Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association
February/March/April 2022
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Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 1 Lee Edgerton MISL David Rollandini MiLB Matthew Mallory MiLB
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 Oklahoma City, OK 73107 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 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Contents
February/March/April 2022
klahoma Firefighter
Volume 39, Issue 1
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
Cover Feature - Oklahoma Firefighters in Pro Sports - Pages 26-34
Dylan Delso is one of 16 pro athletes featured. He is pictured above with Broken Arrow FD Station 7 A Shift, L to R, Tyler Ridener, Justin Cheatham, Mickael Reiss, Wesley Moody, Wesley Moody Jr, Dylan Delso, Scott Riggs and Lee Conner
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 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!
17 - FD Helmets on Display at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum
Simply call (405-424-1452) or email the OSFA office (osfa@osfa.info) and request digital editions!
Advertiser’s Index
Station 19 pictured above was Tulsa FD’s first integrated fire company 35 - First Black Firefighters for OKC & Tulsa
47-51 - OFCA News
OSFA / ORFA UPDATES
FEATURES
4 - Museum Expansion Photos 5-8 - OSFA Executive Board 6 - In Memoriam - OSFA Past Presidents 7 - Remembering Meredith Lacey 11-12 - OSFA Directors 14 - ORFA President’s Report 17 - Museum Report
12 - Firsts in Oklahoma Fire Service 14 - Question & Answers 25 - The Rural Firefighter: Corey Conrady 40 - Oklahoma Fire Spotlight - Texanna FD
OSFA COMMITTEES 16 - Public Education 18 - Volunteer Fire Service 19 - Educational Advisory
FIRE SERVICE REPORTS 20 - Firefighter Near-Miss 22 - Fire Protection Publications (FPP) 22 - Assistant State Fire Marshal 23 - OSU Fire Service Training (OSU-FST) 38 - Fire Service Instructors of Okla. (FSIO) 38 - National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA) 39 - Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains (OFSC) 42-45 - Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System
41 24 7 2 52 15 39 10 18 22 13 51 21 15 9 49 11 37 37 23 19
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Bank of Grand Lake BLB&G Bruckner’s of Enid Casco Industries Casco Industries Chief Fire & Safety Conrad Fire Equipment DACO Fire Equipment Kaplan Fox FPP / IFSTA ITE Fire & Rescue Kirkpatrick Architecture MES Moore Norman Tech NAFECO National Testing Network OAEVT Phillips Murrah P.C. Roberts Testing Sharp Testing SOS Fire Equipment
CONTACT osfa@osfa.info to place an ad in the magazine
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 3
OSFA EXPANSION
Nov. 16, 2021 --First steel going up on building
Nov. 29, 2021 --Steel on back of building 4 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Recent Construction on Museum Building
7,200 square foot space will serve as storage and repair area for Fire Trucks
Nov. 19, 2021 --More steel going up on building
Dec. 3, 2021 --Insulation & steel panels going up on building
Cliff Davidson: OSFA President’s Report Hello everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. I was looking forward to seeing everyone at the OSFA Volunteer Caucus Feb. 4-5 in Atoka. The early registration numbers looked great! Ringwood FD But due to bad weather, it was it was rescheduled to Feb. 25-26. Since we decided to move the Volunteer Caucus around the state, it has seemed to bring up the attendance numbers. And we are seeing a lot of new faces. That is great for the organization and that is the outcome we were hoping for.
For all you chiefs, the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA) will hold its 100th Conference April 11-13 in Moore.
State Fire School will be coming up May 12-15, and I hope everyone will try and take advantage of all the great training opportunities that will be offered this year. Tulsa Fire has always been a great host to fire school and this year will be just as exceptional as past years. If you get the chance to attend Fire School, be sure to tell all the people working in the facilities thank you. They all work very hard to help provide this great training opportunity. Then of course, we have the 128th OSFA Convention June 8-11 in Enid, and I hope to see many of you there. This year, it is in the town where I was born and raised. There will be a change in the events being held, but we are planning on everyone having a great time. We are not having a fishing tournament or a poker run, but we are going to have a softball tournament. We are still working on the fine details for softball and when they are finalized, they will be posted. I have been told by several people who attended the last OSFA convention in Enid -- the 113th annual event in 2007 -- that it was pretty memorable, so we will try to keep the tradition going. I look forward to seeing many of you at
and every one of you, and I invite you all to be apart of it. As in any organization, it’s only as strong as its membership, so let’s all work to make the OSFA a strong voice for each and every firefighter in the state of Oklahoma. Stay safe!
IMPORTANT
CREDENTIALS OSFA CONSTITUTION: ARTICLE 9-SECTION 4.
CREDENTIALS OF THE DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES SHALL BE
O K L A H O M A S T A T E
SENT TO THE ASSOCIATION TEN (10) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION.
Convention Invites & Credentials Packets will be mailed out on April 1, 2022 to all departments who have a 2022 OSFA Membership CREDENTIALS ARE DUE BEFORE/ON MAY 30,2022 LATE CREDENTIALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED CREDENTIALS ARE TO BE TURNED IN VIA ONLINE REGISTRATION: **EVERYONE MUST PRE-REGISTER USING THE REGISTRATION LINK AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.OSFA.INFO/EVENTS PRE-REGISTRATION FOR ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN JUNE 3, 2022 AT 4:00 P.M. Failure to comply with the above deadline will result in a $50 late fee and members/guests will not be guaranteed a spot at the banquet. ALTHOUGH PAST PRESIDENTS ARE WE WILL NO LONGER BE TAKING
FREE TO ATTEND, EACH PAST
PAYMENT AT THE DOOR. ALL
PRESIDENT WILL RECEIVE A CODE
PAYMENTS WILL BE THROUGH
AND BE REQUIRED TO PRE-REGISTER
ONLINE REGISTRATION OR BY
ONLINE. IT WILL NOT BE ASSUMED
INVOICE.
YOU ARE ATTENDING UNLESS YOU ARE REGISTERED.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE:
one or two or maybe all the events scheduled this year. This organization belongs to each
Dec. 3, 2021 --North side view of the building sheeting
405-424-1452
madelynr@osfa.info
F I R E F I G H T E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
Dec. 6, 2021 -- Front side (west side) of building Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 5
O K L A H O M A S T A T E F I R E F I G H T E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
Jim Ed Nimmo: OSFA 1st Vice President’s Report Last month, the board made the decision to part ways with our Executive Director, and we wish him well. This board has a responsibility to ensure the business of the organization is carried out in an effective, timely, and fiduciary manner. If that is not happening, the board has an obligation to its members to take action. Tulsa FD When I first went on the board, I was given advice on what to expect and challenged to consider how I would handle significant and sometimes difficult decisions that were the charge of the board. I was told there would come a time when issues would arise that required the attention of the board. I was further warned that there would often be an element or sentiment to ignore the issue or required action because of various reasons, not the least of which were the fear the unknown, misplaced empathy, or the strain that addressing the issue would place on long-standing or influential relationships within the organization. I was challenged to look up during the meeting and watch as heads lowered in an effort to avoid unpleasant action that needed to be taken in hopes the situation would just pass over or improve on its own. Finally, I was challenged to ask myself if I would be the type of person to take the difficult road of addressing the issue, or look down as others might in the hopes of avoiding conflict. The person who gave me that advice and issued that challenge was Dick Cagle. Dick is a colleague of mine, and I value both his advice and the message he was giving me to consider. Circumstances regarding the 2015 Safer grant have resulted in a significant monetary loss to the organization. The board has taken the following action regarding this matter: • Mike Kelley has been named the Interim Executive Director. • The organization is reviewing contracts and procedures related to the SAFER grant and beyond to ensure efficiency and repeatable processes so organizational finances are handled in a fiduciary manner. • An outside firm with no ties to the board, outside stakeholders, members, or the fire service in general has been engaged to conduct an investigation into the 2015 SAFER Grant. • Known outstanding bills have been paid to vendors related to the grant to minimize disruptions in the service provided to our members via the grant. • The organization is improving processes and systems on an ongoing basis to maintain a positive impact on all firefighters in Oklahoma, as well as looking to the future to ensure their needs are met. In this difficult situation, I was glad that when I looked up in the board room, other members of the board were looking up, as well, and resolved to address this issue while moving forward for all the members we are accountable to. We consider it a privilege to serve the 16,000 active and retired, volunteer and career firefighters from all walks of life across Oklahoma.
6 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
In Memoriam OSFA Past Presidents Meredith Lacey and Don Froese passed away recently. They will be deeply missed. Meredith Lacey, Muskogee FD
Don Froese, Enid FD
The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Muskogee FD Asst. Fire Chief Meredith Lacey on Dec. 19. He was 81. Meredith joined the Muskogee FD in 1967 and retired in 1995. As an active duty and retired firefighter, he was known as the Godfather by all past and present Muskogee Firemen. He was OSFA President in 1980 and served for 23 years on the Oklahoma State Firefighters Pension board. While on the Pension board, he earned the nickname of “The Legend.” Meredith was instrumental in co-developing the establishment of the legislation for the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System. It is said by many that he dedicated his entire career to protecting the firefighters’ pension system.
The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Enid FD firefighter Don Froese on Jan. 13. He was 87. Don joined the Enid FD in 1955 and retired in 1977. Both Don and his wife Donna were heavily involved in their local and state firefighter associations. Don served as OSFA President in 1972, while Donna was OSFA Women’s Auxiliary President in 1969. Don was also involved in the restoration of a twin tank hand drawn chemical cart that served in Hunter, Okla., a small town in the Enid area. And he was instrumental in the acquisition and restoration of a 1940 American LaFrance JOX series aerial ladder truck that had served in Enid. Both the chemical cart and ladder truck are on display at the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum.
OSFA ARCHIVE Here’s a bit of history you may or may not know about your association: At the 109th OSFA Convention June 2003 in Tulsa, a Constitutional Resolution was introduced to establish the David Bain Award. It passed unanimously with 227 votes. David Bain was the OSFA President in 1996, and he retired from Midwest City FD after 22 years to become the OSFA Director of Administration in 2000. He succumbed to cancer on April 3, 2003, at the age of 47. The David Bain Award recognizes any individual who has provided service both to their community and to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association and who possesses attributes that coincide with involvement in youth programs through church, school, and/or community, provides a role model for other leaders, and has proven to be a person of courage and impeccable character. The award has been handed out 10 times: Dana Cramer, Norman (2005) Jerry Bower, Shawnee (2007) Herb Bradshaw, Warr Acres (2008) Mike Billingsley, Nichols Hills (2010) T. Dick Cagle, Tulsa (2012)
Ray Hammons, Tahlequah (2014) Pete Stavros, OKC (2015) Larry Bogges, Lawton (2016) Jim Minx, OKC (2019) George Fina, OKC (2020)
Nominations for the David Bain Award will be accepted until April 24, 2022.
Memories of Muskogee Fire Legend Meredith Lacey By Jim Ed Nimmo, Tulsa FD and OSFA 1st Vice President Meredith had been retired a few years by the time I started at Muskogee in 1999. Though I never got the chance to work with him personally, it was rare that a shift went by that someone didn’t talk of his exploits as a fireman in Muskogee, as a member of Local 57, on the OSFA Board, or as a member of the pension board for the Oklahoma State Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. Although I never served with him in any of these organizations, I have been a member and served on all of them during my career. Meredith was a character in every sense of the word. While I never ate smoke with him, I did eat smoke with his son Todd, and I still run into colleagues who did, either literally or metaphorically, in Muskogee and OKC. I have never heard any of them recall something about him without a smile on their face. I fell in with a group of firemen playing golf on their off days while I was still working there. At the time, my wife and I lived in Warner, OK. Meredith was part of the group, and he lived in Muskogee, but most of them lived in the area just south of Muskogee that stretched from the Warner/ Porum area, to Checotah, and back up towards Muskogee, catching Oktaha, Keefeton, and the Hilldale area along the way. They were a good time. We played a lot at Warner Country Club. It was little 9-hole course just south of Warner. To call it a country club was a bit of a stretch. It was basically a tightly-mown cow pasture with 9 bermuda grass greens, a small clubhouse that might have been a portable building (and definitely had the feel of one), and a couple of ponds that often rang out with the report of a shotgun as the owner managed the resident beaver population. What it didn’t have in prestige as golf course, it made up for with a lack of rules and cheap green fees. It wasn’t unusual to have 10 or 12 in a group of 5 or 6 carts. My golf game has never been good. I would call it patently bad, with the occasional glimpse of
capability. I shared a cart with Meredith a lot then. I never made it a habit, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit I have twisted off a time or two when my temper got the best of me and launched a club across the fairway. On one such occasion, I was in the cart with Meredith. I mis-hit an easy approach after a nice drive and gave my 9 iron an express trip across the fairway towards a nearby tree. I won’t speak for anyone else, but I think most people who play are familiar with the almost instantaneous feeling of rage
followed by a flood of embarrassment. Meredith just looked at me and grinned when I glanced over at him half hoping to see his little pony tail instead of his face. He said, “Hey kid, get in the cart and grab that aiming fluid out of my bag while you’re at it! Now, where’s your club?” The “aiming fluid” was a pint of Weller’s. I handed it to him, and he handed it right back. I took a big pull. Leaned back in my seat, cooled off and moved on. That’s how it was with Meredith, at least for me.
On behalf of the OSFA Board, I’d like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Todd, Zach, their families, the members and retirees of Local 57 and Muskogee Fire on the loss of a legend.
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Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 7
O K L A H O M A S T A T E F I R E F I G H T E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
Tony Lopez: OSFA 2nd Vice President’s Report 2021-22 OSFA EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
Cliff Davidson
580-554-1886
davidsoncliff@yahoo.com 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Jim Ed Nimmo
918-557-8379
jimnimmo7@gmail.com
2ND VICE PRESIDENT Tony Lopez
405-739-1343
tlopez@midwestcityok.org 3RD VICE PRESIDENT Donnie Bennett
Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters! I hope everyone’s holidays were wonderful. Midwest City FD My family’s holidays were a little quiet this year. I had surgery on Dec. 23 to repair my shoulder. I will be off another three to four months to rehab it. I’m glad 2021 is finally over, as it was a trying year medically for me. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had a prostatectomy in March, then the shoulder injury in November. My goal for this year is to rehab my shoulder and stay a little healthier. The year 2022 is off to another Covid start with the new variant running rampant. Please stay safe and take your precautions when dealing with your patients. We have upcoming local elections. The right people in office can help us with the things we need on a local level, so I would get involved and elect the right people who
donben1889@gmail.com
Donnie Bennett: OSFA 3rd Vice President’s Report
PAST PRESIDENT Eric Harlow
405-520-2893
ericharlow200@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS April 11-13, 2022 100th Annual OFCA Conference Hosted by Moore FD May 12-15, 2022 OSFA State Fire School in Tulsa June 7, 2022 41st Annual ORFA Convention in Enid June 8-11, 2022 128th Annual OSFA Convention in Enid Hosted by Ringwood FD June 8-11, 2022 90th Annual OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Convention in Enid Hosted by Ringwood FD Sept. 20, 2022 3rd Annual Oklahoma Public Education Summit in Tulsa
support us. We should know the final amount of bills submitted in February that will effect the fire service. We could be calling on you to contact your representatives on some of them. The Educational Advisory Committee is working extremely hard on the OSFA State Fire School. There will be some really good classes and speakers this year. They will also have some good H.O.T. classes, as well. I would encourage everyone to look at what’s offered and take some classes. It is some of the best training you can get for no cost. I am attending the OFCA Winter Workshop and will report back on it in the next magazine. I know a lot of you have heard that we have had some issues in the office. Please know that we are working very hard to get them resolved. You can always reach out to me and I will try to answer your question the best I can. Stay Safe and God Bless!
Greetings everyone! value, I plan on growing into the best version I hope all is well so far in of myself this year. 2022. As a firefighter grows and increases their The beginning of a new value, they increase the value of their respecOKC FD year is an exciting time and tive department, as well as the community is often viewed as a fresh start of a new race. that they serve. Like many people, I used to start my race As a member of the OSFA Executive by getting out of the blocks with a New Board, I am entrusted to serve in a manner Year’s resolution and setting goals for the that aligns with the purpose of our organizayear. While it’s not a bad idea to have a New tion, with strict adherence to the association Year’s resolution, I found it difficult to stay on Constitution and Bylaws, for the betterment track as I navigated through of the entire membership. the various obstacles of life. I understand this Being a goal-oriented charge, and I will always person, I didn’t want to do what’s best for every completely abandon the idea member of the Oklahoma of a New Year’s resolution, State Firefighters Associso last year I decided to go ation. with a new year’s “theme” As I traverse through instead. this year of growth, I chalMy theme for 2021 was lenge you to join me in “Focus,” and I can truly say this endeavor. Be a person that keeping this theme in of integrity and be your mind throughout the year best at all times, as these helped me accomplish my things will indeed create goals. positive growth around The theme I’ve chosen for you and have an everlast2022 is “Growth.” Undering impact. standing that growth is the As always, be safe and Executive Board members with process of increasing in stay ready! Santa at the OSFA Christmas Party
8 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 9
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Mike Kelley: OSFA Interim Executive Director’s Report I would first like to say that I’m humbled and honored to serve as your Interim Executive Director. I started Dec. 20, 2021, in this capacity and I’m in the process of evaluating the organization from this vantage Ret. OKC FD point. As you may know, I recently completed five years as a board member for both the OSFA and the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. So, I have an understanding of the organization from that perspective and I’m continually impressed with the passion that the board and the staff has for the organization. I’m equally impressed with the passion and enthusiasm that everyone that serves on the various committees have, as well. This organization is propelled by its members and their input! The beginning of the year is a busy time for your OSFA, as there are many events to plan, prepare and participate in. The OFCA’s Winter Workshop is a great event and they do an outstanding job of arranging speakers and education on a wide range of pertinent topics. This is followed by the OSFA Volunteer Caucus, which was set for Feb. 4-5 but was rescheduled to Feb. 25-26. As a career firefighter, I am always overwhelmed by the volunteer
OSFA & Museum Expansion Plans
firefighters who would show up and assist us whenever we needed them. Attending the Volunteer Caucus the last six years has given me an even greater appreciation for the men and women who selflessly serve their communities in this capacity! The Caucus provides the platform to share ideas and best practices, as well as give the OSFA direction both legislatively and organizationally. The beginning of the year also marks the beginning of the legislative season. Everything we have or don’t have is affected by the legislative process. Our mission as an organization is to protect the pension benefits that you have currently and work to assure that you will be taken care of in the future. We also work to insure that you have the needed training and resources required to perform an invaluable service to your communities. We strive to be your voice in the legislative process and that can’t happen effectively without your input. With that in mind, attend the various events, serve on a committee, get to know your legislators or at least let us hear your concerns. There are other events throughout the year that we would love to see you at. Check out the events tab at www.osfa.info for the latest information. If you haven’t visited our website recently. I would encourage you to do so. The website was recently redesigned and provides a wealth of information and resources. In closing, the OSFA is prepared to stand with you and protect your interests! Stay safe and well!
