Oklahoma Firefighter May 2019 newspaper

Page 1

Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

May 2019 Volume 36, Issue 4

ACTA NON VERBA ( Actions not Words ) Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 125th OSFA Convention June 5 - 8, 2019 Hosted By Ponca City Fire Department

I N S I D E

2019 OSFA Convention Details .................................................................... 4, 16-17, 27 OSFA Executive Board Members’ Comments............................................................. 5-6 OSFA Executive Director’s Report - Steve Lumry ...........................................................7 ORFA Report - President Juan Rodriguez .......................................................................8 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report -Marti Carpenter .............................................. 10-11 Firefighter Near-Miss Report - Greg Lindsay ............................................................... 12 Museum News - Gene Brown ......................................................................................... 14 Oklahoma Fire Spotlight -- Ponca City FD ................................................................... 18 Chaplain’s Corner - Troy Calvert .................................................................................... 21 Executive Board Meeting Highlights ............................................................................. 26 In Memoriam .................................................................................................................. 28

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

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


2May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 20193

klahoma Firefighter

3rd ANNUAL

May 2019

Volume 36 — Issue 4

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

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.

WHEN: JUNE 15TH 12-4PM WHERE: ROUTE 66 - STROUD OK

FIRETRUCK SHOW COMBAT CHALLENGE 3rd ANNUAL

SPONSTORED BY:

918-900-FIRE

TRUCK ENTRIES: $20

TRUCK ENTRIES: $20/ENTRY

WHEN: JUNE 15TH 12-4PM For Details orADAM Entry Information CONTACT CHACE 405.334.1059

Contact Adam Chace FOR DETAILS OR ENTRY INFORMATION 405.334.1059 WHERE: ROUTE 66 - STROUD OK

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! Please provide your name and address for verification.

FIRETRUCK SHOW COMBAT CHALLENGEINDEX ADvertisers’ Casco Industries ............... 32

OSFA Insurance .................. 31

Chief Fire & Safety ........... 2

OSU Fire Service Training .... 22-23

Conrad Fire Equipment .... 15

Pension & Retirement ... 25

ITE Fire & Rescue .............. 29

Phillips Murrah P.C. ......... 8

Mother Road Muster ......... 3 Roberts Testing ................ 27 TRUCK ENTRIES: $20/ENTRY

CONTACT ADAM CHACE 405.334.1059 NAFECO ............................. 15 Sharp Testing ..................... 19 FOR DETAILS OR ENTRY INFORMATION OAEVT .................................. 27

Unruh Fire .......................... 19

SPO


4May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

2019 OSFA CONVENTION ACTIVITIES 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 12:30 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

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 Gary Whitehead at 918-695-1812 or John McClelland at 580-716-5347

Entry Fee: $100 Per Boat (2 participants - 1 must be a Firefighter) Includes Big Bass Contest & meal at Weigh-In Also includes T-shirt with Paid Entry Postmarked by May 6, 2019 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% of fees collected Cash and Prizes to be given 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.

________12:30 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 16 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

15th Annual OSFA Convention Poker Run

2019 OSFA Convention Pistol & AR Shooting Competition

Thursday, June 6 Begins at 12:30 p.m. at Ponca City FD Station 1

(Ends at 4 p.m. at MDA Picnic)

Thursday, June 6 Begins at 12:30 p.m. at Ponca City Rifle & Pistol Range

Entry Fee: $20 Per Person (includes T-shirt) Riders will visit establishments around Kay County • Open to All Modes of Transportation Prizes for High Hand, 2nd High Hand and Low Hand

Entry Fee: $60 Per Person (includes .223 Ammo, T-shirt & Lunch) (NOTE: You must provide your own pistol ammo)

For more information, call Jake Pierce at 580-763-7061 or Russell Owens at 580-402-4872

For more information, call Chad Cunningham at 580-304-1561 or Jerry Burtner at 580-716-2736

(13501 S Q St, Tonkawa, OK 74653)

Register online at www.osfa.info

Name______________________________________________________________________________

Name______________________________________________________________________________

Department_____________________________________________________________Shirt Size_____

Department_____________________________________________________________Shirt Size_____

Address____________________________________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________________________

Phone_______________ Work Phone_______________Email_________________________________

Phone_______________ Work Phone_______________Email_________________________________

Entry fee enclosed____________________________

Entry fee enclosed____________________________

Make checks payable to: OSFA 2019 Poker Run

Entries must be postmarked no later than May 16 Last-minute registrations accepted the day of event (cash only)

Mail to: OSFA Poker Run 2716 NE 50th OKC, OK 73111

Register online at www.osfa.info

Make checks payable to: OSFA 2019 Shooting Competition

Entries must be postmarked no later than May 16 Last-minute registrations accepted the day of event (cash only)

Mail to: OSFA Shooting Competition 2716 NE 50th OKC, OK 73111


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 20195

PREsident n

Dereck Cassady Ponca City FD IAFFLocal2479@ yahoo.com 580-761-5338

Even though we weren’t successful in getting a COLA for our retirees, we feel like we made some progress. Yes, I know progress does not help pay the bills, but we’re moving in the right direction. On behalf of myself and the OSFA Executive Board, I would like to thank the many people who worked countless hours in an effort to promote the need for a COLA for Oklahoma Firefighters. I truly believe if efforts weren’t what they were, the bill wouldn’t have gotten out of the House and sent over to the Senate. The good news is that the bill is still alive, and we’re hopeful that after the interim study that retired firefighters will receive their first COLA in 12 years. My hope is that over the interim, if you don’t know your Senator or your Representative on a first name basis, you make it happen. You are their constituent, and you are the one who they will listen to. Your Representative or Senator could be that one vote we need, and you can be the person to make it happen. One last time, I want to publicly invite everyone to the 125th Annual OSFA Convention June 5-8 in Ponca City. The entry forms for all the extra activities are on Page 4. Get them filled out and turned in. We already have spots filling up in all activities. so don’t miss out. As we sent out in an email blast, the two host hotels are full. However, we were able to get a room block at the Comfort Inn, which is just a couple blocks away -- but I know those rooms are going quick, too. A new thing this year, we will be honoring all departments that have been members of the OSFA for 100 consecutive years. We have close to 90 FDs that hold that distinction, and they will be honored with a plaque. This year for your enjoyment, we are going to have some live music from 8-11 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot area at the La Quinta Inn. We have high hopes that the Memorial Service on Thursday morning will be the most personal and meaningful memorial service you have ever attended. The Convention Committee has worked hard to make this a great Convention! Stay safe!

2018-19 OSFA Executive Board PRESIDENT: Dereck Cassady • 580-761-5338 IAFFLocal2479@yahoo.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT: Eric Harlow • 405-520-2893 ericharlow200@gmail.com 3RD VICE PRESIDENT: Cliff Davidson • 580-554-1886 davidsoncliff@yahoo.com PAST PRESIDENT: Matt Lay • 918-760-9065 matthewlay@icloud.com

1ST VICE PRESIDENT: Mike Kelley • 405-623-4388 mkelley@local157.org

Bill to Increase Number of Volunteer Firefighters Heads to Governor

APRIL 23 -- A bill that would allow retired firefighters to return to service as volunteers without affecting their state pensions passed the state Senate with a unanimous vote of 42-0. House Bill 2051, authored by House Majority Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, now heads to the governor to be signed into law. “Rural residents are dependent upon volunteer firefighters and fire departments to keep their lives and properties safe,” Sanders said. “This law will allow those willing to serve in this capacity to do so without damaging their own pension plans or without adding cost to the state.” HB 2051 amends language to legislation previously passed by Sanders and signed into law that eliminated the 45-year-old age limit for new firefighters by giving them the ability to join a department without the requirement that they be added to the state’s pension plan. The legislation, which took effect in November 2015, has resulted in 300 new volunteer firefighters joining rural fire departments over the past 3 ½ years. The new legislation will allow retired firefighters who are not on a disability pension to perform as volunteer firefighters for a volunteer department without it affecting their current retirement benefit but also without it counting as an accrued retirement benefit against the state’s pension plan. OSFA President Dereck Cassady said, “This bill will help our rural volunteer departments with recruitment and retention by expanding the number of people that are eligible to volunteer. This group of eligible volunteers also come with previous experience that will benefit the citizens of our rural communities.”

Fighting to Repeal 60% Reduction in Firefighter’s and Spouse’s Social Security MARCH 25 -- OSFA has been advocating and now our Federal Legislators are taking up the issue of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that currently reduce the social security benefits of government employees (firefighters) that are in Qualified Pension Plans. The Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement Plan is one such qualified pension plan. Therefore, the GPO/WEP does affect Oklahoma Firefighters and their spouses (since spouses are considered the plan member once the firefighter passes away) by a 60% reduction in benefits. United States House bill HR 141 -- sponsored by Representatives Cole, Hern, and Mullin from Oklahoma along with 134 other U.S. Representatives -- and United States Senate bill SR 521 -- sponsored by 13 Senators -- are identical bi-partisan bills that would repeal the sections of the GPO/WEP that affect firefighters and other folks covered by a qualified pension plan.

C.O.L.A. Bill Referred to Actuarial Study APRIL 12 -- The Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee in a special meeting on April 11 acted on a House bill that would provide a 2% cost of living adjustment for state pension retirees contingent on the outcome of an actuarial study of the pension systems. Senator Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, is the Senate author of House Bill 2304 and filed a committee substitute ensuring the bill followed the provisions of the Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act (OPLAAA). Among OPLAAA requirements are for fiscal retirement bills, which HB 2304 has been declared, to undergo an actuarial analysis before being passed into law. The analysis covers such topics as: • the unfunded actuarial accrued liability which will result from the bill; • the dollar amount of the annual normal cost which will result from the bill; • and the dollar amount of the increase in the annual employer certification which will be necessary to maintain the system in a sound condition. The Retirement and Insurance Committee approved sending HB 2304 for an actuarial study. Per OPLAAA, the actuarial analysis shall be returned to the Senate committee chair no later than Dec. 1 of the year it is requested. After the actuarial analysis is received, a fiscal retirement bill is eligible for consideration by committee (in this case the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee) the following session, and should it pass out of committee, would be eligible for consideration by the entire Senate. Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat allowed the special meeting of the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee for consideration of HB 2304. The bill was among the topics studied by a pension reform working group formed by Treat. “Republican leadership has done great work over the past decade to save the state pension systems from fiscal ruin. Years of mismanagement prior to Republicans leading the Capitol left billions of dollars in unfunded liabilities for the state, threatened the retirement of public servants, and drove up the borrowing costs for the state, local governments, and school districts,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “OPLAAA is one of the crucial tools Republicans have used to shore up the state pension systems. We should follow laws like OPLAA that got us to this better position now. Public servants want and deserve a cost of living adjustment and HB 2304 can still deliver COLAs once the pension actuaries give the Legislature a report so that we have a complete picture of the costs and impacts of granting a COLA.” OSFA President Dereck Cassady said, “We appreciate the action taken by the Senate committee today that will keep our C.O.L.A. hopes alive. Our members have been suffering and this is the next step in ensuring C.O.L.A.’s as we move forward.” OSFA Executive Director Steve Lumry said, “It is obvious that a 2% C.O.L.A. won’t have a tremendous impact on our 16,000 members and their families buying power as they are about 26% behind where they started. However, this action by the Senate does keep alive the hopes for the first positive movement toward maintaining our buying power that we have seen in 12 years now.”


