Oklahoma Firefighter March 2019

Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

March 2019 Volume 36, Issue 2

LEGISLATIVE ISSUE: n

OSFA Legislative Talking Points

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18th annual OSFA Legislative Reception

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OSFA Legislative Achievements See Pages 14-15

I N S I D E

2019 OSFA Convention Details ........................................................................................4 OSFA Executive Board Members’ Comments............................................................. 5-6 OSFA Executive Director’s Report - Steve Lumry ...........................................................7 ORFA Report - President Juan Rodriguez .......................................................................8 OSFA Offers Individual Pay Health Insurance to Members ........................................ 9 Firefighter Near-Miss Report - Greg Lindsay ............................................................... 10 Museum News - Gene Brown .........................................................................................13 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report -Marti Carpenter .................................................... 19 Chaplain’s Corner - Hal Penner ..................................................................................... 22 Executive Board Meeting Highlights ............................................................................. 24 Oklahoma Fire Spotlight -- Hooker FD ......................................................................... 26

ChangeService ServiceRequested Requested Change

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

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City, Permit No. No. 570 570 Permit

Celebrating 45 Years of Service to the Industry

2ď źMarch 2019ď źOklahoma Firefighter

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 20193

klahoma Firefighter March 2019

Volume 36 — Issue 2

Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 2716 N.E. 50th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 424-1452 • 1-800-308-5336 Fax (405) 424-1032 osfa@osfa.info • www.osfa.info Published monthly by and for members of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to educate its membership, to improve the fire service, and to enhance the value and dignity of their profession, either paid or volunteer.

Editor in Chief Steve Lumry stevel@osfa.info

Managing Editor Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

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Letters to the Editor: Oklahoma Firefighter encourages the

open exchange of ideas, opinions and concerns among members of the fire service community.

Letters to the Editor should: concentrate on issues, not personalities; be typed; be signed by the writer and include writer’s telephone number; and be mailed (or emailed) to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association: 2716 N.E. 50th St., Oklahoma City, OK, 73111 (osfa@osfa.info).

Oklahoma Firefighter reserves the right to publish, edit and condense letters according to space limitations and the editor’s judgement. Great care will be taken to ensure the message in the letter is not altered. Anonymous letters will not be published.

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Get your Oklahoma Firefighter newspaper the minute it goes to press!

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

It’s an easy and convenient way to stay on top of what’s happening in your Association!

Plus, every page in the digital newspaper is in color!

And the digital version also features videos!

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

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ADvertisers’ INDEX Casco Industries ............... 28

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Sharp Testing ..................... 17

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4March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

125th Annual OSFA CONVENTION June 5-8 at Ponca City Convention Center

DUES: Membership in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association will be forfeited if dues are not paid by May 7.

2019 OSFA Convention Deadlines

CREDENTIALS: Delegate registration must be on the credentials form with proper signature. Pre-registration may be mailed at any time, but all credentials are due in the OSFA office no later than May 27.

APRIL 5: LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS DUE

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

Registration cost for spouses and guests is $50.

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

Everyone should pre-register, including spouses and guests.

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

APRIL 22: NEW EMPLOYEES COUNT IF DUES PAID

APRIL 5: CONSTITUTIONAL RESOLUTIONS DUE APRIL 22: DEPARTMENT DELEGATE ELECTIONS MAY 7:

MEMBERSHIP FORFEITED

MAY 27: CREDENTIALS DUE

ACCOMMODATIONS: Host hotels are Fairfield Inn and LaQuinta Inn. Rooms are $79 per night at both, and they are next door to each other.

Fairfield Inn is located at 3405 N. 14th St., Ponca City, OK 74601. The hotel’s phone number is 580-765-3000. Mention “125th OSFA Convention.”

LaQuinta Inn is located at 3414 N. 14th St., Ponca City, OK 74601. The hotel’s phone number is 580-749-5515.

ATTENTION ALL CANDIDATES FOR THIRD VICE PRESIDENT

MEETINGS: Daily meetings will be held at the Ponca City Convention Center (400 E. Central, Ponca City OK 74601). It is located behind the Central Fire Station.

Oklahoma Firefighter will give approximately 1/4 page of free space to all candidates running for Third Vice President of the OSFA.

ACTIVITIES: Golf Tournament is Wednesday, June 5, at Wentz Memorial Golf Course (2928 La Cann Dr., Ponca City, OK 74604). Cost is $75 per person or $300 per team. Tee times at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Bass Fishing Tournament is Wednesday, May 29, at Grand Lake’s Wolf Creek. Poker Run is Friday, June 7.

Deadline for submitting information and/or photos is March 15 (for April issue) or April 15 (for May issue).

MDA PICNIC: The Muscular Dystrophy Association will host the picnic on Thursday, June 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m at Lake Ponca Park (1150 La Cann

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

MEMORIAL SERVICE: To honor those members who have passed since our last convention, a Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at Ponca City Convention Center.

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

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

Please indicate who the door prizes are from and turn them in at the registration table. Grand door prizes will be given away at the banquet, and you must be present to win.

BANQUET/DANCE: Scheduled for Friday, June 7, at Osage Casino (516 E. Grand). Transportation provided from hotel.

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

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

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

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

24th Annual OSFA Convention Bass Tourney

125th Annual OSFA Convention Golf Tourney

Wednesday, June 5 at Wentz Memorial Golf Course

2928 La Cann Dr., Ponca City, OK 74604

Entry Fee: $75 Per Player, $300 Per Team Four Man Scramble • Shotgun Start • 7:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Tee Times

Cost includes Green Fees, Cart and Refreshments - Lunch will be served at the Golf Course

For more information, call Jerry Burtner at 580-749-0234

Dr). Transportation provided. This is MDA’s way of showing appreciation to firefighters around the state for all they do for MDA.

PLEASE Bring Door Prizes!

Golf Hole Sponsor

$100 per hole Name/Company__________________

Team Captain____________________________________________________ Phone______________

Wednesday, May 29 at Grand Lake’s Wolf Creek

Begins at 6:30 a.m. (weigh in at 3 p.m.)

For more information, call Jimmy Warner at 918-740-3117

Entry Fee: $100 Per Boat (2 participants - 1 must be a Firefighter)

Includes Big Bass Contest & Lunch at Weigh-In

Also includes T-shirt with Paid Entry Postmarked by June 1, 2018 Event Coordinator will be at ramp from 5:00 to 6:30 a.m. the day of event for last-minute registrations (cash only)

Limit: 4 bass - 14” minimum Payout: Out of 100% fees collected -- 1st Place - 40% • 2nd Place - 30% • 3rd Place - 20% • Big Bass - 10% Cash and Prizes to be given by our sponsors after weigh in For complete 2019 OSFA Convention Bass Fishing Rules, go to www.osfa.info

Department_____________________________ Email________________________________________

Name 1_____________________________________________________________________________

Tee Time Preference (First Paid Get Preference)

Phone____________________ Work Phone____________________Shirt Size____________________

______7:30 a.m.

________1 p.m.

Player 1________________________________Email________________________________________

Department_______________________________________Email_______________________________

Player 2________________________________Email________________________________________

Name 2_____________________________________________________________________________

Player 3________________________________Email________________________________________

Phone____________________ Work Phone____________________Shirt Size____________________

Player 4________________________________Email________________________________________

Department_______________________________________Email_______________________________

Mail to: OSFA Golf Tourney Make checks payable to: OSFA 2019 Golf Tourney 2716 NE 50th Entries must be postmarked no later than May 27 OKC, OK 73111 Entry fee enclosed____________________________

Register online at www.osfa.info

Entry fee enclosed____________________________ Make checks payable to: OSFA 2019 Bass Tourney

Mail to: OSFA Bass Tourney 2716 NE 50th OKC, OK 73111

Register online at www.osfa.info

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 20195

PREsident

n

Everyone needs to make sure to get their rooms reserved for the 125th Annual OSFA Convention in Ponca City June 5-8.

As I have said before, the rodeo is in town the same days as convention, and the hotels usually fill up. So call today!

Host hotels are the La Quinta Inn and the Fairfield Inn. Mention the convention and get your rooms for $79 a night.

As I was pondering what to put in my article this month, I kept getting led back to PTSD and suicide in the fire service.

It seems like every day when we see the news, another firefighter has taken his or her life. We, as the fire service family, need to pull together and become more aware and educated of signs and symptoms associated with these issues.

There have been initiatives begun in the fire service to address suicidality.

Below is a research paper done by my wife, who is getting her master’s in psychology. It’s an overview of suicidality in regards to our culture and steps being taken to reduce the numbers of our fallen brothers and bring behavioral health to the forefront.

According to Carla Jackson (2018), suicide is now the tenth(10th) leading cause of death in the United States and is one of three (3) leading causes of death that are on the rise, the others being drug overdose and Alzheimer’s disease.

The unparalleled bravery of first responders is brought to the attention of the public following huge or tragic events in a community, generally through social or news media. However, the public is seldom made to comprehend the fact of the horrors and tragedies that first responders witness first hand on a daily basis.

Constant exposure to these events exerts a large toll on those in the fire service and on their mental health. The fire service culture is one that leads personnel to feel isolated, making light of the problem as they envision that others in their tight community have seen or witnessed the same tragedies and not sought help for the after effects.

Being upheld as heroes, a person or persons who are admired for their courage, achievements and noble characteristics, also makes seeking help for depression and suicidal ideation difficult. Not only do these men and women feel that it is important to appear stable and heroic to those they work with, but also with the public for which they serve.

These things have aided in the rising suicide rates of firefighters across the United States.

This paper will outline the fire service culture, mental health and suicidality rates and the programs that are addressing the changing view of the fire service and behavioral health.

Culture is defined as a basic or shared assumption, learned by a group, as it works to solve problems. This creates a patterned way of thinking throughout the group (Brauer, 2016). Researchers report that organizational culture creates a value system that frames the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors of its members. Organizational Culture also gives structure to help its members maintain and adapt to their unique job situation (Brauer, 2016).

Uniformed professions, such as the military, fire, EMT and police have specific cultures unique to themselves, their service units and their type of work. There are common characteristics, such as a sense of duty and allegiance, which are not found in the same degree in other professions. Brauer (2016) lists the main characteristics of fire service as being relatively isolated from society, using uniforms to identify themselves, having a hierarchical command structure and promotion through existing ranks.

The fire service also differs from other organizations by the level of danger that they are exposed to, unusual work schedules, a communal life and strong discipline. During shift, firefighters live in a barrack type facility where they share meals, showering facilities, sleep and common areas. They immerse themselves into the culture that quickly becomes a part of their life fabric on and off duty.

Traditions such as looking out for one another are expected even when you may not choose to friend a fellow employee off duty. Bidding to work particular shifts to ensure days on and who you might be working with become important during a shift shuffle. There are rituals that begin the work day, new member duties, ranks and internal structure which drives decision frameworks within the organization as well as rules and chain of command direction which are integral to the job for fire suppression and victim safety as well as fire service personnel safety. Skipping steps can lead to an increased risk of death and injury to the firefighter and could also lead to punitive action for

Dereck Cassady

Ponca City FD

IAFFLocal2479@ yahoo.com • 580-761-5338

failing to follow orders. The weight of this culture can weigh heavy on its followers, creating an environment where Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lies simmering beneath the outer shell.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2019), PTSD is a mental health disorder that occurs when people witness or experience a traumatic event such as death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, natural disaster, a terrorist or war act or actual or threatened sexual violence. People who have PTSD have intense thoughts or feelings related to the experience long after the event has ended. Those in the fire service not only have one likely event, but several over shortened periods of time, thus causing it to be difficult to recognize what event is actually triggering the response. Some symptoms of PTSD include but are not limited to trouble sleeping, social isolation, trouble concentrating, intrusive thoughts, irritability and feelings of self-blame (APA, 2019). Another category outlined by the APA (2019) is that of symptoms of arousal and reactive actions such as angry outburst and/or behaving in reckless and self-destructive ways which are response to an overactive sympathetic nervous system.