OSFA & Museum Staff Executive Director (Interim) 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 Assistant Brendon Pierce brendonp@osfa.info
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Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 11
FIRSTS in the OKLAHOMA FIRE SERVICE
Sheri Nickel: OSFA Administrative Director’s Report
n Newly Added
n Vicki Atchley - First Female Foyil Volunteer Firefighter (joined in 1994) n Jaclyn Becker - First Female Guymon Firefighter (joined in Feb. 2015) n Donnie Bennett - First Black member of Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Executive Board (elected 3VP in June 2021) n Jennifer Bradshaw - First Female Skiatook Firefighter (joined in 2005) n Norita Bridges - One of First 2 Female Tulsa Firefighters (joined in Aug. 1991) n Debbie Brooks - First Female Guymon Volunteer Firefighter (joined in 2000s) n James Coffey - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Henry L. Collier - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) n Cecil Dixon - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Cledella Evans-Stearns - First Black Female Tulsa Firefighter (joined in 2001) n Herbert Ford - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Tiara Ford - First Female Hominy Firefighter (joined in April 2019) n Melvin A. Franklin - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Raymond Gates - First Black Lawton Firefighter (joined in Sept. 1971) n Kristina Good - First Female Lawton Firefighter (joined in Sept. 2013) n Milton T. Goodwin - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) n Candice Hannah - First Female Holdenville Firefighter (joined in Dec. 2020) n Clifford Horn - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) n Carla G. Hayes - First Female Stone Buff VFD Fire Chief (joined FD in March 2004) n Cathy Hayes - First Female OKC District Chief of Operations (joined OKC FD in 1996) n Carl Holmes - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Greta Hurt - First Female District Chief, First Female Training Officer, First Female Fire Investigator and First Female Staff Officer for Tulsa FD n Willard Jenkins - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Cassy Juarez - First Female Stillwater Firefighter (joined in Jan. 2011) n Karen Kirkham - First Female OKC Firefighter (joined in February 1985) n Debra Kuffel - One of First 2 Female Tulsa Firefighters (joined in Aug. 1991) n Algie Lawrence - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Clifford R. Lewis - First Native American ORFA President (2001) n Julie Lynn - First Female State Fire Marshal Commission Committee Chairman (appointed to commission in May 2019) n Anita Miller - First Female Norman Firefighter (joined in May 1979) n Donna Mullally - First Female Sand Springs Firefighter (joined in July 2021) n Marvin O. Nelson - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Sheri Nickel - First Female and First Native American Director at OSFA (Nov. 2018) and First Female Firefighter and Fire Chief at Shattuck FD n Jan Polhemus - First Female to retire from Oak Cliff FD (retired in 2015 after serving 23 years) n Rebecca Ratliff Opitz - First Female Fort Cobb Firefighter (joined in Jan. 2007) n Caroline Reed - First Female Director for OSU Fire Service Training (appointed November 2019) n Angie Retzlaff - First Female Tahlequah Firefighter (joined May 2021) n Juan Rodriguez - First Hispanic OSFA President (2006) and First Hispanic ORFA President (2019) n Carlos Rodriguez - One of first 2 Hispanic Guymon Volunteer Firefighters (joined in January 2003) n Edward K. Russell - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Darbie Salamanca Barbie - First Female Latina Guymon Volunteer Firefighter (joined in June 2016) n Kellie Sawyers - First Female Chief, First Female Deputy Chief and First Female Fire Marshal for OKC FD and First Female President of Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (2016) n Robert L. Shanks - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) n Maximino Soto - One of first 2 Hispanic Guymon Volunteer Firefighters (joined in January 2003) n Maryann Srbljan - First Female Edmond Firefighter (joined in Nov. 1980) n Cleatus Q. Stephens - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) n Merle Stripling - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) and First Black Tulsa District Fire Chief n Bob Summers - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n Antoinette Thompson - First Black Female in Operations and First Black Female promoted to Capt/Major in Operations for OKC FD (joined in 1992) n Larissa Upton - First Female Eufaula Firefighter (joined in Feb. 2021) n Stephanie Wagner - First Female Owasso Firefighter (joined in 2011) n Charles Q. Wright - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) n James H. Young - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) If you know of anyone who should be added to this list, email penelopes@osfa.info
12 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
We are all people! People who strive to be the best that we can be. Orlando FD It is only natural that we argue, we fight and sometimes we find ourselves in the center of controversy whether we want to be or not. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, a Sooner or a Cowboy, career or a volunteer firefighter doesn’t matter at the end of the day when you close your eyes. What matters is what kind of person you are when you wake up the next morning. Conflict is all around us; how we manage that conflict will determine our ability to make change and be the best leader. Some personalities are passive and think if you ignore it, it will go away. “If they are talking about me, they are leaving everyone else alone” mentality isn’t always the best approach and can result in a greater negative impact on the problem that we are presented with. Sometimes, the conflict must be addressed immediately and emotions get in the way, tempers flare and the original problem at hand gets lost in a whole host of other implications. It doesn’t matter if you are an officer in your fire department, in management at your job, a deacon in your church or simply a spouse or parent, at one time or another you are going to be a leader who is presented with a conflict, and when it presents itself you need to take the opportunity to learn and improve on your conflict resolution skills. First, do not always take everything as a personal attack on your ability to be a leader. Second, separate your emotions from the conflict, take a deep breath and listen and learn what the root of the problem is. Thirdly, look at the facts and don’t start hastily talking until you have all of the information and have had time to evaluate the conflict and present a resolution. These are difficult skills that take an open minded person to master, sometimes overlooked by leaders with an ego that clouds and disrupts judgement. Learning to manage conflict takes time and experience and isn’t something that many people want to ever deal with but is a necessary evil to be effective when it comes to making change within our family or organizations. Resist the urge to push back or become confrontational yourself. Stay focused and don’t trap yourself with an emotional response. Not all conflict is bad. In fact, it can be good and prompt needed change. So, don’t avoid it when it presents to you. Embrace it, deal with it and grow.
Six women have been added to Oklahoma Fire’s list of firsts, including: • Rebecca Ratliff Opitz, a second generation firefighter for Fort Cobb (above with her dad Hermon Ratliff, Ret. Ft. Cobb 1969-1990). • Carla G. Hayes, Stone Bluff VFD, who may be the first female Fire Chief in Wagoner County (at right). • Anita Miller, who may be Oklahoma’s first female firefighter (Norman FD 1979).
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Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question: What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? Here is what they said: w Cliff Davidson, Ringwood: World peace. What greater goal would there be? w Kara Owens, Piedmont: It would be to continue my great grandfather’s & grandpa’s legacy with Hereford cattle & horses. If it’s fire related, it would be to be a fire marshal/fire investigator. w Aaron Burns, Ret. Broken Arrow: Erase all the hate in the world so people get to sleep easier at night. w Donnie Bennett, Oklahoma City: I would undoubtedly create the cure for all cancer and make it available to everyone. w Darren Alexander, Cedar Country: I would attempt to go to space. I would have liked to go up on the Space Shuttle, but I would be content with going to space for a week. And I’m sure my firefighters would pay for it. w Bryan West, OSU-FST: It’s not a great thing, but I would visit a casino if I knew I could not fail. w James Johnson, Tuttle: I would rid the world of all the COVID and other debilitating diseases. w Dean McFadden, Ret. Guymon: If I knew there was no way that I could fail, I would start a family business. This business would employ my family members and would offer job opportunities for those with special needs. This business would be a mix of homegrown produce, a plant nursery, a ranch and a pecan orchard. I think that it would be fun to work with my family, work with the land and work with those with special needs. w Michael Pettey, Fort Supply: Cure cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. w Louis Marschik, Ret. Oklahoma City: Climb Mount Everest. Next Issue’s Question -What would be a good slogan for the Oklahoma Fire Service (or your FD specifically)? Everyone is Welcome to Participate!
Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info 14 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Yogi Cole: ORFA President’s Report
2021-22 ORFA Executive Board PRESIDENT
Historically, A.K. “Yogi” Cole, Tulsa our Execuycole@ipa.net tive Director 1ST VICE PRESIDENT has been the James Fullingim, Norman same as the nfdchief@hotmail.com OSFA’s Executive Director. 2ND VICE PRESIDENT This has cerMike Duncan, Dewey tainly been more mduncan51@aol.com Ret. Tulsa FD feasible and perhaps more 3RD VICE PRESIDENT convenient but not always the most beneficial Dr. Erick Reynolds, Milfay for our organization. rerick@osufpp.org We select our own Executive Director, so in December 2021 when the OSFA Board fired PAST PRESIDENT theirs, it did not change ours. Currently Tippy George Fina, OKC Pierce is still the ORFA Executive Director. gomsoc38@gmail.com We are now discussing our options. We have to figure out details such as compensaORFA DIRECTOR Tippy Pierce, Moore tion and if there are any changes that need to fftip@swbell.net be made to our regular operations. We are in unfamiliar territory and will work through any issues. When I became the ORFA President, I had a goal of improving our communication with our members. The 10 publications per year of the newspaper went to four publications per year with the change to the magazine, and that resulted in less opportunity for us to communicate with our membership. ATTENTION During the process of seeking out other methods of communication, it appears that text and/ ORFA or email may be an effective way to communiMEMBERS cate. However, I discovered that we have very few phone numbers and email addresses for our membership. So at this point, it is not worth purIn order to better suing a system until we have more data. communicate So we need your phone number and email with our members, address, please. This info will go into our data your contact system and will not be shared with anyone. We information have been asked in the past for this kind of info and have refused to give it out. needs to be updated. Having this contact information will help us share information with our membership that we Please call the believe can have an effect on you. Information OSFA office concerning our retirement system, changes to at 405-424-1452 the RMD or even changes to the reduction to our social security benefits are examples of some of to verify your email the info that we could share. I hope everyone is and cell phone info. doing well.
2021-22 Women’s Auxiliary Executive Board PRESIDENT Ashley Corbett ashleyc814@att.net VICE PRESIDENT Kendra Engle kedamo10@yahoo.com
JR BD MEMBER Haley Thompson hthomp933@gmail.com SEC/TREASURER Courtney Thompson courtneythompson524@ gmail.com
PAST PRESIDENT Michele Cole momachel@aol.com
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Louis Marschik: OSFA Public Education Committee Report Life Saved! Life Safety is at the top of priorities for firefighters. Last article, we spoke about the great work that the community of Morris was doing to protect their residents. They canvassed Ret. OKC FD their entire community and installed smoke alarms for those who were without. In January, the OSFA Public Education Committee received a message from Chief Stewart stating that they had responded to a house fire. The occupant was awoken by the smoke alarm that had recently been installed by the Morris FD and community members. The result is that man is alive today! The occupant also stated that he never had a smoke alarm in his residence before the canvassing. We may not save the structure, but we can save lives. These smoke alarms were donated to Morris Fire Department as part of the Public Education Committee alarm program. Special thanks to committee member Stephen Mixon (Tulsa Fire) for assisting the Morris Fire Department!
“Wind & Fire” Supporting Smoke Alarm Program! Like the title from the Earth, Wind & Fire song “Gratitude,” we are grateful to the “Wind & Fire” Motorcycle Club Heartland Heat Chapter 65 for their recent donation of $8,000 to the Public Education Committee. The funds will be used to purchase additional smoke alarms to support our communities in Oklahoma.
Wind & Fire ride to provide for those that have been affected by smoke and fire. For more info, check out www.facebook. com/windandfire.mcokc/
Catastrophic Fires in Philadelphia & New York are Important Reminders for Ongoing Fire Prevention Education The investigation for the cause of the fire in Philadelphia is ongoing, but the culprit for the fatalities in New York has been identified. According to the NFPA: “The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) confirmed that a space heater was responsible for the start of this tragic fire. Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of U.S. home fires and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths and injuries. “Overall, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment per year in 2014-2018, accounting for 14 percent of all reported home fires and 19 percent of home fire deaths. These fires resulted in an annual average of 500 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. Space heaters are the type of heating equipment most often involved in home heating fires. Between 2014 and 2018, space heaters annually accounted for more than two out of five heating fires and the majority of heating fire deaths (81%) and injuries (80%).” Please visit nfpa.org for valuable information on space heater safety, as well as many other safety tips. What’s Happening & Special Dates from Public Education Committee • We are finalizing a smoke alarm document to assist fire departments with canvassing their community. • Selection of speakers for the next Public Education Summit has begun. • Discussion on marijuana fire safety education for our residents is taking place. • We are working on boosting our prevention education through social
16 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
media sites and PSA’s. • Feb. 22-24: Vision 2020 Symposium, Murfreesboro, TN. Committee member and Oklahoma Vision 2020 State Representative, Cody Banks (Tulsa FD) will be attending www.strategicfire.org • April 8-9: Ride to Remember (see info above) • April 11-13: 100th Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association Conference in Moore • May 7: Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/ National-Wildfire-Community-Preparedness-Day • May 12-15: OSFA State Fire School • June 6-9: NFPA Conference, Boston, MA. They will again be offering a “Spotlight on Public Education” (SOPE) www.nfpa.org/conference • June 7: 41st ORFA Convention, Enid • June 8-11: 128th OSFA Convention, Enid (Hosted by Ringwood FD) • Early August: Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp, Tahlequah www.okffburncamp.com • Sept. 20: 3rd Annual Oklahoma Public Education Summit in Tulsa. • Oct. 9-15: Fire Prevention Week Check in on your neighbors and be safe!
Bob Noll: Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Archivist
Gene Brown: Firefighters Museum Director
Hello Everyone! The year 2021 was a real trial Another year has come and gone. for a lot of us in the fire service Here at the museum, we have and for our families. However, for had a good year. the Oklahoma State Firefighter’s The biggest thing is the new 60Museum, 2021 was a terrific year. foot X 120-foot shop. It will house Some of the highlights are listed some of our trucks to allow room for Ret. The Village FD here for your review and comment. our public education area. Staff has continued to work on the We have the shop dried in. We are Seagrave Suburbanite pumper that was working on getting it wired for lights and Ret. Yukon FD donated to us by the Hollis FD. A hose basket was fabgetting the plumbing in. We have to run the sewer, water ricated and installed, the motor received its final tweakand gas. ing, peripheral items such as the gasoline tank was reinstalled and work The drive will come soon after. This is a very big step continues on the wheels. Brendon Pierce has been a notable contributor of forward for your museum. Our goal is to have it up and his skill and knowledge for this project. running this spring. Many items in the museum whose provenance was vague have been We are still working on the Hollis and Stuart trucks. Both identified. They have been marked with the current accession number sysare coming along very well. tem, photographed, and the vertical file either updated or created. Vague This past year, we were able to share our pictures with description of an item, lack of numbering and cloudy provenance remain the Oklahoma Historical Society. It will allow all of our a daily problem. pictures to be searchable on the internet. The pictures have Staff members have spent numerous hours organizing and docubeen processed and are being loaded to the web. menting the fire helmets in the collection. The display in the North Hall All OSFA newspapers will be available, also. This should has been revitalized and is very impressive. Greg Roberts was “Incident be completed soon. This has taken a lot of work, but it will Command” on that project. Greg also continues to be involved in the be worth the wait. museum’s photo collection. The museum gift shop has been expanded and has more The gift shop area in the Main Hall has been rearranged, and the invenitems for sale. We are working hard to enhance your expetory there has increased dramatically. A ton of credit should go to muserience. um staffer Lance Gill for his work there. Lance is also a great researcher We have one of the finest museums in the country. We and has proved to be invaluable in gathering information. also have the best memorial in the country. We should be receiving a grant from the Oklahoma History Center Please make time to visit the museum and memorial. sometime this month (January 2022). The prime mover on this effort is Thank all of you for your support. Stay safe, Come see us! Andi Hernandez who is currently on leave pursuing a career goal in a parallel field. We expect her successful completion and return the first tell you where it went from there to the present. Prior to that, quarter of 2022. we don’t know. If anyone knows, please contact me. The museum’s intake -- that is the items that come in as donations The museum continues to enjoy extraordinary support -- was the best ever. The total number of donated items was 89. This was from the approximately 950 fire departments in the State Of almost double the previous year’s activity. Oklahoma and many, many A private collector donated retirees. We can’t say “Thank several parts of the city of OkYou” loud enough or often On Display at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum mulgee’s fire alarm telegraph enough for your support. system. The four circuit power I would be remiss if I didn’t board with case, a fire alarm The Oklahoma State Firefighters met from your department, please mention Museum Director Gene transmitter, a 15-inch gong, Museum is currently upgrading its drop it off at the museum. Brown. We’d be nowhere near several battery jars, several fire helmet collection, and many OklaThe helmet needs to be in good where we are today without his alarm box movements, a 1-inch homa fire departments have helmets condition and should have the continued support, encouragetape register and a working on display. department name displayed on the ment and his unselfish use of traffic light were accessioned. If you would like to donate a heloutside of the helmet. his numerous talents. Another donor sent us his One final note ... One of the complete set of rappelling gear. many things we try to do at This included ropes, harnesses, the museum is to serve as a Prussic cord, carabiners, and Los Angeles leather helmet resource for fire service memonumerous other related items. (circa 1930s-1940s) rabilia and apparatus collectors. At least one item remains an Please contact us if you have enigma. The Beaumont FD muany questions or need some seum in Beaumont, Texas, has information. Not saying we a hand pumper that allegedly have all the answers, but our served somewhere in OklahoTulsa Helmet (circa 1960s) museum has a great network of ma or in Oklahoma Territory. other private collectors and fire We’ve traced the hand pumper service museums throughout to a Norman, OK, fire station the country. We’ll try to help in approximately 1955. We can you if we can. Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 17
Due to inclement weather, the OSFA Volunteer Caucus originally set for Feb. 4-5 was rescheduled to Feb. 25-26 in Atoka. Highlights for the 2022 Volunteer Caucus will be featured in the next issue of the Oklahoma Firefighter magazine.