6May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

1st vice PresidenT n

Mike Kelley

2nd vice PresidenT

OKC FD

n

Mark your calendars now for upcoming events: n The OSFA State Fire School will be held at the Tulsa Community College Northeast May 2-5. Our state fire school is one of the best in the nation and the training is free. Your Educational Advisory Committee has once again put together classes that will benefit you and your department. Come join us at this year’s Fire School. n The ORFA Convention will be held June 4 in Ponca City. n The 125th annual OSFA Convention will be held June 5-8 in Ponca City. Check the OSFA App or the website for a schedule of events. Dereck and the Ponca City Fire Department have been working hard to make this a memorable convention. As everyone knows by now the COLA legislation that passed the house 98-3 was examined by a special committee in the Senate. An actuarial analysis of all the systems was ordered and is due back to the Senate in December. We were disappointed by that action however we are still in the game. We will continue to press for a much-needed COLA. Our retirees have waited far too long for a COLA, and many people have worked tirelessly to secure one. One of the things that I have witnessed throughout my career is people allowing setbacks to divide us and initiate finger pointing. The greatest resource we have are thinking firefighters and when we let circumstances divide us we get emotional causing rationale and reason to suffer. Remember that we are stronger together and I have yet to see a challenge that we could not conquer. Stay united and keep the faith! Thanks for your contribution to the fire service in Oklahoma! Stay safe!

Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters! I hope you’re enjoying the moisture we’ve been receiving and the reprieve it’s given us from the wildfires we’ve seen the past several years. I know our department has enjoyed the break. A huge thanks to Chief Sean Douglas and the Claremore Fire Department for a great OFCA Conference. It was very well attended and a great time was had by all who came. The vendors had a lot of great offerings for us to check out, including several new apparatus. Congratulations to new OFCA 3rd Vice President, Chief James Heap of the Frederick Fire Department. I’ve known James several years, and I know he’ll do a great job. The legislative session is trucking along and unfortunately, our COLA bill is dormant as of right now. The amount of work that went into pushing this particular bill was enormous. There were countless numbers of phone calls made and emails sent to our legislators. Many spent hours upon hours at the Capitol. It’s obvious in the House that our voices were heard, with an almost unanimous approval. We always knew the Senate would be more difficult and this definitely proved true.

3rd vice PresidenT n

Cliff Davidson

Guthrie FD

ericharlow200@gmail.com • 405-520-2893

mkelley@local157.org 405-623-4338

Eric Harlow

Ringwood FD

davidsoncliff@yahoo.com • 580-554-1886 Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying spring. I am starting to think old man winter doesn’t want to give up. At least parts of the state are seeing some good moisture. I hope we can get through the spring fire season without a big fire. I think everyone could use a break this season. I would like to take a minute and encourage volunteers to try and attend the 125th OSFA Convention in Ponca City. I know if you don’t have a room booked yet it could be pretty slim pickens. But don’t forget that there are two really nice lakes close by that have a lot of camping spots to choose from. So if you can’t find a room, that is an option. I know it may be hard for a lot of volunteers to take off work during the week, and I completely understand. But you can still vote on the next OSFA officer by pre-registering and coming Saturday morning between 8-9 a.m. and go to the registration table and register. If you can make the whole convention, that would be great. I have had the opportunity to meet so many firefighters from all over the state. And I have made some great friendships with people in all aspects of the fire service. If you are a chief and your department is a standing member of the OSFA, I encourage you to send your delegates to convention. It’s a great opportunity for your officers to get involved in the things that effect the fire service. And it gives firefighters a chance to meet people in their position and to share their experience with one another. It’s a great opportunity to learn from others the challenges that we all face in our departments and ways to remedy them. It’s a time to take advantage of a great wealth of knowledge from people that share your interest in the fire service. If you haven’t had the chance to experience Ponca City, it is a place full of Oklahoma history. If you can bring your family or at least have them come up for a day or two, there are many things they can do. There are several museums in town that are a great experience. The downtown area of Ponca has a lot of nice little shops and antique stores. And there are many other attractions. I hope to see you there!

My personal hope is that this interim study on the COLA will result in some positive changes for the OPLAAA bill. OPLAAA stands for Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act and it was passed in 2011 to ensure COLA’s were fully funded before awarding them. It is very restrictive and the hope is that there will be some changes moving forward to possibly make it easier to push COLA’s through in a more regular manner. I know everyone, especially our retirees, greatly appreciate all those that put time in and stayed in contact with their legislators to try and make this long overdue increase happen. There have been a few other bills passed that affect the Oklahoma Fire Service in a positive manner, as well. If you haven’t yet, make plans to attend the 125th annual OSFA Convention in Ponca City June 5-8. I know President Cassady and the PCFD brothers and sisters have a great slate of events in store for us. Make your hotel reservations now, as both primary convention hotels are completely booked and the overflow hotel is booking up fast. It is guaranteed to be a fun time for everyone. Credentials are due soon, so make sure your department is getting the paperwork for them turned in ASAP. I look forward to seeing you all in Ponca City!

Past PREsident n

Matt Lay

Tulsa FD

matthewlay@icloud.com 918-760-9065 So excited to see everybody at the State Fire School coming up in Tulsa on May 2-5! Everything from Leadership to Live-Fire will be taught by some of the best instructors in the nation. Hats off to our incredible Educational Advisory Committee for their many hours of labor to create the best training event possible for Oklahoma Firefighters. We are also entering the final weeks in year one of the 57th Legislative Session at the Capitol. It is beyond frustrating to see elected officials kicking the can down the road another year, denying our retired members a much needed increase. Our association, the Legislative Committee, the OSFA Lobbying Team, Executive Board, and members from all over the state will not give up until we achieve a COLA on behalf of those who came before us. Next stop is the 125th Annual OSFA Convention in Ponca City. I couldn’t be more excited to see what President Dereck Cassady and his department have got cooked up. Convention is a great opportunity to see where we’ve been and what comes next. If it involves the Oklahoma Fire Service -- incident response, funding, recruitment, public education, benefits, training -- then the OSFA has a role to play. Use your membership, your participation in committees and the relationships you make to advance your individual development, your department, and the whole of the fire service. See you out there! Take Care & God Bless!


OSFA executive director n

Steve Lumry

About six months ago, I took my family on a short weekend vacation to the Broken Bow area. We had a great time. That area of the state is just beautiful. On that particular Saturday we canoed, kayaked, picnicked, played in the water, rode go-carts and just had a blast. And, just as it sounds, it was a long day. We finally decided to go to the Grateful Head Pizza restaurant for a late dinner and they were packed. The staff was super, but due to the large number of people and a faulty pizza oven (as described by our waiter they were down to only one oven) it took a long time to get our order. The grandkids were getting very tired and the youngest was falling asleep at the table, so we changed our order to take it to go. As soon as the pizza got there around 9:30 (and the kitchen was supposed to close at 9:00), we took it to go and headed back to our cabin. On the way, we stopped for a bag of ice at a convenience store close to the restaurant. The line was also backed up inside the convenience store and it took 20 minutes to get a bag of ice. It was pitch dark outside when I jumped back in the car to finally head back to the cabin. The convenience store was on the edge of Hochatown. As I pulled back onto the two lane highway I accelerated up to what I thought was the speed limit in that area of the highway on which I had only driven a few times. I was wrong! Just as I hit the 65 mph “speed limit” the red and blues were flashing in my rearview. OHP got me for 10 over. The patrolman was obviously fairly new on the department judging by his actions. However, he did his job and I paid my fine. I was so mad at the whole situation that even though all I had to eat for that entire day was a sandwich many hours earlier, I did not have an appetite for the luscious pizza we brought back to the cabin. I was mad at myself for getting caught, I was mad that my grandkids had to witness the whole situation (the 5 year old at the time was scared to death because he thought Poppa was going to jail). I was mad that it made us that much later to get the kids back to the cabin. I was mad that this short trip was now going to cost me a LOT more. I was mad that my wife Cheryl had something to razz me about. Frankly, I was mad at the trooper as well for not providing some professional courtesy. Although, I knew that I didn’t deserve it and that I had done exactly what he said I did, I was still upset. Now, why did I choose to tell you about one of my most humiliating experiences? Because just a few months later, I was catching up on current events as I do most mornings when I arrive at the office early and low and behold, I came across a picture of that same trooper in the paper with a headline that read, “Trooper describes ‘terrifying’ rescue of children trapped in overturned, partially submerged truck after McCurtain County crash.” The trooper that I was still a little mad at turned out to be a hero. He also turned out to have been a former five year McAlester firefighter and OSFA member! Trooper Cody Enloe was just doing his job when he pulled me over and he was just doing his job when he rescued those three kids from that overturned vehicle that was partially submerged in water. He used the jaws of life from the responding fire department and helped direct the inexperienced responders, a couple of which it was their very first call, in a highly stressful situation (full story is on Page 14 of this issue). Due to his actions, a family survived their harrowing ordeal. On Wednesday, April 17th, OSFA 2nd Vice President Eric Harlow and I presented Trooper Cody Enloe with the OSFA’s highest non-firefighter honor, the OSFA Heroism Award, at a ceremony conducted at the Department of Public Safety training center in Oklahoma

stevel@osfa.info • 405-424-1452 City. When I was introduced to Cody, I took the opportunity to relay a little bit of the ticket story of which of course he didn’t remember. I also took the same opportunity to let him know that it was fine because just like when he saved those kids, he was just doing his job. It also made me remember to never let one circumstance or one interaction define someone in my mind. It turns out that Cody was not a “firefighter-hating cop” that was out to get me, but rather was a humble Godfearing man that was just trying to do his job and keep the citizens of Oklahoma safe. This experience re-iterated that we can’t let our perceptions of one interaction define us and our actions (because it truly doesn’t do anything to the other person). On another note, I was lucky enough to get to attend the grand opening of the Altus main fire station. That is one of the very best stations that I have ever had the privilege to go inside and I have been inside a lot of great fire stations (Photos on Pages 9 and 30). I also got to talk to some of Altus’ finest while there and had super conversations with James Cox, Nicholas Conner, Michael Grayson, Assistant Chief Tim Sullivan, and Chief Kyle Davis among a few others. This is definitely a station that the citizens and city leaders can be proud of and that the firefighters can be proud to serve in. As one of the guys said, “when you only do this once every 40 years, you have time to get it right.” Get it right, they certainly did. Lastly, I want to do a shout-out to the folks from the Wind and Fire motorcycle club; particularly, Brian Wells and Willie Butler! Both of these gentlemen are retired Oklahoma City firefighters. The Wind and Fire motorcycle club, in coordination with David Dunn from Margarita Island (local bar) and Papa’s Leather in Bethany, organized and hosted the Ride to Remember Poker Run held April 20. Since last year, this poker run now benefits the Fallen Police Officers Memorial, the Emergency Responders Assistance Program (aka: ERAP), and the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial. While that in itself is commendable, this year’s ride (Photos on Page 20) had 2,000 participants. It was quite a site seeing that many motorcycles rounding the curve on Grand Boulevard coming toward the museum. Someone said that they thought they could hear an airplane taking off just before the bikes started rounding the corner, but it was the sound of all of those bikes coming to the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial which served as the first stop on the poker run. I also want to thank Larry Bogges (ret. Lawton), Clifford Lewis (ret. OKC), Marti Carpenter and her motherin-law (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Erica Koch (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Scott and Lisa Van Horn (OKC), Randy Rose (ret. OKC), Ronnie and Susan Walker (ret. Lawton and OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Diana Cramer (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Cheryl Lumry (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Sarah Foughty (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Susan Foughty (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Charmion Rose (OSFA Women’s Auxiliary), Dave Webster and his wife (Deer Creek FPD), Darrin Nickel (Shattuck), Michael Ashlock (Buffalo), Dana Cramer (ret. Norman), Brian Foughty (ret. Moore), Richard Walts (ret. Ft. Sill), Clay Carpenter and his dad (Warr Acres and civilian), Greg Roberts (ret. Norman) and your OSFA staff -- all who helped make this event run smoothly. This was an awesome experience and was the 12th annual event and the second to benefit our memorial. Thank you to all involved! Remember, the OSFA is your organization and it is a two-way street. We are willing to come to your department when invited and we need your help on committees and at events to make this all work. Until next time, STAY SAFE!