Research has noted that there is an increased risk linked with firefighters and hazardous drinking behavior due to efforts to control these symptoms. One such research found a 58% rate in binge and hazardous drinking in those polled (Heyman, Dill & Douglas, 2018).

The same researchers found an increased rate of depression and a 46.8% rate of reported thinking about suicide during their career (Heyman et al., 2018). In 2015 there were one hundred forty-three (143) reported firefighter suicides compared to one hundred thirtynine (139) in 2016 and one hundred three (103) in 2017 (Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA), 2019). FBHA (2019) reports that it is thought that these numbers only represent 40% of actual fire service suicides. According to Jeff Dill with the FBHA (2019), those in the fire service are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty for their job.

The largest barrier to change in suicidality rates in the fire service lies within the culture itself. The men and women who enter the fire service see themselves and their partners as being strong, tough and able, not only physically but mentally as well. In a profession where strength, bravery and heroism are a given, mental health issues and the threat of personnel suicide is often viewed as a weakness that no one wants to talk about. There is an inaccurate perception that mental illness can be career destroying, that those who depend on you for their lives may not be able to count on you as expected. In this climate no one talks about mental health.

In 2011, Jeff Dill founded the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA). Dill is dedicated to the issue of fire service mental health. He and his staff travel all over the nation presenting workshops to those organizations who are seeking to put to rest the stigma of PTSD, depression and suicidality in the fire service.

Education and awareness must start at the top to help eliminate stigma. Whereas isolation is an integral part of suicidal ideation in

the fire service, positive social support within the ranks helps to allow service members to feel that they can go to others and talk. Peer to peer support groups have been one of the most effective programs put into place.

Firefighters feel better understood when talking to someone who has shared their same job duties and pressures as well as comparable trauma types (Ali, 2017). Fire service officers should be trained to spot behavioral changes and be willing to ask the hard questions that come with it. Officers must create a supportive environment where members are not afraid to come forward for their own mental health or if they are seeing symptoms in a shift member. Ali (2017) was part of an integral group that created a program to cover awareness, risk factors and prevention. She was assisted by Dr. Mark Holland who is a behavioral health specialist that works locally with the Raleigh, North Carolina fire service. Ali (2017) reports that the reception was overwhelming.

The members were thankful for the information and were able to see the need for change in their culture.

There is no doubt a long road to reach every fire department and member across the United States, but already members are beginning to have more open talks. They are talking about culture and what changes will look like. There are websites and specialized programs in place specifically for fire service members. Articles are being written, organizations are being created, behavioral health centers are being given the tools to address the symptoms that are leading to fire fighter empowerment instead of isolation. Fire families are looking out for each other. It may be a few years until the numbers post, but until then it appears that there are solid programs being formed to decrease the suicidality rates in the fire service.

References Ali, D. (2017). Dena Ali: Awareness level fire service suicide prevention. FDIC International. Tulsa, Ok. Retrieved on February 17, 2019 from https://www.fdic.com/articles/2017/07/dena-ali-awareness-level-fireservice-suicide-prevention.html American Psychiatric Association. (2019). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Brauer, B.R. (2016). The fire and emergency services culture: Can it be changed? Fire Engineering 169(8). Retrieved from https://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-169/issue-8/features/the-fire-andemergency-services-culture-can-it-be-changed.html Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (n.d.). Retrieved on February 18, 2019 from http://www.ffbha.org/ Heyman, M., Dill, J., Douglas, R., (2018). The Ruderman white paper on mental health and suicide of first responders. Retrieved from https:// issuu.com/rudermanfoundation/docs/first_responder_white_paper_final_ac270d530f8bfb/2 Jackson, C.A. (2018). CDC: Suicide rates up in nearly every state Report finds increases from 1999 through 2016. Firefighter Nation.

Retrieved February 18, 2019 from https://www.firefighternation.com/ articles/2018/06/cdc-suicide-rates-up-in-nearly-every-state.html

3rd vice PresidenT n

Cliff Davidson

Hello all! I hope everyone is enjoying this Oklahoma weather.

I want to thank all the folks

who made it to the Volunteer

Caucus this year. We had a really

good turnout and discussed many of the topics that are affecting the volunteer fire service.

It’s nice seeing new faces in the crowd, and we had several this year. And its always great to see the old faces. The volunteer committee did a great job putting everything together.

The spring fire season is upon us, and I am sure everyone is ready to roll when the time comes. State Forestry has been doing a great job in being prepared with stationing man power and equipment in key areas on the high-risk days.

With that said, I would like to congratulate everyone on working to try and be more organized when responding to the large fires we have had in the last couple of years. There is still room for improvement, and if we all work together we will get better.

Ringwood FD

davidsoncliff@yahoo.com 580-554-1886

The County Strike Teams or Task Force systems have helped with getting things more organized and helped with accountability and knowing who is on scene.

Having groups working together and in an organized system is safer and more efficient than having a bunch of people out doing their own thing.

If your county does not have a Task Force or a Strike Team, reach out to your neighboring county that does and see if you can work with them. And if you do, follow their lead and stay with them until they are released from the scene.

Being part of a team takes discipline and trust it will be on you to gain that group’s trust and respect.

By being a part of a group before a large-scale event makes the job a whole lot less complicated for the people trying to manage the scene.

So if you don’t have a county Strike Team and you want to help, reach out to your closest Strike Team and ask if you can join.

Most are happy to have you and willing to give you a chance. And just by asking shows you have some discipline.

6March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

1st vice PresidenT n

Mike Kelley

OKC FD

mkelley@local157.org 405-623-4338

The legislative session is now in full swing, and as the first weeks wind down it appears that the House of Representatives will be our best opportunity to advance a much-needed COLA for our retirees.

While there is still work to do in the House, the real challenge appears to be in the Senate.

As I stated last month, a COLA is our number 1 legislative priority. And while we as firefighters understand why it’s desperately needed, many legislators do not.

Talking points have been developed by your staff, and the time is now to reach out to your legislators. It is important that your elected officials hear from you on this issue that is vitally important to our membership.

Make plans now to attend your OSFA State Fire School May 2-5 in Tulsa. Our school has become one of the premiere training events in the country and is available at no cost.

The on-line class registration is live now at https:// my.osufst.org/conferences/793?preSelect=72995 .

The Educational Advisory Committee has put in a great deal of time and effort to assure that there are classes of value offered for everyone.

I recently read an article that pointed out that Benjamin Franklin’s words were still as applicable today as they were when he penned them. What do you think?

• “Wise men talk because they have something to say; Fools talk because they have to say something.”

• “Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at accidents.”

• “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every year find you a better man.”

• “Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on the outward circumstances.”

• “Any fool can condemn and complain, and most fools do.”

• “He that cannot obey cannot command.”

• “The road to leadership can be long and difficult, but worth the effort.”

• “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”

• “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”

• “To be humble to superiors his duty, to equals courtesy, to inferior’s nobleness.”

• “A good example is the best sermon.”

• “Words may show a man’s wit, but actions his meaning.”

• “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.”

• “Resolve to perform what you are; perform without fail what you resolve.”

• “I would advise you to read with a pen in hand, and enter in a little book short hints of what you find is curious, or that may be useful; for this will be the best method of imprinting such particulars in your memory.”

• “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

• “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things that are worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”

• “Do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”

• “You may delay, but time will not.”

Stay safe brothers and sisters!!

2nd vice PresidenT n

Eric Harlow

Guthrie FD

Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters! It doesn’t look like winter is going to let us off easily, as more wintry weather is in store for March.

I hope many of you were able to enjoy the annual Volunteer Fire Caucus last month. It was a well-planned event with great speakers and a wealth of good information. And the attendance was excellent.

Great job to the Volunteer Fire Services Committee for planning this great annual event. If you weren’t able to attend, you missed a very motivating talk by Midwest City Training Chief Rodney Foster.

If you want to get fired up about training in your department, regardless of the size, get a hold of Rodney and I promise you, he will get you guys fired up!

On the legislative front, we are working hard monitoring the situation at the Capitol.

There are many bills that could have an effect on the fire service, so we will keep our eyes glued to any updates that come down.

We will continue to fight for a COLA raise for our retirees. It’s been far too long, and the board is committed to working with our legislators to make it happen.

We also have a few bills pertaining to our Title 19 Fire Protection Districts that will enhance their service ability. It’s looking to be a positive year for us at the Capitol, so stay in touch with your legislators and make sure they’re looking out for our best interests.

ericharlow200@gmail.com 405-520-2893

As many of you probably saw, our department experienced a large downtown fire this past weekend.

Mother Nature dealt us a pretty rough hand in terms of the winds that day.

Based on the conditions we faced, and with some great assistance from our neighboring departments, we were able to confine the fire to the original two structures that were burning on our arrival.

Unfortunately, both buildings are total loss. One housed a flower shop with an apartment upstairs while the other housed famous fiddler Byron Berline’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop. This shop has a vast amount of priceless history and was home to some of the world’s most unique stringed instruments.

Byron has hosted many big name musicians such as Vince Gill in his shop for jam sessions. Much of the history that was lost can never be replaced.

Luckily, after a day of dirty, exhausting work, our crews in cooperation with our public works department, was able to recover two large fire safes that held many instruments. While some suffered minor damage, several came out relatively unscathed. It was definitely a glimmer of hope in the midst of devastation.

I cannot say enough about the outpouring of assistance we have received throughout and after the fire.

Our community opened their hearts and their wallets, providing food, drinks, rehab items and encouraging words to our folks. The Oklahoma Standard definitely shined true.

Until next time, stay safe and get ready for Spring!

Past PREsident n

Matt Lay

Tulsa FD

Spring has always meant the kick off of more work for Oklahoma Firefighters.

While the communities we serve are thinking about vacations, school breaks or cleaning house, our crews are on the job and ready to protect those homes.

My hat’s off to all those who responded with OSFA 2nd VP and Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow and his firefighters in a heroic effort stopping a wind-driven fire in their historic downtown on Feb. 23. I know among the first of them to arrive was our brothers from Coyle Fire, including OSFA Special Project Coordinator and Assistant Chief Tim Bartram. Strong work by all!

Based on some Predictive Services models for this season, we may be in need of all of our fire service partners out there -- including Wildland Task Forces, Oklahoma Forestry Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Fire Crews, National Guard Aviation Units, Office of Emergency Management, the Red Cross -- before it’s all said and done.

Stay connected with updates from many of these agencies via Fire Department Resources on the OSFA App and Website.

Off the fireline, things stay almost as busy.

SAFER GRANT – The OSFA continues to partner with OSU-FST to see dozens of brand new firefighters each quarter trained and equipped for service in volunteer departments all over the state under the SAFER Grant awarded in 2016.

matthewlay@icloud.com 918-760-9065

For individual departments out there with staffing needs, the FY2018 SAFER Grant Application period is open until March 22.

OSFA FIRE SCHOOL – Registration is now underway for this year’s OSFA State Fire School.

This Educational Advisory Committee has once again put together a line-up not rivaled anywhere!

Look in this issue for more info on how to register.

After training each day, we’ve got receptions and networking opportunities with your instructors and speakers, FOOLS Bash, and more. See you there!

LEGISLATION – Its full speed ahead at the Capitol.

Bill deadlines are approaching, appropriations are being made to cut, maintain or grow funding for programs and services.

The OSFA Legislative Committee and Lobbying Team have been instrumental in pushing back against numerous pieces of bad fire service legislation. Meanwhile, we have successfully advanced bills on several fronts that will positively impact our firefighters and fire departments across the state.

Chief among these has been hours and hours of discussions and negotiations to secure a COLA for our retirees for the first time since 2008. This mission will continue to be the focus of our efforts until it is achieved.

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

Never a dull moment, folks. We’ll see you out there.

Take Care and God Bless!

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 20197

OSFA executive director n

Steve Lumry

Hey You! Yeah, you … that’s right, I’m talking to you.

The person sitting in the recliner or at the kitchen table, or maybe even in the bathroom.

The active firefighter, the retired firefighter, the firefighter or retired firefighter’s spouse, widow or widower, I’m talking to you.

No, I haven’t hacked your security cameras, I just know where most firefighters are when they are reading this newspaper.

My question to you is, “What have you done lately to help secure your future?”