18 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Michael Harkey: Volunteer Fire Service Committee Greeting to all, and a special shout out to my fellow Volunteer FirefightCaney FD ers. It is an honor for me to sit on the Volunteer Fire Service Committee. As a member, I hope to help solve some of the issues that are unique to VFDs. We have been busy getting ready for the 2022 Caucus, which was moved from Feb. 4-5 to Feb. 25-26 due to inclement weather,. The only way we can have an influence on laws that pertain to us is to be united in our cause. That means we must let our voices be heard in the right places and with a common purpose.
I would encourage each of you to be a part in bringing ideas and issues to this committee, where we can get an overall picture of the needs and help push those to the front for everyone to see. Your Volunteer Fire Service Committee is made up of great people who truly believe in our purpose, and all have many years in fire service. So some issues are known just from that experience, but there are issues that we are either not aware of or haven’t been an issue that affected us. That is why it is so important for all of you working in the trenches to attend events like the Caucus and the round table events to get the word out and shine a spotlight in the areas where we need help.
PETE & LELA
James Johnson: Educational Advisory Committee Report
STAVROS SCHOLARSHIP
I hope this finds you all in good health and ready for another wonderful year in the fire service. Tuttle FD It is the beginning of 2022 and May is quickly approaching. State Fire School is just around the corner. Things are different and we have evolved fire school to meet these challenging times we are facing. Your Educational Advisory Committee Members are working diligently to put together another amazing State Fire School. We are still looking for vendors and sponsors to help fund this amazingly awesome school that is free for all firefighters of Oklahoma. We are always looking new support. Do you have any vendors who would want to set up in the vendor show, or a company looking to get their name out among the fire service? If you have anyone in mind who would love to work with the State Fire School, please contact the OSFA office. We all know these times are trying with all emergency responders, and we all need to lean on each other to get through these times. With training, we can better prepare each other for the next call so everyone goes home and is ready for what is ahead. State Fire School is a fantastic opportunity to meet other responders from all over the state and come together for some great training and brotherhood. We have some exciting activities planned and some amazing speakers planned. Keep looking as we complete the final touches to be able to release the list of classes, activities and speakers.
Do you know a graduating Oklahoma high school senior who is related to an active or retired member of the Oklahoma Fire Service and the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association? Have you told them about the Pete and Lela Stavros Scholarship Foundation?
FOUNDATION
Created in 2002 by Pete Stavros, former OSFA Legislative Director, the scholarship offers children and relatives of active or retired firefighters in the OSFA help with college expenses.
Scholarship Award: $1,500 Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2022 For more information and details about the scholarship: www.osfa.info/news
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By Greg LindsayNear-Miss OKC Fire Department Greg Lindsay: Firefighter Report Know What To Do When You Do It We know the fireground is a busy place to be. Arriving to find trusted leaders OKC FD in the decision-making roles can bring peace of mind for crews working in dangerous environments. It’s important to note that sound decisions are valuable when the information is clearly conveyed and carried out. When confusion becomes the leading element, things can take a turn for the worst. That is why knowing what to do is critical. The featured article this month, Power Remains On After Attempt To Secure (http:// firefighternearmiss.com/Reports?id=16047), shows us how a seemingly ordinary assignment can turn an incident into a more dangerous situation than we expected. The report begins with first due assignments for one crew on a single-family residence. While the tasks are standard for this department, the results are not. Consider how your personnel may have addressed these concerns as you read the event narrative.
Power Remains On After Attempt To Secure Published: 3/10/2021 Report Number: 21-10102
tempt our objectives safely. Other times we fall short of meeting the tactical objectives we use to create a safer environment. When we consider a loss of situational awareness as a leading error causation, it becomes more apparent that we may need to cautiously approach elements we question. • How do you address disabling residential power in your community? Please take a moment to discuss your policies and procedures with less experienced employees. • How would your personnel react to an electrical service that was very unusual to them? This was described as an oversized breaker box. • Do you have larger residential occupancies in your community where this could be encountered? • Are there other electrical equipment installations in your residential neighborhoods that make you take a step back when you encounter them? These are the lessons shared by the Firefighter that submitted the report. [We need to understand] the changing culture of building construction and the difference between a 200-amp box and a 600-amp box made for larger homes. It is preferred to secure power from the inside. Photo courtesy of the reporter
Initial size-up Large Single-story residential structure with fire and smoke showing on arrival. Event Description Units were dispatched to a reported structure fire. The first engine arrived at a large single-story residential structure with fire and smoke showing. This was upgraded to a working fire. As the first rescue arrived on the scene, they were tasked with securing the power to the home and conducting a primary search. The Firefighter/ Medic began to control the electricity and noticed a large, oversized breaker box, very different from what they were familiar with. They attempted to disconnect what they thought to be the breakers. When the electric company arrived, they found the firefighter had not disconnected the power. The electric company advised that the power must be turned off from inside with this breaker box. The electrical box was a 600-amp box, not a traditional 200-amp box. After firefighters extinguished the fire, all units participated in an after-action report to address the breaker box concerns and the potential hazards a firefighter may face. The conditions we work in are constantly changing to meet the ever-evolving requirements of the people in our communities. We consider progress to be the thing that drives these changes and do our best to adapt. Sometimes we can approach a problem and recognize familiar elements that allow us to at-
Firefighters rely on the things we are familiar with to address problems on the fire scene. We use previous experiences to decide what has worked before and apply it to our current predicament. The decision-making technique is Recognition Primed Decision Making (RPDM). While this is very helpful for the things we have seen before, it may not help with our
20 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
decisions when inferring our experiences onto something new. In this case, the firefighter used knowledge gained in securing power from a smaller system and applied it to the larger service box. While there are similarities in the two types of service boxes, the report continues to tell us how the Firefighter thought the breakers on the box would secure the power, but it didn’t disconnect the power or create a safer environment for the rest of the assigned crews to work. When this type of event occurs, it makes the scene more hazardous because we work with less caution regarding the electrical wiring by thinking the power is off. One way to determine if the power is off seems very simple, but other reports confirm it can be overlooked. Turn on a light in an adjacent room; if the attic over that area has not been compromised, it could indicate if the power is secured. In an article by Gordon Graham from the Lexipol website, he discusses high-frequency events. The article, The Power of Recognition-Primed Decision-Making in Public Safety (lexipol.com) talks about how we have a very high success rate in performing high-frequency events. Consider stretching a handline as a high frequency event; we rarely have difficulty knowing how to deploy a handline because we train and practice with it. We create additional frequency, so the possibility of an error diminishes. However, there are times when making the stretch results in a less than perfect outcome. In his article, Gordon Graham points to the five most common human factors that prevent a desirable outcome during high-frequency events. These are Complacency, Fatigue, Distractions, Hubris, and Risk Homeostasis (Graham.) Consider how approaching any of these human factors during training could help your crew in a future emergency response. Why and how we do things always enters the conversation when a near-miss occurs. If we can share these details with other firefighters, it can make our jobs safer. The Firefighternearmiss.com website has over 5000 case studies where front-line firefighters have shared their experiences. The service is free to use, and if you choose to share your own experiences, it is entirely anonymous. Graham, G (2019) The Power of Recognition-Primed Decision-Making in Public Safety Found on the internet at: www.lexipol. com/resources/blog/the-power-of-recognition-primed-decision-making-in-public-safety/ For more about Recognition Primed Decision Making, pick up a copy of Sources of Power by Gary Klein.
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2022 21 |Oklahoma M E SFirefighterFebruary/March/April FIRE.COM
Craig Hannan: Fire Protection Publications Director As 2022 began, many were curious about the new challenges we would face as first responders. The past few years have shown us that we must continually adapt and overcome as our working environment changes. One challenge that is not new is the number of civilian home fire fatalities in the United States. As of the time of this writing in mid-January, there have been 137 civilian home fire fatalities in the U.S. and 2 in Oklahoma. In 2021, there were 2,264 civilian home fire fatalities in the U.S. and 37 in Oklahoma. The 2022 home fire fatalities were most notable by the tragic losses in Philadelphia and New York City. These losses are not just big city problems, but occur anywhere a “home” is established. In 2019, Oklahoma had 22.2 fire deaths per million population, making OK the fourth highest fire death state in the country. Only Alaska, the District of Columbia and Mississippi had more fire deaths. The national average is 10.7. This means the relative risk of dying in a fire in Oklahoma is more than double the national average. So, what can we do as firefighters to prevent these tragic losses? In the sacred firefighter mission of saving lives and protecting property, community risk reduction is often lost in the draw of fire suppression. There are a large number of free or low cost resources available to you to help with community risk reduction. One of those resources is the Essentials of Community Risk Reduction training course developed by VISION 20/20. https://strategicfire.org/. This online course is available at no charge to you on ResourceOne. www. R1.ifsta.org. Simply create a free ResourceOne account and access the course. If you complete all seven modules, you will receive a certificate of completion. This course, and the information within, will give you a great start on developing a Community Risk Reduction plan for your community. Please take the course and start down the path of reducing the chance of civilian home fire deaths in your community. Until next time, be safe, be well, be well trained. Perkins FD
James Fullingim: Assistant State Fire Marshal Report Ret. Norman FD
One of the duties of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) is to ensure all fires in the State of Oklahoma are investigated. This is set out in State Statutes: §74-314. Investigation of fires Report to fire marshal - Record of fires. The State Fire Marshal and the chief of the fire department of every city or village in which a fire department is established, and the mayor of every incorporated village or town in which no fire department exists, and the sheriff of the county shall investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of every fire occurring in such city, village, town or county by which property has been destroyed or damaged, and shall especially make investigation as to whether such fire was the result of carelessness or design.
As you can see this is a shared responsibility. The Fire Chief is included in this language as well and their role is critical regardless of the size of your community or department. In some cases, this responsibility is delegated to the local Fire Marshal but most departments do not have this position. In the event your department has no Fire Marshal, a request for an investigation by the SFM should be made for fires that involve serious injuries or fatalities, evidence of arson, a known suspect or unknown cause and origin. The Fire Chief must approve the request if they are on scene. The request will generate a return phone call from a SFM supervisor to determine if an Agent response is necessary. Please realize that we make every effort to provide excellent customer service but our geographical coverage area makes it necessary for you to be prepared for a minimum of two a hour response time. You will need to be prepared to secure the scene until our arrival. This is actually required by law for Volunteer Chiefs:
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22 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
§29-204 - Minimum Rules and Regulations of Volunteer Fire Department (g)The chief shall see that each fire is carefully investigated to determine its cause, and in the case of suspicion of incendiarism shall notify proper authorities. The chief shall secure and preserve all possible evidence for future use in the case of suspicious incendiarism. Scene security is critical in order for an accurate fire origin and cause determination but more importantly, any evidence collected may not be admissible if security is not maintained. For fire investigation requests or further information, please contact the State Fire Marshal office at (405) 522-5005.
Caroline Reed: OSU FST Director As we move into the New Year, I just want to let everyone know that Fire Service Training is still training. We have transitioned several courses to the online format, OFCA Ex Officio and many of the courses are in a blended-learning format. The cognitive piece is online and skills taught in person. We are also still delivering in-person training. Registration is now open for three conferences up on our website (www.osufst,org), Ft. Sill, Guardians of the Heart are in February and Camp Gruber in March. We are using the CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety. For those who have to miss class due to COVID or illness, be sure to contact your program coordinator who will work with you to finish the course. Please join our OSU Fire Service Training YouTube page, as we are currently posting new training videos every month. These short training videos can be used to spice up your in-house training. The 5-to-10-minute videos show skills and various educational tools, then you can perform the tasks at training. Here are some titles that are currently available: • 2021 Operational Readiness Exercise Ropes Rescue
• Packing a throw bag • Legacy of Leadership • Haz Mat Operations Refresher • Residential Gas Meters • Firefighter Training SCBA • Haz Mat Technician Tank Car Damage Assessment These are just a few of the titles and we will continue to add to every month. We are also showing small clips of some of our courses so you may want to check out a class before you attend or see if you made the clip from the last class that you attended. Another great tool that you may or may not be aware of is our OSU Fire Service Training app. The Chief Pete app is available on both Android and IOS platforms. The app contains a free audio book of the Essentials 7. This is a great refresher for firefighter I and II. This free app allows you to sign up for classes and look at your transcript any time. You can also check and see what course you have signed up for, as well. We also have a wonderful staff in the office on campus, so if you would like to register for a class or if you have any questions, please call the office. OSU FST offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and we are here to serve you. Our number is 1-800-3045727. Stay Safe!
Check out the Chief Pete App! Available on the app is a FREE audiobook of Essentials of Fire Fighting 7. The audiobook for the 7th edition of Essentials of Fire Fighting is 15 hours, 43 minutes long. The free audiobook is made possible through collaboration between OSFA, IFSTA and OSU-FST.
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24 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Corey Conrady: The Rural Firefighter 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. Drummond FD
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Critical Incident Stress Management
What is it? What does it do? When I came on the job, you simply dealt with the stresses of the stuff that you saw: burned bodies and severe trauma to the human body. It wasn’t always the gory stuff that got to you, either. Children sitting in highchairs with cockroaches crawling through their food, the stench of some homes, or simply the unkind acts committed toward other human beings were also unsettling. We dealt with this stuff in many ways -- humor, exercise, teasing and hazing, getting away from the crew for a little bit, or simply going home and hugging the kids or kicking the dog! Since the end of World War II and the Vietnam War, there have been numerous studies dealing with stress. Much of what was learned was passed to other professions, including the fire service. What is Critical Incident Stress? Here’s a definition from OSHA. Workers responding to emergency events and or disasters will see and experience events that will strain their ability to function. These events, which include having to witness or experience tragedy, death, serious injuries and threatening situations are called “Critical Incidents.” The physical and psychological well-being of those experiencing this stress, as well as their future ability to function through a prolonged response, will depend upon how they manage this stress. How do I recognize Critical Incident Stress? Critical incidents may produce a wide range of stress symptoms, which may appear immediately at the scene, a few hours later or within days of the incident. Stress symptoms usually occur in four different categories: Cognitive (thinking), Physical (body), Emotional (feelings) and Behavioral (actions). The more symptoms experienced, the more powerful the stress reaction. The longer the symptoms persist, the more potential there is for lasting harm.
When persons experience significant stress from a critical incident, the following steps may help to reduce the stress until the incident is over or until the U.S. SAR Task Force Critical Incident Stress Management Team arrives: ● Limit exposure to sights and sounds. ● Provide an immediate rest break of at least 15 minutes. ● Have someone stay with the distressed person. ● Provide non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids. ● Allow the person to talk about the experience. ● Protect the person from bystanders and the media. ● Reassure the person that the stress experience is normal; most people recover very well from stress. ● Show appreciation for the person’s work. ● Do nothing to embarrass the person. ● Listen to the person. ● Don’t take the person’s anger or other feelings personally. Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it was not worse” – traumatized people are not consoled by those statements. Instead, tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist them. Fortunately, help is available.
What is Critical Incident Stress Debriefing? Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a facilitator-led group process conducted soon after a traumatic event with individuals considered to be under stress from trauma exposure. When structured, the process usually (but not always) consists of seven steps: Introduction; Fact Phase; Thought Phase; Reaction Phase; Symptom Phase; Teaching Phase; and Re-entry BEHAVIORAL Phase. During the group process, participants are encouraged to describe their experience of the incident and its aftermath, fol● Inability to rest lowed by a presentation on common stress reactions and stress ● Withdrawal management. This early intervention process supports recovery ● Antisocial behavior by providing group support and linking responders to further ● Increased alcohol counseling and treatment services if they become necessary. consumption Again help is available. if you need immediate support with ● Change in a critical stress event in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma Fire communications Service Chaplains. Or in an emergency, contact Pastor Gary ● Loss/increase in Lillie (Hawley Fire) at 580-541-5980 or Brett Key (Warriors Rest appetite Foundation) at 405-252-7489.
Signs & Symptoms Individuals express stress in different ways and therefore manifest different reactions. The list below is not exhaustive but will help to identify workers who are exhibiting stress reactions.
PHYSICAL
COGNITIVE
EMOTIONAL
● Fatigue ● Chills ● Unusual thirst ● Chest pain ● Headaches ● Dizziness
● Uncertainty ● Confusion ● Nightmares ● Poor decision making ability ● Poor concentration, memory ● Poor problem solving ability
● Grief ● Fear ● Guilt ● Intense anger ● Apprehension & depression ● Irritability ● Chronic anxiety
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 25
Pro A Ok
JIM WINFORD 1942-47 ... Oklahoma City FD 1938 ... Brooklyn Dodgers (MLB) 1934-37 ... St Louis Cardinals (MLB) 1929-42 ... Minor League Baseball (14 teams) Nicknamed “Cowboy,” Winford spent 12 of his 14 years in pro baseball with the Cardinals organization.
n n n n
Firefigh al Strength The 16 O the next few They playe Of cours fighters ou These in when Oklah
WILLIAM MCKIM n n
1956-80 ... Tulsa FD (FM) 1950s-60s ... Professional Wrestler
In wrestling circles he was known as “Wild Red McKim.” In 877 matches, he compiled 331 wins, 276 defeats and 159 draws.
CLAUDE REX n n
1968-96 ... Oklahoma City FD (Maj) 1967 ... OKC Plainsmen (PFLA)
After high school, Rex played semi-pro football for the OKC Plainsmen in the Pro Football League of America.