Oklahoma FirefighterMay 20197 Senators kick COLA increase can down road By: Arnold Hamilton, The Journal Record Guest Columnist Originally printed April 18, 2019 - Reprinted with permission from Mr. Hamilton State retirees know what it means to live on a fixed income. Theirs has been fixed for more than a decade. This year’s Legislature dangled early session hope it would boost retirement income for ex-teachers, firefighters, police and other state pensioners. But in the end, as has been the case since 2009, there would be no generosity for those who devoted their lives to public service. Only a Senate-ordered actuarial study to determine what might be possible in the future. Somewhere a pre-Christmas Eve Scrooge grins. This session certainly is less tumultuous than last, when thousands of schoolteachers and public education advocates camped at the Capitol for two weeks demanding better pay and increased funding. But it’s also less productive when it comes to tackling the state’s most pressing issues. A cost-of-living adjustment for retirees is Exhibit A. The House, by a 98-3 margin, endorsed a 4 percent hike on March 11. Then House Bill 2304 spent a month bouncing between Senate committees – the proposed COLA cut to 2 percent. Eventually, senators punted. This is classic legislative inaction. Rather than admit publicly retirees aren’t a high priority, lawmakers wring their hands: How could we possibly fund it? Mustn’t we be wise stewards of these precious pensions? How about we study it first? That and $5 will get you a grande carmel macchiato at Starbucks. To be sure, no one wants shaky pension systems. But another legislative study … really? It’s not as if the screaming need for a COLA was suddenly sprung on an unsuspecting Legislature. Indeed, lawmakers worked much of the last decade to shore up the retirement funds. Just ask state Treasurer Randy McDaniel, who devoted his House career to solving a nightmare-in-themaking. Further, statehouse leadership routinely pats itself on the back for steps taken – teachers’ pensions now 73 percent funded and firefighters’ 68 percent, for example. The reality is, each of the pension systems is in solid enough shape to provide retirees a modest COLA this year – without dipping into the $574 million in new state revenue lawmakers are divvying up this year. Here’s another fact legislative leadership doesn’t want you to be reminded of: Oklahoma wouldn’t be in the unconscionable position of starving its now-retired, career public servants had lawmakers not slashed about $2 billion in income taxes this century. They also doled out enough tax credits and business incentives to drain another $1 billion or so from state coffers – money sorely needed for schools, roads, health care and, yes, even retirees’ COLAs. Sadly, there is no serious discussion at the Capitol about rolling back tax cuts or ending corporate welfare. Why? Legislative leaders answer first to the state’s deep-pocketed powers-that-be, those benefiting most from the tax cut-corporate incentive scheme. To paraphrase the old Jerry Reed song, they got the gold mine – and retirees got the shaft. If nothing else, consider it a matter of fairness. Many public servants I know have a heart for what they do – whether it’s teaching children, protecting abused elderly or young, or keeping the streets safe. They earn less – on average nearly 25 percent – than they could in the private sector. But some trade-offs make it doable and worthwhile: reasonably good health care, solid pensions, fulfilling career passions, just to name a few. The Legislature’s COLA stinginess hardly encourages the best and brightest to consider a public service career. How could it not be a deal-breaker when applicants hear of retired teachers whose $974 monthly pensions haven’t budged in 11 years? Maybe retirees will remember who’s making the COLA decisions when they show up to vote next year. Arnold Hamilton is editor of The Oklahoma Observer; okobserver.org


8May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

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ORFA REport Juan Rodriguez Lawton FD Retired

Hello Retirees! What is there to say. We failed to get a COLA for our retirees. Some worked very hard but to no avail. It is very disappointing to see how easily it passed through the House only to flounder rather quickly in a Senate Committee. It is possible that, if allowed to reach the Senate Floor, HB 2304 still would have passed. The OSFA has passively sat back since 2008, waiting for the opportunity to attempt. This year, we aggressively attempted to get a modest COLA increase not only for the help it would give to retirees, but also to show the legislature the slight effect it would have to our pension fund. It feels as if the Chairman of one committee prevented the bill from reaching the senate floor for a vote. Instead, the bill will be sent to an Actuarial study under OPLAA to see if a 2% COLA can be afforded by the systems. If possible, then that COLA would go into effect by July 2020. That is, if the same thing that happened this year doesn’t happen again. How can we get a COLA for our retirees? The only way is to elect people that support Firefighter Issues. If there are other issues more important to you, then perhaps your are content. I won’t get into the Republican versus Democrat or the Liberal versus Conservative argument. The proof is in the pudding. We have not been successful in providing a COLA for retired firefighters since 2008. I do not know if we will be successful in receiving a 2% COLA next year, if we even want it. I will end the article here. Disappointment does not need many words. Be Well.

38th ORFA CONVENTION 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 than May 27. Online registration forms are also available at www.osfa.info.

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 TO: ORFA Convention 2019, 2716 NE 50th St, OKC, OK 73111

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

SCHOLARSHIPS BENEFITTING FIREFIGHTERS From Oklahoma City Community Foundation

Pete & Lela Stavros Scholarship Foundation Awarding scholarships to high school seniors -- all the children of Oklahoma Firefighters -- since 2004. At the 2018 OSFA Convention, five $1,000 scholarships were awarded.

Keith Bryan Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 2012 to provide scholarship opportunities for aspiring and/or current Oklahoma Fire Officers in leadership and management training education. Available to members of the OFCA.

To Make Secure Donation With Credit Card: www.occf.org/stavros

www.occf.org/ofcabryan

To make contribution with check, call OSFA office at 405-424-1452 for donation card & return envelope


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 20199

Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question:

Altus Fire Department’s Grand Opening of Central Fire Station Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Dedication Held April 19, 2019

“What is something you purchased that has lasted a long time?” Here is what they said: w Aaron Burns, Broken Arrow Retired: My station boots. I have had them since 1993 Rocky 911 -- kind of worn out, but still great boots. w Jeremy Goodrich, Yukon: My ‘65 Mustang -- my first car 22 years ago. w Marti Carpenter, OSFA Women’s Auxiliary: So I’m going to be out in left field compared to the guys, but one thing I’ve bought that has lasted me a long time is my hair dryer. I am so used to the one I own now that if it dies and I had to buy a new one, I’d be totally lost. w Jesse Bain, Broken Arrow: The first pair of Oakley sunglasses I purchased in 2001 are still in excellent condition! w Troy Calvert, Clinton: My wife’s wedding ring. We will be married 30 years in June. w David Fincher, Chickasha: My education. In the summer of 2004, I purchased four firefighter classes at the Great Plains Area Vo-Tech. I’ve been using those skills, while adding to them, ever since. w Greg Roberts, Norman Retired: In 1973, I picked up a metal key ring that I’m still using to this day. It’s been in my pocket since the seventh grade. w Bre Dahl, Marshall: My softball glove from high school. It makes me smile playing with my daughter now! w S.R. Hunter, Bethany: I purchased a life insurance policy years ago. Hope I don’t have to use it too soon. w Tippy Pierce, Moore Retired: I bought a Fender Jaguar Custom candy apple red guitar and a Fender Bassman amplifier in 1966, as well as a Trebolux amplifier later in the same year. I had to have both amplifiers’ power supplies replaced in 2011. Both still work, and my son and grandson’s have played them, too! w Bert Norton, Midwest Cty: I purchased a boat in 1991 and still have it today. w Mike Bower, Midwest City Retired: I purchased a tuxedo in 1988 when I became fire chief. I continue to wear the tuxedo about four times a year, and I loan it to my grandson for formal events. w Juan Rodriguez, Lawton Retired: Some might answer for me and say my 1996 Toyota Tacoma 4X4. But my answer is my lifetime combination Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing license. w Eddie Hogan, Bethany Retired: Wedding Ring purchased 46 years ago! w Cliff Davidson, Ringwood: I have been brought up in a family that for the most part has made their living with their hands, so I would probably have to say hand tools. I have tools that I have owned since I was 14 years old. And every time I get one out to use, it always seems to bring out an old memory from way back in the past. I enjoy the memories of helping my brother work on his truck or mine. We learned a lot together and learned how to fix things on our own. The memories alone are priceless and will always be cherished.

Next Month’s Question --

“What’s the nicest thing a stranger has done for you or someone you know?”

Everyone is Welcome to Participate! Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info

Altus firefighters Nicholas Conner, James Cox and Michael Grayson


10May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

Women’s Aux report

Hello Ladies! Here is your official call to convention: Please see us at our registration table at the Fairfield Inn Lobby. The address is 3405 North 14th Street in Ponca City. You can register as soon as Wednesday, June 5, but meetings will not begin until Thursday, June 6. If your dues have not been paid, you can pay at the same time as you purchase your ticket to the ladies luncheon. You do not want to miss it! The Ponca City Auxiliary has many fun activities planned for us. I cannot wait to put faces with the names of all of you I have communicated with by email or phone this year. Please also review the following proposed by-law changes as we will be voting on them at our meeting: n ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP Section 1: The wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters, and granddaughters of active or retired, volunteer or paid, members of the Oklahoma State Firefighter’s Association and the widows, mothers, sisters, daughters and granddaughters of deceased members shall be eligible to active membership in this auxiliary. PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 1: Relatives of active or retired, volunteer or paid, members of the Oklahoma State Firefighter’s Association and the relatives of deceased members shall be eligible to active membership in this auxiliary. n ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP Section 2: The wives, mothers, sisters and daughters, and granddaughters of the associate members of the Oklahoma Firefighter’s Association shall be eligible to associate membership in this auxiliary. Associate members shall have all the privileges of the Auxiliary excepting those voting and holding office, and shall not be required to take part in the program.

Marti Carpenter

dropped. n ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP Section 4: The annual dues for local units’ membership in the State Auxiliary shall amount to Ten Dollars ($10.00) per unit. These dues must be paid prior to the opening session of the annual meeting (convention) of the State Auxiliary. PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 4: The annual dues for local units’ membership in the State Auxiliary shall amount to Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per unit. These dues must be paid prior to the opening session of the annual meeting (convention) of the State Auxiliary. n ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS Section 1: The officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice-president, SecretaryTreasurer, Junior Board Member and Past President with only one officer serving on the Board from a given city or town at any one time. The city or town the officer represents shall be the firefighters department his pension will be drawn from. PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 1: The officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice-president, SecretaryTreasurer, Junior Board Member and Past President with only one officer preferably serving on the Board from a given city or town at any one time. The city or town the officer represents shall be the firefighters department his pension will be drawn from. Candidates must have the following: - In a paid Active Member status of State Auxiliary for last 2 years. - Be an Active participant by attending meetings and functions, not just dues paying member. n ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS Section 4: To be elected President, a member must have served a minimum of two (2) years on the board, one of which shall be in the capacity of Vice-president. No member shall be eligible to hold office until she has been a member of the state auxiliary for two (2) consecutive years immediately preceding the present annual meeting (convention).

PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 2: Relatives of the associate members of the Oklahoma Firefighter’s Association shall be eligible to associate membership in this auxiliary. Associate members shall have all the privileges of the Auxiliary except those of voting and holding office, and shall not be required to take part in the program.

PROPOSED CHANGES Section 4: To be elected President, a member must have served a minimum of two (2) years on the board, one of which shall be in the capacity of Vice-president (if the Board is complete). No member shall be eligible to hold office until she has been a member of the state auxiliary for two (2) consecutive years immediately preceding the present annual meeting (convention).

n ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP Section 3: The annual dues for individual membership in the State Auxiliary shall amount to Ten Dollars ($10.00), due May 1st of each year. Individual membership is not dependent upon membership to a local unit. If dues are not paid at convention time, membership will be dropped.

n ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS Section 6: Vacancies occurring in the office of President or Vice-president shall be filled by the executive board until such time as the membership meets and an election can be held in accordance with Article 4, Section 4. If possible, the vacancy will be filled by a member with past experience on the executive board.

PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 3: The annual dues for individual membership in the State Auxiliary shall amount to Twenty Dollars ($20,00), due May 1st of each year or can be paid at convention. Individual membership is not dependent upon membership to a local unit. If dues are not paid at convention time, membership will be

PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 6: Vacancies occurring in the office of President or Vice-president shall be filled by the executive board until such time as the membership meets and an election can be held in accordance with Article 4, Section 4. If possible, the vacancy will be filled by a Past President of the executive board.

Jr Board Member

n ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS Section 7: There shall be no salaried officers, but the necessary expenses incurred by officers and committees in the service of the state organization may be refunded from the treasury, by order of the executive board, after all other bills have been presented and paid PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 7: There shall be no salaried officers, but the necessary expenses incurred by officers and committees in the service of the state organization may be refunded from the treasury, by order of the executive board, after all other bills have been presented and paid if Board member obligations are met in accordance with Article 5 n ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS PROPOSED CHANGES (NEW): Section 9: All officers are required to pay their own Registration Costs for Convention. n ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and all Annual Conventions, and appoint all committees and perform all other duties incidental to her office, or such requirements as directed by the Annual Convention or the Executive Board. PROPOSED CHANGES: In addition, she shall be the Chairperson of the Membership activities, for example OSFA Functions where Auxiliary members are needed. Other duties include the following: Pre-Convention: a. Coordinate chair gifts for meetings. b. Coordinate a Ladies Luncheon (working with the OSFA President Spouse) and acquiring thank you gifts for Luncheon Speaker if necessary c. Coordinate a Past President Gathering to include sending out invitations 30 days prior to convention and acquiring Past President gifts. d. Coordinate and acquire Silent and Live Auction Items e. Finalize agenda for the Convention Program f. Attend All planning meetings for upcoming convention g. Coordinate and acquire Executive Board Annual Reports At-Convention: a. Help with Registration every day. b. Give Welcome at Thursday Men’s Meeting c. Conduct Ladies Meetings d. Present approved By-Law Changes from previous year e. Present Woman of the Year and Annual Reports f. Appoint Committees (Resolution, Nominating, By-Law) g. Announce winners of Silent Auction at banquet on Friday evening h. Give President’s Moment on Saturday n ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 2: The Vice-president in the absence of, or the inability of the President, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when the President is presiding, she shall assist the President in every way possible, and should a vacancy occur in the office of President, she shall assume all the duties of the President. She shall take minutes during the convention and provide such reports to the SecretaryTreasurer.

PROPOSED CHANGES: Other duties include: Pre-Convention: a. Purchase President Gift. At Convention: a. Help with Registration every day. b. Sell state pins and copies of By-Laws at Registration Table. c. Take minutes during convention meetings d. Give “Greeting as New President” on Saturday e. Welcome New Junior Board Member on Saturday n ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 3: The Secretary-Treasurer shall have custody of all money belonging to this organization and shall deposit and disburse the same in the name of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Oklahoma State Firefighter’s Association, as the organization or the executive board may direct. She shall give receipts for all money received, keep other reports as the executive board may direct. A report of these actions shall be presented to the Board quarterly and to the members annually. She shall also select and purchase suitable badges for use of officers and members at the annual meetings, as directed by the executive board. PROPOSED CHANGES: Other duties include: Pre-Convention: a. If Women of the Year is submitted, responsible for acquiring the Gift. b. Print name badges of members and have ready for convention, for Past Presidents put their year on their badges. c. Have blank name badges for convention. d. Have Badge Holders e. Have plenty of receipt books (Membership Receipt Book, Silent and Live Auction Receipts, Luncheon Receipt Book, Ballots, etc) f. Contact OSFA to find out Hotel Costs g. Bring $375.00 in cash. $200 for change and $175 for Board Member expenses ($35 each) At-Convention: a. Take money and give receipts for membership dues. b. Prepare and give Treasurer’s report at each day’s meetings. Keep each day separately. c. Responsible for fine monies and report the amount for each day. d. Responsible for accounting for Silent Auction proceeds, writing receipts, and giving a report on Saturday morning. e. Do roll call before we vote for the new Jr Board Member on Saturday morning Post-Convention: a. Make a typed list with contact information of auxiliary members (keeping last 3 years in books at all times) b. Email minutes of the meetings to Executive Board as well as minutes and Executive Board Annual Reports to OSFA. c. Update Bylaws if applicable and send to Executive Board and OSFA to have website updated. d. Take book to be audited to the OSFA CPA by August 1st. n ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 4: The Junior Board Member shall serve in the capacity of Publicity Chairman. She shall be in charge of all publicity before and during the Convention, serve as Historian and have charge of the State History Book and Scrapbook, acting in the name of the State Auxiliary.


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201911

n

Women’s Aux report continued

PROPOSED CHANGES: Other duties include:

Mandatory Post Convention Executive Board Meeting

Pre-Convention: a. Write monthly newsletter article and send to OSFA. b. Take pictures throughout the year at events and keep for scrapbook. c. Publish bylaw amendments 30 days prior to convention in OSFA paper. At-Convention: a. Assist at registration by finding badges and making name tags. b. Take pictures of various events during convention c. Gather mementos from convention for scrapbook d. Call out names for door prizes e. Distributed Nominated Junior Board Meeting ballots

n ARTICLE 7 - EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 4: A regular meeting of the executive board shall be held immediately before and after the annual convention.

Post-Convention: a. Put together Scrapbook and present at next convention. n ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 5: The Parliamentarian shall give the rules of procedure as defined by the bylaws on all points referred to her. The Past President shall serve as Parliamentarian. The outgoing Past President shall serve as installing officer for the state installation service. This shall be her last official act. PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 5: The Parliamentarian shall give the rules of procedure in accordance with Article 9 as defined by the by-laws on all points referred to her. The Past President shall serve as Parliamentarian. The outgoing Past President shall serve as installing officer for the state installation service. This shall be her last official act. Other duties include: Before Convention: a. Inquire if any past members of the auxiliary have deceased and get obituary to read at convention. At Convention: a. Assist every day at Registration. b. Assists Junior Board Member in drawing door prize slips. c. Shall install new officers at the State Installation Services on Saturday. d. Shall present Memorial Service for members who have deceased since last convention. n ARTICLE 5 – DUTIES OF OFFICERS PROPOSED CHANGES (NEW): Section 6: Executive board members are required to attend the following OSFA events: a. Memorial held at OSFA in October b. Legislative Reception at OSFA held in March-April timeframe c. Ride to Remember gathering at OSFA held in April d. Memorial Golf Tournament dinner (if requested) held in September e. Christmas Party hosted by OSFA (if invited) held in December f. All other OSFA invitations g. If cannot attend reason must be presented to the Executive Board

PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 4: A regular meeting of the executive board shall be held immediately before and after the annual convention. All books and/ or materials shall be in order, complete, and transferred to the new officers at the meeting directly following the close of convention. The previous Secretary/Treasurer will record the last deposit to be made from Convention receipts in the checkbook before transferring it to the new Secretary/Treasurer. The previous Secretary/Treasurer will be responsible for deposits into the Oklahoma State Firefighters Associations Women’s Auxiliary checking account following convention and will be responsible to present the Treasurers book to the OSFA CPA for an annual audit by August 1st. After the completion of the audit, the books will immediately be handed over to the new Secretary/Treasurer.

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

n ARTICLE 7 - EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 6: It shall be the duty of the executive board to prepare the program for the convention and submit same at the opening of the annual convention. PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 6: It shall be the duty of the President with inputs from the executive board to prepare the program for the convention and submit same at the opening of the annual convention. n ARTICLE 7 - EXECUTIVE BOARD PROPOSED CHANGES: (DELETE) Section 8: The executive board shall make an annual report to the auxiliary to be read by the President at its annual meeting for inclusion in the minutes. n ARTICLE 7 - EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 9: A majority of the executive board shall constitute a quorum. PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 8: A majority of the executive board shall constitute a quorum. n STANDING RULES Rule 1: A gift for the retiring President shall be standardized and it shall be a bar attached to her auxiliary pin designating the year served and only the Past President shall wear such a bar; the gift shall be the responsibility of the First Vice-president. PROPOSED CHANGES: Rule 1: A gift for the retiring President shall be standardized and it shall be a bar attached to her auxiliary pin designating the year served and only the Past President shall wear such a bar; the gift shall be the responsibility of the Vice-president. If unable to give a bar then gift shall be given.

n ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS Section 3: The executive board is authorized to adopt the minutes in so far as they are not adopted before adjournment

n STANDING RULES Rule 6: Each officer shall be required to make a yearly written report of their activities to go to the Secretary-Treasurer for inclusion in the Annual Convention Proceedings book.

PROPOSED CHANGES: Section 3: The executive board is authorized to adopt the convention minutes in so far as they are not adopted before adjournment during

PROPOSED CHANGES: Rule 6: Each officer shall be required to make a yearly written report of their activities to go to the Secretary-Treasurer for inclusion in the

Annual Convention Proceedings book and Scrapbook. n STANDING RULES Rule 8: An itemized budget of expenses from the state auxiliary board will be given to the OSFA board every year at the end of the convention for inclusion in the Annual Convention Proceedings book. Rule 9: Officers will be paid thirty-seven cents (.37) per mile for traveling expenses. PROPOSED CHANGES: (DELETE) n STANDING RULES PROPOSED CHANGES: (NEW & RENUMBER) Rule 8: If Executive Board cannot agree upon discipline issues than the Past Presidents should be included in the decision. Rule 9: With the death of a Past President, a $25.00 donation to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Memorial will be made in their name. Rule 10: Fine money and designated donations collected will be deposited separately into the OSFA Women’s Auxiliary checking account. A daily record of the funds and designated contributions will be kept by the Treasurer of the OSFA Women’s Auxiliary. The fine and designated donations will be transferred via check to the Pete and Lela Stavros Scholarship Fund at the close of convention. Rule 11: At the OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Annual Convention, the following competitions and awards will take place: PROPOSED CHANGES: (RENUMBER) Rule 11: At the OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Annual Convention, the following competitions and awards will take place:

Fire Service Organizations Issue Anti-Harassment, Bullying & Discrimination Statement

Members of the fire and emergency services pledge to serve and protect their communities from hazards of all kinds. Yet instances of bullying, harassment, and discrimination within the emergency services ranks persist. These actions are detrimental to the fire service, putting members in danger, discouraging people from joining or staying in the service, and tarnishing the reputation of the entire fire service community. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section, International Association of Women in the Fire & Emergency Services, National Association of Fire Training Directors, and National Association of Hispanic Firefighters have released a Joint Anti-Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Statement. This statement asserts that all members of fire, EMS, and rescue services should be treated and treat others with respect and dignity, and makes it clear that harassment, bullying, and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. The statement issues a call to action that all fire and emergency service organizations implement an anti-harassment, bullying, and discrimination policy that is actively communicated to personnel and actively and consistently enforced. Departments should also adopt a Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics that clearly defines expected behaviors among personnel. “Harassment, bullying, and discrimination have no place in our society and must never be tolerated in our fire and EMS stations,” said NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn. “As firefighters and emergency responders, we rely on each other in life-or-death situations. It is critical that we all treat our brothers and sisters in the fire service with respect and realize the value each of us has to our department and our community. I commend these fire service organizations for joining together in a show of unity against harassment, bullying, and discrimination, and I encourage all members of the fire service to stand with us.” The Joint Anti-Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Statement and corresponding resources can be used by departments as a basis for their own policies. Read the statement and access resources on the NVFC web site at www. nvfc.org/anti-harassment-resources.