We (OSFA Board and Staff) have been working diligently at the Capitol.

We have been listening to your concerns and issues. We have been meeting with firefighters from all over the state to determine your priorities.

We have put together a plan that can be successful. We have provided you with talking points.

We have emailed and spoken with state representatives and senators.

We have carried the water this far.

What have you done to help?

Is this article about deriding you for sitting back? Absolutely NOT! This article is about engagement.

I have heard the stories of the retired firefighters from all corners of the state where their retirement checks no longer cover the bills.

I have heard the stories of folks retiring at the same rank as a friend or relative that retired years earlier under the escalator clause (I’ll explain in a minute) and the friend or relative now has a higher pension than the person that retired 25 years later and at a higher salary.

I have heard the stories of retirees from the largest departments in the state whose pension no longer covers the cost of their insurance.

I have heard the stories of the widows who have to decide between groceries or life saving prescriptions.

How do you make that choice? Hmm, should I starve to death this month or let my chronic illnesses take me down?

Hmm… My personal story is after retiring just four years ago, my insurance has increased 250%.

When I was still active and making a decent living, my insurance ran about $250 per month for my wife Cheryl and I. The day I retired, it increased to $450 a month.

Within 6 months, it increased to $750 a month. The following year, it went

OSFA / Museum Staff

stevel@osfa.info • 405-424-1452

to $900. And then this year, it went to $1,100 a month.

That’s my story, what is yours.

As I’m sure you are aware, as firefighters we aren’t eligible for social security due to our pension being an IRS qualified plan.

In other words, since we pay into a pension system that is qualified to take the place of social security, we are not eligible to receive social security.

However, if we do happen to qualify for social security from working a dayoff job, that benefit will be reduced by 60% in most instances.

On top of that, your spouse’s social security that they earned working separately from you, will also be reduced by 60% in most cases as well because they are eligible to receive your pension when you pass on.

The time has come for us -- yes, all of us -- to get involved in the legislative process.

While it may not help you directly today, it will better your future and increase your chances of being able to live a long, satisfying retirement.

As soon as you finish reading this article, get out your phone or tablet and compose a short email to your state representative and state senator.

Or grab a piece of paper and write a letter, pick up the phone and make a call.

Talk to them when you see them around town.

It’s not hard to do. Just tell them that you are a firefighter (or retired firefighter, widow, etc.) and a constituent, that you support the Cost of Living Adjustment (C.O.L.A.) bill by Representative Avery Frix (HB2304), and how this does or could affect you personally.

If you are still an active firefighter, you can relay how it changes your plans for retirement or how it has affected someone you know or just that you know it’s needed.

Then ask them to support it and vote for it.

Now, I promised earlier to explain the escalator clause to those who do not know what it is.

Back in the day, retired firefighters (those who had 20 years of service prior to May 26, 1983) would automatically receive pension increases based on ½ of what a top step firefighter from the city or town from which they retired had received as a raise each year.

In other words, if you as an active firefighter received a 3% raise, the retirees from your town would receive half of that amount (based on top step firefighter rates).

Those individuals continue to receive

Executive Director Steve Lumry • stevel@osfa.info

their pension increases in that same manner to this day.

Any COLA increase granted by the legislature for retired firefighters will be offset by the amount of increases received over the time period since the last COLA for individuals on the escalator clause.

It has been 11 long years since the last COLA was granted by the legislature and our folks are hurting.

The issue requires action, the time is now, and you are the person that will make it happen.

Are you a part of the firefighter family that never leaves anyone behind?

I know you are and I know we can count on YOU! Until next time, contact your legislators and STAY SAFE. Editor’s Note: For more information, please check out the OSFA Member Talking Points on Page 15 of this issue.

For locating contact information regarding your state representative or state senator go to http://www.oklegislature.gov/ FindMyLegislature.aspx.

Administrative Director Sheri Nickel • sherin@osfa.info Special Projects Tim Bartram • timb@osfa.info Administrative Assistant Trisha Chain • trishac@osfa.info Receptionist Kristen Horton • kristenh@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 Bob Noll (Yukon Ret.) chairs the Pumping

and Aerial Apparatus Handbook Committee working on the 4th Edition for IFSTA-FPP

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8March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

38th ORFA CONVENTION

n

ORFA REport Juan Rodriguez

Lawton FD Retired

Tuesday, June 4 • Ponca City Convention Center

The Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association Convention

is FREE and will start at 1 p.m.

Registration opens at 10 a.m. Lunch will be provided at noon.

In an effort to expedite the registration process, please send this pre-registration form to the OSFA office no later tha May 27.

Online registration forms are also available at www.osfa.info.

And be sure to bring a great door prize! That way, the information shared at convention won’t be the only great thing to take with you!

ORFA Convention Pre-Registration Form Member Name: _____________________________________________________ FD Retired From:______________________Email:_________________________ Guest: ____________________________________________________________ Do You Plan to Attend the OSFA Convention, as well? o Yes Do You Plan to Attend the OSFA Banquet? o Yes

o No o No

NOTE: Cost is $50 to attend these OSFA events -- Not included in FREE ORFA Registration Mail pre-registration to: ORFA Convention 2019 2716 NE 50th St, OKC, OK 73111

Questions?

405-424-1452 • 1-800-308-5336 trishac@osfa.info • www.osfa.info

The Oklahoma Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians

TAEVT and OKEVT are planning the 20th annual Southwest Emergency Vehicle Technician Training Conference March 17-22 For more info: www.taevt.com

invites you to their quarterly

Hello firefighters! After many years, we are finally attempting to get a raise for retirees.

For so long, the most pressing issue has been to not lose benefits with little regard to maintain the buying power of retirees. It seemed we were in self-defense mode.

There was even a time when there was a strong push to change us to a defined contribution plan similar to an IRA. At long last, it appears the legislature sees the effect the rising cost-of-living has on retirees.

Now we enter the 2019 legislative session and there is a COLA bill asking for 8% adjustment. It is HB 2304 authored by Avery Frix.

The good news is, currently, there is support in the house. The Senate is still a task, but this is quite a different political climate than the previous decade which we had become accustomed to.

I hope that all retirees will be able to contact their Representative and their Senator and ask them to support this very important bill. The talking points are printed on Page 14.

The COLA bill is the highest legislative priority of the OSFA this year. There are other bills we support, and of course some that we don’t.

This is the one that matters the most to retirees. The other bills are: SB 164, which is the pension correction bill (this is compliance issues with the federal government); and HB 2051 allowing retired paid persons to work for volunteer departments.

These other bills are supported by the OSFA and subsequently the ORFA, as well.

With a potential COLA being available, I ask all retirees to contact their Representatives and support all of these bills.

Get up and Go!

2018-19 ORFA Executive Board PRESIDENT Juan Rodriguez, Lawton jrod911@gmail.com 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Tippy Pierce, Moore fftip@swbell.net 405-924-1104 2ND VICE PRESIDENT George Fina, OKC gomsc38@gmail.com 405-373-2409 3RD VICE PRESIDENT A.K. “Yogi” Cole, Tulsa ycole@ipa.net 918-231-3591 PAST PRESIDENT Dana Cramer, Norman dcramer3@cox.net 405-570-1387

MEETING AND CLINIC Friday, April 12 • 8 a.m.

At OKC Fire Training Center • Clinic at 8:30 a.m.

Cummins Insight & Code Diagnostic -- Brian Fowler, Cummins Southern Plains

• Quarterly Meeting at 1:30 p.m.

• Lunch Provided • EVTCC Test at 3 p.m.

Must pre-register 21 days prior to test Register to test at www.evtcc.org ALL QUARTERLY MEETINGS ARE FREE Do Not Need To Be A Member To Attend

RSVP PLEASE Tim Dowers, Enid Fire Dept.

580-554-9458 • tdowers@enid.org

SAFER GRANT

Recruitment & Retention First Time Firefighters Firefighter 1 - Bunker Gear

Year-3 Opened Nov. 23, 2018 Funds dispersed on a first-come first-served basis

OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

Sheri Nickel Grant Coordinator

www.OSFA.info • sherin@osfa.info 405-424-1452 office 580-554-7123 cell

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 20199

Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question: “What’s the closest you’ve ever gotten to wildlife?”

Here is what they said: w Greg Lindsay, Oklahoma City: I was hooked by a bull and thrown over a fence during a rodeo, if that counts for wildlife. w Steve Lumry, Oklahoma City Retired: I have been very close to moose, bears, snakes, and many others, but … the closest to truly wildlife was at an OSFA Convention bar crawl. w Greg Roberts, Norman Retired: The closest I’ve gotten to wildlife is holding a live diamondback rattlesnake. w Hal Penner, Weatherford FD Chaplain: Besides being a volunteer firefighter and chaplain, I am also a youth pastor. I work with adolescent boys and girls weekly, and there is not anything more wild and lively than junior high boys! So, I would have to say that I am face-to-face with wildlife on a weekly basis! w Dr. Erick Reynolds, OSU-FST: My wife when she is mad at me! w Bre Horn, Marshall: I have been around all sorts of wildlife in my time, from handling and playing with bobcats, raccoons and lion cubs when I was growing up to also hunting and handling deer, coyotes, dove, quail, rabbits, etc. w Aaron Burns, Broken Arrow Retired: I guess in my teens I did everything and anything. Yep those were my wildlife days. Oh, and a few in my forties. w Bert Norton, Midwest City: I have hunted all my life, so I have been very close to wildlife. w Mike Weinkauf, Orlando: I was deer hunting and walking up a creek in the woods and looked up and there was a huge whitetail buck right in front of me. Then it ran off. Never seen it again. w Marti Carpenter, OSFA Women’s Auxiliary: Not very close at all. I am extremely indoorsy. I have three dogs. Does that count as wildlife?

Perhaps a better question would have been this: “What’s the closest you’ve ever gotten to wildfire?”

Here is how two readers answered that: w Aaron Williams, Tecumseh: Close enough to bubble the paint and headlight on a rig. w Kyle Davis, Altus: Well, I guess about as close as close can be.

Once I had a grass rig overtaken by a 12’ wall of fire. Smoke was so bad, I had to stop an engine going by to get an air pack off it so I could go back out in the burned area to retrieve the scorched grass rig.

Next Month’s Question -“How do you combat germs?”

Everyone is Welcome to Participate!

Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info

n

SAFER Grant Sheri Nickel

SAFER Grant Coordinator

I am frustrated as I hear stories of failing departments.

But the fact is that you cannot have a 1960’s model volunteer fire department and expect it to work in 2019.

Gone are the days of being able to hang out at the fire department and drink beer or ride on a brush truck in shorts and a t-shirt.

So many volunteer agencies haven’t kept up with the needs, growth and changes of their community and yet we are accountable to our people who pay taxes and expect us to be professional on scene. And, with people’s time these days, they barely have time for their families -- not to mention time for volunteering.

The baby boomers and generation x’ers account for the majority of the leadership in our departments, and they are blaming the millennials for the decline in volunteerism.

They claim that they are the “me” generation and that they don’t want to do anything for free.

But perhaps the older generation needs to look at what they are doing to the millennials who want to help their communities.

This new generation understands budgets, elections, certifications and especially safety.

Afterall, WE are the ones that taught them fire safety in elementary schools.

They have been raised in today’s society that us older folks regularly question as to whether or not it is even safe to leave the house. They were taught that seat belts save lives and to work smarter, not harder.

They understand that technology makes our lives easier, their way of learning is methodical and they are taught to pass tests. They were raised by US, the ones that carried pagers and left their birthday parties if the tones dropped.

Now that they are grown-ups and want to

come in and do their part to help, they are being told that they don’t need to go to training, that they will get all that they need on the job.

But while on scene, they are told to stand by the truck and watch or left behind at the station because they took too long putting on their bunker gear, a safety measure that a lot of firefighters overlook when hurrying up to jump a call.

The millennials are respectable young men and women who have been taught not to “take their problems out back and fight it out” unless they want a week suspension from school taking them out of their school activities so they aren’t confronting fire department leaders and just deciding this isn’t their “jam” and resigning.

