked the door and pulled.

The entire door fell off in my hands. I tossed the door aside, just as an engine company arrived on the scene.

Later, the driver of the engine came up and told me he had never seen anyone rip a door completely off a vehicle with just his bare hands! I had to play that one up for a bit before I told him the truth!

This picture titled “Like Father, Like Son” was taken just outside Sulphur Fire Station #1 in the mid 1960s

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Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 31

Scott Keele: Fire Chaplain Report

Broken Arrow FD

One of my desires as a Fire Chaplain is to support and encourage firefighters in having a long and fulfilling career in the Fire Service.

With this in mind, you may have heard of the word

resiliency.

Resiliency is “the ability to bounce back from difficulty and live a relatively successful life, even after going through severe life stressors.”

In trying to discover where resiliency is found, studies have identified 40 assets found in a those who exhibit a high degree of being able to bounce back from stress and trauma. These assets are divided into two over-arching categories: Internal and External Assets.

I would like to focus briefly on the Internal Assets, as those are the ones that can be cultivated within each fire service personnel.

The Internal Assets are divided into four categories: Commitment to Learning; Positive Values; Social Competencies; and Positive Identity. For our purposes here, let’s focus on the six assets of Positive Values.

Fire personnel that are resilient in their

profession have developed the following assets: Caring -- Fire Personnel place a high value on helping other people. This asset can be developed by remembering what caused you to choose emergency services as a career.

Most fire personnel began their service with a high sense of wanting to help others in need.

Equality and social justice -- Fire Personnel place a high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty. This asset can be developed by volunteering at a local food bank or “Good Will” type store.

Integrity -- Fire Personnel act on convictions and stand up for their beliefs. This asset can be developed by being a member of an accountability group, a group of friends that exhibit integrity in the face of opposition.

Honesty -- Fire Personnel tell the truth even when it is not easy. This asset can be developed by connecting with an organization (religious or civic) the encourages personal and/or group study in internal moral strength.

Responsibility -- Fire Personnel accept and take personal responsibility for their actions. This strength can be developed by starting with the small things. Practice taking

responsibility for the small things in your life by looking for the times you seem to “blame” others for your mess-ups. If we are in the habit of deflecting responsibility in the small stuff, we will most certainly deflect responsibility in the big stuff!

Self-Control -- Fire Personnel believe it is important and see the value in exercising self-control and restraint, especially in the area of sexual activity and the use of alcohol or other drugs. Learn to look at others as valuable as a person, not as an object. See others as someone in need of protection and not someone to be taken advantage. Practice valuing others by finding ways to strengthen and support them.

My prayer is for each one of us to build resiliency in ourselves, our families and our departments.

Let me end with one of my favorite Bible verses, and encourage you to read the whole chapter. Philippians 2:4 -- “And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.”

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Corey Conrady: The Rural Firefighter

Drummond FD

This article is dedicated to all fire departments -- not just rural -- and the kinds of things we deal with as firefighters who live and serve in the communities we have grown up in.

Building a Culture of Safety What is culture? The definition is “an umbrella term that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Culture often originated from or is attributed to a specific region or location.”

Now, what is a culture of safety? Safety Culture is the way safety is perceived, valued, and prioritized in an organization. It reflects the real commitment to safety at all levels in the organization. It has also been described as “how an organization behaves when no one is watching”. attitudes, assumptions, and values. The existing system of assumpThe National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has asserted tions and beliefs reinforces particular values: that the culture of the fire and emergency service is a major contrib● Every LODD is automatically labeled as heroic, no matter the utor to the fatal trend in firefighters’ health and safety (Siarnicki, circumstances (versus an occupational fatality that is preventable).

2010). This culture has not been concisely defined, but the literature ● Recommendations to follow standard operating procedures suggests both that it exists as a stand-alone concept and that it and exercise appropriate caution are described as cowardly. has unique characteristics that are uncommon to non-uniformed ● The urgency of quickly arriving at the scene of an emergency professions. justifies driving in a manner that endangers the lives of other moThis effort is directly related to three of NFFF’s 16 Firefighter Life torists and pedestrians who may be encountered en route, as well Safety Initiatives (FLSIs). FLSI 1, which states: Define and advocate as the responders themselves.” the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safeSo what is this all saying? ty; incorporating leadership, management, supervision, account1. Building a culture of safety then begins at the top and requires ability, and personal responsibility (NFFF, 2011), is an overarching “buy-in” from everyone. initiative, acknowledging that the organizational culture of the fire 2. Every injury or fatality can be prevented. service must undergo a change to accept the other 15 recommenda3. Caution should be everyone’s SOP. tions. Without understanding the culture within a fire and emer4. Driving too fast endangers everyone. gency service organization, it is likely that changes called for in the As we continue in this series, we will continue to look at Buildother 15 initiatives cannot be successfully ing a Culture of Safety, not just in our deimplemented or sustained. (U.S. Fire Adpartments, but in our lives outside. We will Help is available if you need immediate ministration National, Safety Culture Change continue to look at the 16 Life Safety Initiasupport in Oklahoma. Contacts include: Initiative, a Study of Behavioral Motivation on tives and how we can implement them in our Reduction of Risk-Taking Behaviors in the Fire departments.

• Warriors Rest Foundation -and Emergency Service).

Brett Key at 405-252-7489 This study conducted by the U.S. Fire Sources • First Responders Against Suicide -Administration concluded that many interThe National Fallen Firefighters Foundation leads Facebook page is available to message nal factors are at play to determine a culture an “Everyone Goes Home” Firefighter Life Safety First Responders in Oklahoma within an organization, “many interrelatInitiatives” plan on their web page https://www. ed factors must be addressed in order to • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -everyonegoeshome.com/16-initiatives that lists 16 produce a significant change in outcomes in 800-273-8255 (or go to website for chat) attitude initiatives, we as the fire service should terms of reducing line of duty injuries and strive to implement in our departments.

• National Helpline -- 800-662-HELP (4357) deaths and improving overall firefighter • Crisis Text Line -- Text HOME to 741741 The National Safety Culture Change Initiative safety and health.”

(NSCCI) was developed to advocate for the need • OSFA -- 405-424-1452 (will respond with The study also states that “unsafe attihelp within 48 hours) for culture change for health and safety within the tudes and behaviors often prevail in spite of fire service. This effort is led by the International the common knowledge that there are less • Corey Conrady 580-540-0970, call or text Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnerrisky alternatives that could result in fewer me anytime ship with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). deaths, injuries, and illnesses.

• Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains -https://www.ffsafetyculture.org/ In fact, it was noted that efforts to proFacebook page lists four area contacts mote health and safety were often met with In an emergency, contact Pastor Gary Download the report at https://www.usfa.fema. resistance and scorn, reinforcing the notion Lillie (Hawley Fire) 580-541-5980 gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_342.pdf that they created conflict with established Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 33

Volunteer Fire Service Committee Report

Craig L. Hannan Fire Protection Perkins FD Assistant Chief Publications Report

Fire Protection Publications Director

The mission of the Volunteer Fire Service Committee is to solicit and bring forth the interests, needs, desires and requirements for the benefit of the volunteer firefighters in the State of Oklahoma.