12May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

NEAR-MISS REPORT

By Greg Lindsay

The Silent Killer When Dispatch calls, there are a number of things that can happen. In fact, it is very rare when everything goes exactly as we expect. It’s even more pronounced when the external elements are out of the norm. When the conditions are unusual, and things don’t seem right, we have to spend an extra second reviewing the next step. In the featured report, this month an EMS crew senior firefighter and four recruits respond on a fall just after a thunderstorm. When they arrive on scene, they find several conditions that could have triggered a modified response. When the lead firefighter began to recognize the cues to understand the conditions, appropriate decisions followed. The question posed by the person who submitted the report is why didn’t he recognize the Carbon Monoxide (CO) conditions sooner?

Reported Fall Turned Out To Be Major CO Incident

Published: 8/21/2018 http://firefighternearmiss.com/Reports?id=13816

EVENT NARRATIVE I was the senior firefighter with a group of four rookies who went enroute to a “fall” in a basement. It was a summer evening just after a major thunderstorm had taken place. Much of our area was currently out of power. We arrived at a single-story ranch style type residence. When we exited the med unit, I noticed that the entire street looked as if they did not have power at that time. The house across the street from the scene address was running a generator just outside of their open garage door. When we walked up to the front door, the reporting party met us there and stated that her husband had fallen in the basement. She also mentioned that she wanted us to tell her neighbors to turn off their generator because it was “too loud,” and that she was feeling slightly lightheaded. She denied medical care for herself at this time. She also stated that her husband had fallen in the basement and needed assistance back to his feet. I entered the residence behind three of my firefighters and noticed that there was indeed no power to the home, and the smell of an unknown type of fuel was about strong enough to knock you out. This should have been our first red flag to exit the residence. I turned to the firefighter behind me and asked him to get our 4-gas monitor from the truck, which he did. By this time, my other firefighters had made patient contact in the basement, and one of them was yelling for me to come down there. I entered the basement and noticed there was about 1 to 2 inches of water standing on the concrete floor. I could hear some type of motor running towards the very back rooms in the basement. I walked over to my firefighters and the patient to see what they had. Our patient was a middle-aged male, lying face down in the water. He was responsive only to pain at this time. His face was beet red, and his eyes were wide open and nearly bugging out of his skull. He was stiff, and his legs were about as gray as the concrete we were standing on. I quickly triaged this patient as code red (critical), called for an engine to come to the scene, and called for one of my firefighters to grab a spine board to help us make a quick emergency move up a very narrow staircase. By this time, I could hear the 4-gas monitor chirping upstairs; the firefighter that went to grab it had made it back into the home and was getting CO readings as high as 499 PPM at the front door. Our monitor only reads up to 499; it cannot read any higher. We quickly rolled the patient on to the spine board and immediately vacated the residence. We were inside for less than 5 minutes, and we could all feel the effects of the extremely high CO levels. The ambulance was on scene and took over patient care at that time. I spoke with the wife of the patient and insisted she also seek medical treatment due to such high CO levels, which she agreed to. The engine arrived on scene with another firefighter and a battalion chief. We had two firefighters put on their SCBAs and enter the residence to find the cause of the CO. They ended up finding a generator running in one of the back bedrooms in the basement and shut it off. We opened all the windows for natural ventilation and advised the wife to call the fire department back to the residence to make sure the CO was out of the home before they went back inside the next day. We went back the next morning before shift change. The levels were 0 ppm throughout the home. The patient was transferred to a hospital an hour away for a higher level of care and stayed there for about a week. The hospital said that he had about 44% CO

OKC Fire Department content in his blood at the time of arrival to the local hospital, and the wife had about 20%. This was after several minutes of high flow O2 while enroute to the hospital. The wife was treated at the local hospital and released hours later. No firefighters ended up receiving any medical treatment, even though we probably should have been examined as a precaution. This was one of my very first experiences in command of such a hectic scene. It was a nice reminder to be mindful of complacency and to expect the unexpected. LESSONS LEARNED Ideally, we should have backed out when we entered the residence and smelled the odor of an unknown substance. We have since placed SCBA’s on our med unit now as a result of this call.

Have you been in a situation where the conditions didn’t add up to what you had initially expected? In this event, the storm had knocked out power, and one of the first distractors came when the crew arrived to hear the resident ask them about the neighbor’s generator. Being able to focus on patient care and the immediate conditions could have helped them recognize more about this scene. Adding a request to confront the neighbor may have been enough of a distraction for the firefighter to miss the unexpected conditions. Dealing with unexpected conditions can happen at any incident. If we recognize when things don’t add up at the scene it usually indicates a loss in situational awareness. Because situational awareness is difficult to maintain, I have included a list of loss indicators from the IAFC’s Crew Resource Management manual. Loss of Situational Awareness Indicators Ambiguity -- Open to more than one interpretation or unclear. Distraction -- Attention is drawn away from the original focus of attention. Fixation -- Focusing attention on one item excluding all others. Overload -- Too busy to stay on top of everything. Complacency -- A false sense of comfort that masks deficiencies and danger. Improper procedure -- Deviating from SOPs without justification. Unresolved discrepancy -- Failure to resolve conflicts or conflicting conditions. Facts about Carbon Monoxide include the following: • Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that requires specialized monitoring equipment to detect. • CO is produced when fossil fuels are consumed. Heating equipment and gas stoves are responsible for many of the exposures in residential settings, but combustion engines are also a cause of CO production. A car left idling in an open garage can produce enough CO for a significant exposure when the conditions are correct. • CO is flammable in high concentrations. • CO has a vapor density very close to air. CO can pool in spaces that lack ventilation. • CO can bond with our hemoglobin when inhaled and displace the oxygen carrying capacity of our blood at the cellular level. • Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms including nausea, headache, and vomiting. If everyone in the home is experiencing flu-like symptoms but no fever is present, suspect CO exposure. • Immediate treatment for CO exposure is to remove to fresh air. Care should be used to prevent responder exposure while investigating the source. The national database Firefighternearmiss.com has several reports that identify how we are exposed to CO during a response. The reports are available for anyone to read so that you can have a shared experience with the firefighters who responded. Our goal is to prevent similar occurrences. If you have had an experience where a lesson learned can become a lesson shared, the website is easy to navigate and free to use. Your anonymous report could be the one that influences our next generation of responders. Thank you for reading. Additional Resources Carbon Monoxide Safety Data Sheet https://www.airgas.com/msds/001014.pdf. NIOSH link for Carbon Monoxide - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health concentrations https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/630080.html


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201913

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14May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

Trooper describes ‘terrifying’ rescue of children after McCurtain County crash – Awarded OSFA Heroism Award

By Corey Jones, Tulsa World Reprinted with permission from the Tulsa World Handing off two toddlers to other emergency responders after he cut them free from their car seats, Cody Enloe went back into an overturned and partially submerged pickup. There were no more screams from inside. But the 26-yearold Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper also knew he didn’t have an official head count of the truck’s occupants. So Enloe ducked in amid the darkness, and his flashlight’s beam caught a heart-wrenching sight: a 2-month-old boy was upside down, with his head partially under water. “I don’t even know the words to explain it,” Enloe said Tuesday (April 9) in a telephone interview with the Tulsa World. “It’s very terrifying to see another car seat under the water, knowing you can’t hear any sounds coming from the car seat.” Emergency personnel had responded Thursday evening (Feb. 14) to U.S. 259 near Harris in McCurtain County on a report of a single-vehicle rollover. The three children and their mother are now home safe with minor injuries, Enloe said, but emergency crews weren’t certain that would be the outcome. After using the Jaws of Life to pry open enough space to enter the pickup’s cab, Enloe found the first two children — a 2- and a 1-year-old — strapped in back facing upward. As he frantically worked to remove the upside down 2-month-old, he noticed the infant’s face was blue. The trooper also didn’t feel any breath when he put his hand to the infant’s face. He said he immediately began performing back thrusts, which made the infant expel water from his mouth. He passed him off to medical personnel,

n

who a few minutes later had him revived and breathing. “That was the most relief was hearing all three kids screaming,” Enloe said. “It was actually a great sign, and a great relief to me.” McCurtain County Deputy Curtis Fields in a statement said he has been in law enforcement in Oklahoma for a decade, witnessing many horrific and incredible happenings. “The professionalism and competence that was exhibited by Trooper Cody Enloe on this day will be something I remember for the rest of my life and was nothing short of incredible,” Fields wrote. “Trooper Cody Enloe, while being a first-year trooper, performed with all the skill and professionalism of a veteran officer.” Enloe said the children’s mother fell asleep at the wheel, which resulted in the truck rolling over twice and coming to rest upside down in a low-lying area that retains shallow water. He said no drugs or alcohol were involved; it was a case of inattentive driving. He said the mother — who went into shock — was able to crawl out through a broken window with minimal help from a good Samaritan. But it was impossible for other motorists who stopped to get to the children because the truck cabin was crumpled. Before becoming a trooper, Enloe said he was a firefighter and paramedic. So he carries that medical training with him and experiences working other traumatic situations to keep calm in such dire circumstances. Enloe and the highway patrol expressed thanks for the other responders, including Haworth Volunteer Fire, Idabel Fire, McCurtain County emergency medical services, wrecker owners and motorists who stopped to help. “This couldn’t have went as good as it did just by myself. Absolutely not,” Enloe said.

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

Hello Everyone! I would like to take this time to remind everyone that the 23rd annual David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 18, 2019, at Lincoln Park Golf Course. You can see the Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial from the 6th Fairway!

And this year, we have opened it up to anyone who wants to play. I expect that it will fill up, so make plans to attend. This is very important to the Memorial. The Stuart truck is coming along. It has really cleaned up. We are very proud of how it is turning out. Thank you all for your support!

Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Sunday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. FREE for OSFA Members & Immediate Family

EDITOR’S NOTE: Tulsa World Staff Writer Corey Jones details Trooper Cody Enloe’s heroic rescue of three children at left. For his efforts in this rescue, the OSFA Board considered Trooper Enloe for an award at their March Executive Board meeting. The Board decided on the OSFA Heroism Award which can be presented to: Any non-firefighter who voluntarily risks his or her life in saving or attempting to save the life of another person. The award was presented to Trooper Enloe during a ceremony April 17 at the Department of Public Safety. The award was presented by OSFA 2nd Vice President Eric Harlow and Executive Director Steve Lumry. Enloe is a former McAlester firefighter and OSFA member for 5 years prior to moving to OHP.