We have all heard ump-teen times that “fire behavior has changed.” But the behavior of the people expected to put out the fire hasn’t.

Our leaders have to stop hiding behind their tough guy mentalities and share their institutional knowledge.

Our departments aren’t going to implode because we have millennial firefighters. By not allowing these so called “kids” on your department, you aren’t helping your communities.

The time is getting near that US older people can’t keep doing what we have done for 20 years.

Who are the firefighters that are going to save us someday?

Internal strife caused by personalities is one of the largest problems with retention on a volunteer fire department.

If you truly want your fire departments to flourish, it is time to open your minds and realize that these kids are the beasts that YOU helped create.

Times are changing, fire is changing, training is available and funding is obtainable. Volunteer fire departments can succeed in 2019.

It is up to you to take a long look at YOURSELF and see if you can change.

OSFA Offers Individual Pay Health Insurance to Members You asked for it, and now we have it as a benefit of membership!

OSFA has partnered with Manhattan Life and Custom Benefits to provide customized health insurance benefits at group rates for all who are interested.

It doesn’t matter if you are a volunteer, paid, active, or retired -- you are eligible!

We have numerous options to choose from and believe that you will find a plan that is right for you.

There are no high-pressure sales tactics, and you choose only what you need or want or nothing at all. It is entirely up to you.

Plans to choose from include: • Affordable Choice and First Choice Medical: Limited coverage medical insurance that will help with paying unexpected medical bills.

• Accident Coverage: Coverage for the occasional accident or minor injury.

• Cancer Coverage: Every firefighter should have this. You know the risk and are taking actions to minimize it, but it’s still there.

• Dental and Vision Coverage: If you need it, it’s available too.

Visit the OSFA website (www.osfa.info) and fill out a short form to get a quick medical quote to fit your needs.

If you have any questions on your potential medical coverage or plans, please contact Candice Barber at 800-752-3419 or candice@cbenefits.com.

10March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

NEAR-MISS REPORT

By Greg Lindsay

Responding to Treatment A new normal for many of our firefighters involves mercantile facilities that sell marijuana.

Laws enacted in our state have been approved by referendum and marijuana displays are popping up in almost every town. The businesses are showing up in strip centers and standalone shops on both main street and back streets across every community.

It can present a unique problem during a fire event.

In some cases, the fire departments have trained to keep pace with the challenges we face in this market. Recognizable facilities that sell controlled substances from large chain stores have big signs on the building, and are protected by automatic systems and video monitoring.

Medical marijuana stores could be moving into the vacant building next door with little to no code updating required. With this industry grossing more than $6.7 billion (Forbes.com) in 2016, the prospect of more facilities opening in the years to come is an easy prediction.

There are elements that go into the development of this industry.

One development includes legal growing operations. In the report featured this month, a code enforcement officer performing a routine inspection is overcome by a release of CO2 gas.

Consider how your crew would address an incident in this facility.

Marijuana Grow Facility Overcomes Inspector EVENT DESCRIPTION Part of the routine day-to-day duties of the fire prevention bureau of my department is marijuana code enforcement. The legalization of marijuana has created a new unique service to our communities, and the fire code doesn’t accurately detail what is approved and what is not.

This near miss is a call to other members of the fire service involved in code enforcement to raise their situational awareness and reduce the exposure to the chemical processes used in this billion-dollar industry.

During an annual scheduled inspection of a marijuana grow facility, the inspector was performing the duties of that office and going through the prescribed checklist with the marijuana compliance officer of that business.

During the inspection, the inspector and the compliance officer were discussing the chemical processes used daily, and everything appeared to be normal.

About 90 minutes into the inspection, both the inspector and the compliance officer started to feel lightheaded and nauseous to the point that they both decided to leave the building and go outside for fresh air.

After several minutes out in the fresh air, they both went back in to check the carbon dioxide (CO2) distribution system and found a small leak in the feeder line to the unit.

This leak was producing close to 35,000 ppm of CO2 in the facility, which is 5,000 ppm shy of the IDLH toxicity threshold.

The inspector called for hazmat, and they were able to secure the leak, write an order to comply and safely return the facility to the owner.

LESSONS LEARNED Our department learned a valuable lesson. The CO2 malfunction brought to light a new and emerging threat to both marijuana grow owners, and first responders that we were unaware existed.

Routine CO2 distribution in these facilities is anywhere from 1500-1800 ppm.

Normal air we breathe daily is around 400-500 ppm.

As a result, we worked hard with our city engineers and have since appended the code to mandate CO2 latching systems on all facilities that will prevent an incident like this from happening again.

This event details one unique circumstance that occurred because of the change in our laws. What other changes could we expect?

• Many states require tracking marijuana production from the seed to the store.

Does your department inspect local grow operations. Are you familiar with the unique characteristics of a marijuana grow operation, and how might you manage this type of incident?

• After the product is grown and prepared for sale, are there any requirements

OKC Fire Department for licensing the proprietor or the business? Who is the authority that manages this licensing and would your department do a walkthrough or facility inspection at this business?

• When a new store opens are there any requirements for upgrading the building to meet current occupancy codes? Are the codes different for business that sell controlled substances?

• After a fire in a store that sells controlled substances, would you consider exposure reports for the interior firefighters? Everybody on scene?

• How do you confirm the responsible party when releasing the occupancy and insure consumables potentially damaged by products of combustion are properly inspected/disposed of?

For many of us this brings a new set of questions about how we must do business. Each response brings a new element and having this as something more to consider can find firefighters wondering where to turn for answers.

Should the consideration of exposure to the smoke warrant a note in the logbook or an exposure report. If a responder is selected for drug testing in the next few days, would an absorption exposure be detectable?

When a fire in a building occurs and marijuana is found it should be treated like other occupancies that sell controlled substances. When a responsible party can be located, the property should be released to them just as it would if it were a pharmacy.

When any questions arise about consumable products exposed to extinguishing agents or products of combustion, follow your local protocol where any consumable products are exposed.

In addition to talking about smoke from a fire alarm, we have yet to discuss a medical call at a residence where marijuana is consumed legally while we are there. The best practice includes limiting exposure, moving the patient to an openair location, and asking the person responsible to delay their medical marijuana treatment until we clear the building.

In addition, what do we do if there are children in the room during treatment?

Becoming more familiar with the entire process is a necessity for our fire departments. There are things about this industry that require more understanding.

Upgraded code enforcement and addressing best practices to our guidelines is only the first part of understanding how to manage this type of incident.

The database at www.Firefighternearmiss.com has three reports that involve marijuana. Because legal marijuana is new in most states there have not been many reports registered.

Please consider sharing your department’s experiences with this industry. Just as the first five minutes of an incident sets the tone for the rest of an incident, right now is the time to make the most impact with your experiences.

Thank you for reading.

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Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201911

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12March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY UPDATE Current requirements and guidelines around door locking and fire alarm systems from the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) help ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff in the event of targeted violence threats. While many of these features are easy to address in new school construction, school administrators and fire officials have asked questions about implementing some of them in existing schools, as they can present challenges. The following questions and answers explain NFPA’s current provisions and how they can be safely applied. This document also offers information to help strengthen school safety when local officials determine that alternative design options might work equally well.

HOW CAN I KEEP MY SCHOOL SAFE? Can classroom doors be locked to prevent an intruder from entering?

Yes, the 2018 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, contains new rules that allow safe door locking to prevent intruders from gaining access while ensuring that people can still readily evacuate in an emergency. Doors need to have the ability to be unlocked from outside the classroom to permit entry by staff or first responders.

Can classroom doors be barricaded to prevent intruders from entering a classroom?

No. NFPA 101 requires doors to be readily opened from the classroom side. Makeshift devices such as after-market locking and barricades, wedges, rope, and chains not only violate this rule, but can either slow down or prevent first responders from quickly entering a classroom, or they can be used by an intruder to trap people inside and keep first responders from getting in.

Can exterior exit doors be locked to prevent unauthorized people from entering a school?

NFPA 101 permits exterior exit doors (those that lead directly to the outside) to be locked from the outside to control who can enter the building. From the inside, those same doors need to allow people to leave during emergencies. All occupants must be able to exit the building without needing a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort to open the door.

Can a fire alarm system be disabled to prevent it from being used to draw people out into a school’s common areas and outside?

NFPA 101 requires schools to have fire alarm systems.

There are no allowances in the codes to disable them. These systems need to be maintained and operable to alert the occupants and protect people from the effects of fire. Schools, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies should coordinate to develop protocols for occupant response to fire alarms during targeted violence incidents.

Are manual fire alarm boxes (pull stations) allowed to be removed?

Yes. NFPA 101 permits manual systems to be removed if the school is equipped with either an automatic sprinkler system or an automatic smoke detection system.

NFPA 101, LIFE SAFETY CODE: A KEY ELEMENT OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY Used or applied by every state in the U.S., the Life Safety Code provisions require that virtually all types of buildings are designed and built so that people can safely escape in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Visit nfpa.org/101 for more information and free access.

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201913

n

Museum news Gene Brown Museum Director geneb@osfa.info 405-424-3440

Hello Everyone!

Work continues on the 1954 Ward Lafrance that was recently donated to the museum by the Stuart FD. If there is anyone out there who would like to volunteer to help get it going, we could use the help.

We are working on the brakes now.

Next step is getting it running. This is a slow process with just three of us working on it part time.

Any help would really speed up the

process. If you are interested please give me a call. Thank you.

Everything is going pretty good at your museum. We are looking forward to the repairs getting underway on the Memorial.

That is job one right now. Work will start as soon as weather permits.

Please make plans to attend the OSFA Convention in June. Ponca City has a great convention planned!

Have a great day!

Help support your Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Expansion and the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial by purchasing an Oklahoma Firefighter license tag.

Money received from the purchase of each tag goes directly to financing upkeep on the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial and Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.

Oklahoma Firefighter tags cost $35 a year (on top of regular tag fees) and $20 goes directly to the Museum/Memorial.

Tags can be purchased from local tag agents any time during the year -- not just with your regular plate. And they can be customized to 6 letters as approved by the Tax Commission.

ABOVE: Inspecting the 1954 Ward Lafrance upon its arrival at the Firefighters Museum.

AT LEFT: Oklahoma State Firefighters Association hats in stock at the Museum Gift Store.

BELOW: OSFA Executive Director Steve Lumry and Museum Director Gene Brown, accept a donation of $1032.00 from Judy Dixon (middle), a representative of the Eastern Star organization.

The money will be used to help pay for maintenance and upkeep of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Memorial.

Museum Expansion Video OSFA has released a video showing the design of the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum expansion project.

View it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJiWhIobWw4&featu re=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2YMecxe_j-fqWn4j8XWdmvGJ--ZhhhLX6At9n1BIGlk4mdPkpUjmQfggY. Progress is being made in fundraising efforts -- $1.3 million out of $9.5 million was raised in 2018.

Donations can be made at OSFA.info or by purchasing an Oklahoma Firefighter car tag.

OSFA LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS

14March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

(Highlights of Association’s Work Since 1989)

Passed Oklahoma Deferred Option Plan.

1989

Established college benefits for children of firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Passed HB 1551 allowing members of the Oklahoma Fire Service called into active military duty to receive credit for time served in the military. Also removed the obligation to pay contributions into the pension system during active duty.

1991

Passed SB 524 qualifying Plan B with the Internal Revenue Service.

Passed HB 1788 allowing volunteer firefighters transferring to paid departments to count up to five years of volunteer time toward a 20-year paid pension.

1992

Passed new state law requiring all proceeds, assets and income of state pension systems to be administered as in trust for a limited purpose. Retirement systems’ assets cannot be used for any other purpose.

Removed penalty when surviving spouse of a firefighter remarries.

1993 1994

Passed disability language to include burn injuries.

Codified new statute regarding COLA disbursement by state pension systems.

1999

Increased pension death benefit to $5,000.

Passed HB 1234 regarding presumptions for infectious diseases (Hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Meningitis and Tuberculosis).

2001

Created avenue for death benefit to be paid directly to funeral home, avoiding tax liability for the family.

Clarified language regarding infectious disease presumption, making it retroactive. Also cleaned up language regarding pension system.