For many years, the committee’s primary task was to plan and hold the Volunteer Caucus, traditionally held in February.

In recent years, the committee received and brought forth volunteer issues, opportunities and concerns beyond those discussed at the Volunteer Caucus. Among others, a need for informational resources for Volunteer firefighters, fire departments and chief officers was clear.

Each year, a new Volunteer Fire Service Committee is formed after convention. Many of the issues would take longer than a year to resolve, and the carryover from year to year did not always happen.

The 2021-2022 Committee chose to develop a 36-month strategic plan to aid current and future Volunteer Fire Service Committees in maintaining the progress on Volunteer issues. This strategic planning session will occur in late August 2022.

The final strategic plan will identify 3-5 primary issues affecting Oklahoma Volunteer Firefighters. Resolving those issues will be the focus of the Volunteer Fire Service Committee for the next 36 months. The Committee will provide updates on the progress of the strategic plan at the annual Volunteer Caucus.

I encourage each of you to share your ideas and concerns with the OSFA prior to August 1. The Committee wants to have the most information possible at the time of the strategic planning session. As has been shared before, your voice is the most powerful tool in your arsenal.

Question & Answers

Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters!

Each July, on the first Saturday after Independence Day, Oklahoma Firefighters have the opportunity to see and hear the best and brightest fire researchers active today in Tulsa.

Many of us may have a perception that PhDs presenting research has little or nothing to do with today’s operational fire service.

Perkins FD Nothing could be further from the truth.

The topics from the 2022 Research Symposium included leadership in the fire service, firefighter cancer prevention, effects of crew size on firefighter health and safety, fire dynamics and firefighter behavioral health.

Presenters included Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the United States Fire Administrator; and Dr. Dan Madryzkowski from the UL Fire Safety Research Institute. among other top talents in the fire service. Each presentation included practical application that can be used every day in the fire service.

You may be asking what the cost would be to attend an event with this caliber of speakers. The event is free. In addition to the Research Symposium, the International Fire Service Journal of Leadership and Management is available to you for free.

The Journal contains the peer-reviewed articles that drive new research, ideas and practices in the fire service. The Journal can be accessed at www.ifsjlm.org.

I encourage you to take advantage of these free opportunities to learn the latest best practices in the fire service. Career, volunteer, metropolitan or rural, there is something for every Oklahoma Firefighter at the Symposium.

The 2023 Research Symposium will be July 8 and registration will open in Spring 2023. We ask that you register so we can provide lunch.

Until next time, be safe, be well, be well trained.

Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question: What do you wish was illegal?

Here is what they said: w Greg Herbster, Moore: I wish it were illegal to complain. I am as guilty as anyone, but think about how much better the world would be if we focused on the positive things and quit complaining about things that are out of our control. w Darren Alexander, Cedar Country: Days with a temperature exceeding 75 degrees. w Bre Horn, Marshall: This question can be a double edge. We have many things now that are illegal and very much should be, but still people do them daily. Then more laws put in place, the more people seem to look for ways around them rather than to follow them.

w Jeremy Goodrich, Yukon: Police writing speeding tickets. w Eldon Henderson, Ret. Enid: I wish the sale of fireworks to the general public was illegal. Displays by qualified and experienced professionals are done with a high degree of safety. But far too many fires, injuries and even deaths are the result of fireworks sold to the general public each year. w James Johnson, Tuttle: I wish Marijuana was illegal again. w Richard Kelley, Oklahoma City: I wish negative attitudes were illegal. I know people have bad days and the world is not perfect, but negativity brings everyone down.

Next Issue’s Question -- If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

Everyone is Welcome to Participate!

Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info 34August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Kelly Ransdell: NFPA Report The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced “Fire Won’t Wait.

Plan Your Escape” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week October 9-15, reinforcing the critical importance of developing a home escape plan with all members of the household and practicing it regularly.

In addition, this October represents the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, the nation’s longest-running public health observance on record.

According to NFPA data, home -- the place people feel safest from fire -- is actually where they are at greatest risk, with three-quarters (74 percent) of all U.S. fire deaths occurring in homes. When a home fire does occur, it’s more likely to be serious; people are more likely to die in a home fire today than they were in 1980.

Following are key messages behind this year’s “Fire Won’t Wait.

Plan Your Escape” theme: • Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.

• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

As the biggest annual campaign at NFPA, Fire Prevention Week works to educate people about the leading risks to home fires and ways they can better protect themselves and their loved ones.

Local fire departments play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention Week to life in their communities each year and spreading basic but critical fire safety messages.

NFPA LiNK will now provide digital access to NFPA codes and standards dating all the way back to 1993, plus 43 documents translated into Spanish. The new additions are highlighted in a free pre-recorded webinar, New Features in NFPA LiNK That Will Change the Way You Work.

Find more information about NFPA LiNK, including how to sign up for a free trial, at nfpa.org/link.

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 35

Tulsa Tech: Lemley Memorial Campus 3638 S Memorial Drive Tulsa, OK 74145

OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EDUCATION SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

Mike Weller Training Specialist National Fire Academy: Leadership & Community Risk Reduction

Kelly Ransdell Regional Director National Fire Protection Association

ABOUT US

Mike Klumpp ATV Safety Coordinator ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma

CORE TOPICS

Oklahoma Public Education Summit is a FREE event sponsored by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association's Public Education Committee and the National Fire Protection Association. Come broaden your public education knowledge by hearing from our keynote speakers.

Youth Fire Setter Intervention Oklahoma State Issues Oklahoma ATV Safety NFPA updates/resources Fire Prevention Week

TWO WAYS TO REGISTER: WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/R/OKFIRE2022 SCAN THE QR CODE 36August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Louis Marschik: OSFA Public Education Committee Report The OSFA Public Education Committee would like to invite you to the 2022 Public Education Summit Sept. 20 in Tulsa.

We are back in person this year and look forward to a great day of learning and expanding our fire OKC FD Retired prevention education messaging.

Our speakers will include experts from the National Fire Academy, National Fire Protection Association, ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma and our State Fire Marshal.

This is a free summit with lunch provided. In addition to our speakers, we will also have numerous education vendors that will offer materials to support your prevention agenda.

Please register for the summit at www. surveymonkey.com/r/okfire2022 Note to Volunteer Departments: If you are not able to break away from work, please send a representative in your place.

This could be a city official or family member who can bring the materials back to your department.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK This year will mark the 100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.

The dates are Oct. 9-15. This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”

For more information on this important week, please go to www.nfpa.org/Events/ Events/Fire-Prevention-Week NFPA CONFERENCE & EXPO Like previous years, NFPA offered a two day “Spotlight on Public Education” during the conference.

I would highly recommend this special spotlight to anyone wanting to improve their knowledge about fire public education.

Some of the classes offered this year were: • Steps to Safety: A Community Approach to Safety Among Older Adults • Educational Messaging in Schools: Best Practices • Best Practices in Youth Firesetting Education and Intervention – Creating a “No Fear Zone” • How to make the most of your Fire Prevention Week Toolkit Serving YOU • The Impact of Drugs on Fire Risk

• Using Virtual Reality to Communicate the Benefits of Home Fire Sprinklers • Applying Community Risk Assessment Data in Unexpected and Extraordinary Ways CRAIG 1300 This is a game-changing suite of community risk assessment (CRA) dashboard tools powered by mySidewalk uniquely aligned with NFPA 1300.