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.


n

18th OSFA legislative reception

Oklahoma Firefighterď źMay 2019ď ź15

March 27, 2019 n at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum

OSFA wants to extend a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to our annual Legislative Reception. We had an awesome turnout -- 140 guests -- and we hope everyone enjoyed some World Famous OSFA Venison Firehouse Chili. We also wish to express our gratitude to the many legislators -- 42 Representatives and 17 Senators -who took the time to stop by and visit with Oklahoma Firefighters. And much appreciation goes out to those whose efforts have helped to advance OSFAsupported legislation on behalf of the Oklahoma Fire Service.

Byron Hollander & Jim Minx

Photos By Greg Roberts, Norman Ret.

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Tyner, Blair FD

Eric Harlow, Sen. Chuck Hall & Tom McNally

Brian Foughty, Clay Carpenter & Justin Beard

n www.CONRADFIRE.com

@conradfire

Sean Douglas & Cory Beagles

n (913) 780-5521 @conradfireequipment

Larry Bogges & Clifford Lewis

Conrad Fire Equipment is pleased to announce its partnership with Life Line Emergency Vehicles. Conrad is now the exclusive Life Line dealer in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Conrad Fire Equipment and Steve Martin would like to thank and congratulate Lowry VFD Fire Department on its recent purchase of this Pierce/Freightliner pumper.

Firefighters Serving Firefighters

STEVE MARTIN (405) 620-1891


Memorial is Inspiration for Convention Theme

16May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

By Penelope Soldan Oklahoma Firefighter Editor Dereck Cassady sees the Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial statue every time he comes to the OSFA office complex. And he loves what it represents. “It shows the dedication we have for a brother firefighter,” he said. “It shows firefighters’ actions being solid and dependable. We build trust through selfless actions and not empty words. “When firefighters are working an incident, we are truly creatures of Dereck Cassady many actions and very few words.” OSFA President and That is why Cassady decided on Ponca City Fire Marshal “Actions not Words” as the theme for his convention as OSFA President. Well, kinda. “Acta non Verba” is the actual theme for the 125th annual Convention of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association. Cassady and the Ponca City Fire Department will host the event June 5-8. And there is a very good reason why the theme is in the dead language of Latin instead of the English equivalent. Well, sorta. “Honestly, I just liked the way it sounded better than the English version,” Cassady said. “So really no special reason.”

Convention Returns to Ponca In 1896, Ponca City became the seventh FD to join the OSFA. And it’s been 58 years since Ponca City has hosted the OSFA Convention. Ponca City’s previous three OSFA Conventions were held in 1941 (the 47th), 1951 (the 57th) and 1961 (the 67th). “It is very special for us to be able to host the 125th Convention in Ponca City,” Cassady said. “We feel like Ponca City has a lot to showcase and we hope we can make that happen while everyone is here. “During the week of the OSFA Convention, the 101 Ranch Rodeo will be going on in Ponca. The 101 Ranch and the Rodeo have a long-standing history in Ponca City. “We are trying to work a deal on tickets for Thursday if any of our members want to attend that evening.” That’s just one thing Cassady and his convention committee members are working on to help make this event more memorable. Another thing that will make this year’s convention stand out will be the Memorial Service. “The Memorial Service will be in a church, and we hope to make it very personal for each family that has lost a loved one,” Cassady said. On Thursday, June 6, the annual OSFA Convention Memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. inside First Baptist Church’s Assembly Center (200 S 5th). The OSFA Women’s Auxiliary will host a reception for Memorial families afterwards.

Cassady on OSFA Conventions: How Many OSFA Conventions have you attended? “My first convention was in Norman in 1999 when Dana Cramer was President. I’ve missed a couple over the years, but not very many.” Your most memorable OSFA Convention so far? “One of my favorite conventions would have to be in Tahlequah (115th in 2009) when Ray Hammons was President.” Your hopes for the 125th OSFA Convention? “My hope for the 125th OSFA Convention is that we showcase the City of Ponca City and the Ponca City Fire Department, and that it’s the best convention that our members have ever been to.”

125th Annual OSFA C

June 5-8 at City Center Building

DUES: Membership in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association will be forfeited if dues are not paid by May 7. 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. 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 registration lines can move more quickly. You do not need to pre-pay to pre-register. You can also call the OSFA office to register members and guests. ACCOMMODATIONS: Host hotels are Fairfield Inn and LaQuinta Inn. Both are sold out. The overflow hotel is Comfort Inn (3101 N. 14th Street, Ponca City, OK 74604. Phone number is 580-765-2322.

MEETINGS: Daily meetings will be held at the City Ce Ponca City (400 E. Central, Ponca City OK 74601). It i the Central Fire Station.

ACTIVITIES: Golf Tournament is Wednesday, June 5 Memorial Golf Course. Bass Fishing Tournament is May 29, at Grand Lake’s Wolf Creek. Poker Run is Th 6 and begins at Ponca City FD Station 1. Pistol & AR Competition is Thursday, June 6, at Ponca City Rifle & See forms on Page 4 for more details.

MDA PICNIC: The Muscular Dystrophy Association wil on Thursday, June 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m at Lake Po La Cann Dr). Transportation provided. This is MDA’s w appreciation to firefighters around the state for all they

MEMORIAL SERVICE: To honor those members who since our last convention, a Memorial Service will be h June 6, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church. If a family m to attend, the OSFA asks that someone from their area certificate and deliver it to the department or family.


OSFA Conventions Through the Years

Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201917

10 YEARS AGO (2009) Before OSFA President Ray Hammons was even through his introductions during the opening session, he had already been fined five times. “I’ll just leave this out,” Hammons said, dropping his wallet on the podium after his first fine. His first fine-worthy remark? “How many retired firefighters do we have here today? I’m just glad to see that some of your knees still work so you can stand up. Oh, sorry, Perry and Chigger.” His best fine-worthy remark of the opening session? “I felt like President Bush a while ago, only taller and cuter and smarter.” Hammons’ fines continued to pile up as the convention went on. And to start the final business meeting, he said: “I’m just going to leave my credit card up here.” Also of note: • Firefighter games included a big water cannon key battle and canoe races down the Illinois River. And entertaining everyone gathered for the river games was the Sequoyah Rain Band. 2008 OSFA President • Muscular Dystrophy Association representative Becky Wilkerson informed convention goers that for the first Ray Hammons time ever, Oklahoma raised more than $1 million for MDA through the Fill the Boot campaign. “The economy is a little troubled right now, but the citizens are still pretty generous in giving to all of you,” Wilkerson said.

25 YEARS AGO (1994) Proceedings for the 100th OSFA Convention began with the ringing of the cow bell that opened the first convention in 1894. And then in walked Judge John H. Pitzer of El Reno, who gave the first Address of Welcome. Playing the part of the judge, complete with clothes from the 1890s, was OSFA Honorary Lifetime Member Harry Brown. He read the original address and said, “I’ll see you boys in 2094.” “That’ll be quite some trick,” President David Bain said. But Bain did introduce something that will be around in 100 years - a time capsule - and he invited everyone to start putting things in it. After convention, a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Memorial took place. Also of note: • Gov. David Walters made a special appearance at the opening session. And he was pleased to report that just a few hours earlier, he signed Senate Bill 615, which restored pension benefits for widows of fallen firefighters. “Pete, Jim and others do a good job of talking to us daily and have asked us to take action or not take action on certain bills,” Gov. Walters said. “We take to heart their advice and their recommendations.” 1994 OSFA President One recommendation this year was to set aside Senate Bill 614, which would have terminated the deferred option David Bain plan for new hires as of July 1, 1994. Gov. Walters vetoed it. • Legislative Director Pete Stavros reported on another piece of legislation signed by the Governor that helped firefighters. It was House Bill 1853, and it created the special Firefighter car tag. Cost for the tag is $35, and $20 from each tag goes directly to the Museum/Memorial.

50 YEARS AGO (1969) In 1965, State Insurance Commissioner Joe B. Hunt donated the first dollar to the museum and office building project. And by the 75th Convention, Hunt was credited with raising more than $35,000 in donations. “I wrote the Insurance Companies and suggested that they contribute to the Firefighters Museum because we didn’t have anything to put in there,” Hunt said. “You have your building bonded and you have your land contributed to you, but we needed something to put in there. “I conceived the bright idea when I wrote them if they would contribute $500 or more, we would put their name in the Hall of Flame. One company gave $750. Several gave $50. We didn’t put any pressure on them.” President Taylor told the delegation that Hunt has been unfairly criticized by the news media for his participation in the project. “But none of the charges and accusations served to diminish his enthusiasm one bit,” he said. Also of note: • President Clint Taylor called the convention to order by ringing the cowbell that was used at the first convention in 1894. “We feel it is fitting to call this 75th Convention to order with this bell,” Taylor said. “It probably will be the last time this bell will be used, for it will be retired to our museum.” • Reverend Oral Roberts led the congregation in prayer to close the Memorial Service.

75 YEARS AGO (1944)

CONVENTION

g in Ponca City

enter Building in is located behind

5, at Wentz s Wednesday, hursday, June R Shooting & Pistol Range.

ll host the picnic onca Park (1150 way of showing do for MDA.

have passed held Thursday, member is unable a pick up the

1969 OSFA President Clint Taylor

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. 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.

Ed C. Haley began his third and final convention as OSFA President by ringing the bell that began it all. “It seemed this was hooked from some cow lot in El Reno about the year 1894,” he said. “It was used to call this association’s conventions to order for 30 years, and then 20 years ago we voted to build a little box and retire this bell.

“Since this is our 50th anniversary, we decided to use this bell to call this meeting to order. We will retire the bell again, and I hope some of you will hear it ring at the 100th Convention.”

Also of note: • OSFA Secretary Charles Slemp introduced Governor Robert S. Kerr with the following story: “In 1941, I had the personal pleasure of introducing this speaker at the Ponca City Convention as the National Representative of the Red Cross. And I said to you boys that he has possibilities of being a Governor, and if ever he is a Governor, that the firemen will have the best friend they ever had in the Governor’s office.” Governor Kerr said, “That day, you made me a member of this association, and one of the proudest things I have is a fireman’s badge. But my middle boy now claims it is his, so I may have to get another.”

1944 OSFA President Ed C. Haley

100 YEARS AGO (1919) The 25th Annual Convention held in the State Capitol Building was called to order by President Wm. Barrowman of Purcell. Ex-Chief M.H. Kessler, the Commissioner of Public Safety in Oklahoma City, was to have addressed the convention at the opening meeting, but on Sept. 11 while taking a “lead” through an alley into the smoke-filled warehouse of the Davidson-Case Lumber Company Plant, a high tension wire burned in two and fell upon him -- 2,300 volts of electricity passed through his body. Painful burns about his face and body necessitated his detention at the hospital until after the convention adjourned. Also of note: • This convention was a prominent milestone in the history of the association in as much as it was the beginning of a new and better spirit of co-operation and interest among the members, the closer affiliation of city officials with the association and the introduction of a lot of new blood through the joining of new departments. • There was no tournament at this convention, and the association decided that in as much as most of the departments in the state were installing motor apparatus that the tournament feature should be dropped.