2002

Established regular 5% COLA for retirees. Also increased volunteer multiplier to $6.69.

2003

Passed Backdrop Bill and reamortized the Firefighters Pension System for 30 years.

Created the Council on Firefighter Training and introduced the $200 and $400 tax credits for volunteer training. Also passed pension increases for paid and volunteer firefighters.

2004 2006

Passed a 4% COLA for retirees. Legislators repaid the money the state borrowed in 2003, reducing the Insurance Premium Tax contribution back to 34 percent.

Passed legislation that protects the Firefighters Pension System’s funding stream against any newly-created transferable tax credits.

2008

Passed another 4% COLA for retirees.

2009

Passed legislation that protects the integrity of, and defines the duties of, the position of fire chief.

Passed legislation that will help identify existing tax credits that are negatively impacting the funding stream for the Firefighters Pension System

As

The firefigh sary inf Plea letter. L describ Then Plea your Se Senator

Ano Legisla details

H

1997

CA

FREE

2011 2018

HB 1340 Provided for a one-time stipend of between $350 $1,000 to paid firefighters and $100 to volunteer firefighters.

Saved the Volunteer Tax Credit and got it moved to the State Fire Marshal’s Office as FTAC.

Gov. Dew left, And Stillwat and Dav

ALL TO ACTION: CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201915

sk Them To Support Firefighter Issues

time has come to contact your legislators and ask them to support our hter issues. The talking points at right will provide you with the necesformation. ase contact your legislator this month by email, phone call, text or by Let them know that you are a firefighter and a constituent and then be your personal situation and how the bill affects you. n ask for their support! It’s that easy! ase make the contact with your Representative before March 15 and enator by March 29. If you don’t know who your Representative or r is, go to http://www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislator.aspx.

other opportunity to visit with your legislators is the 18th annual OSFA ative Reception March 27 at the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum (more below). Hope to see you there!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

• Get a bowl of Famous Firehouse Chili • Get a Stuffed Jalepeno or two or three or more

• Get to meet and greet your constituents

• Get to mingle with Oklahoma Firefighters

OSFA Legislative Reception 2019

Wednesday, March 27 • 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum 2716 NE 50th Street, OKC, OK 73111

E for all Legislators and Firefighters -- Active, Retired and Volunteer

wey Bartlett signing the 3/4 Pension Bill (HB 1616) in February 1970. Present were, from dy Miller, OSFA Director; Bill Burgess, Tulsa FD; George King, Tulsa FD; Bill Maddox, ter FD; Byron Hollander, OCFD; Pete Stavros, OCFD; Joe Mountford, Speaker Pro-Tem; vid Darby, OCFD.

OSFA MEMBER TALKING POINTS

These talking points are intended to provide a guide to the OSFA membership for contacting their personal legislators by mail, email, Capitol visits, and MOST IMPORTANTLY during face-to-face conversations in their hometowns:

n COLA (Top Priority) HB2304 (Rep. Avery Frix) -- SUPPORT • Firefighters are not eligible to collect Social Security benefits

• If they do earn them from a separate day-off job, SS benefits are automatically and immediately reduced by 60% due to being a member of an IRS qualified pension system. (Their spouse’s SS benefits are also reduced by 60% just because they are married to a firefighter).

• The COLA language helps restore the buying power of retired firefighters.

• The last increase that our retirees have had was in 2008 (11 years ago). The COLA, as initially written in the bill, is for an 8% increase. This amount is necessary because the Cost of Living has increased 19.1% and Social Security (that we don’t get) has increased 22.3% since our last COLA in 2008.

• The CPI-U is calculated by the federal government and is the basis of social security increases on an annual program. Folks that are eligible for social security have already received these same increases over the last 11 years. We are only asking to start catching up!

• The Pension System can afford this plan which will only cause a minor 2% decline in the funded ratio over one year. The System will continue to grow in a positive manner even with this catch up.

• Volunteer firefighters’ multiplier will be increased from $7.53 times the years of service to $10.00 times the years of service. That will increase the volunteer pension from $150.60/month to $200.00/month. An increase of only about $50/month.

n Pension Correction Legislation (#2 Priority) HB2269 (Rep. Josh West) -- SUPPORT • Must be completed on an annual basis to keep the pension system in line with IRS rules and regulations to maintain our qualified status.

n Title 19 Fire Protection District (#3 Priority) SB164 (Sen Roland Pederson) -- SUPPORT • Installs fire department rules similar to the rules governing other types of fire departments in the state, but attuned to their needs.

• This was requested by an overwhelming majority of these types of fire departments.

n Off-duty paid firefighters or Retired paid firefighters being allowed to work as volunteers in their home communities (#4 Priority) HB2051 (Rep Mike Sanders) SUPPORT • Many paid and retired firefighters in Oklahoma live in smaller rural communities.

• These firefighters possess a wealth of training and knowledge that could benefit their local community.

• These firefighters are willing and able to help their local volunteer fire departments, but realize there are certain pension regulations that prevent this practice. In fact, they could jeopardize their pension if they help locally.

• If we don’t PROPERLY change the pension regulations, it could jeopardize the pension system and its IRS qualified status.

• There needs to be safeguards and protections in place to ensure these firefighters don’t jeopardize their pension or their pension system while still allowing them to volunteer locally where needed.

Please inform the legislators that the OSFA contacts at the Capitol are Don Armes and/or Julia Jernigan.

Please send a short email update to stevel@osfa.info after any response from your legislator. Please include your name, the legislator you spoke with and their response to each issue that you addressed with them.

16March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

OKLAHOMA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION 97th OFCA Conference April 3-5, 2019 • At Claremore Conference Center • Hosted by Claremore FD • Wednesday, April 3 -- Golf Tournament at Claremore’s Heritage Hills Golf Course.

Registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tee off 1 p.m.

Entry fee is $75 per person or $300 per team.

Includes lunch, green fees, cart, prizes.

• Thursday, April 4 -- Keynote speaker Jim Mathis, Reinventing Your Leadership.

• Friday, April 5 -- Business meeting.

Reports from OSFA and ORFA; Election of OFCA 3rd Vice President.

REGISTRATION:

n By March 20 $125 per member (includes spouse or guest) n After March 20 $175 per member & $175 per spouse/guest Cancellations must be made by March 15.

Otherwise, there will be a charge

Please plan on attending -- and bring as many folks from your FD as possible.

The 2019 OFCA Conference will be a learning experience & great time to socialize.

ACCOMODATIONS: Holiday Inn Express & Suites 918-283-4877 $89 per night (plus tax) Single King or Double Queen (next door to Claremore Conference Center)

2019 OFCA WORKSHOPS

FOR MORE INFO:

405-424-1452 • 800-308-5336 405-424-1032 (FAX) trishac@osfa.info • www.osfa.info

Pre-Conference Workshop • Jan. 30 102 attendees from 45 FDs

OFCA Workshop • Jan. 31-Feb. 1 131 attendees from 50 FDs

Photos By Trisha Chain, OSFA

OSFA STATE FIRE SCHOOL

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201917

n

Bre Horn

May 2-5, 2019

STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING At Tulsa FD’s Fire Training Facility & Tulsa Comm. College NE

The #1 Free Fire Training Event in the Southwest United States 4 Days u 100+ Classes u All for FREE

Offering Great Courses from all over the Nation!

Register Online at www.osfa.info

educational advisory Report Marshall FD

Educational Advisory Committee Oh wow! How time has flown by as we have all been working hard preparing for the 2019 OSFA State Fire School May 2-5 in Tulsa.

Have you been to this amazing fire school yet? If not, I strongly encourage you to go and check out the exciting classes offered. And if you have, I encourage you to do the same, and I also challenge you to bring others to attend.

You can register online at www.osufst.org or by calling OSU-FST at 405-744-5727.

Register today before the classes you want fill up.

The amazing thing about this school is that we are offering all the classes for FREE! So there really is not a great excuse to not go.

We have classes scheduled as 2, 4, 8, or 16 hour time slots, so you can come for one day and take a class, or take up to four classes a day depending on what you pick.

Another great thing, among the many about this school, is you can come one day or all four days -- either way you will gain a network among fellow firefighters.

There are classes for everyone -- from those only on a couple days to those that have been serving for years in the fire service! To list a few examples, we will have Heavy Extrication Essentials, Rescue Task Force – Active Attack Integrated Response Training, Critical Weather Data at your Fingertips: The OK Mesonet, and many many more fascinating classes that you will take a lot back home from.

Friday and Saturday, we are offering evening events to give everyone a chance to get to know others around them that they otherwise may not have ever met.

I truly hope to see everyone out there to share the experience with you and those at your fire house.

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OSFA Snapshots

18March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

Got something going on at your Fire Department?

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

n

in memoriam Daniel Hyer, Oklahoma City FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Oklahoma City Fire Department Lieutenant Daniel Hyer on Jan. 26. He was 52.

Daniel was a dedicated and caring individual who will be greatly missed. Many thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the OKC Fire Department.

Jason Smith, Crescent FD

Feb. 9 -- 45th annual Fairview FD Chili & Stew Supper

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Cescent FD Captain Jason Smith on Feb. 22. He was 43.

Jason faithfully served Crescent residents for more than 20 years as a volunteer firefighter.

He also volunteered on the Crescent Ambulance service, working as an EMT for a number of years.

Jason loved everything about the fire service.

Healdton VFD Celebrates 102 Years

Feb. 11 -- Online Firefighter 1 Class at Hitchcock FD

During the Oklahoma oil boom in the 1800s, a large tank battery fire broke out just west of Healdton in the Dundee Oilfields along with multiple fires in town.

At the time, Healdton did not have a fire department established, so the call was made to Wilson FD to respond. The decision was made by the citizens of town to establish a fire department for Healdton in 1917.

The department, which also joined the OSFA in 1917, was consisted of mainly oilfield workers, farmers and business owners. The first man in charge to run and manage the department was Fire Chief J.W. Horn, who was a long time Healdton citizen.

The department consisted of one paid fire chief and 15 volunteers.

Today, Healdton FD consists of 22 members -- 100% volunteer and proudly serving the community for 102 years!

Scenes of Oil Fire, Healdton Field

Jan. 15 -- Online Firefighter 1 Class at Drumright FD

Bartlesville FD Celebrates 114 Years Bartlesville Fire Department’s first fire run was on Jan. 31, 1905, to the Piazza Hotel on Third and Keeler.

And on Jan. 31, 2019, Bartlesville FD celebrated 114 years of service. The department joined the OSFA in 1906.

Jan. 22 -- Online Firefighter 1 Class at Ardmore FD

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201919

n

Women’s Aux report

Marti Carpenter

page to ponder

Greetings Everyone!

I would like to visit this month about injury. MerriamWebster’s definition is “an act that damages or hurts.”

The CDC statistics say that injury is the leading cause of death among persons age 1-44, more deaths of motor vehicle crashes, falls, or homicides than any other cause, including cancer.

Injury happens at a time that is at most inconvenient, which is anytime, correct? Injuries cause loss of time at your job, time with family, and basically everything else you would rather be doing other than being injured.

Injuries cause pain, both physical and mental. The dollars spent to repair and recover from injuries can be very expensive to you, your employer and insurance provider.

Injuries that require surgery to repair broken bones using pins, screws or some type of hardware for stability can keep a person out of work for up to 10 months, And for a department that is already under staffed, that can be extremely tough to provide the same level of service that your customers rely on.

When an injury occurs, there are always reports, investigations and someone that wants to know how and why this happened.

I was once informed that there are no accidents -- every injury is preventable. Well, when you are on the broken bone side of that argument, that comment seems to agitate the situation even more.

Guess what, the investigation revealed an engi-

FSIO report

Rodney Foster

Jr Board Member

Hello OSFAWA members!

Spring is right around the corner, and I just want to take this chance to remind you of a few things before we are all caught up in the busy season of weddings, graduations, sports seasons, and anything else that seems to grab our attention.

First, I would encourage anyone who signed up for a committee to get with the others on the list and try to organize a time to meet up or communicate and see if there is anything you want to discuss before convention time.