ERNEST GILLIS n n
1909-34 ... Tulsa FD 1900s ... Professional Wrestler
“Tulsa is to have its first wrestling match in over a year’s time, when Cyclone Sullivan of Chicago will meet Ernest Gillis, the Tulsa Fire Department heavyweight.” -- 1911 Tulsa World
DENNY KENNEDY n n n n n
1964-84 ... Oklahoma City FD 1964 ... Chattanooga Lookouts (MiLB) 1963-64 ... Bakersfield Bears (MiLB) 1962 ... Miami Marlins (MiLB) 1961 ... Elmira Pioneers (MiLB)
Kennedy compiled a career BA of .203 with 3 HR and 56 RBI in his 188-game minor league career. 26 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Steve Peters Enjoyed Storied Careers in b Steve Peters made it to the big leagues in 1987. Not only that, the former Moore High School and OU baseball player was on the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the National League Pennant and played in the World Series. “Winning the pennant and going to the World Series was crazy good,” Peters said in a 2019 Facebook video posted by the Oklahoma City Fire Department. “There’s a lot of getting in shape and preparing your body to succeed, and it’s the same thing here (at OKC FD). Every time you roll out of here, it is a team atmosphere.” In high school and college, Peters was a team standout. He was named 1981 Oklahoma HS Baseball Player of the Year as a senior at Moore HS. And in 1985 while pitching at OU, he posted 14 wins and zero losses -a record that stood for almost a decade. Peters was 24 when he pitched in his first MLB game -- Aug. 11, 1987, vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I couldn’t feel my legs when I was pitching, he said. “I didn’t know how I was going to throw strikes, but I ended up able to throw a strike.” Peters pitched in 56 games total for the Cardinals, finishing his first season with a 1.80 ERA. He decided to retire halfway through the 1991 season when he was playing Triple A ball with the Oklahoma City 89ers. “As much as I loved playing baseball and the excitement of
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Featured at left and right are past pro athletes who served in the Oklahoma Fire Service. A special thanks goes out to Tulsa Fire Historian Dan Little for helping identify TFD’s past and present pro athletes.
OWEN CASTLEBERRY n n
1910-19 ... Tulsa FD 1920-21 ... Pro Boxer (Record: 1-1)
“The 1922 Inauguration Card of the Oil City Athletic Club was completed with the signing of Owen Castleberry, Pride of the Tulsa Fire Department.” -- 1921 Tulsa World
Athletes Who Became klahoma Firefighters
hters are considered tactical athletes by the Nationh and Conditioning Association. Oklahoma firefighters featured on the cover and w pages can also be called professional athletes. ed sports for a living before joining the fire service. se, there are many, many more Oklahoma fireut there who played pro sports. ndividuals were kind enough to share their stories homa Firefighter sent out a call for participators.
both Baseball and Firefighting STEVE PETERS 1992-2021 ... Oklahoma City FD (Maj) 1987-1988 ... St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) 1985-1991 ... Minor League Baseball (9 Teams) n Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 5th round of 1985 MLB Amateur Draft. Pitched 56 games for Cardinals and picked up his only MLB save on Oct. 2, 1987. n n n
playing and competing, I was missing everything that my kids did, so it was time for me to retire. “My brother Kenny was an Oklahoma City police officer and he loved his job. But I had a whole lot of friends who I went to high school with and played high school ball against who were firefighters in Oklahoma City and in the surrounding areas. “So I applied for the Oklahoma City Fire Department and was hired. I absolutely loved my job. Every day was a new day. The fire stations were like club houses. Plus I got to help people on a daily basis. “Being a fireman allowed you to be as good as you wanted to be with practice and training. And we always had the best equipment to be able to do our job.” Peters retired from OCFD on Dec. 1, 2021. He served 29 1/2 years at Station 30.
DENNY KENNEDY JACK HURLEY n 1964-84 ... Oklahoma City FD n 1919-20 ... Tulsa FD n 1964 ... Chattanooga Lookouts (MiLB) n 1920s ... Pro Boxer n 1963-64 ... Bakersfield Bears (MiLB) n 1962 ... Miami Marlins (MiLB) “1922 Inaugural Fistic Program ... Jack n 1961 ... Elmira Pioneers (MiLB)
Hurley’s bout with Mickey Farris will mark his first appearance in the ring sinceBA hisofdefeat Kennedy compiled a career .203 to Peewee Martin.” -1921 Tulsa with 3 HR and 56 RBI in his World 188-game minor league career.
Angel Goodrich Worked Hard to Fulfill Her Dream of Playing Professional Basketball At 5-foot-4, Angel Goodrich was a basketball standout. ANGEL GOODRICH She led Sequoyah High School in Tahlen 2019-Now ... Tulsa FD quah to three consecn 2015 ... Seattle Storm (WNBA) utive Class 3A girls n 2013-14 ... Tulsa Shock (WNBA) basketball state titles. She became the Kansas Selected by Tulsa Shock in 3rd round of Jayhawks’ all-time ca2013 WNBA draft (29th pick overall). reer assists leader with In September 2015, Goodrich got her first 771. WNBA double-double (12 pts, 10 reb). And in 2013, she was the highest-drafted Native American player in the history of the WNBA. The Tulsa Shock picked her in the 3rd round, and she was the 29th pick overall. Goodrich played three seasons in the WNBA -- two with Tulsa Shock and one with Seattle Storm. She also played overseas in Russia (2013) and Poland (2015-16). But in 2016, she was released from the WNBA. “I felt it was best to hang up the sneakers when I wasn’t asked to join a different team,” Goodrich said. “At that moment, I wasn’t sure on my career. I tried many different things and it took awhile, but eventually I found my home with the Tulsa Fire Department.” Goodrich joined TFD in 2019. And it was the 2018 California wildfires that inspired her to become a firefighter. “I wanted to help in some way or another, but at the moment, I had no idea I wanted to be a firefighter. “As a couple of weeks went by, fate led me to the Tulsa Fire Department booth at the Tulsa State Fair. I signed up that day to be a part of Camp Inferno. It consisted of a day for young women to experience the job doing different skills and training. It was very challenging. “That’s what led me to sign up for Tulsa’s next hiring exam a few weeks later. Not only would I be challenged physically, but I also would have the opportunity help others.” Goodrich finds a lot of similarities between sports and the fire service. The team and family aspects are the ones she likes the most. “You have to work together as a team to get the job done,” she said. “Another thing I enjoy about being a firefighter is helping others who are having a rough day. Sometimes it’s not the best situation, but being part of something bigger than me is the enjoyment.”
ANDY SWITZER n n
1919 ... Tulsa FD 1919-20 ... Pro Boxer (Record 1-1, 1 KO)
“There was quite a crowd at Grand Athletic Club to see participants of the Saturday card in training. Switzer, the fighting fireman, boxes C. Daniels.” -- 1919 Tulsa World
LESLIE ROGERS n n n
1972-93 ... Tulsa FD 1971 ... Daytona Beach Dodgers (MiLB) 1970 ... Medford Dodgers (MiLB)
Rogers compiled a career BA of .276 with 7 HR and 71 RBI in his 156-game minor league career. Drafted by Dodgers in the 23rd round of the 1970 MLB Amateur Draft. Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 27
Tyler West Hopes to Enter MMA Ring Again in April
TYLER WEST
Two years ago, Tyler West decided to turn pro in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighting. And two years ago, West decided to become a firefighter. He is a full-time fireman at the Cleveland Fire Department. “I find a good similarity between the fire service and wrestling/ MMA,” West said “When times are hard and I’m under stressful situations, I remember that no matter what, I can keep going and do whatever it is that I can to continue. “It’s a mentality that I’ve noticed a lot of firemen and athletes have in common. We always push each other to be the best we can!” West fights in the 135-pound weight class (also known as featherweight). He has two professional fights under his belt and holds a 1-1 record. His win was a first-round TKO in 2019. He hopes he’ll have another shot at a win at the Smoke & Guns MMA & Boxing charity event April 23 in Tulsa. The event raises money for the Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp and Special Olympics of Oklahoma. “I’ve wrestled my entire life,” said West, a two-time placer at state for Cleveland HS. “After college, one of my mentors/ coaches was doing MMA, so I started training with him. “I enjoy the rush I get from stepping in the cage and being locked in there with a guy who’s ready to throw down.” West chose the fire service after hearing good things about it from his best friend’s dad, Brian Hickerson, who is a TFD District Chief. “He told me about the fire service and how well it’s treated him over the years, and the life-long friends you make along the way. Hearing all of that made me want to at least give it a try and see if it’s a career I’d love.”
Ranked 32 of 35 active Oklahoma Pro Featherweights. Ranked 115 of 126 active US Southwest Pro Featherweights. Ranked 763 of 846 active United States Pro Featherweights.
Aaron Goins n n
2001-Now ... Tulsa FD (Lt) 1989-1991 ... GLC Reds (MiLB)
Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in 2nd round of 1989 MLB Amateur Draft.
Aaron Goins with wife Shannah and daughters, who both play D1 soccer. Kyler, left, plays at Kansas State and will be a senior next year. Parker was drafted by Racing Louisville in the 3rd round and reported to Louisville Feb 1. She was 1st Team All-American this year at Arkansas.
28 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
n n
2019-Now ... Cleveland FD 2019-Now ... MMA (Record: 1-1)
For Aaron Goins, Playing Baseball Was Job and Oklahoma Fire Service Is Family Three days into his pro baseball career, Aaron Goins suffered a stress fracture in his left foot while running bases during practice. It sidelined him for several weeks, but he returned to the outfield for the GLC Reds. “I was in the minor leagues, so it was more like a job.” Goins said. “The money was good — not like today — and the free time was nice. “Baseball was a job that I don’t think I was prepared mentally for, so when I quit I went back to school (to OU on a football scholarship) to try to figure out my career path. “My dad was a fireman and I always thought that would be a rewarding job, so I applied.” Goins’ dad Dennis was a Tulsa Fire Captain for 29 1/2 years. And he also has two brothers on the job. Bryan, a Captain, has 33 years on with TFD. Brent, a TFD Deputy Chief, has 24 years on. Goins himself will have 21 years with Tulsa FD in April. He was promoted to Lieutenant 17 years ago. “The fire service and sports are very similar in some ways but not in others,” Goins said. “You are part of a team in the fire service and you spend a third of every year with the guys, so they become family. You have to rely on your crew because your life could depend on it. “The firehouse is really like a locker room, too. There are practical jokes being played and it’s a lot of fun.”
Fire Service a Nice Fit for NFL’s Chris Chamberlain Chris Chamberlain was the first athlete at Bethany High School to earn a Division 1 scholarship. He was a 4-year starter at linebacker for Tulsa and graduated with a degree in business. “As a college player, I knew I was a good football player and could play with anybody,” he said. CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN n n n n
2018-Now ... Oklahoma City FD (Cpl) 2017-2018 ... Richland FD 2012-2013 ... New Orleans Saints (NFL) 2008-11 ... St. Louis Rams (NFL)
Selected by St. Louis Rams in 7th round of 2008 NFL Draft. Led Rams in special teams tackles for two consecutive seasons (19 in 2008, 28 in 2009).
Chris Chamberlain with wife Amy and children Carter, Colt and Aisly
“However, I was never the biggest, fastest or strongest, and therefore the NFL was never really on my mind or something I thought was attainable.” But Tulsa coach Todd Graham insisted Chamberlain train for Pro Day and give the NFL a shot. And a great showing at Pro Day helped him land a 3-year $1.186 million contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2008. “What I enjoyed most was the competition,” he said. “Every day, you were surrounded by some of the most talented people in the world. “Getting to compete with and against that kind of talent was a huge challenge every day and a great motivator to continue to try and get better.” Unfortunately, Chamberlain’s NFL career -4 years with the Rams and 1 1/2 seasons with the New Orleans Saints -- ended due to a knee injury and complications as a result of an infection. Chamberlain went back to school and got a master’s degree in business. But he soon discovered that he didn’t want to be stuck in an office all day. “My brother-in-law Blake Taliaferro had actually been planting the bug in my ear for years about getting on with the fire department after my playing days,” he said. “At the time, he had been on for about 12 years in Norman and absolutely loved it. Now that I was done playing and searching for a sense of purpose, I felt it could be a great fit. “I really enjoy helping people and serving my community. I enjoy being a member of a team and solving complicated problems together. I enjoy being pushed and challenged physically and mentally. I enjoy going to work and having no clue what challenges the day will bring. “Firefighting is an extremely challenging profession but extremely rewarding, as well.”
Marriage More Important Than Minor League Baseball for Jeramie Simpson In 1995, Jeramie Simpson was named Most Valuable Player for the Kingsport Mets minor league baseball team. For him, though, the highlight of his career was being able to impact the live of young fans. “My biggest goal was to allow the love of Christ to shine through me and into the lives of kids,” he said. But after four seasons in the minors, the Edmond Memorial HS grad hung up his glove. “I retired from baseball in 1997 simply because I chose my marriage,” Simpson said. “Professional sports is a hard life -- always gone, on the road. It was not the life I had wanted for me and my wife Tamara. I loved playing the game, but I loved my wife more!
JERAMIE SIMPSON n n n n n
2000-Now ... Warr Acres FD (Capt) 1996-97 ... Capital City Bombers (MiLB) 1996 ... St. Lucie Mets (MiLB) 1995 ... Kingsport Mets (MiLB) 1994 ... GCL Mets (MiLB)
Selected by New York Mets in 12th round of 1994 MLB Amateur Draft. “When I got home, I tried several different jobs, but none of them brought happiness. None of them allowed me to make an impact on my community like I had wanted. None of them made me feel like I was part of a team, a brother. “The fire service, at least from the outside, looked perfect for fulfilling all my desires of a career.” Simpson was right about the fire service. He has been at Warr Acres FD for almost 22 years. “I am the chaplain at our department which gives me the greatest honor of serving my brothers in the best and worst of times. I work with the best group of men I could ever ask for, and I would not trade it for anything!” Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 29
Soccer Parents Turn Lee Edgerton onto Firefighting Lee Edgerton loved playing soccer in high school, on club teams and in college. And thanks to a talk he had with his coach at the University of South Florida, his soccer career continued. “Long story short, I went to a Professional Indoor Soccer combine which had over 500 players that attended,” Edgerton said. “I ended up doing some extensive training to prepare for the combine. I did very well and ended up getting drafted sixth overall by the Sacramento Knights. ”I enjoyed traveling and my teammates. We all went through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs together and built long-lasting relationships. I also enjoyed getting paid to play a game and interacting with the fan base.” Edgerton scored 126 goals and made 84 assists in his 199-game career in the WISL (World Indoor Soccer League), MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) and CISL (Continental Indoor Soccer League). LEE EDGERTON 2008-Now ... Oklahoma City FD (Maj) 1999-2004 ... Cleveland Crunch/Force (MISL) n 1999 ... Utah Freezz (WISL) n 1997-98 ... Sacramento Knights (CISL) n n
Edgerton scored 126 goals and recorded 84 assists in his 199-game indoor soccer career.
“My last year playing I was 30 years old,” he said. “I began to think I could not continue playing forever and I started contemplating about my future. “Ultimately, I decided to return home to Oklahoma and pursue coaching soccer. I spoke to some of the parents of kids I had coached, and a few of them stated they were firefighters and loved what they were doing. “I researched firefighting and fell in love with the profession. I earned my EMT basic and was fortunate to be selected with the Oklahoma City Fire Department in 2007.” When asked if he had anything else to share for this story, Edgerton had this to say: “Never give up on your dreams and passions. I have been told many times that I was not good enough to play college soccer, never mind professional soccer. “I have also been told I could not get a job with the Oklahoma City Fire Department because it was too competitive. “I would just say follow your passion and put the work in and you can accomplish anything your heart and mind is set on. Go for It!”
Grant Ellingson Finds Firefighting and Pro Rodeo Careers Equally Enjoyable Making a living in rodeo is tough unless you consistently rank in the top 1% of your event. That’s one reason why professional calf roper Grant Ellingson joined the Tulsa FD. “For example, my wife Hilary is a professional barrel horse trainer,” Ellingson said. “She enjoys training the young futurity barrel horses. This allows her to make a living within the horse industry but not only in professional rodeo. “As a young adult, I realized I didn’t want to rely on rodeo for a living but still wanted to compete. So I pursed being a professional firefighter.” Another reason Ellingson joined the fire service was because his father and grandfather were firefighters. His father Dave spent 28 years with TFD before retiring in 2008. His grandfather Harold Ellingson was a volunteer firefighter in his home town in North Dakota. “My dad was hired in Tulsa in 1980, the year I was born,” Ellingson
said. “So I grew up around it. I visited dad at the station as a kid. I grew up with his shift work and knew the schedule. Now dad enjoys retirement doing all the hunting he can.” Ellingson still enjoys calf roping and competes in the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) and American Cowboys Rodeo Association (ACRA). He has qualified for the finals in both associations several times. “Having animals involved makes it so much different than other sports that have a ‘constant’ course, field, track or ball,” Ellingson said. “With animals involved, you have to learn to read them and know their personalities and behaviors. This can be one of the most frustrating and rewarding aspects of rodeo. “The thing I enjoy the most about being a firefighter is the camaraderie of the other firefighters. It’s a huge second family. Any help you need you will get from fellow firefighters. And there is a great sense of pride in saving someone’s life or property.”
30 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
GRANT ELLINGSON n n n n
2004-Now ... Tulsa FD 2002-04 ... Kellyville FD 2005-Now ... IPRA & ACRA 2008-18 ... PRCA (calf roping)
Qualified for Great Lakes circuit finals in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Dylan Delso Picks Fire Service Over Pro Baseball After Accident Dylan Delso credits the fire service for saving his life -- literally. Eleven days after being signed by the Tampa Bay Rays to a minor league baseball contract, Delso fell backwards down a flight of stairs. “I suffered a basilar skull fracture and three subdural hematomas,” said Delso, who was in a coma for eight days. “Station 13 of the Sarasota Fire Department responded and got me to the hospital quickly. I believe that the Fire Service saved my life. So I want to give what I have to offer back to the fire service.” Delso did return to the baseball field four months after his near-fatal accident. But his heart was already somewhere else. “I decided to pursue another career in July 2017,” he said. “I did so because I felt that my purpose was something else and that I could make more of an impact on others away from the baseball field. “My favorite thing about being a firefighter is spending time with my crew. I’m currently assigned to Broken Arrow’s newest station with six other guys. “I’ve known our Lieutenant (Lee Connor) my whole life due to us going to the same
DYLAN DELSO n n n
2019-Now ... Broken Arrow FD 2018-2019 ... Ponca City FD 2016-2017 ... GLC Rays (MiLB)
Signed by Tampa Bay Rays to minor league contract on June 14, 2016. Eleven days later, Delso suffered a nearly fatal head injury.
church. I played high school baseball with one of the firefighters (Wes Moody). I grew up across the street from another one of the firefighters (Scott Riggs). “Our senior-most firefighter was a former Army Ranger (Michael Reiss) and does a great job holding all the firefighters below him accountable by holding us to a high standard of excellence. We have a young captain (Justin Cheatham) who likes to train and does an outstanding job leading our crew.” Delso does find some similarities between baseball and the fire service. “I tell people all the time that the only differences between playing sports and being on the fire department is that you go to emergencies instead of games and that you stay at the station together instead of going home after the game.”