These tools will enable you to quickly and easily generate and visualize all-around insights into the unique risks, hazards, and capacities in your community for a more effective data-informed risk reduction plan with community stakeholders buy-in.

For more information: www.nfpa.org/ CRAIG-1300 Our committee would like to say “Thank You” to Chief Davidson and the Ringwood Fire Department for hosting a great OSFA Convention.

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By Greg LindsayNear-Miss OKC Fire Department Greg Lindsay: Firefighter Report

Hot Smoke When we arrive at a fire scene, visible indicators sharpen our initial OKC FD size-up.

Construction styles can provide clues about how fire can spread, but the smoke and flames give us an indication of the fire’s progress, and in some cases, what may be generating the most flame.

Being able to read smoke indicators can add a new level of understanding. My question is, what are the properties of smoke we need to know about for situational awareness?

Smoke is full of particles that carry fuel and heat. While the structure can dictate how smoke is contained, other properties in this fire lead the charge for what happens next.

The featured article shares the dangerous potential of smoke and how it could have changed this event. As you read, consider how you may have approached extinguishment and what factors would have added to your decisions.

Smoke Explosion At Structure Fire

Published: 2/24/2016 http://firefighternearmiss.com/Reports?id=6406

Event Narrative

Initial Size Up: Working fire in a two-story brick residential structure.

Event Summary

The Chief arrived on the scene with the size up and conducted a 360. Fire was visible on the “D” side of the house on the exterior. We pulled a 1 3/4inch hand line for extinguishment.

A personal acquaintance with the family told us that they were out of town on vacation, so rescue was not an issue. The fire was knocked down but extension into the attic via the soffit was evident.

The line was repositioned to the front door to enter.

The door was forced and a crew of two entered with the hose line and Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).

Smoke was moderate and heat was low. The TIC was used to advance the line into the area adjacent to the exterior fire. The TIC indicated that there was fire in the attic. We had an open door to the “D” side and the entry door was open. We started to pull ceilings and apply water.

With these conditions in mind, consider the following: • If you were leading this interior operation, would you have different strategies for assessing extension into the structure?

• What safeguards would you have employed with this type of attack? (Discuss

your department’s policy on backup crew vs RIT).

• Are there additional tactics you would have assigned to ensure cohesive fire ground operations? (These tactics may have been used at this incident but were not included in this report).

• Search “reading smoke” on the internet for examples to add to your daily drills.

Details from this report are examples of the potential smoke can have on a fire event.

In this instance, crews entered the structure to investigate extension on the D-side.

Conditions were described as moderate smoke with low heat. They entered on the ground level and moved to the right with a TIC. While pulling ceiling the unexpected happened.

The event narrative continues.

Event Narrative (continued)

There was no warning of increased heat. We were standing to pull the ceilings and flow water.

Suddenly, I noticed fire all around my upper body that lasted just a few seconds.

At the same time, an explosion was felt on the outside that blew the frame of the window in the front door approximately 50 feet out into the front yard. No one saw the explosion, but it was felt. I ducked down to get out of the flames and the nozzle man dropped down and adjusted the nozzle to a fog.

A second crew that had entered with us, evacuated through the front door when the explosion occurred. We continued to flow water for a few more seconds, then we were ordered out to get PAR and check personnel.

It appears that a smoke explosion occurred from the heated smoke and gases that collected in the ceiling area of the living room. This was a highpitched ceiling that opened to a loft on the second floor and into the living room on the first floor.

Lessons Learned

• Ensure radio communication on assigned operations channel. The radio is equipped with a keypad lock to ensure your radio doesn’t accidentally get switched to a different zone. Command could not reach the interior crew due to the radio being on a different zone.

• Ensure radio safeguards are checked to ensure you maintain radio communications with command.

• Situational awareness: There was no heat increase to indicate a pending explosion.

• PPE- wear it completely as it is designed.

There were no injuries due to personnel wearing their PPE properly.

From this report, we see that smoke was not the only issue. High seasonal temperatures and communications became a significant element in this nearmiss.

Without neglecting these issues, I wanted to focus on the smoke’s effect on this event.

38August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

It is easy to see how a loft area could be overlooked upon entry, especially if the home has void spaces behind knee walls in the lower portion of the attic.

Research has shown that we can’t reliably assess thermal conditions through floors, walls, or roofing with a TIC. Visibly inspecting is the most successful way to determine extension.

Other factors that seemed to have an impact were forcing entry into the structure.

Door control has been identified as a significant factor in ventilation-limited fires.

Once a door is opened and fresh air is introduced into the structure, fire attack crews are on a short clock to locate the fire and complete extinguishment.

This is very difficult when the fires are in hidden void spaces or areas like an undiscovered loft over the living room. Even when no fire victims are expected, assigning a search crew will confirm no one is in the home, and identify fire situations to command that went unnoticed. Coordinating these efforts with ventilation and fire attack is vital.

Additionally, current research from U/L Lab’s Fire Safety Research Institutes (FSRI) confirms how heat is transfered through smoke. Several experiments found that in a window where the vent was unidirectional, window components were heated to extreme levels. Changing the flow path to create an inflow through the window cooled the components significantly in just a few seconds.

While these FSRI studies focused on rescue techniques for unprotected fire victims, the indications of the thermal properties of smoke reinforce the need to coordinate ventilation, fire attack, and search on every fire.

The first in a series of reports from FSRI, Part 1 - Bedroom fires involves search and rescue tactics with research that includes heat transfer and victim survivability.

Other reports involving tactical considerations and identifying fires that originate in other home areas are available. These report findings are provided free of charge through grant funding and are excellent resources.

Sharing events that happen in the fire service are motivators that drive research in our industry. The National Nearmiss Reporting System is a recognized resource for promoting this type of analysis.

Consider sharing your nearmiss event today at www.Firefighternearmiss.com.

Weinschenk, Craig (2022) Analysis of Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Story Single-Family Homes Part I: Bedroom Fires, FSRI-U/L is available free of charge from: https://dx.doi. org/10.54206/102376/DPTN2682

Caroline Reed: OSU FST Director OFCA Ex Officio

Hello from Stillwater! OSU is very excited to take ownership of our first band new fire truck.

I want to give a special thanks to Bryan West and his crew for all they do at our training grounds.

OSU Fire Service Training was able to purchase this truck with the assistance of an AFG Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

I know this truck will serve our department well over the next few years.

We will be hosting a Push-In Ceremony at 3 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the training facility off Highway 51.

Please feel free to stop by!

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6601 Broadway Ext., OKC, OK 73116 405-522-4600 • 1-800-525-7461 405-522-4643 fax www.okfirepen.state.ok.us n MEETING (April 15, 2022) Brent A. Judd/Miami For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective April 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Baggett, Cole, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, and Lopez.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Robert A. Darrow/Norman – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to approve the Application for Disability in the Line of Duty, effective March 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Baggett, Cole, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Harold D. Green/Norman – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective March 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Baggett, Cole, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jonathan C. Stamper/Norman – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to approve Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty,” effective April 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Baggett, Cole, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jay Dooner/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded by Lay to approve Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective April 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Baggett, Cole, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Ronald Huff/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Bennett and seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective April 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Cramer, Cole, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Joe S. Lowery/Stillwater – Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made

by Lay and seconded by Baggett to approve Application for “Disability in Line of Duty” effective April 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Cramer, Cole, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jason Guiver/Tulsa – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective April 1, 2022.

Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Cramer, Cole, and Bryant.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Brian Arnold/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Bennett and seconded by Baggett to approve the request of Arnold to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”.

Ayes: Bennett, Baggett, and Davidson.

Nayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cole, Cramer, Lay, and Bryant: Motion failed.

Scott Lawson/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded

by Lay to approve the request of Lawson to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Cramer, Cole, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

David R. Taylor/Sapulpa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Cramer to approve the request of Taylor to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Cramer, Cole, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried. n MEETING (May 20, 2022) David D. Fincher/Chickasha/Application For Or “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective May 14, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to approve Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective May 14, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cramer, Lay, Lopez, Bryant, Price, and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jason Wall/Chouteau – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 9, 2018: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded

by Nimmo to deny the Application for Disability in the Line of Duty, effective October 9, 2018. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, Kohls, Price and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Michael A. Wilson/Norman – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective May 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective May 1, 2022.

Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cramer, Lay, Bryant, Price, Kohls and Lopez.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Lyndal A. Hadlock/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty Pension, Effective May 1, 2022: Motion made by Lay and seconded by Bennett to approve Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty,” effective May 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cramer, Lay, Price, Bryant, Kohls,

40August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Chase Rankin Executive Director

and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Kevin D. Krause/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective May 1, 2022: Motion was made by Lay and seconded

by Bennett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective May 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Cramer, Lay, Price, Bryant, Kohls and Lopez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Tyler Hockett/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded

by Bennett to approve the request of Hockett to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”.

Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Lopez, Price, Cramer, Kohls, Lay, and Bryant Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jackson Maxwell/Mill Creek – Application For “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Bennett to approve the Application for “Disability Not in the Line of Duty” effective April 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Lopez, Cramer, Lay, Price, Kohls and Bryant Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Michael S. Taylor/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Nimmo and seconded by Lay to approve the request of Taylor to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Lopez, Cramer, Price, Kohls, Lay, and Bryant Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Wade A. Warren/Rock Township – Application For “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Bennett to approve the Application for “Disability Not in the Line of Duty” effective April 1, 2022.

Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Lopez, Cramer, Kohls, Price, Cole, and Bryant.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Greg Wolf/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded

by Bennett to approve the request of Wolf to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Lay, Lopez, Price, Cramer, Kohls, and Bryant Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Keith Nelson/Norman – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to approve the request of Nelson to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Nimmo, Price, Lopez, Cramer, Lay, Kohls, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Bret Barber/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Nimmo to approve the request of Barber to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennet, Lopez, Price, Lay, Cramer, Kohls and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Eric Biedermann/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Bennett to approve the request of Biedermann to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Price, Lopez, Lay, Cramer, Kohls, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Larry Boatman/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded

by Bennett to approve the request of Boatman to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Bennett, Price, Lopez, Cramer, Kohls, Lay, and Bryant. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

n MEETING (June 17, 2022) Johnny M. Dodd/Lawton -Application For Or “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 1, 2022: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded

by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective June 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Jesse J. Baldwin/Norman – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 3, 2022: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded by Cramer to approve the Application for Disability in the Line of Duty, effective June 3, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Charley E. Baxter/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer seconded

by Bennett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective June 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Nick J. Filippo/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Provence to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty,” effective June 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett.

n CONSENT AGENDA (May 20, 2022)

Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty – Modify To Service Pension:

Application For Entrance Into Pension

05/01/2022 OKC

Anadarko Anadarko Anadarko Anadarko Bethany Blackwell Chickasha Chickasha Chickasha Chickasha Claremore Claremore El Reno El Reno Fort Gibson Glenpool Hominy Kingfisher Kingfisher Okmulgee Perry Piedmont Ponca City Sand Springs Sand Springs Seminole Stillwater Tonkawa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Vinita Wewoka Woodward

David Hadrava Timothy Romero Joshua Turk Brandon Watson Blake Caldwell Bryce Pressnall Joshua Class Trey Corley Carl Jackson Payden Williams Zachary Rogers Dillon Vaughn Nathan K. Dewberry John Roberts-Crosby Jaxson Walters Josh Fleak Ryan Bartley Richard Kordeliski Michaehl Youtsey Garrett J. Floyd Ronnie Wilson Cody Hall Hunter Hawkins Logan Kinard Tyler Smith John White Jonathan David Garin Diedrich Brayden Burd Blake Hickerson Jeffery Mitchell Gregory Penick Lacey Gover Riley K. Denman Trenton Ferguson

n MEETING (June 17, 2022, continued) Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Logan Shultz/Tulsa – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to modify Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Disability Not in Line of Duty”, effective June 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

William E. Biswell Ii/Yukon – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 1, 2022: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” to “Service”, effective June 1, 2022. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Randy Gonzales/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded by Bennett to approve the request of Gonzales to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Provence, Fullingim, Bryant, Cramer, Lopez, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Glenn M. Ballinger

Application For Surviving Spouse: 04/19/2022 Wister

Savana Duschel, Widow Of Matthew W. Duschel Deceased 04/18/2022

Checks Terminated In April 2022 (Deceased):

Application For Vested Benefit:

Afton Anadarko Atoka Bartlesville Blackwell Choctaw Clayton Cordell Depew Edmond Healdton Idabel Ketchum Locust Grove Minco NW Rogers Oktaha Ponca City Soper Tecumseh Tulsa Webbers Falls

01/17/2022 01/09/2023 06/06/2022

Joyce I. Speer Ronald D. Edwards Jean S. Mead Jerolene Hendricks Maxine Miller Geraldine Pack Forest B. Walker Lonnie R. Hymer Jack Lane Betty L. Langley Ricky L. Rich David B. Martin Linda Van Schuyver Dennis Kern Joe W. Gilbert Lawrence Munro John A. York Cleta M. Spore R. L. Lee Mary J. Trammell Gay Juanita F. Dorris Billie J. Edwards