If anyone needs to know what committee they were assigned to/signed up for, please reach out to anyone on the executive board.

Also, I’d like everyone to please consider coming into the city and helping Gene and the museum staff with the “Ride to Remember.” I know I’ve mentioned this before, but this is an event you don’t want to miss! It is an amazing experience.

The date is April 20 and soon we will post a time to report to the museum on our Facebook page. If you or anyone you know is interested in actually participating in the poker run, you can register in person at Margarita Island or online RTROKC.COM. Lastly, I want to remind everyone to keep Convention in mind. It seems like summer is so far away, but by the time you read this, we will only be 12 short weeks from the 87th Annual OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Convention in conjunction with the OSFA 125th Annual Convention in Ponca City.

I look forward to seeing all of you there!

n

n

2018-19 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Executive Board PRESIDENT Erica Koch ejv97@cox.net (405) 308-2010 VICE PRESIDENT Susan Walker sw233821@gmail.com (580) 351-4116 JR BD MEMBER Marti Carpenter marticarpenter@att.net (405) 590-4608 PAST PRESIDENT Tennie Green tennie.green@gmail.com (918) 440-7060

Bryan West

FSIO President

FSIO has been very busy this year.

We are proud to provide a very simple training plan to any fire department that could use it. We have placed this plan on the FSIO website (fsio.org).

All you need to do, to look at the training plan, is create an account and log in.

At the top of the page you will see upcoming events. Toward the bottom of the page you will find that we have a PDF that you are able to print.

We hope, if you are in need of training ideas, this will come in handy.

Many fire departments have training nights and complete valuable training; this is a way to ensure that your training has good documentation. We are providing about 20 hours with the plan but you can repeat the training to really get the muscle memory of the skills.

We are so exited about the upcoming year and look forward to meeting new firefighters that want to make impacts in their departments. We have been out in many locations attempting to get the plan out to fire departments. We hope you might find it useful.

We were lucky to be invited to Volunteer Caucus, Canadian County, Atoka County, Woodward County and Logan County. All were very valuable to our mission.

We strive to make the training programs better. Developing instructors for the fire service is why we exist.

Hopefully what we have in this training plan will be a benefit to training personnel through out our great state.

Please feel free to contact us if we can do anything to help.

OSU-FST • OSFA Safety & Health Committee

neering flaw and not being aware of the surrounding hazards, not an accident.

So how do we prevent injuries? Strategies often known as the 3 E’s of injury prevention are: Education, Engineering Modifications, and Enforcement/ Enactment.

Therefore, after some required slips, trips, and falls education, an engineering modification for the problem, we are all ready to enforce more safety awareness for everyone on the team.

The common causes of work place injuries are:

1) Overexertion Overexertion is the number one cause of work place injury. Physical exertion such as pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, and crawling, which are all tasks conducted on the fireground.

Carrying equipment for a structure fire, ladders, PPV’s, tools, yes we have all been there in a rush to get equipment set, lift wrong or twist the wrong way, stepping in a hole covered with leaves can all result in an injury.

Be aware of your surroundings, slow down and ensure you are using the proper method to carry, push, pull, etc.

2) Slips, Trips, and Falls Some of the leading causes of most disabling workplace injuries. Slips, trips, and falls can occur while walking when surfaces are wet or frozen, when climbing ladders, and when entering or exiting equipment and apparatus.

Be aware of walking surfaces, use handrails or grab handles and always have three points of contact while climbing.

3) Poor Housekeeping Poor housekeeping creates all kinds of hazards, and often results in workplace injuries. Always keep equipment and gear in its designated place, not in the walkway or a place out of the normal.

For example, the coffee table in the living room that’s been in the same place for years, then someone moves it, Ouch! Keep clutter and items not used frequently in an appropriate place.

4) Taking Shortcuts Shortcuts may seem like an efficient way to complete daily tasks, but not at the risk of your safety and others around you.

Always reinforce proper procedures on a regular basis and make sure employees are aware of the risks associated to taking shortcuts.

5) Distractions If your day doesn’t start well before you leave home, you will carry those worries and problems to work with you. When you drop your mental guard it can shift your focus away from safe work procedures.

Distraction when walking, entering doorways, and tripping on clutter can cause injury. Remain focused on the task at hand and try to leave the distractions behind.

Many workplace injuries can be prevented through good housekeeping, focus on your task, be aware of your surroundings, and use caution.

Injuries will happen, even to the best of us. Remember to always wear your PPE, click that seatbelt, know your limitations and abilities during strenuous activities, and help remind others around you to be safety aware. Stay Safe!

20March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

www.osufst.org

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

March 2019 CLASS SCHEDULE Current as of February 18, 2019

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

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted

EMS Medical NCCP (72287) March 1-2 (6 hours) • $500 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71172) March 6 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part A (71574) March 2-3 (16 hours) Western Tech Center - Elk City

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71174) March 6 (8 hours) Moore Fire Department

Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (71986) March 2-3 (16 hours) Pawnee Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71173) March 7 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

Wildland Fire Fighting: Fundamentals (72300) March 2-9 (16 hours) Watonga Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71175) March 7 (8 hours) Moore Fire Department

Pump Operations (72480) March 2 (8 hours) Broken Bow Fire Department

EMS Instructor Update (72943) March 7 (8 hours) • $500 - All Participants Case Community Center

EMS Airway/Resp/Vent NCCP (72288) March 2 (1.5 hours) • $250 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71176) March 8 (8 hours) Moore Fire Department

EMS Operations NCCP (72289) March 2 (5 hours) • $500 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater

Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies (71966) March 8-10 (24 hours) Coalgate Fire Department

Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (71987) March 3 (4 hours) Pawnee Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71192) March 9 (8 hours) Guymon Fire Department

EMS Cardiovascular NCCP (72290) March 3 (6 hours) • $500 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater

Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (71704) March 9 (8 hours) Northeast Tech Center - Afton

EMS Truama NCCP (72291) March 3 (1.5 hours) • $250 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater

Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (71988) March 9-10 (16 hours) Great Plains Tech Center - Lawton

Curriculum Development (Instructor II) (71906) March 4-7 (32 hours) • $2500 - Oklahoma Emergency Responders • $4000 - Out-of-state Responders Edmond Fire Department

NIMS ICS 400 (EMI) Advanced Incident Command System (72634) March 9-10 (16 hours) Broken Bow Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71169) March 5 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71202) March 5 (8 hours) Chickasha Fire Department

Wildland Fire Fighting: Skills (72886) March 9-10 (16 hours) Tri-City Fire Department, Madill EMS Instructor Update (72944) March 9 (8 hours) • $500 - All Participants Dickson Fire Dept., Ardmore

Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (71705) March 9 (1 hour) Northeast Tech Center - Afton

Certification Retest: Driver Operator Aerial (72706) March 15 (2 hours) • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Certification Retest: Officer II (72717) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (71989) March 10 (4 hours) Great Plains Tech Center - Lawton

Certification Retest: Driver Operator Pumper (72707) March 15 (2 hours) • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies (72516) March 15-17 (24 hours) Woodward Fire Department

Fire Fighter I Academy (72307) March 11-April 5 (96 hours) • $11500 - All Participants Pontotoc Tech Center - Ada Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71193) March 12 (8 hours) McAlester Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71424) March 12 (8 hours) El Reno Fire Department OEM Staging Area Manager (72097) March 12 (5 hours) Pontotoc Tech Center - Ada Industrial: 8 Hr. Rope/Confined Space Rescue Refresher Training (72483) March 13 (8 hours) • $29750 - Industrial / Military OG&E - Horseshoe Lake, Harrah Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71194) March 13 (8 hours) McAlester Fire Department

Certification Retest: Fire Fighter I (72708) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II Certification Retest: Fire Fighter II (72709) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Awareness (72710) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Operations (72711) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Technician (72712) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71425) March 13 (8 hours) El Reno Fire Department

Certification Retest: Inspector I (72713) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

NIMS ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (72635) March 13-14 (16 hours) Comanche Co EOC - Great Plains Tech

Certification Retest: Instructor I (72714) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71195) March 14 (8 hours) McAlester Fire Department

Certification Retest: Instructor II (72715) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71426) March 14 (8 hours) El Reno Fire Department Certification Written Retest (72705) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Certification Retest: Officer I (72716) March 15 • $350 - All Participants Jenks Fire Department Station II

Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (70781) March 16-17 (16 hours) Temple Fire Department Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part B (71575) March 16-17 (16 hours) Western Tech Center - Elk City Exterior Offensive Fire Attack / Structural Fire Scene Size Up (72729) March 16 (8 hours) Cherokee Fire Department Rope Rescue: Low Angle Operations (72806) March 16 (8 hours) Porum Landing Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations Certification (71968) March 17 (8 hours) Coalgate Fire Department Aerial Apparatus Operations (72790) March 19-20 (12 hours) Coffeyville (Kansas) Resources OEM-FEMA G775: EOC Management and Operations (72488) March 19-20 (16 hours) Quapaw Tribe Fire and EMS Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71983) March 21 (8 hours) Yukon Fire-EMS Training Center VFIS Traffic Incident Management System (72292) March 22 (4 hours) • $500 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part B (71481) March 23-24 (16 hours) Northeast Tech Center- Pryor Oklahoma Trauma Education Program (OTEP) (72293) March 23 (2 hours) • $250 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater

www.osufst.org

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201921

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

March 2019 CLASS SCHEDULE Current as of February 18, 2019

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

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted

Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (72339) March 23-24 (16 hours) Dickson Fire Dept., Ardmore Rope Rescue: Low Angle Operations (72885) March 23 (8 hours) • $750 - All Participants Kingston Fire Department Nasal Narcan for the First Responder (72294) March 23 (2 hours) • $250 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater Helicopter Safety Landing Zone (72295) March 23 (2 hours) • $250 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater EMS Vehicle Operation (72296) March 23 (2 hours) • $250 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training (72297) March 24 (8 hours) • $500 - All Participants OSU-FST Classroom, Stillwater Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (72340) March 24 (4 hours) Dickson Fire Dept., Ardmore Hazardous Materials Operations Certification (72518) March 24 (8 hours) Woodward Fire Department Fire Fighter I Academy (71514) March 24-April 5 (96 hours) • $12500 - All Participants OSU-PSC, Stillwater Hazardous Materials Decontamination - OK-RRS Basic Operation (71201) March 26 (6 hours) Duncan Fire Department EMS Instructor Update (72946) March 26 (8 hours) • $500 - All Participants Perry Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71196) March 27 (8 hours) Ada Fire Department

Certification Retest: Driver Operator Aerial (72744) March 28 (2 hours) • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Fire Fighter I (72746) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Fire Fighter II (72747) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Awareness (72748) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Operations (72749) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Technician (72750) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Inspector I (72751) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Instructor I (72752) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Instructor II (72753) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Officer I (72754) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department Certification Retest: Officer II (72755) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71198) March 28 (8 hours) Ada Fire Department

Wildland Fire Fighting: Fundamentals (72436) March 30-31 (16 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs

Fire Fighter I Live Burn Evaluation (72331) March 31 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

Certification Written Retest (72743) March 28 • $350 - All Participants Midwest City Fire Department

Wildland Fire Fighting: Skills (72437) March 30-31 (16 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs

Exterior Offensive Fire Attack / Structural Fire Scene Size Up (72434) March 31 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71200) March 29 (8 hours) Ada Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies (71707) March 29-31 (24 hours) Northeast Tech Center - Afton Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies, T-t-T (71737) March 30 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (72267) March 30-31 (16 hours) Berryhill Fire Protection Dist, Tulsa Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part A (72324) March 30-31 (16 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Wilderness Search and Rescue (72325) March 30-31 (16 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Fire Fighter I Certification (72329) March 30 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department First Responder (Emergency Medical Responder) Refresher (72426) March 30-31 (16 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Rehab for Wildland Fire Fighting (72427) March 30 (4 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Exterior Offensive Fire Attack / Structural Fire Scene Size Up (72433) March 30 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs NFA Incident Safety Officer (F0729) (72435) March 30-31 (16 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs

Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training (72445) March 30 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training TtT (72446) March 30 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs VFIS Traffic Incident Management System (72452) March 30 (4 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Wildland Fire Fighting: Backfiring Operations (72668) March 30-31 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Wildland Fire Fighting: Fundamentals (72948) March 30-31 (16 hours) Autry Technology Center, Enid Rehab for Wildland Fire Fighting Train the Trainer (72428) March 30 (4 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs VFIS Traffic Incident Managment Train-the-Trainer (72457) March 30 (4 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Fire Fighter I Live Burn (72330) March 31 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department

Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training TtT (72447) March 31 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training (72449) March 31 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs VFIS Traffic Incident Management System (72454) March 31 (4 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Hazardous Materials Operations: Product Control T-t-T (72573) March 31 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Wildland Fire Fighting: Backfiring Operations (72817) March 31 (8 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (72268) March 31 (4 hours) Berryhill Fire Protection Dist, Tulsa VFIS Traffic Incident Managment Train-the-Trainer (72458) March 31 (4 hours) Camp Gruber Training, Braggs

UPCOMING DON’T-MISS EVENTS March 20: NW Task Force Meeting, 6 p.m. at Fairview Community Center (206 East Broadway, Fairview, OK 73737). Speakers include Oklahoma Forestry, OSU-FST, OSFA & OEM. RSVP to Cliff Davidson (580-554-1886) or Travis Fortune (580-227-6073).

