2 minute read
ORFA 3rd Vice President Q&A
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 firefight-
er? 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
and goals? One of my main goals is to have the death benefit increased to $15,000. Another goal is for more firefighters to be involved with ORFA, and that means volunteers as well as paid members.
Why did you decide to run for the ORFA Executive Board? When I came to the conclusion that George Fina was leaving the board and Oklahoma City retirees needed someone willing to fill George’s position. I do, however realize, George
Photo taken in 1984 at OCFD Station 1 . Marshall Dunnam is bottom left.
did such a great job. His shoes are going to be hard to fill.
What was the highlight of the 2022 ORFA Con-
vention for you? Meeting and visiting with old friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. Another point I would like to make is the turnout of the Oklahoma City folks. They mean a lot to me and I’m proud to be a member of our 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