Binger Leedey Walters

Cynthia Walton Lynn Broadbent Monty M. Powers

$5,000.00 Death Benefit: Ada

Criswell Funeral Home On Behalf Of James H. Manning Bartlesville Vicki Sousa, Child Of Hlenn R. Hall Bartlesville Donna G. Pierce, Child Of Andrew J. Wilson Bartlesville Andy L. Wilson, Child Of Andrew J. Wilson Bartlesville Sandra Bressie, Cjild Of Andrew J. Wilson Cashion Pamela K. Kordis, Widow Of Charles R. Kordis Clinton Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home On Behalf Of Louie J. Beauchamp Colony Rita K. Melton, Widow Of Donnie Melton Crowder Bishop Funeral Service On Behalf Of Ethan D. Brooks Elk City Martin-Dugger Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jacob P. Wing Application For Service Pension: Gate Schilliong Funral Home On Behalf Of Robert Heglin 05/01/2022 Cleo Springs Daren K. Hamen Healdton Genevieve Ingrum, Widow Of 05/01/2022 Cogar Ronnie L. Gore Laurence F. Ingrum 05/01/2022 Council Hill Arthur D. Watson Healdton Brandon Rich, Child Of Leo R. Rich 02/10/2022 Covington James S. Bell Jr. Hinton Tunrer Funeral Home On Behalf Of 05/01/2022 Durant Stacy B, Bennett Rickey L. Dahlenburg 05/01/2022 Elk City Billy S. Sizemore Hinton Turner Funeral Home On Behalf Of 02/01/2022 Fairmont Billie L. Burwell Eldon McCumber 05/01/2022 OKC Darren S. Davidson Hugo Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral 05/01/2022 Sand Springs Jason M. Sprouse Home On Behalf Of Billy J. Hardaway 03/01/2022 Vici Lester Morris Idabel Clardy Funeral Service On Behalf Of David B. Martin Lawton Becker Funeral Home On Behalf Of Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: Lawrence R. Morgan Midwest City Terri Tucker, Widow Of Phillip L. Tucker 05/01/2022 Ada Barbara H. Manning, Muskogee Cornerstone Funeral Home On Behalf Of

Widow Of James Manning Harry A. Tatum 05/01/2022 Cashion Pamela S. Kordis, Oktaha Aubrey Yrok, Child Of John A. York

Widow Of Charles K. Kordis Oktaha Allen York, Widow Of John A. York 05/01/2022 Gate Tereasa Heglin, Pauls Valley Wilson-Little Funeral Home On Behalf Of

Widow Of Robert Heglin Joe E. Eddy 05/01/2022 Muskogee Kellie Youngblood, Widow Poteau Evans & Miller Funeral Home

Of Jerry D. Youngblood On Behalf Of Marvin L. Despain 05/01/2022 Nichols Hills Bonnie G. Stone, Redland Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Widow Of Ronald L. Stone On Behalf Of Joe D. Shamblin 05/01/2022 OKC Debra A. Davis, Ringling Alexander Gray Funeral Home

Widow Of Jimmy D. Davis On Behalf Of Billy R. Stroud 05/01/2022 OKC Sharon Everett, Widow Of Shidler Jorenna S. Porter, Child Of J.d. Bland

Donald H. Everett Shidler Hay D. Bland, Child Of J.d. Bland 05/01/2022 OKC Patricia S. Smith, Soper Leta Ann Elliott, Child Of R. L. Lee

Widow Of Elzie C. Smith Soper Sheila L. Kidd, Child Of R.l. Lee 05/01/2022 Poteau Janeet Despain, Widow Of Tulsa Donna Wiggins, Child Of

Marvin L. Despain Arthur M. Goode 05/01/2022 Tulsa Rhonda M. Rouse, Tulsa Peters-Stumpff Funeral On Behalf Of

Widow Of Hubert L. Rouse James R. Sanders 05/01/2022 Tulsa Donna Sanders,

Widow Of James R. Sanders 05/01/2022 Wagoner Elizabeth A. French, Refund Of Contributions: Hired Terminated

Widow Of Daniel L. French 05/01/2022 Weatherford Robin A. Meyer, Christopher Ford, Coweta 11/12/2013 01/27/2022

Widow Of Charles B. Meyer Christopher Messner, Norman 01/03/2012 7/16/2018 Casey B. Roe, Owasso 02/27/2012 11/13/2017

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 41

Tim Van Horn

Than Dinh

Martha Pierce

Thelisha Clark

Terri Williams

Keely Swonger

Vicki Mulbery

Latoya Battle

Asst Director (CFO)

Executive Secretary

n CONSENT AGENDA (June 17, 2022) Application For Entrance Into The Pension System: Bartlesville Bartlesville Chickasha Chickasha Claremore Collinsville Coweta Drumright Guymon Hominy Jenks Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Mclaester Miami Nicoma Park Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Norman Ponca City Sand Springs Spencer Sulphur Sulphur Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa

Landon Ullrich Braden Wano Shawn Laguna Clayton Wilkerson Dylan Conger Jonathan Colliver Andrew Rideout Trystan Baker Seth Reust Corbin A. Malone Cody Young Dawson Bassett John Janson Alden Konermann Jacob Lambert Brady Lynch Cal Major Christian Maldonado Gabriel Mason Pedro Puente Hunter Smith Timothy Wambolt Brett Porter Gabriel Satterwhite Ethan C. Channel Christopher Bates Keane Cox Clint Dodds Caleb Eldridge Austin Hudson Trevor Marlar Cole Marshburn Joseph Rabuffo Cade Scott Benjamin Shelton Justin Thompson Dawson Williams Colby Glowacki Alex Ross Tristan Nelson Jaren Jackson Ethan Jones Randy Alcocer Kolten Allphin Terry Barnes Talon Borror Ty Crutchfield Billy Gibbens Sergio Lozoya Willie Morgan Blake Salt Tyler Stout

Checks Terminated In May 2022: Ada Allen Ardmore Bluejacket Canadian Cement Fairview Madill Miami Norman Ravia Roff Sasakwa Seiling Tulsa Tulsa Wakita Yale

David W. Smith Bobbie Milner Diana L. Tibbs Rodney G. Windle Jacob Coffman Peggy M. Sites Ladonna J. Bryant Inola Brown Eli Chenoweth Lillie M. Bruehl Debra Gastineau Charesa Harber Edna Harris Berneta Reynolds Phillip W. Carver Evelyn O. Willis Charles F. Schmitz Terry E. Darling

Apache Central High Chelsea Cleo Springs Grady Grady Gore Kiefer Lone Wolf McAlester

Assistant Controller

Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Reached Age 22 Deceased Deceased Deceased Reached Age 22 Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased

Bobby G. Claborn Jr. Nancy G. Howell Thomas J. Buchanan Juanita V. Beckwith Boyd D. Pendley Brenda L. Pendley Archie B. Gates Zachary K. Wilmott Daniel J. Rogers Larry K. Edwards

06/01/2022

04/13/2023

06/01/2022 06/01/2022 06/01/2022

Barnsdall Jane Javine, Widow Of Cleve D. Javine Sr. Beggs Wendell A. Crook, Widow Of Deanna S. Crook Hooker Brenda Osborn, Widow Of Forest E. Osborn Madill Debbie Cox, Widow Of Merle H. Cox Midwest City Irene E. Edwards, Widow Of Kenneth D. Edwards Oklahoma City Roylyn J. Baker, Widow Of Raymond F. Baker Redland Teresa K. Shamblin, Widow Of Joe D. Shamblin Warr Acres Flora C. Weaver, Widow Of Monty T. Weaver

42August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Carmen Katie J. Irwin, Widow Of Kevin C. Irwin Deceased 05/18/2022

Richard Swink Chris L. Walls

Anadarko

Kristen J. Nimsey

$5,000.00 Death Benefit: Bluejacket Depew Muskogee Nichols Hills OKC OKC OKC Sand Springs

Tulsa

06/01/2022

Data Processor

Application For Vested Benefit:

06/01/2022

06/01/2022

Accounts Payable

06/01/2022 Oklahoma City 06/01/2022 Yukon

Sand Springs

06/01/2022

Records Administrator

Application For Diisability In The Line Of Duty – Modify To Service Pension:

Application For Surviving Spouse-Continuation:

06/01/2022

Member Services

Application For Surviving Spouse:

Application For Service Pension: 05/01/2022 04/26/2022 06/01/2022 05/01/2022 01/15/2019 03/01/2022 05/01/2022 05/26/2022 06/01/2022 06/01/2022

Controller

Weatherford Wellston Wister Yale

Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home On Behalf Of Rodney G. Windle Larry Lane, Personal Rep. For The Estate Of Benjamin (Jack) Frankling Lane Cornerstone Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jerry D. Youngblood McNeil’s Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jerry D. Youngblood Turner Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jimmy D. Davis Vondell L. Smith & Son Mortuary On Behalf Of Donald H. Everett Patricia S. Smith, Widow Of Elzie C. Smith Shannon Chambers, Child Of Jerry L. Mellenberger Jerry Mellenberger Jr., Child Of Jerry L. Mellenberger Floral Haven Funeral Home On Behalf Of Hubert L. Rouse Lockstone Funeral Home On Behalf Of Charles B. Meyer Lehman Funeral Home One Behalf Of Richard L. Davis Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home On Behalf Of Matthew Wyatt Duschel Adrienne Hembree, Child Of Terry W. Darling

Refund Of Contributions:

Hired

Cade Webb, Ardmore 09/30/2019 Kole Strayhorn, Moore 11/16/2020 Ricky Nesmith, Nicoma Park 08/14/2018

Terminated 03/15/2022 02/06/2022 03/30/2022

New County And/Or City Fire Department Entering The Pension System: Marshall County Lebanon VolunteEr Fire Department – Effective May 1, 2022

n CONSENT AGENDA (July 15, 2022) Application For Entrance Into The Pension System: Anadarko Bartlesville Bethany Bixby Blackwell Collinsville Coweta Elk City Enid Enid Frederick Henryetta Henryetta Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Muskogee Norman Norman Poteau Skiatook Skiatook Skiatook Skiatook Sw Lincoln Tulsa Tuttle Tuttle Vinita Woodward

Anthony Bollman Malcom Raynor Brian Schattle Josiah Stout Mason Billy Ronnie Hoffman Carl Clifton Kennan Clark Blaine Bergdall Jaylen Goff Zacary Mathews Jentry Brison Quinton Story Nathan Angiel Derek Beurie Kyle Davis Ty Hughes Austin Martin Reydon Register Warren West Luke Greener Frank Miles Meredith Wolfley Alex Patton Austin Wagnon Austin Murphy Christian Pinkston Austin Wagnon Gary Crouch Hayden Blount Jonathan Bills Codey Sudduth Dayton Bowlin Keeton Bowers

Checks Terminated In June 2022 (Deceased): Alex Bridge Creek Chickasha Drumright Fairview Lawton Lawton Lone Grove Manitou Mounds Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Okmulgee Pauls Valley Poteau Sallisaw Sallisaw Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Warner Waynoka

Daniel P. Anderson Karla J. Bell Billy E. Harris Bob Morrow T.P. Howerton Myrtle Franklin Eldon Young Cathey A. Reynolds Billy L. Manshack Elsie L. Stiger Donald R. Godwin Dolores E. Meador Lorita Rector Pearl M. Kaltenbach Tony Rust Anita Barber Meldene Asbill Cleo M. Watts Kenneth D. Benford Doretha L. Doublin James L. Gibbs Carolyn Duncan Ellen Gamble

Application For Surviving Spouse: 03/01/2021

Redland Teresa K. Shamblin, Widow Of Joe D. Shambli Deceased 01/29/2022

$5,000.00 Death Benefit:

Application For Service Pension (continued):

Barnsdall

05/01/2019 09/01/2021

Jane Javine, Widow Of Cleve D. Javine Drumright Don Smith Funeral Home On Behalf Of Bobby J. Morrow Fairview Kenny D. Howerton, Child Of Thomas P. Howerton Fairview Kerry Westfahl, Child Of Thomas P. Howerton Gage Shaw Funeral Home On Behalf Of Larry J. Lalicker Helena Lanman Funeral Home On Behalf Of Kevin C. Irwin Henryetta Integrity Funeral Service On Behalf Of Eugene V. Devore Heavener Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home On Behalf Of Joe A. Johnson Hooker Brenda Osborn, Widow Of Forest E. Osborn Midwest City Poteet’s Funeral Home On Behalf Of Kenneth D. Edwards Mounds Mary Pyle, Widow Of Raymond E. Pyle Oklahoma City Cooper Funeral Home On Behalf Of Raymond F. Baker Oklahoma City Linda S. Buckley, Child Of Donald R. Godwin Tulsa Karla Benford, Child Of Kenneth D. Benford Warr Acres Flora C. Weaver, Widow Of Monty T. Weaver Application For Diisability In The Line Of Duty – Modify To Service Pension: 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022

OKC OKC Tulsa

Steven P. Martinez David P. Vernon Jackie Wright

Application For Service Pension: 07/01/2022 07/03/2022 06/01/2022 04/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 06/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 5/01/2022

Tahlequah Michael B. Swim Union City Bobby J. Dehart Jr.

Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022 07/01/2022

Amber Victoria L. Kennedy, Widow Of Jerry L. Kennedy Ft. Gibson Stephani Crittenden, Widow Of John D. Crittenden Henryetta Glenda S. Devore, Widow Of Eugene V. Devore Hulbert Esther C. Pate, Widow Of Michael P. Pate Lawton Joann D. Valdez, Widow Of Andrew E. Valdez Milburn Cheryl L. Elkins, Widow Of Stanley E. Elkins Mounds Mary F. Pyle, Widow Of Raymond E. Pyle Ponca City Pearl A. Canaday, Widow Of Gary D. Canaday Woodward Melinda Johnson, Widow Of Donald L. Johnson

Refund Of Contributions: Hired Garrett Byrd, Broken Bow Eric Lemons, Duncan

Terminated

03/04/2021 03/13/2022 01/19/2006 03/25/2022

Amber Allen Kimbrough Barnsdall Carl Thomas Byng Kenneth Vogt Jr. Camargo Jimmy D. Bryant Durant James W. Boyd Henryetta Joseph J. Smallwood Hollis Larry K. Daniel Lakemont Shores Jimmy D. Whited McAlester Robert J. Patton OKC Clinton Greenwood Okmulgee David A. Miller Jr. Owasso Kristofer Demauro Pawhuska Gip R. Allen Pawhuska Melvin D. Blossom Sr. Piedmont Timothy L. Heinrich Piedmont David W. Seebeck Ponca City Paul A. Lambring Roosevelt Aldon Cooper Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 43

BY GREG ROBERTS n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT

Ret. Norman FD

ANADARKO FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief: Greg Stone FD Formed: December 1901 Joined OSFA: 1905 Personnel: 23 ISO Rating: 4 Population: 6,700 (approx.)

Sq. miles covered (Fire): 147 Sq. miles covered (EMS): 337 Calls per year: 2,000 (approx.)