Tulsa Firefighters Inspire Kenny Gunn to Join TFD and Play Pro Football Kenny Gunn’s path to professional football actually started with the Tulsa Fire Department. “I took four years off before returning to the game, and I really wasn’t planning on returning to the game,” Gunn said. “I had a career as a firefighter, was married and we just had our first kid in December 1999. I was actually encouraged to play by our fire chief at the time, Chief Tom Baker.” So Gunn, who led Cascia Hall High School to its first state football championship in 1989 and left Tulsa University with records in single season and career kick-off return yards, decided to try out for the new arena football league. He played six games for af2’s Tulsa Talons, scoring five touchdowns and making 15 tackles. A knee injury he suffered as a firefighter cut his pro football career short, however. “I had already found my true calling,” Gunn said. “I think I went back to the game just to see if I could still do it. “At 27, I was the third oldest player on the team. The cool thing is I recruited two of my teammates to join the fire department.” Senator Kevin Matthews is the one who recruited Gunn for the fire service. The Senator served 25 years for TFD, retiring in 2010 as the Administrative Fire Chief.
KENNY GUNN n n
1998-Now ... Tulsa FD (Capt) 2000 ... Tulsa Talons (af2)
Scored 5 TD and made 15 tackles in just 6 games. Stopped playing due to a knee injury suffered as a firefighter before the season began.
“Being an accountant wasn’t fulfilling, so I actually met with Kevin Matthews and he talked to me about joining,” Gunn said. “I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it, so I started the process and 18 months later was hired. “Even after going through the academy, I wasn’t sure if it was for me. But after my first shift of helping others in need, I knew I had found what God’s purpose was for me. I later found out that I had two family members who retired from the Tulsa Fire Department (his uncles, Reggie and James Demery). It wasn’t a commonly talked about career choice in the neighborhood I grew up in. “The same thing that inspired me that first shift is the same thing that inspires me to go to work each and every shift today.” Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 31
Joining Tulsa FD Didn’t Keep Earl Blevins From Pro Rodeo Pursuits Earl Blevins began riding bucking horses professionally in the 1980s. And he was still competing in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association when he joined the Tulsa FD. “I guess initially, the idea of camaraderie with the guys and the adrenaline the job afforded is probably what first attracted me to pursue fire suppression,” Blevins said. “But as one becomes more tenured in the fire department, I feel what attracted me to the job began to change. “I think the one thing that comes to mind about what I enjoyed about the job was the fact that you were truly helping people in their most difficult time of need. “There is something rewarding about knowing you did the very best you could within a particular difficult situation, as you work alongside other fellow firefighters who EARL BLEVINS have the same goals of providing aid for someone in your n 2004-Now ... Pro Rodeo Judge community.” n 1995-2020 ... Tulsa FD (FEO) Blevins wasn’t the only guy n 1980s-1997 ... PRCA from TFD making the rodeo Bareback Bronc Riding rounds. He traveled with Steve Currently a rodeo judge for the Professional Abernathy, a fellow bareback Rodeo Cowboys Association and National bronc rider, and was friends Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. with Steve Washington, a pro bull rider.
But in 1994 at age 34, Blevins realized that riding rough stock was taking a toll on his body. So he turned to judging rodeo. “In 1998, a friend asked me if I would be interested in judging a youth rodeo event,” Blevins said. “And I enjoyed being able to still feel a part of the sport that I soon began judging amateur rodeo association events up until the time I became a Professional Rodeo Judge in 2004, as well as a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Judge. “The similarities between rodeo and the Fire Service are truthfully too many to count. I guess the first thing that comes to mind is ... we’re family. “I think within the rodeo world and the fire department world, there is an internal connection within the ranks that surpasses that of any other livelihood I’m aware of. “I am so grateful that I can say that I served and still admire the men and women who work for the fire department of the city of Tulsa.”
Matthew Mallory Gave Pro Baseball a Shot, Then Turned to Firefighting Growing up, Matthew Mallory was impressed by the Hotshot firefighters and thought he’d love doing that for a living. Then baseball came a-calling, and he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 43rd round of the 2003 MLB amateur draft. That was right out of high school, so Mallory decided to wait and go to college at USAO in Chickasha. Then four years later, he was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 36th round of the 2007 MLB amateur draft. “To be completely honest, I played baseball because I loved the game,” he said. “Playing the game you love every day is an amazing feeling. It was like waking up in the morning and thinking to myself that this can’t be real. “Getting the opportunity to play minor league ball was never something I thought would ever happen to me.’’
Mallory, however, decided to walk away from pro baseball after two years in the minor leagues because he wanted to start a family. “When we moved to Oklahoma, I met a few OKC Firefighters, and they always talked about the love they had for serving their community,” Mallory said. “My wife Rachel and I decided that I should take the chance and pursue a career in the fire service. “I love what I do because it is a fastpace, team-oriented dedication to helping MATTHEW MALLORY n n n
2018-Now ... OKC FD (Cpl) 2008 ... Greensboro Grasshoppers MiLB) 2007 ... GCL Marlins (MiLB)
Selected by Florida Marlins in 36th round of 2007 MLB Draft (1,091st pick overall).
32 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
the people in our community who are in need.”
Brett Sinkbeil Enjoyed Community Service Aspect of Baseball Right out of high school, Brett Sinkbeil appealing to me. was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in “I played with several players who went the 38th round of the 2003 MLB draft. into firefighting after playing, and that But the Sand Springs baseball pitcher opened my eyes to this being a possible decided to go to college to get stronger career after baseball,” Sinkbeil said. and mature more. “When I played with the Pirates, the legacy That paid off, as after three years at of Roberto Clemente was still very much a part Missouri State, Sinkbeil was drafted by of their culture. the Florida Marlins in the 1st round of the Part of the Pirates’ keeping 2006 MLB draft — 19th overall. that legacy alive within the He made his major league debut with organization was requiring the Marlins in Sept. 15, 2010. In 2011, he players to provide some sort signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then his of community service. interests changed. “Players “After my daughwere required ter was born, I lost to spend 4 BRETT SINKBEIL my desire to continue hours a month doing pursuing that career,” something for their n 2012-Now ... Tulsa FD (Lt) Sinkbeil said. “My community, usually n 2010 ... Florida Marlins (MLB) desire to see her on a helping kids. n 2006-11 ... Minor League Baseball daily basis was more “I really enjoyed (7 teams) appealing than being the way those activia professional pitcher. ties made me feel and Selected by Florida Marlins in 1st round of The thought of leaving how much satisfaction 2006 MLB amateur draft (19th pick overall). in February and being I got helping people separated from my in the community. And family until Septemthat ultimately influenced my decision to become a ber or October wasn’t firefighter.”
Hard Work Is How Garber’s Brady Bond Went from 8-man Football to NFL I was listed as a starter, something that took a lot of work and taking advantage of opportunities. “The part I enjoyed about being on an NFL Team is that it was your job, and that was it. In college, a student athlete has to balance class, practice and study time. In the NFL, you had one thing to worry about — playing football. “I would also add that most of those guys are good guys doing good things. There were a few knuckleheads, but I think you’ll find that within any organization.” After a year on the Ravens practice squad, Bond decided to get into the family business of firefighting. His grandpa Martin Bond served 20+ years on the Amorita-Byron FD. His dad Mike and brothers Levi and Cody have also served as volunteer firefighters - Mike at BRADY BOND n Burlington FD, Cody at Breckn 2013-Now ... Garber FD (FC) inridge FD and Levi is still at n 2012-13 ... Kremlin FD Garber FD. n 2011 ... Baltimore Ravens (NFL) Bond joined the Kremlin n 2010 ... San Diego Chargers (NFL) VFD in 2012 and served as the Kremlin-Hillsdale AgriculSigned as a free agent with the San Diego tural Education instructor. He Chargers and waived in September 2010. joined his hometown Garber Tried out for the Baltimore Ravens and VFD in 2013 and currently signed to reserve/future contracts. serves as Fire Chief.
Brady Bond played 8-man football at Garber High School. But that didn’t stop him from beating the odds by playing Division 1 football and making it to the NFL. Statistics show that only 6.5% of high school football players in the United States will play college ball. And only 1.2% of college players will go on to the NFL. Bond was a 4-year starter at Oklahoma State and made the practice squad for the Baltimore Ravens. “Everyone who plays sports or competes in other activities knows that it takes a lot of work to be good at something,” Bond said. “Coming from a small school that played 8-man football, I was behind with strength and conditioning going into college. “I was demoted to third team during two-a-days my redshirt freshmen year at Oklahoma State. Towards the end of camp,
“Living in rural Oklahoma, our small towns do not have the financial resources to fund a full time department, let alone a paid firefighter, so many small towns rely on volunteers to help fill that void,” Bond said. “Being able to help people in a time of need can be very rewarding and sometimes humbling. I have also enjoyed being able to train alongside the Enid Fire Department and many other career and volunteer departments at Autry Technology Center in Enid. “We are able to train together and build trust with the career firefighters. We learn from them, and every once in a while they will learn something from us.”
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 33
George Fina Excelled as Driver & Racer
GEORGE FINA n n
1962-1984 ... Oklahoma City FD (Capt) 1965-1971 ... NHRA (drag racing)
In 1969, won the NHRA World Championship for drag racing and named Top 10 driver in Hot Rod magazine.
It’s no wonder that George Fina drove an engine, ladder truck and rescue squad for the Oklahoma City FD in the 1960s. He was racing cars off and on from 1956 to 1965, and he was a serious competitor from 1965 to 1971. “I drove my first race car at age 17,” Fina said. “It was a 1934 Ford built by my friends and I. The next car we built was a dragster, and when it was finished, no one wanted to drive it for fear of its being dangerously fast. “So we decided to flip a coin and I won the toss. On my first run, it was 120 miles in a quarter and I had racing fever. This has lasted even today. I have raced on drag strips all over the country at speeds over 200 miles per hour. The competition of racing has always elevated everything I have done.” Fina went to work at OCFD Station #5 in 1962. Three years later, he passed the test for driver and drove three district chiefs in addition to the vehicles mentioned above. The year 1969 was Fina’s best on the NHRA circuit. He won the NHRA World Championship for drag racing, was named a Top 10 driver by Hot Rod magazine and was recognized as Oklahoman Sportsman for October 1969 by the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. “I won many races, and when I lost, each one made me better,” Fina said. “I loved being a race car driver and loved being on the edge. “I was asked to compare a firefighter and race car driver. My answer is both have to wear fire suits, boots and a helmet. And when you push on the throttle, you are on a ride not knowing how it will end.”
World’s Best Jobs According to David Rollandini: Baseball Player & Firefighter David Rollandini was playing Double A baseball for the Corpus Christi Hooks when he befriended members of the local fire department. “Our team and the Corpus Christi Fire Department worked together on a community project and I met Lee Rogers, a longtime captain,” Rollandini said. “He was a season-ticket holder and a huge fan, and we became friends and I often visited the station and went on ride alongs. “After spending time with those guys, I knew what I wanted to do when I was done playing.” Of course, he always dreamed of being both a baseball player and firefighter. “I am grateful and blessed to have had both of those dreams come true,” he said. “Neither athletes nor firefighters are cut out to be in corporate life. The team, the brotherhood and the satisfaction are all things that money cannot buy and cannot be found in any other profession. “The pride, honor and
tradition is sometimes thought cliche, but I’ve been around the world and have seen a lot of stuff and met a lot of people, and there is no job on earth better than a firefighter and a baseball player.” Rollandini was a pitcher for Oklahoma State from 1998-2001. He then signed as an amateur free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies and played for the organization’s minor league teams in Ohio and New Hampshire. In 2004, Rollandini, joined the Pink Grosseto team in the Italian Baseball League where he played for two seasons. And being an American Italian, he was invited to play for Team Italy at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. “Professional baseball was a dream come true,” he said. “I enjoyed the competition, the grind and the routine.
34 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
DAVID ROLLANDINI n n n n n n
2012-Now ... Tulsa FD (Capt) 2006 ... Corpus Christi Hooks (MiLB) 2003 ... Penn. Road Warriors (MiLB) 2003 ... Nashua Pride (MiLB) 2002 ... Canton Crocodiles (MiLB) 2001 ... GLC Phillies (MiLB)
Signed as amateur free agent with Philadelphia Phillies in 2001. “I had the opportunity to travel the world and make lifelong friends all over the place. I enjoyed the road trips and the clubhouse and interacting with the fans and community. “But every door closes, and with age, arm problems and a growing family, it was time to hang up the spikes in 2007. ”Now I enjoy the family feel of the Fire Department. We hold each others’ kids, we help each other build houses and fix cars. We have holidays at the station and go on trips together. “I enjoy helping those in need and I enjoy the sense of pride I feel when I put my uniform on everyday. I love having a job that my kids can look up to.”
Meet the “Original 12” and “The Six.” They were the first black firefighters for the OKC FD and Tulsa FD. Ten of OKC’s “Original 12” -- hired in 1951 -- are pictured here. Photos of J.B. Coffey and J.H. Young were unavailable. “The Six” from Tulsa were hired in 1956. Featured on the next two pages are more photos and stories on these firefighters.
Algie “Sniff” Lawrence OKC FD
Bob “Cat” Summers OKC FD
Carl “Big Daddy” Holmes OKC FD
Cecil “Red” Dixon OKC FD
Charles “Q” Wright OKC FD
Herb “Herkie” Ford OKC FD
Melvin “Dock” Franklin OKC FD
Marvin “Roonie” Nelson OKC FD
Cleatus Q. Stephens Tulsa FD
Clifford Horn Tulsa FD
Edward “Mama” Russell OKC FD
Henry L. Collier Tulsa FD
Merle L. Stripling Tulsa FD
Willard “Hair” Jenkins OKC FD
Milton T. Goodwin Tulsa FD
Robert L. Shanks Tulsa FD
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 35
Retired Tulsa Firefighter Remembers ‘The Six’ which included His Dad Submitted by Don Stephens
Don Stephens, who submittted this article, retired from Tulsa FD in 2008 after 30 years of service. His twin brother Ron Stephens retired from Tulsa FD in 2010 after two stints and 31 years of service. Their dad Cleatus Q. Stephens was one of Tulsa FD’s first black firefighters and served 25 years.
The city of Tulsa in 1956 decided to increase minorities in the city civil service departments, employing six Negro firefighters, as they were called. They were stationed at Firehouse 19 which opened in 1956 on the corner of Mohawk Boulevard and Peoria on the outskirts of the city. Operating in three shifts, “A” platoon was Keith Horn Don Stephens manned by Robert Shanks and Cleatus Stephens. Clifford Horn, also one of Tulsa Clifford Horn and Merle Stripling were on “B” FD’s black firefighters, inspired his platoon, while Henry Collier and Milton Goodwin nephews to become firefighters. formed “C” platoon. Keith Horn retired from Tulsa FD in 2021 after 26 years. The six men were pioneers in the fire service as Chris Horn retired from Tulsa FD Tulsa’s first black firemen. Young, brave, courain 2015 after 27 years. geous and eager to learn. “We wanted to be police officers The hiring appeared to strive for racial equality, first because our father was a Tulsa but in reality, it took many years before equality police officer,” Keith said. “It just actually existed on the job. The men were treated so happened we were blessed to Ron Stephens Chris Horn the same in the heat of fighting fires and meal time, join the Fire Service.” but before and after fires, conditions were different and not always so good. Milton Goodwin, who remained on In the 1950s, the racial segregation and prejuthe job until 1960, was known as a bright, dice made being a black firefighter hard. Station energetic fireman. He became a Minister, 19 was the city’s first integrated fire company. The Community Activist and founder of charstation was built with three separate bedrooms and ter school W.E.B. Dubois Academy which bathrooms -- one for the Captain, one for the white closed in 2000. He died in 2003 at age 69. firemen and one for the black firemen. The men Robert Shanks was a committed firehad to clean them but weren’t allowed to use the man and hard worker. He was also known one for the white firemen. as one of the toughest firefighters on the In addition, black firemen were not allowed to job, and I often heard stories of his skills attend the Fireman’s Ball and promotional exams and bravery. He died in 1997 at age 66. were not fair. Air masks were not available until Cleatus Q. Stephens received a Meritothe late 1960s, and then there was only one to an Merle Striping,Cleatus Stephens & Henry Collier rious Award for saving a young girl’s life engine truck. by performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitaMerle Stripling was the first of the six to be protion. He also received the R.C. Alder award for Lifetime Achievement moted -- in 1962 to Driver and in 1968 to Captain. Ten years later, he (named after Tulsa’s first fire chief in 1900) and a Lifetime award rose through the ranks and became the first black District Fire Chief from the Coalition of Firefighters. He retired in 1981 and purchased in the city, retiring in 1986 after serving 30 years. He died in 2013 at 40 acres of land in Bristow. He died in 2000 at age 77. age 83. The Tulsa Fire Department is 121 years old and has only had six Henry Collier had a great personality on the force, and he was black chiefs -- Merle Striping, Mike Conley, Harold McCoy, Kevin moved around between stations as a part of an integration effort. Matthews, Gerald Edwards and Leon Wilson. He received third-degree burns from a gas explosion and spent over Although “The Six” faced lots of prejudice, the Tulsa FD made a a month in the burn center. He left the job in 1975 for the pulpit, good decision. They could not have picked a better group of brave becoming pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church where he attended men to pave the way for the other minority firemen to follow them. since his childhood. He died in 2004 at age 71. For myself, I looked at these six men as my heroes, and I tried to Clifford Horn was a devoted firefighter who was easy to work follow in their footsteps. I joined the Tulsa FD and was able to comwith and who loved the job that paid $265 a month. He died in 1983 plete my dream, which was to be part of the fire service in Tulsa. at age 56. Shown aboard one of Tulsa FD’s fire trucks are the six black firefighters hired in 1956
Cleatus Stephens receives a Meritorious Award for saving a Booker T. Washington HS student. Also pictured is Clifford Horn
36 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
OKC’s ‘Original 12’ Black Firefighters were selected for Fire Academy In 1950, there were no black firefighters in Oklahoma. Or Texas. Or anywhere in the region. That changed on Nov. 22, 1951, when 12 men answered the call to become OKC’s first black firefighters. The pioneering OKC firefighters were J.B. Coffey, Cecil Dixon, Herb Ford, Melvin Franklin, Carl Holmes, Willard Jenkins, Algie Lawrence, Marvin Nelson, Edward Russell, Bob Summers, Charles
Station 2 in 1970 named Fire Station of the Month. Pictured (L to R) are Lt. Ernest Evans, Driver James Davidson and Firefighters James Damron and David Bowman
Wright and J.H. Young. They were hired three years before the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregated schools were inherently unequal, four years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus and seven years before the OKC NAACP Youth Council staged its first sit-in. The city hired the men in exchange for civil rights leaders supporting a bond election. The NAACP, along with the urban league, selected the 12 men to join the academy, and almost all of them had a college education. “They were counting on the fact we’d all flunk out of recruit training, the examination process, the physical process, all of it – and it didn’t happen,” said Carl Holmes, in an interview on display at the Oklahoma History Center. The “Original 12” were assigned to two semi-segregated fire stations. At first, the black firefighters were segregated from their white counterparts. By 1959, black firefighters were serving in six integrated fire stations. The men worked so hard, one of the two semi-segregated stations was awarded a trophy by the Insurance Commission for being the most efficient fire crew in the city. And Station 6 won that trophy three years in a row. Of the “Original 12,” two went on to achieve upper-level management positions during their careers. Melvin Franklin was promoted to District Chief in 1975 and to Deputy Chief in 1979. Carl Holmes was promoted to Deputy Chief in 1973 and Assistant Chief in 1974. Retired OCFD Major Harold Leverett, Franklin’s nephew, grew up hearing stories from his uncle and several others. “All of us owe them everything that we have,” he said in an interview with The Oklahoman. “The lifestyle that we have, the job that we have, the ranks that we have -- all that is owed to those first 12 people who started it for us.” Deputy Chief Melvin Franklin & Fire Chief Gary Marrs
Assistant Chief Carl Holmes
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Kelly Ransdell: NFPA Report As we start the new year off, we have experienced some significant fires which remind us that the work is never finished. Two catastrophic residential fires in Philadelphia and New York over four days, 100 miles apart, result in nearly 30 deaths and destruction to multi-family residences. These harrowing incidents are among the deadliest US home fires in nearly 40 years. The Philadelphia fire is now tied for the 6th most deadly home fire, while the Bronx high-rise apartment building fire ranks second in fatalities since 1980. News reports indicate that the most recent fire was started by a space heater. NFPA offers the following resources for fire departments to use as we reflect on ways to save lives: • Home fires with 10 or more fatalities • Fire Safety in the US report • US Home Heating Fires report • Home Heating Safety Tip Sheet (PDF) • Educational Messaging Advisory Council (see section 4 of EMAC messaging) • Escape Planning Tip Sheet including closed doors messaging (PDF) • Smoke Alarms in US Home Fires report • Smoke Alarms Safety Tip Sheet (PDF) • High-rise building safety resources • Information on home fire sprinklers • NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® • Learn more about the US Fire Problem by accessing a number of telling reports DID YOU KNOW? The National Fire Protection Research Foundation, the research affiliate of NFPA, was founded 40 years ago to sponsor and promote research and the development of technology that helps to protect life and property from fire. The mission of the research group back in 1982 was to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of fire protection systems and safety messaging for the benefit of the public and workers. Seventeen years after its launch, the name of the organization changed to the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF or Foundation). Today, the research arm continues to be guided by the same core principles – only with a much broader reach, given a wide array of emerging hazards, persistent life safety challenges and global demand.