April 16-18: 8th Annual Southeast Kansas Flammable Liquids and Foam Fire Fighting Conference at Kansas National Guard Armory (Coffeyville, KS). Free for all Fire, EMS, Police and Industry Emergency Responders. For more info, call Coffeyville Resources Fire Chief Jerry Bennett (retired Jenks FD volunteer) at 620-870-4488.

22March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

fire service training

n

Hal Penner

Dr. Erick Reynolds

Weatherford Fire Department Chaplain

OSU FST Director

What Are You Committed To?

erick.reynolds@osufst.org 405-744-5727 (W) • 405-409-0961 (C) Greetings Oklahoma’s Best! Hope all is well in your zip code and you are staying warm, safe and healthy!

It is an exciting Spring. All of our FST folks are extremely busy helping to push forward an agenda of training firefighters across this great state we call home.

There are many upcoming events this Spring. Please consider taking advantage of all of these professional development opportunities.

For you fire chiefs out there, the OFCA will be holding its annual conference April 3-5 in Claremore. Chief Sean Douglas has put together a jam-packed agenda of educational opportunities for all who take advantage of this great opportunity to learn and network!

The annual OSFA State Fire School is May 2-5 in Tulsa, hosted again by Tulsa Fire and Tulsa Community College on the TCC campus.

Folks, it is a really simple deal here!

You can take advantage of training at this school that we simply cannot get to Oklahoma by other means! Please consider being in attendance in Tulsa in May! The ORFA Convention will convene on June 4, the day before the 125th OSFA Convention June 5-8 -- all in Ponca City!

I am humbled that FST can partner with the OSFA on the $2.1 million SAFER grant to provide Firefighter 1 training all across Oklahoma in 2019.

Chaplain’s Corner

The first two classes held in Woodward and Duncan were extremely successful with 42 of 44 students passing all the skills and written exams! Great job folks!

There is a slew of other Firefighter 1 classes scheduled all across Oklahoma in 2019. Please take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

In addition to the Firefighter 1 classes, there are also a number of other classes that can be funded through the grant including Structural Firefighter, EVDT, UTV/ATV, Leadership for small departments, Pump Ops, Calling May Day, Responding to the May Day, Water Shuttle, Wildland Fundamentals, Wildland Skills, Wildland Foam, Vehicle Extrication Fundamentals, Vehicle Extrication Tech 1A, and Rope Fundamentals (low Angle) -- just to name a few!

The 2019 Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer program has been set and the attendees have been notified.

We have an absolutely top-notch group of young up-and-coming fire officers that will be a part of this cohort!

The fire service in Oklahoma is in good hands for the future and this program only helps to support that vision of what we want our Oklahoma Fire Service to be in the future! The first class is scheduled for Feb. 26-28. Good luck!

Tell the people that you love that you love them! Be nice! Stay safe out there!

Nothing affects your life more than your commitments. I have heard it said: “Tell me what you’re committed to, and I’ll tell you what you’re going to be in 10 or 20 years.”

Why? Because what you are committed to now is To post prayer what you will become in the future. Let’s be honest, requests and our commitments shape our life! find up-toAs a firefighter, you train yourself on a regular basis. When you are on shift, you train on apparatus date info and entry, you practice CPR as well as search and on the rescue.

Also, hopefully you are in the habit of being comOklahoma mitted to physical fitness.

Fire None of this just happens to come to us naturally.

They are commitments we must make and keep if we Chaplains, are going to be effective in this line of work. go to www.

You would not even consider showing up to work okfirechapand just sitting in a recliner and playing Fortnite all day eating potato chips and ice cream and expect to lains.org. be able to respond with efficiency and the stamina needed for a tragedy.

No, you make a commitment to ongoing training so that when the call comes in and you are dispatched to someone’s worst day ever, you can provide the needed care.

In the Bible, the apostle Paul (who wrote many letters that are recorded for us today) wrote to his protégé Timothy about the importance of commitments.

He says, “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7).

In essence, I am to keep myself in training for a godly life. Just like training in the fire/rescue service, it does not come naturally. It, too, requires commitment and effort.

So, I encourage you to stay committed to physical fitness, to training in your profession and to seeking out who God is and the great plan He has for your life.

These are commitments that will serve you both now and in the future.

How A Firefighter Can Deal With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder By: Stan Popovich Are you a firefighter who is secretly struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

A firefighter can be exposed to many terrifying images and events that can trigger PTSD. Unfortunately, many firefighters suffer in silence without getting the proper treatment to overcome PTSD. As a result, here are seven helpful tips on how to help a fellow firefighter who is struggling with this fear related disorder.

1. Learn As Much As You Can In Dealing With PTSD: There are many books and information that will educate you on how to deal with PTSD and other mental health issues.

Educating yourself and others about how to recognize PTSD and how to overcome it is very important in one’s recovery.

2. Getting Help Is Not A Sign Of Weakness: Some people may think that getting help is a sign of weakness. In this case, this kind of thinking is flawed.

There is nothing wrong in getting assistance to help

deal with your personal issues. The truth of the matter is that everybody learns something new on a daily basis. Learning how to manage PTSD is no different.

Your main goal should be to find the ways to get your life back on track and not worry about what others may think.

3. Find A Local PTSD Group: It is important that the person who is struggling join a local PTSD support group so they can get advice from others who are dealing with these same issues.

Many people who are struggling with PTSD will be better able to relate to others who may have similar experiences and insights.

4. Dealing With The Bad Dreams: Many firefighters may get nightmares regarding past events related to their job. It is not easy to stop the nightmares, but you can start to reduce the frequency of these bad dreams by talking to a PTSD counselor on a regular basis.

Talking to a PTSD counselor is the first step in reducing your nightmares.

5. Know where to get help: Contact your doctor or

primary care physician to find a PTSD counselor in your area. A person can also go to their local hospital or mental health community center to find people to talk to about your PTSD issues.

6. The worst thing you can do is to do nothing.

Do not wait until it is too late: To this day, there are people who ended their life because they didn’t get the help they needed to manage their mental health issues. Do not let fear stop you from getting treatment.

7. Your situation is not hopeless: There are many avenues a person can take to get their life back on track from PTSD. The key is to make the decision that you will do what it takes to overcome your fear related issues.

Every problem has a solution. You just have to make the effort to find the answers.

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear”. For more information about Stan and to get some more free mental health advice, visit Stan’s website at www.managingfear.com.

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201923 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Chase Rankin

Members Present: Dereck Cassady, Matt Lay, Mike Kelley, Eric Harlow, Cliff Davidson, Scott Vanhorn, Ron Hunter, Juan Rodriquez, Buddy Combs.

Members Absent: Janet Kohls, Dana Cramer, Brandy Manek.

Others Present: Chase Rankin, Executive Director; James Reynolds, Assistant Director; Terri Williams, Executive Secretary; Marc Edwards, Legal Counsel; Troy Brown, Tim Nash and Tony Kay, Andco; Ted Aronson, AJO; Craig Auwaerter, Rui Cardoso, Beutel Goodman; Peter Latara, Kevin Collins and Ted Doyle, ALGER. Glen E. Hash/Broken Arrow - Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective January 1, 2019: Motion made by Vanhorn and seconded

by Lay to modify Application for “Disability in Line of Duty”, to “Service”, effective January 1, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Lay, Harlow, Hunter, Combs and Rodriguez.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Aaron J. Bunch/Newcastle – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective January 9, 2019: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Harlow to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective January 9, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Lay, Harlow, Combs, Hunter and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Kevin D. Armer - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective January 1, 2019: Motion was made by Kelley and seconded by Lay to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Service”, effective January 1, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Harlow, Hunter, Combs, Lay, and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jimmy W. Sohl/Tulsa Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective January 1, 2019: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Harlow to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Service”, effective January 1, 2019.

Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Harlow, Hunter, Combs, Lay, and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

James Bales/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension: No action taken.

Robert Peters/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Combs to approve the Request of Peters to modify from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Nayes: Cassady, Kelley, Davidson, Vanhorn, Combs, Lay, Harlow, Hunter and Rodriguez. Motion carried.

Vicki Mulbery

Executive Secretary

James Reynolds

n Jan. 18 MEETING

Member Services Coordinator

Terri Williams

Executive Director

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

Martha Pierce

Accounts Payable Administrator

Than Dinh

Assistant Director (COO)

Controller

Tim Van Horn

Keely Swonger

Thelisha Clark

Records Administrator

Latoya Battle

Assistant Controller

Assistant Director (CFO)

Data Processor

n CONSENT AGENDA (February 15, 2019) CHECKS TERMINATED IN JANUARY 2018 (Deceased): Adair Jimmy F. Powell Allen Fay J. Rinehart Altus Ginger Crowley Arnett Edward Wildman Bessie Donald Buehler Bethany Garland J. Nance Carney Dawna R. Johnson Davis Willard R. Warren Frederick Jo Anne Bruner Geronimo Bobby J. Roach Granite Robert E. Nuckolls Helena Marilyn Hungerford Hinton Roderick L. Johnson

$5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT:

Keyes McAlester Muskogee OKC Okmulgee Shawnee Spavinaw Stroud Taloga Tulsa Westville Yale

John K. Vannatta Robert L. Dunn Roy Hickey Charles W. Thompson Darla N. Maxwell Sandra G. Vanzant Bruce E. Trout Carlos Ann Ward Retta M. Speer Diana L. Mitchell Geraldine Sloan Gladys Jester

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 07/01/2017 02/01/2019 02/01/2019

Bethany Broken Bow Clinton Duncan Kiowa Medford OKC OKC Pocola Tulsa Wainwright

Betty C. Hoskins, Widow Of Milton W. Hoskins Bonnie L. Whitten, Widow Of Lewis W. Whitten Vonita Unruh, Widow Of Nolan Unruh Wilma S. Sears, Widow Of Delbert L. Sears Bobbie J. Cearley, Widow Of Dan J. Cearley Connie Smith, Widow Of Greg Smith Ruth A. McMillon, Widow Of Arley D. McMillon Carrie L. Meeks, Widow Of Cecil R. Meeks Deborah Howard, Widow Of Michael L. Howard Sondra Mauldin, Widow Of Mark C. Mauldin Debbie Johnson, Widow Of Darrell W. Johnson

APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION: Agra Apache Asher Broken Arrow Byng Crescent Glenpool Hogeye Minco Mountain View Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Sentinel Tullahassee Tullahassee Willow Willow Willow Willow

