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 24August/September/October 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