The Foundation is a separate, independent, nongovernmental organization with its own board of trustees and a team of five that effectively manages more than four dozen research projects at any given time. FPRF research reports have been downloaded by safety-focused practitioners in more than 160 countries, and cover everything from fire suppression systems, emergency response, public policy, public education, detection and signaling, industrial hazards, wildfire, electrical services, and building safety. The FPRF staff plans, facilitates, and manages research, specifically in support of the NFPA mission to make the world safer from fire, electrical, and related hazards and regularly assists NFPA technical committees with difficult problems. The Foundation works with many organizations and individuals, including project sponsors who help to fund efforts; project contractors who do the research; and advisory panels comprised of volunteers who provide subject matter expertise (panels are distinctly separate from NFPA technical committees and function according to the FPRF’s policies for the conduct of research). The Foundation is self-funded and self-sufficient, deriving funding from management fees from consortia projects, in which project sponsors pool their funding in support of research; direct labor rates for grant-funded projects; attendance fees at FPRF-hosted symposiums; sponsors of online webinars; and occasional projects that the FPRF staff directly handles. Each year, the Foundation hosts the Suppression, Detection and Signaling Symposium (SUPDET). Every three years, this becomes a joint conference with the International Conference on Automatic Fire Detection (AUBE) hosted by the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). SUPDET draws a diverse crowd with a vested interest in learning about advancements in suppression and detection technology. The partnership with the AUBE conference provides additional opportunities for global updates on relevant research. To learn more about SUPDET, how the Fire Protection Research Foundation works, current FPRF projects, research reports, recent RFPs, and more, visit www. nfpa.org/foundation.
38 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Dean McFadden: FSIO Report Fire Service Instructors: I am Dean McFadden, retired fire chief from Guymon, OK. For those of you who do not know where that is, it is in the middle of God’s country in the Panhandle. I am now the assistant director at OSU-FST, and now the president of FSIO. Thank you to Kara Owens in all she did in the past to help this organization succeed. Some people may not even know what FSIO is or does, so let us start there. Fire Service Instructors of Oklahoma is an organization that was started to help training officers, chief officers or any member of a department -- both paid and volunteer -- that instruct other firefighters. FSIO is an organization that brings instructors from across the state together to learn from each other and to network with other instructors so that we can better the Oklahoma Fire Service. With this mission in mind, each October we hold a conference to bring new training ideas to each other. This is also the time that the Oklahoma Fire Instructor of the Year is given. We are hoping this year’s conference will be one of the best. If you have ideas or suggestions for this, please give me a call or email. Now that we are past all the who we are, let us talk about the why we do it. This group is dedicated to making sure that all of Oklahomans stay safe no matter the situation. We are a passionate organization that feels it is our duty to make sure that each and every firefighter comes home safe, and also has a long and healthy retirement. We feel the best way to accomplish all of this is through, engaging, realistic and fun training. Wait … did I say fun training? Absolutely! Training should be fun and cost effective for EVERY organization in the state. FSIO is here to help every department, and we hope to see you at our next conference. Here is a great hose dummy that can be made with mostly items around the fire station www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pf90MGUujc Live to train and train to live! Ret. Guymon FD
Jacob Toews: Fire Chaplain Report IMPROVING YOUR SERVE Philippians 2:1-30 “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.” Calera FD I’d like to talk about three ways you can take the road less traveled on the path to a happy life found in this passage of scripture.
We all owe our success to many other people, including parents, teachers, family, peers, etc. Ultimately we owe our success to God and his work in our lives. Express your appreciation to someone today! It’s a less traveled path to joy and happiness, which means you won’t encounter much competition along the way, but you will encounter a peace that passes understanding. Let me close with a poem I ran across today:
1. FIND HAPPINESS IN BUILDING UP OTHERS v. 2 Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose... Our selfish nature wants to build ourselves up. It’s a battle against the unholy trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil to be unselfish. But it’s worth it!
FIREFIGHTER’S PRAYER Oh Lord, please help this firefighter To be skillful and brave. Please let me never falter When there are lives to save.
2. FIND HAPPINESS IN SACRIFICIAL LIVING. v. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. We have all heard the key to joy and happiness is Jesus first, others second and yourself last. And it’s true. We just need to remind ourselves of that and put it into practice in our daily routines.
Be with my fellow firefighters And ride with us each run, From the moment we “suit-up” Until the job is done. Be with me as I guide a child Through the dark and Smokey haze Give me strength and courage As I fight the deadly blaze
3. FIND HAPPINESS IN SHOWING APPRECIATION v. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Firefighters Serving Firefighters
Lord, I put my safety in Your hands, But in the chaos and the strife, Help me act with selfless courage God, just let me save a life.
ROGER BROWN (785) 865-6941
RYAN REEVES (405) 269-3844
STEVE MARTIN (405) 620-1891
CARY PROVENCE (405) 623-8216
n www.CONRADFIRE.com n (913) 780-5521
Exclusive Pierce Fire Apparatus Dealer in Oklahoma, Kansas and W. Missouri
@conradfire
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Conrad Fire Equipment would like to thank and congratulate the Piedmont Fire Department on its recent purchase of a Pierce Enforcer Pumper Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 39
BY GREG ROBERTS n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT
Ret. Norman FD
TEXANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT
E-1949 1997 Seagrave 1500 pump/1000 tank
Fire Chief: Ronnie Ross FD Formed: 1976
Joined OSFA: 1990 Personnel: 22
ISO Rating: 4/4y
Population: 4,300 (approx.) Texanna FD Station 2
Number of Stations: 2 Number of Engines: 3
Number of Brushpumpers: 6 Number of Tankers: 2
Number of Rescue Rigs: 1
E-1955
1986 Ford/FMC-Van Pelt 1000 pump/750 tank
Tanker 1961 1996 International 750 pump/3500 tank
40 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Texanna FD Facebook Post: Oct. 23, 2021 -Today we had the privilege to have the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum come to our area and document some of our fire apparatuses. The pictures and information gathered will be archived into the state museum and historical society. While speaking to the photographer/ historian, we learned that we have one of 4 Seagrave fire engines (that are in service) in the whole state of Oklahoma.
Texanna FD Station 1 Located in McIntosh County near Lake Eufaula E-1953 1994 HME/Alexis 1500 pump/1000 tank
GROVE | LANGLEY GROVE | LANGLEY BankofGrandLake.com BankofGrandLake.com
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 41
6601 Broadway Ext., OKC, OK 73116 405-522-4600 • 1-800-525-7461 405-522-4643 fax www.okfirepen.state.ok.us n MEETING (Oct. 15, 2021) Billy D. Claxton/Ada - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective October 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried James E. Majors/Bartlesville – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Modify To “Service”, Effective October 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Stacey J. Loper/Durant – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Ms. Price To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Effective October 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Jeffrey Yeats/Owasso – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 3, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Bryant To Modify The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty, To “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty”, Effective September 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Terry R. Dill/Soper – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 25, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Bryant To Modify The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” To “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty”, Effective September 25, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Istvan Balogh/Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective October 1 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Christopher Mccoy/Warr Acres - Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 7, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty, Effective June 7, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Brian Arnold/OKC – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Bennett and Seconded By Lay To Deny Arnold’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Timothy Goff/OKC – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve Goff’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Martin Bennett/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve Bennett’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Keith Horn/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve Horn’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Sean Lawless/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Deny The Request Of Lawless To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: Bryant. Motion Denied. Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Reconsider The Request Of Lawless To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve The Request Of Lawless To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Scotty Stokes/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Ms. Kohls To Deny The Request Of Stokes To Modify His Pension From “Service” To
42 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
“Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Ronald Wilson /Tulsa – 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 Wilson’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. n MEETING (Nov. 19, 2021) Eugene S. Atkins III/Avant - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective August 1, 2021. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price Cole, Baggett, Weinrich, Lopez, and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Benjamin J. Helms/Guymon – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective October 16, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Baggett To Approve The Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective October 16, 2021. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price, Lopez, Baggett, Cole, Weinrich and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Timothy Lile/Lawton – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 8, 2021: Motion Was Made By Baggett and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Effective September 8, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Bryant, Lopez, Baggett, Cole, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Kevin B. Spiva/Midwest City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Lopez and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty,” Effective November 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price, Lopez, Baggett, Cole, Weinrich and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Steve Hutson/Muskogee – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective November 1, 2021. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Bryant, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Chase Rankin Executive Director
Kenny L. Curry/OKC – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Baggett and Seconded By Bennett To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective November 1 2021. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, and Price. Nayes: Kohls and Bryant. Motion Carried. Jeffrey R. Gilleland/OKC - Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty, Effective November 1, 2021. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Ted T. Yates/OKC – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Baggett and Seconded By Bennett To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective November 1, 2021. Ayes: Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Bennett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Shelby D. Baughn/Sand Springs – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Baggett and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective November 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Ryan Reed/Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective November 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective November 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Bryant, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Steven Smith/Comanche – Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 3, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty”, Effective June 3, 2021. Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Mark Murdock/Moore – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Baggett To Approve The Request Of Murdock To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of
Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price Bryant and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Gary Jones/OKC – 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 Jones To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Michael Seeley/OKC – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Baggett and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Request Of Seeley To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Kenneth Miller/The Village – 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 Miller To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Curtis Freeman/Tulsa – 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 Freeman To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Davidson, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. n MEETING (Dec. 17, 2021) Gary Stuckey/Broken Arrow Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective December 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Baggett To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective December 1, 2021. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price Cole, Baggett, Weinrich, Lopez, and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Alex K. Davison/Durant – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 2, 2017: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Deny The Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price, Lopez, Baggett, Cole, Weinrich and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Raanon P. Adams/Lawton – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective December 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Baggett and Seconded By Lay To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Effective December 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Bryant, Lopez, Baggett, Cole, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Steven B. Peters/OKC – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective December 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Bennett To Approve Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty,” Effective December 1, 2021. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Cramer, Lay, Price, Lopez, Baggett, Cole, Weinrich and Kohls. Nayes: Bryant . Motion Carried. Bruce E. Kelley/Owasso – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective December 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Lay To Approve Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty”, Effective December 1, 2021.Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Bryant, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Tyler Clark, Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Cramer To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”, Effective September 1 2021. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Kohls, Bryant, Lay, and Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Joe Jackson/Enid – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Cramer and Seconded By Baggett To Approve The Request Of Jackson To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Cramer, Lay, Price Bryant and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Ronald Lee/Tulsa – 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 Lee To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Paul Spradling/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Lay and Seconded By Baggett To Approve The Request Of Spradling To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Cole, Lopez, Baggett, Weinrich, Bryant, Cramer, Lay, Price and Kohls. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