Arnett Shaw Funeral Home On Behalf Of Edward Wildman Carnegie Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home On Behalf Of David W. Bowlin Gate Troy Shook, Child Of Kenneth D. Shook Geronimo Patsy J. Lewis, Death Recipient For Bobby J. Roach Haskell Deloris A. Damme, Widow Of Carl P. Damme Keyes Rusty Dye, Death Recipient Of John Vannatta Medford Connie Smith, Widow Of Greg C. Smith McAlester Brumley-Mills Funeral Home On Behalf Of Robert L. Dunn OKC Susan Houston, Widow Of Raymond L. Houston OKC Ruth Ann McMillon, Widow Of Aley D. McMillon OKC Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary On Behalf Of Cecil R. Meeks OKC Sharon Smith, Child Of Charles W. Thompson Pawnee Poteet Funeral Home On Behalf Of Alford J. Majors Porter Darren Kilpatrick, Co-Death Recipient For Bill G. Kilpatrick Porter Susan Kilpatrick, Co-Death Recipient For Bill G. Kilpatrick Purcell Wilson-Little Funeral Home On Behalf Of Tommy L. Herell Tulsa Floral Haven Funeral Home On Behalf Of Robert L. Ridenour Tulsa Marilyn J. Srader, Widow Of Davis M. Srader Wetumka Williamson-Spradlin Funeral On Behalf Of Kenward K. Maxwell Yukon Dainna Mayfield, Child Of Robert W. Russell

02/01/2019 01/15/2019 10/01/2018 02/02/2019 01/05/2019 12/20/2018 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 11/08/2018 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/05/2019 07/06/2018 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019 02/01/2019

APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM:

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT:

Bethany Broken Bow Chandler Chandler Chouteau Edmond Edmond Edmond Edmond Edmond Edmond Edmond Edmond Edmond

Garrett Rempe Brock Christie Andrew Johnson Mason Walker Steve Sporer Jessie Buntin Chris Conrad David Cowan Patrick Finn Michael Freeman Chase Griggs Bennett Hall Jason Johnson Samuel Moore

Edmond Edmond Henryetta Kingfisher Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore Mustang Watonga Wewoka Wewoka

Landon Wolever Blake Woodard Stephen Clark Dawson Williams Derek Clanton Conor Dooling Korbin Polston Tyler Ramsey Grant Rushing Glen “Trey” Wright Timothy McFarland Ricky (Joe) Compton Reid Wall Garnett Wood

09/25/2027 10/24/2024

Bethel Acres Ponca City

Jarrod A. Molloy Larry D. Mcdaniel Jason L. Sexton Derek F. Fulps Jeffrey S. Rollins Jesse W. Crook Jimmy D. Bell Robert L. Bennett Jason R. Croney John Setzer Kenny D. Adams Michael J. Booth Russell F. Coon James A. Lutz Tammy A. McKinney William T. Grant Steven W. Dickey Donald W. Kilgore Stacy E. Fite Steven L. Fite Randy Patten Verlin L. Wootton

Andrew W. Lee Christopher Greenhagen

REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS: Hired Eddy Duran

Altus

06/26/2016

Terminated 03/03/2017

Apply Now for New Turnouts through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program Many volunteer departments are forced to make do with an inadequate amount of turnout gear or with worn-out, non-compliant gear they can’t afford to replace.

That’s why MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together again in 2019 to distribute new turnout gear to volunteer fire departments through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program.

This annual program began in 2012 to help departments in need properly outfit their crew. To date, the program has delivered 455 sets to 95 departments.

The 2019 application period for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway is now open, and 13 departments will each receive four sets of new gear, for a total of 52 sets. The first 500 applicants will also receive a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

To be eligible to apply for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway, departments must meet the following criteria: • Be all-volunteer or mostly-volunteer (over 50 percent) • Serve a population of 25,000 or less • Be located in the U.S. or Canada and legally organized under state/province law • Demonstrate a need for the gear • Department or person applying must be a member of the NVFC. To help meet membership criteria, MSA will provide a complimentary NVFC Membership to the first 500 applicants.

Learn more and apply for MSA’s Globe gear at www.nvfc.org/ globe-gear-giveaway. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2019. Winners will be announced monthly between July and December.

24March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

OSFA Executive Board Highlights

The OSFA Executive Board met January 17, 2019 in the boardroom of the OSFA at 2716 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK at 9:02 a.m.

Roll Call: Dereck Cassady, present and presiding; Mike Kelley, present; Eric Harlow, present (conference call); Cliff Davidson, present; Matt Lay, present; Juan Rodriguez (ORFA), present.

Others: Steve Lumry, Gene Brown, Sheri Nickel, Tim Bartram, Trisha Chain, Dr. Erick Reynolds, Sean Douglas (conference call), Eric Hamilton, Julia Jernigan.

Guests: Ray Hammons, Casey Baker.

Correspondence: Thank you card from the Reynolds family. Thank you card from EOC Technology for OSFA’s attendance at their graduation.

Fire Marshal Commission Report: Lay The latest meeting was cancelled due to weather.

Two agents will be hired this year.

Fire Service Training Report: Reynolds Reynolds apologized for missing the last meeting and Christmas party.

FST has a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid for Firefighters and EMS. They will be taking their grain rescue trailer to The Grain Elevator and Processing Society Conference in March and will be conducting Swiftwater Training in Broken Bow in May. Hammons thanked the Board for letting him speak today. Hammons explained that a legislator in his area filed a shell bill addressing availability of curriculum through OSU Fire Service Training that Hammons had not asked him to file.

Hammons expressed concern about the difficulty of obtaining refresher curriculums through OSU-FST that are available through other states.

The new city manager in Tahlequah is requiring charges applied to trucks, equipment and manpower used in assistance with Fire Service Training at Tahlequah’s training facility.

Reynolds thanked Hammons for the communication and for working to resolve the issue.

COMMITTEE REPORTS n Legislative: Lumry, Jernigan, Bartram Committee has met and revised the legislative talking points; had to back off a CPI-U catchup and are pursuing the COLA. Bills that are currently being tracked are: HB 1101, 1108 (oppose), 1110, 1177, 1180, 1184, 1201, 1218, 1307, 1426, HJR 1002, SB 17, 73, 85, 86, 89, 94, 109, 156, 164, 198, 257, 352, 367, 368, 451, 471.

The new tracking system is able to send out messages to members who can easily report back to us through the system. n Safety & Health: Lumry, Bartram Committee reviewed NIOSH report of tanker rollover in NE Oklahoma and recommends Board issue statement recommending implementing department policies that include biannual EVDT training and mandatory seatbelt use.

Due to the passing of Special Resolution 18-4, committee will be meeting with LifeShare at their next meeting to develop promotional material for organ donation.

Committee will begin investigating some close calls.

Tammy McKinney has resigned from the committee due to retiring and is recommending Clint Greenwood to replace her.

January 17, 2019 MEETING

Upcoming Dates to Remember: April 3-5, 2019 OFCA Conference - Claremore May 2-5, 2019 OSFA State Fire School - Tulsa June 4, 2019 38th ORFA Convention - Ponca City June 5-8, 2019 125th OSFA Convention - Ponca City June 5-8, 2019 87th OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Convention - Ponca City n Educational Advisory: Lumry Committee has reviewed and selected courses for the State Fire School and are working on confirming food trucks, vendors and sponsors.

Tulsa Fire’s recruit academy will be available to help with taking vitals at the school. n EMS: Bartram Committee requested Board to form a working group from the committee and other stakeholders to look at EMS funding opportunities. Once created, committee will recommend members to Board for approval. n Membership – Lumry Committee has not met, but the new insurance benefit is live and there were 70 inquiries in first five days. n County Sales Tax A meeting will be scheduled when answers are received from the Attorney General’s office.

Museum Report: Brown Museum will be receiving the Stuart truck and restoration will happen inside the museum. Accessions are going well, thanks to Bob Noll, and staff is working on getting trucks registered and tags for them, which will be completed this year.

Lumry informed Board that the process to update titles on the trucks includes creating a salvage title that will send the town of origin a letter about backpaying storage fees, but Noll will inform the town prior to receiving it. n Museum Expansion Committee: Lumry A foundation will be visiting the Museum at the end of February to take a tour.

Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Report: Nickel Before the next Board meeting, there will be three Firefighter 1 classes started with 90 students enrolled.

There is still high interest from firefighters around the state to have a FF 1 course in their area.

Reynolds discussed the grant changing the view of the FF 1 course in Oklahoma, as tuition will only be reimbursed if the IFSAC test is passed.

NVFC Report: Nickel NVFC hot topic is President Trump not giving funding to the State of California until they start implementing forestry management.

OFCA Report: Douglas Douglas thanked Lay for coordinating invitations to the gubernatorial inauguration.

Winter Workshop is coming up at the end of January and the OFCA Conference in Claremore is April 3-5.

New receptionist Kristen Horton introduced herself to the Board.

Executive Directors Report: Lumry The return from 2019’s membership drive is around 54% with 305 departments and 6,000 members and includes 5 new departments.

ORFA membership is up to 4,435 and the electronic subscription numbers are up to 541.

Adventure District’s BID met with city council and it was approved that the city council pays the Firefighters Museum’s dues to the BID. Lumry will be starting the process to get the Training and Benevolent Foundation 501(c)3 available.

Lumry and Brown spoke with the Kirkpatrick Foundation regarding a request for matching funds to the Museum Endowment; notification of approval or denial will be mid-February. Lumry and Brown spoke with Quseum, a company that builds apps featuring self-guided tours for museums.

The Heroes Fore Charities Golf Tournament will be August 26.

A link to Wilburt Funeral Services’ burial vaults will be placed on our website as a benefit of membership.

The TIMS committee met and discussed moving forward with proposed changes to the Move Over Law, and members explained opposition of changing the description of “first responder.”

Lumry, Armes and Jernigan met with Farm Bureau’s management and lobbyist to discuss Farm Bureau’s concern with departments that charge for responding to car accidents.

Adjourn: 12:32 p.m.

Next meeting: February 21, 2019 EMS Meeting held Jan. 16, 2019

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201925

JOIN US AT

MOORE ATHLETIC GOLF CLUB (920 SW 19th) Monday, April 29, 2019 at 9 a.m. for the

Moore Firefighter’s Santa Express 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Moore Firefighters invite you to participate in their 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Proceeds will be used by Moore’s Santa Express Program to provide gifts for underprivileged children within the community.

We hope to see you there!

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

• Shot Gun Start at 9 a.m.

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

n www.CONRADFIRE.com

Moore Firefighter’s Santa Express Golf Tournament

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

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

@conradfire

@conradfireequipment n (913) 780-5521

@conradfire

Conrad Fire Equipment and Roger Brown would like to thank and congratulate the Sand Springs OK Fire Dept. on its recent purchase of this Pierce Velocity.

STEVE MARTIN (405) 620-1891

CARY PROVENCE (405) 623-8216

ROGER BROWN (785) 865-6941

RYAN REEVES (405) 269-3844

Firefighters Serving Firefighters

26March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT

BY GREG ROBERTS Norman FD Retired

HOOKER FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief: Robbie Wayman Joined OSFA: 1949 Personnel: 20 Volunteers Number of engines: 2 Number of brush pumpers: 2 Number of tankers: 1 Runs per year: Approx. 50 Population: Approx. 2,000 The town of Hooker sits along U.S Highway 54 in northeastern Texas County.

In 1902, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway laid tracks from Liberal, Kan. through the Hooker area to the Texhoma, Texas area, and the Hooker Post Office was established.

In 1904, the Chicago Townsite Company oversaw the organization and sale of town lots, and the city quickly grew.

The town drew its name from John “Hooker” Threlkeld, a local cowboy and rancher who was considered one of the top ropers in the region.

On June 1, 1908, a fire destroyed 42 businesses and numerous other homes and buildings.

Shortly after, the decision was made to rebuild, and Hooker continues to prosper to this day.

2011 International/E-One 1250 pump/1000 tank

1974 Ford/Young 1250 pump/500 tank

2007 GMC/HFD 4x4 200 pump/750 tank

2018 Ford/Weis 4x4 200 pump/400 tank

If you would like to see your FD featured in a future issue of Oklahoma Firefighter, please contact Greg Roberts at 405-424-1452 or groberts1960@gmail.com

2013 Caterpillar 750 pump/4500 tank

Oklahoma FirefighterMarch 201927

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28March 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

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800-749-3552