Number of Stations: 2 Number of Engines: 3 Number of Brushpumpers: 3 Number of Tankers: 1 Number of Ambulances: 3 Number of Rescue Vehicles: 1

E-1 2021 Sutphen 1500 pump/1000 tank

Charles Slemp joined the Anadarko FD in 1908. In 1909 he was appointed Fire Chief and held the post until 1920. That same year, he was appointed Chief of the Yale FD. During these years, Slemp served on numerous committees for the Oklahoma State Firemen’s Association, including OSFA President in 1911.

Anadarko FD Station 1

In 1917, he was elected the Secretary/Treasurer of the OSFA, a position he held until 1944. The S/T position was the forerunner of what later became the OSFA Executive Director.

Much of the operational philosophy, ideas and general guidelines in the OSFA today were born out of the Anadarko FD in the early 20th century.

Anadarko Fire Chief Greg Stone

Anadarko FD Trucks (Counter Clockwise From Top Left) E-3 1989 Spartan/FMC 1500 pump/700 tank BP-1 2017 Ford/Alpha One 20 HP/100 pump/400 tank E-2 1992 Pierce 1250 pump/1000 tank R-1 2011 Ford/KME 18 HP/100 pump/250 tank Med 1 2021 Ford/Osage

44August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

ABOVE: Anadarko FD 1911 (Charles Slemp is on far right) ABOVE LEFT: Anadarko FD helmet worn during the early 20th century

Izzie McKibbon’s Dad Helped Her Become Heavener’s First Female Firefighter

Izzie McKibbon

Elizabeth “Izzie” McKibbon remembers the stories her dad would share when he returned home from a fire call.

“He would come home after his calls and talk about what had went on, and I was always so fascinated by it,” she said.

“He was always so passionate about the fire department in every aspect.”

Her dad, Pat McKibbon, served 20 years at Heavener FD, starting as a firefighter in 1988 and retiring in 2008 as Captain.

And he was the inspiration behind Izzie becoming Heavener FD’s first -- and only -- female firefighter.

“When I decided to finally try out for the FD, my dad had me train or practice different aspects of things that may come up,” she said. “I had to prove to him that I really wanted to be on there before I could even try out.

“I did those for months before he decided I was ready to try out. It only took one tryout for me to get on.”

When Izzie did get on at Heavener FD in 2003, she was the only firefighter there at the time who was a Nationally Certified First Responder. She spent six years on the FD and is now the Administrative Assistant for OK Foods Heavener Feed Mill.

“I was lucky enough that the guys on the department were very accepting of me, and I never had any issues while I was on there,” she said. “I am very proud to have served on the Heavener FD with those guys and alongside my dad.”

And Izzie always remembers something her dad told her.

“No matter what the call may have included our how bad it was, my dad always drilled into me the following words: ‘You did not cause or create the situation, you are only here to help.’

“Those words helped me from not letting any call bother me no matter the situation.”

ANOTHER FIRST IN THE OKLAHOMA FIRE SERVICE Renaldo Boulware was the first Black Muskogee Firefighter. He joined in 1967 and retired in 1982.

Izzie and Pat McKibbon

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Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 45

2022 OSFA STATE FIRE SCHOOL

Photos By Raegan Layne, OSFA

May 12-15 in Tulsa

This year’s State Fire School was free for all OSFA members and offered a great range of training inside and outside of the classroom.

The change to a more conference-style event was to encourage socializing and camaraderie between students and to increase vendor engagement.

46August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

There were just over 200 attendees who heard from instructors from across the state and county, making the event a successful one!

James Heap: OFCA President’s Report Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service!

I hope everyone has been having a safe summer. The heat we have been experiencing can certainly cause problems while on the job.

Hopefully, we will get a break from the 100-degree temps and get some rain to help Frederick FD give us some relief.

I want to thank Cliff Davidson and the Ringwood Fire Department, Enid Fire Department and the other fire departments that assisted Cliff for their efforts to host the OSFA Convention. Hopefully, everyone enjoyed their time in Enid.

For those of you who were not able to attend the convention, I want to recap the report I gave on the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association.

The past year has been very positive for OFCA. Our membership is now above 600 with more than 100 first-time members.

Since I’m discussing membership, I would like to take this opportunity to invite each of you to join OFCA. Membership in OFCA is open to anyone in the fire service and your first year is free.

OFCA memberships consist of: Active Members, Retired Active Members, Associate Members, Sustaining Members, Active Life Members and Honorary Life Members.

We have a membership that will accommodate you. If you have any questions of which membership is for you, get in contact with us and we can help you out.

We started the year off with our Winter Workshop in January.

We were in a new venue in Stillwater at the University’s Alumni Center. The workshop was well attended and had a superb lineup of presentations.

Then in April, we held our annual conference in Moore. The conference was well attended by our members, and we had an exceptional number of vendors and associate members there, as well. This was our first full conference since 2019, as we did not meet in 2020 and had an abbreviated conference in 2021 due to Covid.

At the conference, the Keith Bryan Memorial Scholarship fund balance reached near the $100,000.00 mark. This amount was the goal set to make this scholarship fund sustainable. The board will now set parameters for the application and award process of the scholarship over the next few months.

The scholarship was developed to provide opportunities for aspiring and/or current Oklahoma Fire Officers in leadership and management training and education. The scholarship is only available to members of OFCA. Currently, our Legislative Committee has been meeting and reviewing our Constitution and By-Laws to see if there are any changes that need to be brought to next year’s conference.

The 2023 Winter Workshop is scheduled for Jan. 25-27 in Stillwater at the Alumni Center. Planning is under way for the 2023 OFCA Conference set for April in Lawton.

This year, I look forward to working with the leadership of the different organizations in the Oklahoma Fire Service.

I think with better communication, transparency and the willingness to work together, we can achieve the common goal of doing what is best for the fire service in Oklahoma -- whether it be volunteer, career, labor or management.

Stay safe and stay healthy!

O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 47

Richard Kelley: OFCA 1st Vice President’s Report O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

Greetings Brothers and Sisters!

As summer comes to an end, I hope you had an opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

When I run into people I haven’t seen in a while and I ask them how they are doing, OKC FD many times the statement I hear is “busy.”

Never get too busy where your family isn’t your top priority.

This is a very important rule of leadership.

Although we are a couple months away from Fire Prevention Month, hopefully you and your organization are preparing for some great community risk reduction activities.

Never forget community risk reduction should be part of our daily focus, but Fire Prevention Month is a great time to roll out new programs or re-emphasize the basics.

This year, the OSFA Memorial Service will take place Oct. 2 to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who served in communities all across our state and unfortunately passed away last year.

It is extremely important that we continually pay homage to those who have paved the way for each one of us today.

I was fortunate to speak to our fire recruits who graduated

from their recruit academy on July 15. There were 53 recruits who were extremely excited to start their service in our community. As I discussed 12 areas that will help them be successful, I had the opportunity to reflect on leadership at all levels.

One area that I was able to discuss that is always a good reminder for all firefighters is “it’s not about YOU.” Our proud and noble profession that is steeped in tradition does not exist for “I” or “me” but for “WE.” And we exist for those we serve.

If we always keep that focus, we will respect the job, honor the profession and do everything within our power to make it better than we found it.

Leadership sometimes falls to those who are appointed formally, but we each understand that all our personnel are leaders.

Never underestimate your level of influence, no matter what collar brass is on your shirt.