n CONSENT AGENDA (Nov. 19, 2021) Checks Terminated In October 2021 (*Deceased): Boise City Vicki L. Turner* McLoud Marlene Miklas* Commerce Judith A. Rogers* Newkirk Lucille E. Perkins* Cromwell Mildred Parker* OKC Ima R. Forman* Cushing Oren D. Jones* OKC Bill L Lawson* Empire City Linda J. Davidson* OKC Hunter Carlile (Higher Ed) Hugo Thelma Milican* Orion Shawn A. Classen (No Contact) Mannford Gary M. McBride* Perry Thomas R. Moore* Marlow Terry L. Jones* Prague Harold R. Vanzant* Midwest City Clifford L. Muscio* Sayre Wanda F. Crosby* Mounds Charliss J. Gilbert* Springer Anita L. Giddens* Mooreland Bobby E. Burk* Tahlequah Garland McChristian* $5,000.00 Death Benefit: Ardmore Brown’s Funeral Service On Behalf Of Jackie D. Pilgram Boley Brandi Dunn, Child Of Melva L. Dunn Boley Lloyd Dunn, Child Of Melva Dunn Bray Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral On Behalf Of James C. Gensamer Broken Arrow Anita T. Mcconnell, Widow Of Gerald W. Mcconnell Cache Jackson Funeral Home Of Kenneth E. Carter Claremore Max Evelyn Millikin, Widow Of William L. Millikin Horntown Sharla O. Clayton, Widow Of Tom J. Clayton Jenks Sandras Cisco Personal Reprsentative Of Raymond Jordan Lawton Fletcher Funeral Home On Behalf Of Glen D. Mccune Lawton Fletcher Funeral Home One Behalf Of Ronald E. Morgan Marietta Michael Cohoon, Spouse Of Evelyn M. Cohoon McLoud Marsha Shipley, Child Of Robert F. Lempges Midwest City Linda S. Forrester, Widow Of Harold E. Forrester OKC Tamera Dyer Co-Recipient Of Bill Lawson OKC Mcneils’s Funeral Home On Behalf Of Clark H. Robinson OKC Mercer-Adams Funeral Service On Behalf Of Warren F. Southwell OKC Robert J. Woods, Trustee For Richard L. Woods Quapaw Richard A. Teeter, Child Of Roy A. Teeter Quapaw Joan C. Radford, Child Of Roy A. Teeter Quapaw Larry E. Teeter, Child Of Roy A. Teeter Quapaw Michael Teeter, Child Of Roy A. Teeter Quapaw David B. Teeter, Child Of Roy A. Teeter Quapaw Steve K. Teeter, Child Of Roy A. Teeter Ratliff City Joy V. Wright, Widow Of Charles L. Wright Ravia Dearman-Clark Funeral Home On Behalf Of Terry J. Mcswain Sand Springs Larry Chambers, Child Of Orville E. Chambers Savanna Brumley-Mills Funeral Home One Behalf Of Jimmie D. Davis Sulphur Dianna Jo Pannell, Widow Of Kenneth M. Pannell Tulsa Sharon K. Moguin, Widow Of Michael (Mike) G. Moguin Watonga Lorinda Elmore, Child Of Darel Elmore Watonga Jill Driever, Child Of Darel Elmore Webbers Falls Lou A. Ward, Widow Eddie D. Ward Welch Terri M. Fitzpatrick, Widow Of Michael L. Fitzpatrick Application For Service Pension: 11/01/2021 Broken Arrow Ronnie W. Dauer 10/19/2021 Cyril Raymond C. Morton 11/01/2021 Kenwood Adrian L. Black 11/01/2021 Loyal Deborah L. Meyer 11/01/2021 Norman Keith A. Nelson 11/01/2021 OKC Lee T. Coker 11/01/2021 Pond Creek Randal D. Czapansky 11/01/2021 Ratliff City Timothy A. Johnson 11/01/2021 Ratliff City Brent W. Perkins 11/01/2021 Ratliff City Kent L. Perkins 10/01/2021 Ryan Charles C. Sheffield 04/01/2020 Wellston Andrew T. Tillison 11/01/2021 Wilburton Floyd S. Allen Application For Vested Benefit: 11/01/2018 Adair Dennis J. Troyer 07/23/2021 Healdton Wesley D. Christopher 01/12/2020 Healdton Michael L. Stewart 11/01/2018 Kaw City Herb L. Lucas 02/26/2024 Luther Heath Browning 10/18/2031 Owasso Paul K. Hitchen 10/21/2021 Perkins Daniel A. Johnson Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty- Modify To Service Pension: 11/01/2021 Enid Joe Jackson 11/01/2021 OKC Dewitt Roland Jr. 11/01/2021 Tulsa Scott Winford
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 43
Tim Van Horn
Than Dinh
Martha Pierce
Thelisha Clark
Terri Williams
Keely Swonger
Vicki Mulbery
Latoya Battle
Asst Director (CFO)
Executive Secretary
Controller
Member Services
Assistant Controller
Accounts Payable
n CONSENT AGENDA (Nov. 19, 2021), continued
n CONSENT AGENDA (Dec. 17, 2021)
Application For Entrance Into The Pension System: Berryhill FPD Jordan Combs Kingfisher Berryhill FPD Cristain Merino Munoz McLoud Berryhill FPD Shon Rogers Monkey Island Berryhill FPD Matthew Wasilczuk Newkirk Bethany Connor Mercer Newkirk Claremore Brandon Long Noble Claremore Nicholas Schrader OKC Cushing Brian Loving OKC Drumright Hunter Howard OKC Duncan Eli Clark OKC Duncan David Pollock OKC Duncan Austin Tucker OKC Durant Thomas Moore OKC Edmond Cole Britt OKC Edmond Ostin Johnson OKC Edmond Dillon Long OKC Edmond Garrett Scharbor OKC Edmond Jacob Stacy OKC Edmond Todd Wood OKC Enid Reese Roth OKC Grove Brookelyn Popp OKC Guthrie Joseph Lalli OKC Guthrie Hunter Poston Owasso Guymon Horacio Amador Owasso Guymon Liosvany Delgado Owasso Guymon Gabriel Ramirez Stillwater Henryetta Ross Rogers Stillwater Idabel Jonathan Tindell Weatherford Jenks Jerry Lambdin Wewoka
Checks Terminated In November 2021 (*Deceased): Alex Kenneth J. Baker* Okarche Bartlesville Vera Lansdown* OKC Bartlesville Andrew Wilson* OKC Broken Bow Crissy D. Carney* OKC Crowder Deborah A. Bourland* Ponca City Elgin Lonnie G. Burnett* Quapaw Elk City Dorothy J. McCormack* Sallisaw Jenks Wilma F. Bradley* Stringtown Ketchum John B. Shellenbarger* Waukomis Muskogee Emmitt O. Maxey* Woodward Noble David M. Hartless* Yale
Clint Dodd Max Buchanan Gary Dillinger Joshua Feinburg Dustin E. Wells Christopher Andrews William Bolton Nicholas Burnham Paul Carpenter Daniel Ergenbright Tyler Haley Andrea Hernandez Everett Kilgore Lawrence Kirkendoll William Krull Keon Littleton Kyle Main Darian Mixon Adam Murray Austin Rose Michael Rowland Cole Whelton Blake Belcher Kilian Mcnichol Maxwell Smith Corey Hall Charles Tarrell Adrian Moore Channing Scott
Application For Surviving Spouse: 11/01/2021 Council Hills Kenneth McBride, Widower Of Renee McBride Deceased 10/09/2021 09/05/2021 Meridian Jacqueline McCarty, Widow Of John-Robert McCarty Deceased 9/4/2021 Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 11/01/2021 Ardmore Norma J. Hardison, Widow Of Alvin F. Hardison 11/01/2021 Bartlesville Roxana Packard, Widow Of Jerry V. Packard 11/01/2021 Beggs Polly M. Irving, Widow Of Roy E. Irving 11/01/2021 Caddo Linda G. McKay, Widow Of Dwight McKay 11/01/2021 Claremore Max E. Millikin, Widow Of William K. Millikin 11/01/2021 Garber Mary Ann Stuart, Widow Of David W. Stuart 11/01/2021 Guthrie Pauline M. Jones, Widow Of Howard Jones, Jr. 11/01/2021 Horntown Sharla Clayton, Widow Of Tom J. Clayton 11/01/2021 Kaw City Anna F. Gardner, Widow Of Larry W. Gardner 11/01/2021 Kremlin Bernice A. Simmons, Widow Of Billy Simmons 11/01/2021 Medford Connie S. Lewis-Curl, Widow Of Donald G. Curl 11/01/2021 Miami Janet Bunch, Widow Of Billy G. Bunch 11/01/2021 Midwest City Linda S. Forrester, Widow Of Harold E. Forrester Jr. 11/01/2021 NW Rogers Patrick Kelley, Widow Of Todd Owens 11/01/2021 Oilton Brenda K. Smith, Widow Of John H. Smith Jr. 11/01/2021 OKC Linda Goodgion, Widow Of Wayne C. Goodgion 11/01/2021 OKC Pamela Mason, Widow Of Calvin W. Mason 11/01/2021 OKC Dorothy J. Southwell, Widow of Warren F. Southwell 11/01/2021 OKC Mary Jane Wakeman, Widow Of James Wakeman 11/01/2021 Perry Helen M. Hughes, Widow Of Harry E. Hughes 11/01/2021 Sallisaw Linda M. Smith, Widow Of Blakely R. Smith Sr. 11/01/2021 Savanna Maxine Davis, Widow Of Jimmie D. Davis 11/01/2021 Shawnee Alberta D. Wells, Widow Of Stanley G. Wells 11/01/2021 Sulphur Dianna. Pannell Widow Of Kenneth M. Pannell 11/01/2021 Tamaha Darlene Howze, Widow Of Gerald W. Howze 11/01/2021 Tulsa Tammy K. Fipps-Dix, Widow Of Mark A. Dix 11/01/2021 Tulsa Sharon K. Moguin, Widow Of Michael G. Moguin 11/01/2021 Webbers Falls Lou A. Ward, Widow Of Eddie D. Ward Refund Of Contributions: Jonathan Hazlewood Altus Justin Walker Chandler Charles J. Blansett Drumright Dillon Macias El Reno Gregory McConnell Lawton James Warren Newkirk
Hired 05/23/2011 04/10/2017 07/12/2013 11/18/2017 10/19/2015 03/17/2014
Terminated 11/03/2021 05/14/2019 09/30/2021 11/15/2021 08/22/2021 09/11/2021
44 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Records Administrator
Data Processor
Loretta Forkey* Barbara Ann Autry* Elizabeth A. Nitzel* Jimmy L. Wallace* Anthony H. Oates* Harold W. Wilson* Hazel M. Remy* Glen Mitchell* Frank T. Hromas* Linda M. Shore* Emma L. Hensley*
$5,000.00 Death Benefit: Ardmore Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home On Behalf Of Alvin F. Hardison Bartlesville Roxana Packard, Widow Of Jerry V. Packard Braggs Clifford D. Garret Family Funeral Home On Behalf Of Roy E. Irving Caddo Gordon Funeral Home On Behalf Of Dwight D. McKay Chandler Shelly Mangion, Widow Of Charles E. Mangion Council Hill Kenneth McBride, Spouse Of Renee McBride Enid Brown-Cummings Funeral Home On Behalf Of Ralph C. Krehbiel Garber Mary Stuart, Widow Of David W. Stuart Healdton Codi D. Robertson, Child Of Leo D. Rich Kaw City Anna F. Gardner, Widow Of Larry W. Gardner Keota Mallory-Martin Funeral Home On Behalf Of Preston C. Neill Ketchum Myrtle Shellenbarger, Widow Of John B. Shellenberger Kremlin Bernice Simmons, Widow Of Billy Simmons Mannford Charlie D. McBride, Child Of Gary M. McBride Mannford Steve C. McBride, Child Of Gary M. McBride Mannford James P. McBride, Widow Of Gary M. McBride Mannford Donald W. McBride, Child Of Gary M. McBride Medford Lanman Funeral Home On Behalf Of Donald G. Curl Meridian Smith-Gallo Funeral Home On Behalf Of John-Robert Mccarty Miami Janet Bunch, Widow Of Billy G. Bunch Midwest City Clifford G. Muscio, Child Of Clifford G. Muscio Muskogee Jerry Maxey, Child Of Emmitt O. Maxey Muskogee Teresa Cox, Child Of Emmitt O. Maxey NW Rogers Patrick Kelley, Spouse Of Todd D. Owens OKC Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary On Behalf Of Wayne C. Goodgion OKC Palmer-Marler Funeral Home On Behalf Of Calvin W. Mason OKC Mary Jane Wakeman, Widow Of James M. Wakeman OKC Alan J. Wallace, Child Of Jimmy Lee Wallace OKC Jimmy Lee Wallace, Jr., Child Of Jimmy Lee Wallace OKC Camille Wallace, Child Of Jimmy Lee Wallace OKC Jimmy Lorenzo Wallace, Child Of Jimmy Lee Wallace Perry Mabel Hughes, Widow Of Harry E. Hughes, Jr. Prague Parks Brothers Funeral Service On Behalf Of Harold R. Vanzant Sallisaw Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home On Behalf Of Blakely R. Smith Shawnee Alberta D. Wells, Widow Of Stanley G. Wells Tamaha Darlene Howze, Widow Of Gerald W. Howze Tulsa Jeffrey L. Gordon, Child Of Michael L. Gordon Tulsa Floral Haven Funeral Home On Behalf Of Ronnie Joe Shroff Welch Richard L. Winfrey Jr., Child Of Richard L. Winfrey Application For Entrance Into The Pension System Berryhill James Bean Muskogee Bixby Cody Allen Muskogee Chickasha Angel Ackerman OKC Chickasha Steven Foret OKC Chickasha Brenton Jenkins Sallisaw Cushing Daniel Karlin Skiatook Cushing Brian Loving Tulsa Mangum Joel Esteban Barrera Tulsa McLoud Max Buchanan Vinita Muskogee Dakota A. Ballard Warr Acres Muskogee Cooper W. Cantwell
Justin L. Cates Nolan Sturgeon Cody M. White Russell F. Henry Kenneth E. Wilson Jr. Robert Loudermilk Tanner Halowell Cody Stephenson Lane Enyart Brayden C. Greenhill
Appliction For Disability In The Line Of Duty- Modify To Service Pension: 12/01/2021 OKC Britt L. Johnson 12/01/2021 Tulsa Kelly L. Mull Application For Vested Benefit: 11/01/2018 Chandler Michael T. Pribble 12/01/2018 Newcastle Danny R. Abbott Refund Of Contributions: Jonathan Hazelwood Altus
Hired 05/23/2011
Terminated 11/03/2021
Application For Service Pension: 12/01/2021 Berlin Brian S. Hay 12/01/2021 Broken Arrow Brian L. Wilson 12/10/2021 Comanche Rusty L. Combs 12/01/2021 Enid Darrell D. Wanzer 12/01/2021 Lakemont Shores Roger D. Whited 12/01/2021 Lamar Stephen T. Carpenter 02/01/2021 Nash Michael S. Gibson 11/01/2021 Nelson Matthew Arnold 12/01/2021 Reydon Monty Markham 12/06/2021 Reydon Lorrie Sumpter 12/01/2021 Reydon Tony D. Sumpter 12/01/2021 Sulphur James A. Mckay 12/01/2021 Warr Acres Jeffrey E. Parsons Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 12/01/2021 Arapaho Betty C. Kisinger, Widow Of Donald Kisinger 12/01/2021 Butler Joy McDonald, Widow Of William C. McDonald 12/01/2021 Canton Shirley L. Haigler, Widow Of Robert Haigler 12/01/2021 Chandler Shelly Mangion, Widow Of Charles E. Mangion 12/01/2021 Deer Creek Sandra Wicke, Widow Of Glenn H. Wicke 12/01/2021 Enid Denisa K. Mortiz, Widow Of Ronald L. Mortiz 12/01/2021 Hugo Karen S. Howser, Widow Of John P. Howser 12/01/2021 Kingfisher Colleen M. Willms, Widow Of James J. Willms 12/01/2021 OKC Elsie D. Andrews, Widow Of Raymond E. Andrews 12/01/2021 OKC Billy Larson, Widow Of Cynthia A. Larson 12/01/2021 OKC Nancy K. Sullivan, Widow Of Bud W. Sullivan 12/01/2021 Tonkawa Deana Bringham, Widow Of Walter M. Bringham 12/01/2021 Tulsa Gloria J. Fortney, Widow Of Dallas L. Fortney 12/01/2021 Tulsa Shirley M. Shroff, WidowOf Ronnie J. Shroff
n CONSENT AGENDA (Jan. 21, 2022) Checks Terminated In December 2021 (*Deceased): Altus Gayland Kellison* Mannford Vera Mae Jones* Braman Bob E. Arnold* OKC Imogene Tedder* Catoosa Naomi H. Lynch* Porter Darrell McCollough* Colbert Lena D. Westberry* Quapaw Betty J. Pulley* Enid Buddy G. Lowe* Sapulpa Carleta Whitehouse* Ft. Supply Allen L. Goodwin* Talihina Lloyd James* Gotebo Shirley Vickery* Tulsa Charles H. Lange* Jay Dona E. Woods* Tulsa Milo M. Dean* Lawton Joyce E. Spence* Wakita Linda Judy * $5,000.00 Death Benefit: Altus Shannon Kellison, Child Of Gayland L. Kellison Canton Pierce Funeral Home On Behalf Of Robert Haigler Deer Creek Sandra Wicke, Widow Of Glenn H. Wicke Elgin Stephanie Stacy, Child Of Lonnie G. Burnett Enid Denise Mortiz, Widow Of Ronald L. Mortiz Fargo Billings Fuberal Home On Behalf Of Ralph N. Rabe Hugo Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home On Behalf Of John P. Howser Kingfisher Colleen M. Willms, Widow Of Jim L. Willms Marlow Terrina Mccarley, Child Of Terry L. Jones Marlow Charmen Mccaslin, Child Of Terry L. Jones Marlow Wendy Freeman, Child Of Terry L. Jones Marlow Marci Self, Child Of Terry L. Jones Mooreland Billings Funeral Home On Behalf Of Bobby E. Burk Muskogee Cornerstone Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jerald L. Allison Noble Mcmahans Funeral Home On Behalf Of David M. Hartless OKC Advantage Funeral & Cremation On Behalf Of Raymond E. Andrews OKC Billy J. Larson, Widower Of Cynthia A. Larson OKC Nancy K. Sullivan, Widow Of Bud W. Sullivan Jr. Perry Thomas R. Moore Ii, Child Of Thomas R. Moore Perry Chester A. Moore, Child Of Thomas R. Moore Ponca City Trout Funeral Home On Behalf Of Anthony H. Oates Tulsa Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service On Behalf Of Milo M. Dean Tulsa Gloria J. Fortney, Widow Of Dallas L. Fortney Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 01/01/2022 Beaver Ladonna J. Meier, Widow Of Herman D. Meier 01/01/2022 Broken Bow Imogene S. Laster, Widow Of Bob Laster 01/01/2022 Chickasha Bernilda A. Saxon, Widow Of John R. Saxon 01/01/2022 Duncan Twyla K. Kaspereit, Widow Of Herman D. Kaspereit 01/01/2022 Gracemont Freida Jones, Widow Of Joseph S. Jones, Jr. 01/01/2022 Heavener Verna R. Corley, Widow Of Randy S. Corley 01/01/2022 Ketchum Christine Sallee, Widow Of Billy W. Sallee 01/01/2022 Maud Rebecca K. Haws, Widow Of James L. Haws 01/01/2022 Midwest City Donna Converse, Widow Of Michael K. Converse 01/01/2022 Muskogee Lynn Cragg, Widow Of Larry D. Cragg 01/01/2022 Muskogee Susan E. Lacey, Widow Of Meredith D. Lacey 01/01/2022 OKC Myong C. Kennedy, Widow Of Denny L. Kennedy 01/01/2022 Sand Springs Theda Redfearn, Widow Of Carroll E. Redfearn 01/01/2022 Shawnee Juanita Ailey, Widow Of Harold R. Ailey 01/01/2022 Wagoner Valorie Allison, Widow Of Jerald L. Allison 01/01/2022 Webbers Fall Sandy L. Swearingen, Widow Of Paul R. Swearingen
Appliction For Disability In The Line Of Duty- Modify To Service Pension: 01/01/2022 Oklahoma City Dean M. Mitcheltree 01/01/2022 Sapulpa David R. Taylor Application For Entrance Into The Pension System: Catoosa Christopher Perry Tulsa Chickasha Blake Ryans Tulsa Choctaw Korbin Cox Tulsa Cordell Kendrick Goeringer-Evens Tulsa Coweta Richard Hartman Tulsa Coweta Craig Moore Tulsa Cushing Mitchell O’shell Tulsa Cushing Colton Savory Tulsa Enid Cobe Moore Tulsa Fort Gibson Kennedy Cook Tulsa Harrah Jace Dean Tulsa Harrah Brian A. Mcgee Tulsa Madill Tanner K. Showalter Tulsa Muskogee Ryley Nutt Tulsa Ponca City Jared Ball Tulsa Sand Springs Seth Blackwell Tulsa Sand Springs Sara Wofford Tulsa Stillwater Ryan Szirmay Tulsa The Village Shevrin Gray Tulsa Tulsa Brooks Antle Tulsa Tulsa Drake Barnes Tulsa Tulsa Tyler Barnett Tulsa Tulsa Zachary Baumert Tulsa Tulsa Craig Bell Tulsa Tulsa Kinsey Blunt Tulsa Tulsa Michael Bruder Tulsa Tulsa Jacob Clayman Tulsa Tulsa Dillon Connell Tulsa Tulsa Hayden Cramer Tulsa Tulsa Jayce Crowder Tulsa Tulsa Braden Dahl Tulsa Tulsa Daniel Dake Tulsa Tulsa Corbin Davis Tulsa Tulsa Jared Dean Tulsa Tulsa Keith Dungee Warr Acres Tulsa Connor Edwards Weatherford Tulsa Brandon Fisher Weatherford Tulsa Blake Gibson Wewoka Tulsa Caleb Glenn
Tanner Halowell Jonathan Harris Alycia Hawkins Landon Holcomb Jordan Howell Nathan Inhofe Christian Kaiser Chelsea Kozma Kyle Kerr Maxwell Marsenison James R. Mckelvey Kaitlyn Moseley Jimmy Neal Juan Ocampo Charles Parks Brayden Penderson Katarina Perez Ismaila Robinson Chandler Rogers Phillip Romero Matthew Ross Rory Ross Justin Self Blake Shadowns Grant Shriver Steven Spryes Cody Stephenson Joseph Stern Jared Stice Craig Suits Billy Tilley Micah Tucker Zachary Wernimont Deyvaun West Joseph Middleton Darren Kelley Kayden Locklear Kye Muzny
Application For Surviving Spouse: 09/14/2021 Locust Grove Deeana L. Vaughn, Widow Of Ray Vaughn (09/13/2021) 01/01/2019 Wayne Marina Clifton, Widow Of Alton D. Clifton (5/21/2014) Application For Service Pension: 01/01/2022 Bartlesville David B. Neer 01/01/2022 Bethany Curtis W. Russell 01/01/2022 Billings Kevin G. Stoll 01/01/2022 Burlington Jack A. Davis 01/01/2022 Claremore Brad L. Mcelwain 01/01/2022 Council Hill Kenneth M. Mcbride 01/01/2022 Elk City Jackie E. Addington 01/01/2019 Forest Park Brant W. Blair 01/01/2022 Foyil Vicki R. Atchley 01/01/2022 Hollis Gary Lewis Sr. 01/11/2022 Konawa John M. Jackson 12/01/2021 Lamar Vfd Stephen T. Capenter 01/01/2022 Locust Grove Ralph E. Gibson 01/01/2022 Midwest City Michael D. Herren 01/01/2022 Muskogee Benjamin Terrell 01/01/2022 Okarche Michael L. Mcswain 01/01/2022 OKC Gregory T. Nicholson 10/12/2021 Ravia Joel R. Mcswain 01/01/2022 Stigler Tobey L. Blaylock 01/01/2022 Stigler Jimmy D. Pearson 01/01/2022 Stillwater Jory Stanley 12/01/2021 Sulphur Shannon L. Britt 11/01/2021 Vici Donnie Mcdannald 01/01/2022 Wapanucka Robert G. Reeder 01/01/2022 Warr Acres Glynn D. Greenhill Application For Vested Benefit: 01/01/2019 Haywood/Arpelar Henry E. Moss 12/17/2021 Luther John G. Tytenicz 10/01/2030 Okarche Craig J. Baustert Refund Of Contributions: Rann Tingtella Bartlesville Connor Wadkins Hominy Hunter Reed McAlester Thomas Sloane Seminole
Hired 12/15/2014 08/22/2019 03/01/2012 07/23/2018
Terminated 11/25/2020 09/23/2021 01/01/2022 12/03/2021
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 45
2022 OFCA Winter Workshop Held Jan. 26-28 at OSU Alumni Center in Stillwater 98 Chief Officers in attendance 45 Fire Departments Represented
Dominick Brown and Donnie Bennett Richard Kelley, Mike Karlin and Greg Herbster
Dean McFadden and Curtis Driscoll
46 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Greg Herbster: OFCA President’s Report I am excited to showcase the Queen City of Moore to all of you and make this 100th year event one to remember. Registration is open on our website. See you in April. Until next time, stay safe and stay involved.
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Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service! I pray everyone is doing well. As soon as we think we are moving past this nasty COVID virus, it keeps coming back. I know it is having an impact on all of our departments and it’s very Moore FD challenging trying to navigate through all the chaos it is causing. I am thankful that so many of you were able to attend the Winter Workshop amidst this chaos and learn from all the spectacular presenters that Chief Richard Kelley lined up. Do not forget to mark your calendars for our OFCA Conference on April 11-13 in Moore. The OFCA will be celebrating 100 years at this conference (1922-2022). I am very honored to be hosting this special event and hope to make it a memorable one. We will start with golf on Monday (April 11) at Belmar Golf Club (home of Toby Keith). Belmar is one of the best golf courses in our state and I hope you will all take advantage of this opportunity to play there. Tuesday and Wednesday (April 12-13), we will be at the Moore/Norman Technology Center on S. Penn for our conference. This beautiful facility will be very accommodating for our needs. Our keynote speaker on Tuesday is Dr. Jessica Rimmer who focuses on how leadership influences culture and outcomes. Dr. Rimmer is a partner at Giant Worldwide and is skilled at helping teams and executive leaders perform to their potential. You won’t want to miss her presentation! Tuesday night, we will have our Past President’s Reception, Associate Members Reception, banquet and awards at Belmar Golf Club. We will have auction items, so make sure to bring your wallets. Our conference will wrap up on Wednesday about noon after we elect new officers.
Y E A R S
HONORING THE PAST. BUILDING THE FUTURE.
OFCA 100th Annual Conference April 11-13, 2022 Moore, Oklahoma
F I R E C H I E F S
James Heap: OFCA 1st Vice President’s Report Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service! Hopefully all of you have had a great start to the new year. I have been fortunate enough to take two trips this year, one Frederick FD to Arizona with my wife and daughter, the other with my two sons and brother-in-law to Florida for a fishing trip with friends. Both trips were a good break from the busy life around the fire station and home. To cap January off, I was able to spend most of a week with fire service peers from around the state at the 5 Bugle Workshop hosted by OSU-FST. I also attended OFCA’s Winter Workshop. If you didn’t attend these events, you missed out on some outstanding opportunities to gain valuable information and network with fire service leaders.
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The fire service was represented well with members from paid, volunteer, and combination departments representing large, small, urban, and rural cities from all corners of the state. OFCA 2nd VP Chief Richard Kelley did a superb job of putting together the Winter Workshop. We met in a new facility that was very welcoming and well received by the attendees, and there was an outstanding line up of presenters. Chief Kelley had several local and regional fire service leaders give presentations to those attending. The next event coming up for OFCA is the 100th Annual OFCA Conference. It is being hosted by Moore Fire Department in April. Chief Greg Herbster has been busy planning the conference. Highlights will include a day of golf at Belmar Golf Club, award presentations and, of course, the banquet. If you are attending the conference,
you will have the opportunity to hear reports from State Fire Marshal Keith Bryant, OSFA President Cliff Davidson, ORFA President Yogi Cole and OSU-FST Director Caroline Reed. OFCA Past President Bert Norton will give an update on the Keith Bryan Memorial Scholarship Fund. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Jessica Rimmer with GiANT Worldwide. This organization improves corporate culture and bolsters team health by using personal leadership methodology that brings about healthy leadership behaviors and pushes leaders to invest in intentional multiplication within their organization. If you’re not a member of OFCA, now is a good time to join. Remember that first time members get the first year of membership for free. Membership fees are affordable after the first year and there are different memberships available. See you in April!
A S S O C I A T I O N
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 47
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
Richard Kelley: OFCA 2nd Vice President’s Report Greetings Brothers and Sisters! OKC FD As we start the new year, I hope everyone had an opportunity to implement at least one New Year’s Resolution to make a positive change. Whether it is losing a few pounds, changing your mind-set, reading something new each month, increasing your outreach by networking at professional conferences or improving relationships, I challenge each one of you to find your focus this year in at least one area. To everyone who attended the Winter Workshop this year at the OSU Alumni Center, I want to personally thank you for attending and making this an incredible event to learn, network and challenge yourself to improve. The OSFA staff (especially Raegan Layne) and OFCA Executive Director Kent Lagaly did an outstanding job in assuring this was a great experience for those in attendance. We also had great support from several of our Associate Members -- IFSTA, OSU-FST, Conrad Fire, Kirkpatrick Architecture Studio, VFIS, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, TIMS Coalition and a special guest from MDA. The presentations focused on leading, training and improving our great and noble profession. The workshop kicked off with retired OKC Major Chris Fields, who was open and honest about the stress and trauma we face as public safety providers. Moore Battalion Chief Corley Moore motivated everyone to become high performance leaders, while the “Council” Chief Round Table provided very profound experiences from five fire chiefs who are very well intrenched in the Oklahoma and National Fire Service. In the afternoon of Day One, Battalion Chief Garrett Rice from the Colony Fire Department provoked thought and insight into training and drilling with our firefighters to ensure proficient and effective service, while OKC Battalion Chief Derrick Kiel brought the day to a close by challenging everyone as leaders to become transformational in making positive changes. Day Two was packed with local and national fire service experts
Kent Lagaly: OFCA Executive Director’s Report
I want to start off by saying what who were passionate an excellent Winter Workshop Chief and excited to share their Richard Kelley put together. Ret. El Reno FD knowledge and wisdom. The agenda was full of outstanding Kelly Walsh, with presentations covering a variety of subjects. If you were Kelly Walsh Consulting not able to attend, you missed a great opportunity to dove into generational grow as a Chief Officer. And what a great location at the differences with new OSU Alumni Center -- we may just have a new home for information on what we the workshop. know about the Gen Z I hope that everyone who was there is able to take generation. what they learned back home and share with others Retired Chief Donnell within their department. Campbell and retired A few of the presentations focused on the importance Fire Chief Sam Heaton of the mental well-being of the men and women we from Cobb County Emerserve, as well as ourselves as Chief Officers. In today’s gency Services evoked world, I think this is more important than it has ever perspective in learning been. how to have “CouraNow, I’m in no way a doctor or psychologist, so I can’t geous Conversations” add anything to what was presented from a scientific or with our co-workers, medical standpoint. But as I sat and listened, it reminded family and peers to build me of one of my articles from a few years back that was a more harmonious enviabout our own mental well-being. ronment. With our annual golf tournament coming up in just The afternoon includa few short months, and since many of you are new to ed OKC Deputy Chief the OFCA, I thought it would be appropriate to share it Mike Walker, who did an again: outstanding job utilizing video vignettes to discuss personnel issues Michael Baker from Tulsa and Retired and how to utilize this U.S. Marshall Gary Berryhill. type of program to train our fire service Chief Baker discussed the “Fast and leaders. The Furious: Issues Impacting the Future Chief Tom Marcum and Dr. Erick of Fire Service Organizations” which Reynolds did a fantastic job discussing drilled down into the challenges he has the challenges and issues in the volunteer faced as the fire chief. fire services. These issues were not only specific to The final two speakers included two Tulsa, but many were issues we all face as Chiefs from the Land of Oz (Kansas), current fire service leaders. Chief Scott Kleinschmidt, and Chief Gary discussed “Peer Support and Dennis Reilly who provided road maps to Resiliency” which is an issue we are improve your leadership capabilities. facing in public safety and an area we The final half-day included Fire Chief need more emphasis on to assure our personnel are healthy and ready to serve our communities. This team of dedicated fire service leaders made the workshop a huge success. If you did not attend the Winter Workshop, please make plans to attend the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Annual Conference April 11-13 in Moore. OFCA President Greg Herbster has put together a great agenda, so make plans to attend, network and get to know your fire service peers. Until next time, strive for excelChris Fields, lence because leaders are not born, Ret. OKC FD Major they are made.
48 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
OFCA GOLF TOURNAMENT: “It’s more than just golf” As chief officers, one of our biggest responsibilities is the safety and well-being of the
members of our department(s). Not only are we concerned with their physical well being, but their mental well being, also. The thing that we sometimes tend to forget is that our own physical and mental well-being is just as important. Every day, we are faced with decisions that will impact the lives of not only the firefighters, but every citizen we serve. Now some of you are probably wondering what this has to do with a golf tournament. Well, it’s simple. As leaders in our profession, we must all take time to clear our heads, relax, get rid of the stress and remember that there is more to life than just work. We need to make sure we take care of our mental well-being so that we can be successful in ensuring their safety and well-being. We all need that “escape” that allows us to clear our heads, if you will. For some, that is fishing or hunting or even getting on a motorcycle and going on a road trip. And for some, it’s golf. For those of you who play the game there is no explanation needed. Those of you who do not play are probably wondering how a game in which adults get frustrated, frequently use curse words and occasionally throw things could be a positive thing for one’s mental well-being. I offer the following examples: In 1923, who was: 1. President of the largest steel company? 2. President of the largest gas company? 3. President of the New York Stock Exchange? 4. President of the Bank of International Settlement? 5. The “Great Bear of Wall Street”? These men were considered some of the world’s most successful in their days. Now, 80 years later, history books ask us if we know what ultimately became of them. The Answers: 1. The president of the largest steel company, Charles Schwab, died a pauper. 2. The president of the largest gas company, Edward Hopson, went insane. 3. The president of the NYSE, Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home. 4. The president of the Bank of International Settlement, Leon Fraser, shot himself. 5. The Great Bear of Wall Street, Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide. However, in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was Gene Sarazen. What became of him? He played golf until he was 92 and died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death. Golf is also a game that lends itself to life lessons. Consider every round of golf like a week of your life. 1. Each hole is like a day. Some days are better than others. 2. Golf and life can be both frustrating and exhilarating at the same time.
3. The actual goal of each day is the cup/hole. To achieve your goal(s), you have to be consistent and even keeled, so that you can keep moving forward. 4. Getting off to a good start (good drive in the fairway or good breakfast and morning) is important, so that you can stay out of the weeds. 5. Finishing strong and closing out your day (one or two putting), giving you a good feeling going into the next day. 6. Sleeping is that walk between picking up your ball and teeing off on the next hole. Down time, for meditation, reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation. 7. Even though you play and (possibly compete) in a group, in the end, its your individual effort that determines how far you go. 8. How you deal with a ‘bad’ situation (bad lie, being in a sand trap) can either make or break your confidence. This is one of the keys to life – recovery and resiliency in the face of one or a series of bad events (shots). No matter what happens, you’ve got to keep playing and moving forward. 9. Dedicated practice (at the range, with proper instruction) improves the quality of your game. Dedicated practice (spiritually, with proper spiritual guidance) improves the quality of your life. It just helps you “play” better and have more confidence. Once in a while, even when there is risk at hand, you’ve got to take a shot at making something special happen. Whether that entails going for the green in two on a Par 5 or getting up the courage to ask for a raise at work, life and golf are games of calculated risk based on circumstances, opportunities and self-knowledge.
I wish that I could take credit for the bit of wisdom that you just read but I can’t, it was something that I read a few years ago in an article. What is important to take from this is that no matter what your “escape” is, taking time away from the stresses in this profession is imperative to our mental well-being. If you are not a golfer and are curious to see just how this applies in real life, take some time away from the office and come to the golf tournament. You don’t have to play, just come watch the rest of us. Depending on who you choose to follow around the course, you will see some “good weeks” and some “bad weeks.” If you want to see how someone can possibly have fun experiencing a VERY “bad week,” follow the team of your executive board. They will show you how it’s done!
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 49
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
Craig Carruth: OFCA 3rd Vice President’s Report
Bert Norton: OFCA Past President’s Report
Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters! I hope all of you had an enjoyable and blessed holiday season with family and friends. I want to congratulate Chief Kelley for putting on Mustang FD a wonderful and educational Winter Workshop! The Midwest City FD Greetings Oklahoma Chief Offispeakers did a fantastic job delivering quality leadercers! Wow, it is hard to believe that we are in 2022 now ship training. I would say we are starting this year off on a terrific note. and that the month of January is gone, as well. I have started to review the input and suggestions submitted by I would like to start out by saying thanks for those everyone who attended the workshop, as I begin to plan for next year’s who reached out to me during the passing of my faworkshop. Chief Richard Kelley has set ther. It means a lot to have friends who will reach a high standard and I hope to continue out during these difficult times. the trend for next year. Because of his death, I was not able to make It was also great to see the Associate the Winter Workshop this year. But I would like to Members at the workshop! To all of our congratulate Richard Kelley on putting on a great Associate Members, the OFCA would workshop. I read the line-up he had in place and like you to know how much we apprethose who attended from Midwest City had nothciate your support and involvement. ing but great things to share about the workshop. Without your support, the educaI know he worked hard on this and I hope you tional events we put on (which includes took time to fill the surveys out so that Craig will guest speakers, venue, food and refreshhave some idea what you are looking for next ments) would not be possible. year. Without your involvement, we would As we move into our next event -- the OFCA not be current on the latest trends and Conference in April -- please make plans to attend. features of the many products and techGreg Herbster and the Moore Fire Department nologies we rely on to deliver emergenhave been hard at work to plan a good conference. cy service to the communities we serve. The last several years have been difficult to plan, You truly are a vital part of our orgaas we have all been planning around COVID. This nization! year doesn’t look to be different. I would like to give everyone an I really think it is important that we make plans OFCA Membership update for this PRESIDENT to keep networking through this. We need to be quarter. Greg Herbster able to learn what others are doing, and together Many of you may recall we started gregherbster@cityofmoore.com we will get through this phase of COVID. last April off with only 205 total memI would like to mention to those who are members. At the time of writing this article, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT bers of the International Association of Fire Chiefs our membership stands at 585 total James Heap (IAFC) that FRI 2022 will be in San Antonio July members. We have 12 new departments jrheap@pldi.net 23-27, and the Southwestern Division Educational and 109 new members that have joined. Conference will be in Ruidoso, New Mexico Sept. I would like to take my hat off to all 20-24. of you! I can’t tell you how refreshing it 2ND VICE PRESIDENT If you are not an IAFC member, I would is to see this kind of involvement. Richard Kelley encourage you to join and make plans to attend All of you whom have renewed your richard.kelley@okc.gov these events. They, too, are great learning events membership or whom have signed up and a time of networking. for the first time, please make every ef3RD VICE PRESIDENT As I said earlier, I cannot believe that January fort to attend this year’s OFCA ConferCraig Carruth is over. By the time you get this, all the bills at the ence and next year’s Winter Workshop. ccarruth@cityofmustang.org State Capitol will have been filed and the session No matter the size or type of orgawill be getting ready to start. nization you have been blessed to lead, PAST PRESIDENT Please make it a point to make connections to the education, knowledge and networkBert Norton your local Representatives and form a relationing at these events are priceless. bnorton@midwestcityok.org ship. This is your opportunity to be an avenue of The 100th OFCA Conference is just information for firefighter issues they will be faced around the corner, and is to be held in with casting a vote on. It is important to make sure OFCA DIRECTOR Moore. Chief Greg Herbster and staff they have someone they can rely on to make an Kent Lagaly have been hard at work putting all of informed decision. klagaly@cityofelreno.com the details together to make sure this It is also helpful for them to know that you are conference is a success. aware and watching what they are doing on our The conference is set for April 11-13. issues. Many of them will be running for elecIf you have not registered, please make tion this year. It is important for you to get out and a point to sign up today. support them and help them get elected, because it is The education, networking, social events and time spent with venimportant for us to have friends at the Capitol. dors is something you do not want to miss! Until next time, stay safe and get involved. Stay safe and get active!
50 February/March/April 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
2021-22 OFCA Executive Board
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Check out our website: www.k-a-studio.com
Call Us! 405.360.0810
114 West Main, Ste. 2 Norman, Oklahoma 73069
Check out our website: www.k-a-studio.com
Call Us! 405.360.0810
114 West Main, Ste. 2 Norman, Oklahoma 73069
Oklahoma FirefighterFebruary/March/April 2022 51
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