Leadership is a verb which requires action and influence in a positive manner to improve our great profession. Now more than ever, the fire service needs great leaders. So continue to learn and improve daily.

Until next time, strive for excellence because leaders are not born, they are made.

Moore FD

Greg Herbster: OFCA Past President’s Report

Greetings! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and are stocked up on sunscreen.

Two things that are certain in Oklahoma, our summers are hot and dry.

Another certainty is that your fire chief’s board is working hard for you.

We had the goal this year at our annual conference to reach 100K in our Keith Bryan Scholarship Fund, and with the help of so many of you, we have reached that pinnacle.

We cannot wait to see what kind of positive impact this scholarship fund is going to have on our fire service now that we can start handing out scholarships.

We are also very excited to get our Legislative Committee geared up for action.

Team OFCA at the 128th OSFA Convention Golf Tournament Remember, this is a big election year for our state, so please do your research and find out who is the best candidate for office.

Get to know your Representatives and Senators and build a PRESIDENT 2ND VICE PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT relationship so when you call them James Heap Craig Carruth Greg Herbster or go see them over issues, they jrheap@pldi.net ccarruth@cityofmustang.org gregherbster@cityofmoore.com know who you are.

I hope everyone enjoys their 1ST VICE PRESIDENT 3RD VICE PRESIDENT OFCA DIRECTOR summer and time with their family.

Richard Kelley Michael Baker Kent Lagaly Until next time, stay safe and richard.kelley@okc.gov mbaker@cityoftulsa.org klagaly901@gmail.com stay involved.

2022-23 OFCA Executive Board

48August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

Craig Carruth: OFCA 2nd Vice President’s Report Greetings Everyone! I hope this addition of the Oklahoma Firefighter magazine finds everyone doing well.

Summer has decided to call it a year and school is Mustang FD just getting started. I trust everyone navigated the hot and dry conditions of summer, as we welcome to the cooler temperatures of fall. This time of year reminds me of hearing early morning band practice, the beginning of football season and Fire Prevention Week.

Many departments will soon start coordinating with schools and practicing for presentations to educate as many students as possible. This year, the NFPA will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, which is the country’s longest running public health observance and commemorates the tragedy of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

This time of year allows for us in the fire service to take advantage of the opportunity and platform to reduce the risk of fire related deaths and injuries by educating everyone in our communities both young and old about the dangers of a modern faster hotter fire.

“Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape” is the campaign for the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.

If your department does not have a fire prevention program to educate your community and you would like to get one started, reach out, as there is a wealth of free material and ideas to get you started. Let us help each other reduce fire related deaths and injuries in our communities and the State of Oklahoma!

Switching gears for a quick update, the Legislative Committee is currently meeting once a month. We are in the process of reviewing our Constitution and By-Laws and look to propose suggested changes to the OFCA Board as we move forward.

Pending Board approval, our goal is to have the proposals ready for April.

On a final note, the 2023 OFCA Winter Workshop will be here before you know it. The theme this year is “Educate, Encourage, Empower -Leave Them Better.”

For organizational leaders, this is a simple reminder to educate, encourage, and empower those around us daily. This can be our community members, civic leaders, city leadership, and most importantly our members.

Make time to attend this opportunity to learn, connect, and recharge.

Save the date -- Jan. 25-27 at the Oklahoma State University Alumni Center in Stillwater. Be there, as you do not want to miss out!

Stay Safe!

Kent Lagaly: OFCA Executive Director’s Report Greetings! I will keep this short and sweet. We need your help!

It is that time of the year when the Ret. El Reno FD staff is working diligently to get the invoices out for this year’s dues. We are switching to a new database that is more user-friendly and will allow for better tracking in the years to come.

As you are aware, when you make the switch to a new system, sometimes things can get a little tricky. By the time you read this, you or your department should have received your invoice.

Please check with the appropriate person to make sure all the information for your members -- active and sustaining -- is correct and make the appropriate changes.

If you or your department have not received an invoice, contact Raegan at the office and she will get you taken care of.

Where we need everyone’s help is with our retired members. They are a vital part of the organization as they provide a wealth of experience and knowledge and are great mentors for all of us.

It is sometimes a task to keep current contact information for these folks when they retire, so they sometimes do not receive their invoice.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the staff is working hard to get all our membership information updated.

Raegan has create a QR Code (on Page 47) that will help our retired Chief Officers get signed up.

If you know of any retired Chief Officers from your department who may not have the opportunity to get this information, please reach out to them and let them know that we need them. Their experience and knowledge are vital to the organization’s ability to fulfill the mission and purpose of the OFCA! Until next time, be safe, and hopefully I will see you soon.

O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

OFCA Representation at the 2022 OSFA Convention Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 49

Michael Baker: OFCA 3rd Vice President’s Report O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S

Fun with Fire Trucks I hope that everyone is managing this unprecedented heat. Within my department, the heat is making an already fragile fire apparatus Tulsa FD fleet even more difficult to maintain.

So, for this article, I wanted to share some things for both chiefs and department members at all levels to consider when looking at the status of a department’s stable of apparatus.

Some of these lessons have been emerging over the past few years, but the volume of them is deeply rooted in history.

In my opinion, one of the most important components of a fleet management program is to determine when to replace your apparatus.

Regardless of if you are a volunteer or career department, you will not be able to finance, purchase or conduct any form of planning if you do not know when it’s time for a vehicle to move from frontline to reserve or replace it completely.

Currently, the Tulsa Fire Department is using a 10-year replacement on engines. Have we achieved this? No. Your plan should be based on run volume, available funding and an assessment of the needs within your jurisdiction.

In addition to a replacement plan, a financing strategy is needed to ensure that when the time comes for replacement, you can shop. This is basically a municipal bond, general fund request or a fundraising plan within a smaller community.

If you have purchased a fire apparatus lately, you know that prices have increased over 20 percent as the prices of metal

skyrockets and supply chain issues delay production times to at or beyond 24 months.

Sometimes, you must sacrifice nice-to-have items for essentials. Your fire board and government leadership will want to know what to expect, and this brings me to the third area of focus, politics.

Reminding your community and elected officials about your department’s fleet replacement cycle and preparing them in advance for the big check that they must write for a purchase is a never-ending process.

Combined with the items above -- and lessons learned from your own department’s history -- you will be able to ensure that everyone involved is not only informed, but able to grab some political clout from housing a new fire apparatus.

To be honest, we are in no way experts at this process and our department’s trucks are a constant reminder of what poor planning will achieve.

But we have a great team tackling this issue every day and they are passionate about ensuring firefighter and public safety despite working on trucks that may be over 20 years old.

Nothing represents the American fire service like a shiny fire truck. This is the most essential tool for our profession, and ensuring their function and availability is the bedrock of our work.

I know that my department’s firefighters are not excited about the current state of our fire apparatus. But what I appreciate is their willingness to keep the fleet rolling and serving our residents to the best of their ability.

I hope that these small lessons provide a small reminder of how important a fleet management plan is for your department.

A S S O C I A T I O N

OFCA Executive Board competing in the Fire Truck Pull at the 2022 OSFA Convention in Enid 50August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter

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Oklahoma FirefighterAugust/September/October 2022 51

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