1919 OSFA President Wm. Barrowman


18May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT

BY GREG ROBERTS Norman FD Retired

PONCA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Fire Chief: Butch Herring Joined OSFA: 1896 Number of stations: 4 Number of engines: 3 Number of ladders: 1 Number of ambulances: 6 Number of personnel: 68 Population: Approx. 25,000 ISO Class: 3 Runs per year: Approx. 5,700

Ponca City FD Station 1

E-2 1997 Pierce 1250 pump 1000 tank

Ponca City FD Station 3

Ponca City FD Station 4

T-1 2005 Sutphen 1500 pump 500 tank 70’ platform

Ponca City FD Station 2

Ponca City was created in 1893 as New Ponca after the United States opened the Cherokee Outlet for European-American settlement during the Cherokee Strip land run, the largest land run in United States history. The site for Ponca City was selected for its proximity to the Arkansas River and the presence of a fresh water spring near the river. The city was laid out by Burton Barnes, who drew up the first survey of the city and sold certificates for the lots he had surveyed. After the drawing for lots in the city was completed, Barnes was elected the city’s first mayor. Another city, Cross, vied with Ponca City to become the leading city in the area. After the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway had opened a station in Cross, people thought it would not open another in Ponca City because of the two cities’ proximity. New Ponca boosters eventually secured a station after offering the Santa Fe station agent two town lots and the free relocation of his house from Cross. Ponca City reportedly obtained its first boxcar station by some Ponca City supporters going to Cross and returning with the town’s station pulled behind them. Cross eventually became defunct. And today, what was once Cross is now a residential district in Ponca City. In 1913 New Ponca changed its name to Ponca City. And to this day, Ponca City has never experienced a major fire or disaster.

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


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201919

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20May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

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97th OFCA Conference

April 3-5, 2019 • Hosted by Claremore FD

OFCA Pres. Sean Douglas

A total of 132 firefighters and friends attended the 97th Conference of the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association. A lot of money was raised throughout the Conference for the Keith Bryan Memorial Scholarship from the gun raffle and silent auction. The banquet entertainment was informative and memorable, thanks to Will Rogers Interpreter Andy Hogan and Cherokee Storyteller Robert Lewis. Congratulations to Dewayne Burk, who is the newest recipient of the J. Ray Pence Chief Officer of the Year award, and to James Heap, who is the OFCA’s new 3rd Vice President.

OFCA Conference First-Time Attendees

Dewayne Burk & Family Photos by OSFA Staff

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RIDE TO REMEMBER Memorial Motorcycle Run

A total of 1,209 motorcycles -- with two passengers on most bikes -- stopped by the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum & Memorial on April 20. It was the first stop on the Ride to Remember, Oklahoma’s First Responders Memorial Motorcycle Run. And most riders hung around the OSFA campus for over an hour and enjoyed the sites. All proceeds from the event go to three nonprofit organizations: Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial and Emergency Responder Assistance Program. Photos By Greg Roberts, Norman Ret.


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201921

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Chaplain’s Corner

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Troy Calvert

Critical Incident Stress Management Fire Chaplaincy

Clinton FD FF / EMT / Chaplain

May 16-18 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Answering the Call As a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT for the past 11 ½ years at Clinton, I am used to answering the call when the tones drop. It is an automatic reaction that requires very little thought. My department is a small combination department with 12 fulltime firefighters, about 16 volunteers, and a Chief. In March of 2018, I answered a different type of call. A call to become a volunteer Fire Chaplain for my department. This was in addition to my roles as a Firefighter and EMT. This was a role that I had long wanted but was afraid to pursue because of self-doubts about my lack of knowledge and piles of dirty laundry left behind during the years. I was sure that people would question my credibility. So, I resisted the call for a couple of years with my wife being the only one that knew my desire. After much prayer and encouragement from my wife, I concluded that I would never be good enough or smart enough or credible enough, except through God’s grace. So, what was I waiting for? I have always loved helping others, so I decided to finally pursue it. I brought the subject of becoming a Fire Chaplain up to our Chief and one of the captains. They are both great friends of mine, but even so, I figured that they would laugh at the idea. Boy, was I wrong. They both encouraged me to pursue the role. The biggest hurdle would be, at least in my mind, gaining acceptance from the rest of the department. I’m not sure why I even worried about that one because they were very supportive. Being a small department, we don’t see many of the issues that occur in some larger departments. However, this does not mean that we are immune to having occasional problems. No matter how big your department is, there are always problems that arise. Any department is subject to crisis on any level at any time. I frequently find myself just being an ear when someone needs to vent. I have assisted victims of wrecks and house fires. I have led a few Bible studies with some of our members and their spouses. I have finished changing a flat tire for the family of a heart attack victim and then went on to pray with them at the hospital. I most recently had the pleasure of officiating a wedding. I may just make a simple visit to a hospital to show concern, support and pray. I am certainly not a counselor, but merely a resource to help during times of need for people both in and outside of our department. Many chaplains are full or part-time preachers; I am neither. I love being a Fire Chaplain and I see a huge need for this role in many of our rural volunteer departments. Are you interested in answering the call to become a Fire Chaplain? What are you waiting for? There are classes coming up soon that can get you started on the path to a very rewarding position. I have attended the “Essentials of Basic Fire Chaplaincy” and “Critical Incident Stress Management” (CISM}. These classes, as well as “Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training” (ASIST) are being offered May 16-18 in Oklahoma City. A few details are at right. And to get more information or to register for these classes, visit www.okfirechaplains.org and click on the “Info Center” tab and select “2019 Fire Chaplain Training.” Other training resources can be found on the “Federation of Fire Chaplains” FFC website at https://ffc.wildapricot.org/Institute and click on the “Training and Resources” tab and then select “FFC Training Institute.” James 1:12 -- Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Have a blessed day.

At OKC Fire & Police Training Center (800 N Portland, OKC, OK 73107)

For More Info: Gary Dill deerslider@gmail.com Hal J. Penner hjpiguana@hotmail.com Teddy Wilson teddy.wilson@okc.gov Chuck McDade chaplainchuckmcdade@ gmail.com

CLASSES OFFERED:

Offered by Oklahoma State Fire Chaplains Association

n CISM: Group & Peer Support

www.okfirechaplains.org

May 16-18 $200

Accredited through Federation of Fire Chaplains

n Essentials: Basic Fire Chaplaincy

May 17-18 $200 plus manual ($60 hard copy, $35 digital)

n ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training May 17-18 $125

How A Firefighter Can Deal With Depression And Fearful Thoughts By: Stan Popovich Some firefighters may struggle with depression as a result of past experiences related to their job. Some firefighters may have trouble dealing with guilt or past traumatic events that can be a factor in their personal life and career. Here are six tips that firefighters can use to help manage their depression and fearful thoughts.

n 1. Challenge Your Depressing Thoughts: One of the ways to manage your depression is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Your fearful thoughts are usually not based on reality. n 2. Distract Yourself: Some people can get depressed over doing a certain task. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get your mind off of the problem and give you confidence to do other things.

n 3. Worrying Makes It Worse: A lot of times, our worrying can make the problem even worse. All the worrying in the world will not change anything. All you can do is to do your best each day, hope for the best, and when something does happen, take it in stride. n 4. Take It One Day At A Time: Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep. n 5. Read Positive Affirmations: Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements. n 6. Ask For Help: Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Numbers to call are 1-888-731-FIRE (3473) or 1-800-273-8255. Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear”. For more information about Stan and to get some free mental health advice, visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com/


22May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

www.osufst.org

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

May 2019 CLASS SCHEDULE Current as of April 17, 2019

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

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71232) May 1 (8 hours) Muskogee Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71233) May 1 (8 hours) Gordon Cooper Tech Center - Shawnee VFIS Traffic Incident Management System (73467) May 1 (4 hours) Okarche Fire Department NFA Leadership in Supervision: Framework to Success (71250) May 2-3 (16 hours) Tulsa Fire Safety Training Center Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71282) May 2 (8 hours) Great Plains Tech Center - Lawton Air Management Course (72989) May 2 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast American Red Cross The Hope After the Rescue (72991) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast ArcGIS Collector for Wildfire Use (72993) May 2 (3 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Community Risk Reduction Overview (72995) May 2 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast Fire for Effect: The Lost Art of Realistic Training (73007) May 2-3 (16 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Ground Ladders for Rescue (73013) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (73015) May 2 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Heavy Extrication Essentials (73018) May 2-3 (16 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Interior vs Exterior Attack, What Your Department Needs to Know (73020) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Marijuana and The First Responder, Safety and Survival (73027) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Rescue Task Force - Active Attack Intregrated Response Training (73041) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

See Something Say Something: Emergency Services Role in Homeland Security (73045) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Engine Company Specialist (73080) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Lessons Learned the Hard Way: Fatal Fire (73091) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies, T-t-T (73100) May 2 (8 hours) Tulsa Fire Academy Energy Storage System (73005) May 2 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast Tell Your Story; If Not You, Then Who (73050) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Fire Department to ASHE (Active Shooter and Hostile Events) (73103) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast OK Forestry: Supporting Air Operations (73033) May 2 (5 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Lessons Learned the Hard Way: Fatal Fire (73093) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Critical Weather Data at Your Fingertips: The OK Mesonet (72997) May 3 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

OPAL: Response to Pipeline Emergencies (73550) May 2 Tulsa Community College Northeast

EMAC Workshop (73004) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71283) May 3 (8 hours) Great Plains Tech Center - Lawton

OPAL: Response to Pipeline Emergencies (73551) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast

All Things Engine (72990) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Firefighting In Commercial Buildings: What’s Different and why dwelling fire tactics won’t work (73559) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast

Engine Company Specialist (73006) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast First Due Engine Operations (73010) May 3 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Harvesting the Money Tree: How to Achieve Grant Writing Success (73014) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Live Fire: Search and VES (73026) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

NFPA Hot Topic Round Robin (73032) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Engine Company Standpipe Operations (73560) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast Bridging the Generational Gap (72994) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

NFPA Data Overview (73031) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Firefighter Safety and Health Understanding Protective Clothing (73009) May 3 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

RIT Rapid InterventionTeam / Survival Operations (73043) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Keys to The City: Forcible Entry Basics (73024) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

American Red Cross The Hope After the Rescue (73086) May 3 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Oklahoma Trauma Education Program (OTEP) (73035) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Hydraulics and Pumping Fundamentals (73019) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Hazardous Materials Operations: Product Control T-t-T (73097) May 3 (8 hours) Tulsa Fire Academy

Rescuing the Leader Inside You (Powered by Glue) (73042) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Public Information 101 (73039) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Flammable Gas Emergencies (LPG) (73106) May 3 (12 hours) Tulsa Fire Academy

RIT Rapid InterventionTeam / Survival Operations (73074) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Complex Wildfire Response for Chiefs, Officers, and ICs (73120) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast

Critical Weather Data at Your Fingertips: The OK Mesonet (73078) May 3 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Preparing for and Conducting Contract Negotiations (73336) May 3 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Live Fire: Search and VES (73094) May 3 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Compassion Fatigue (72996) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Developing Effective Record Keeping for Training Division Officers (72999) May 2 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Stress First Aid (73047) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Using Emergency Reporting To Track Equipment Checks and Maintance Logs (73056) May 2 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast Using Emergency Reporting to Track Firefighter Training (73119) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Oklahoma Firefigher Pension Process and Your Fire Department (73034) May 2 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

The First Arriving Officer: Sorting Through the Data Incident Command at the Company Level (73558) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast CRR Overview (73238) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Fire Department to ASHE (Active Shooter and Hostile Events) (73104) May 3 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Stop The Bleed (73046) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast

The Detroit Story (73561) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast Cultivated Cropland Fundamentals (72998) May 3 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Stop The Bleed (73085) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast OPAL: Response to Pipeline Emergencies (73552) May 3 Tulsa Community College Northeast Oklahoma Trauma Education Program (OTEP) (73076) May 3 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast Fire Fighter II Flammable Liquids and Gas Emergency: (LPG) or (FLAG) Evaluation (73107) May 3 (8 hours) Tulsa Fire Academy 74103-8427 NFA Shaping the Future (71251) May 4-5 (16 hours) Tulsa Fire Safety Training Center Developing High Performance Teams (73000) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Electrical Safety for First Responder (73003) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Generational Firefighting (73012) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Train the Trainer (73016) May 4 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast ISO, What You Need to Know (73023) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Live Fire: Functional Fire Ground Evolutions (73025) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast NFA - Leadership in Supervision: Frameworks to Success F0648 (73029) May 4-5 (16 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Pump Operations (73040) May 4 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Rope Rescue I (73044) May 4-5 (16 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast The First Five Minutes: First Due Must Haves (73051) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast


www.osufst.org

Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201923

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

May 2019 CLASS SCHEDULE Current as of April 17, 2019

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

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted

The Requirements for Quality Assurance within the EMS Regulations (73054) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Using Speech To Achieve the Task at Hand (73059) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Developing Effective Record Keeping for Training Division Officers (73067) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Affiliate Local Best Practices (73335) May 4 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Suburban Fire Tactics: The Realistic Coordinated Fire Attack (73557) May 4 Tulsa Community College Northeast Doing Your Part to For a Safer Fireground (73002) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast The OERSSIRF Grant Application Process (73052) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Using OK-FIRE for Wildland Fire Management in Oklahoma (73058) May 4 (6 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Suburban Fire Tactics: Building Consistency on the Fire Ground (73555) May 4 Tulsa Community College Northeast Developing Tactical Decision Games (73001) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Primary Search: More Than a Check Box (73038) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Stretching Long, Working Short (73048) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast THE OSHD EMS Division Inspection Process (73053) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Oklahoma Firefigher Pension Process and Your Fire Department (73066) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Public Information 101 (73069) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Keys to The City: Forcible Entry Basics (73070) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Certification Written Retest (73845) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71253) May 7 (8 hours) Duncan Fire Department

Rope Rescue: Low Angle Operations (73381) May 18 (8 hours) Sneed Fire Department, Ardmore

Compassion Fatigue (73075) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Certification Retest: Driver Operator Aerial (73846) May 6 (2 hours) • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71254) May 8 (8 hours) Duncan Fire Department

Calling the MAYDAY (73660) May 18 (8 hours) Kiamichi Technology Center - Durant

Ground Ladders for Rescue (73077) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Live Fire: Functional Fire Ground Evolutions (73082) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Rescuing the Leader Inside You (Powered by Glue) (73084) May 4 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast OPAL: Response to Pipeline Emergencies (73553) May 4 Tulsa Community College Northeast Using Emergency Reporting to Track Firefighter Training (73057) May 4 (1 hour) Tulsa Community College Northeast Applying for and Maintaining an OSHD EMRA Cert (72992) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Cultivated Cropland Fundamentals (73068) May 4 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Using Speech To Achieve the Task at Hand (73071) May 5 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Hydraulics and Pumping Fundamentals (73073) May 5 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Marijuana and The First Responder, Safety and Survival (73087) May 5 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Primary Search: More Than a Check Box (73088) May 5 (4 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Pump Operations (73089) May 5 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Doing Your Part to For a Safer Fireground (73072) May 5 (2 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (72219) May 6 (8 hours) Pontotoc Technology Center - Ada

Certification Retest: Driver Operator Pumper (73847) May 6 (2 hours) • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Fire Fighter I (73848) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Fire Fighter II (73849) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Awareness (73850) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Operations (73851) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Hazardous Materials Technician (73852) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71284) May 8 (8 hours) Great Plains Technology Center Lawton Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (71255) May 9 (8 hours) Duncan Fire Department NIMS ICS 400 (EMI) Advanced Incident Command System (72892) May 9-10 (16 hours) American Red Cross - Tulsa Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (71650) May 10-11 (16 hours) Spencer Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations Certification (72224) May 11 (8 hours) Pontotoc Technology Center - Ada Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (73121) May 11 (8 hours) Clinton Fire Department Emergency Services Instructor (Instructor I) (73817) May 11-19 (32 hours) Deer Creek Fire Protection District

Certification Retest: Inspector I (73853) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid

Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (71651) May 11 (4 hours) Spencer Fire Department

Certification Retest: Instructor I (73854) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid

Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (73122) May 11 (1 hour) Clinton Fire Department

Certification Retest: Instructor II (73855) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Officer I (73856) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Certification Retest: Officer II (73857) May 6 • $350 - All Participants Autry Technology Center - Enid Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (72220) May 6 (1 hour) Pontotoc Technology Center - Ada

Hazardous Materials Decontamination - OK-RRS Basic Operation (71298) May 14 (6 hours) Blackwell Fire Department Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (71482) May 18-19 (16 hours) Salina Fire Department Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training (72923) May 18 (8 hours) Eakly Fire Department Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (73296) May 18 (8 hours) Northwest Technology Center - Alva

Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part A (73787) May 18-19 (16 hours) High Plains Tech Center - Woodward Pipeline Awareness for Emergency Responders (73782) May 18 (4 hours) Eufaula Community Center Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (73297) May 18 (1 hour) Northwest Technology Center - Alva Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (71483) May 19 (4 hours) Salina Fire Department Fire Fighter I Certification (71524) May 19 (8 hours) OSU-PSC, Hwy 51 West of Stillwater Industrial: 40 Hr. Rope/Confined Space Rescue Operations (72808) May 20-24 (40 hours) OSU/FST/FESTC Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71299) May 28 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71301) May 29 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71311) May 29 (8 hours) Moore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71302) May 30 (8 hours) Ardmore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71312) May 30 (8 hours) Moore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71313) May 31 (8 hours) Moore Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations: Core Competencies (73126) May 31-June 2 (24 hours) Clinton Fire Department


24May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

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fire service training Dr. Erick Reynolds OSU FST Director erick.reynolds@osufst.org 405-744-5727 (W) 405-409-0961 (C)

Hello Oklahoma’s Finest! I hope this writing finds you all well! We continue to be extremely busy at FST. This week alone, we are offering and/or supporting 41 different training events. People here at working diligently to provide top quality training to the emergency responders. As always, we appreciate our partnerships that help us provide training across the State of Oklahoma. We very much appreciate our partnership, in particular, with the OSFA and the mutual involvement between the two organizations and our mutual mission of providing classes to Oklahoma firefighters! The most visible of these classes is the Firefighter 1 being provided all across the state. These courses are based upon a mix of Resource 1 for the written portion of the course coupled with five hands-on skills days. Currently over four course offerings, we are holding at a 98% success rate for students as far as successful course completion! We very much appreciate all of the hard work of Sheri Nickel and the rest of the OSFA staff under the leadership of Executive Director Steve Lumry in support of this process. We feel certain that this will change the model of how to conduct Firefighter 1 courses in Oklahoma! Please consider taking advantage of upcoming developmental opportunities. One such offering is the 125th annual OSFA Convention June 5-8 in Ponca City under the direction of OSFA President Dereck Cassady. This will be an incredible professional growth opportunity! We continue to see change in our staff at FST and are doing our best to keep up with demands as we fill these key positions. We appreciate your patience as we work through these processes and staff changes! We look forward to receiving the fruits of our 2018 AFG Grant application which will afford FST a new set of flammable liquids and gas props to replace those old props that are simply worn down from years and years of service across Oklahoma. We hope that we will have those props in house and in service before Fall 2019. We look forward to training Oklahoma responders each and every day! Please let us know how we can help. The phone is always on. Call the office or call me on my cell. I will return your call just as soon as possible. Have a great Summer 2019! Please tell the people that you love that you love them. You just never know when you might not get another chance. Stop by Stillwater anytime! The coffee is always on and we look forward to seeing and talking to you!

n

LIVE LONG & PROSPER TOM LOW

Stillwater FD, Safety & Health Committee

Hello Brother and Sister Firefighters! I hope everyone is making their final plans to attend the 125th Annual Convention of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association in a few short weeks. For this month’s column, I wanted to focus a little bit on diets. I never realized how many different diets there were until I started to research for this article. I kind of have a dog in this fight so to speak. I started a KETO diet about a month ago. There are several guys on the department doing that or some version of this. So I thought the time was right. That being said, I can give you my personal experience with this particular diet. The shocking thing about this is I have NEVER tried a diet before. Since I started, I have lost 11 pounds. And I’m on the last hole in my duty belt now. I will need to get a smaller belt or a leather punch soon. Basically, the KETO diet is a high fat, low carb diet. The carbs are practically nil. This forces your body to burn fat rather than the glucose in the carbohydrates for energy. Technically it puts your body in a state of ketosis. Here your liver breaks down these fats into ketones to use for energy. Another benefit I have found with this diet is the fact that I no longer have the cravings that I used to have. You do have to make sure you are getting enough daily fiber for obvious reasons. This diet isn’t exactly rich in fiber. I take dietary supplements for my fiber needs. Now don’t get me wrong. I used to love french fries, buttery rolls, rice, lasagna and all those other carb-laden foods. They weren’t easy to give up. But I gave up Mountain Dew four years ago, so I knew this was something I could do if I tried. It has worked for me, anyways. Here are a few other diets making the rounds out there. Disclaimer here. I have no experience with any of these. Just passing them on to you in the event you might want to try one.

n Vegetarian: Well, I think it’s safe to say that everyone knows this diet. It’s is eating just plants for your food source -- fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, peas. This diet excludes all things animal -- milk, eggs, meat. Now there is a lacto-vegan diet that consists of plant foods and dairy products. Coming from deep agricultural roots -- and because I love beef, chicken, pork and fish -- I would never consider this diet. It has absolutely no appeal to me whatsoever. Though I know there are those that swear by it. To this I say: “To each, (his or her own)! “ I’m out! n Lacto /Ovo): This is a vegan diet that includes eggs and dairy. n Pesco/Vegan): This diet just adds fish and shellfish to the

plant foods. But it excludes red meat and poultry.

n Semi Vegetarian: This diet is also call the Flexatarian Diet. It is plant based but with occasional meat, poultry and seafood infused into it. n Paleolithic or Paleo: This is also called the caveman or stone age diet. It consists of eating foods that were assumed to be around for humans during the Paleolithic era of time. It, of course, would be composed of any meat and fish products, as well as fruits vegetables, seeds and nuts. It excludes foods that became available in the many thousands of years into the future, like dairy and grains and other cultivated and processed grains and legumes. Also not eaten with the Paleo diet are the refined sugars and potatoes -- anything processed or genetically engineered, basically. n One Meal A Day (also called OMAD): The name says it all here. In this diet, there is lots of fasting. And one big meal eating anything you want at regular dinner time. There is a negative effect to this diet plan to those that have low blood sugar. They also say weakness, fatigue and lack of concentration can be issues with this diet plan. n Warrior Diet: This diet involves intermittent fasting, and then one big meal in the evening. You eat this diet in cycles for extended periods of time with very little food intake. It is said this diet helps you lose weight and improves energy, and also helps you stay focused. n Carnivore: This is a diet in which you eat animal products only. No vegetables, fruits and nuts and no carbs at all. Dairy and eggs are also allowed with this diet. They recommend the meat be fatty and not the lean type. So here are just a few diets for you to check out if you are so inclined to do so. Maybe you will find something you like. I think we can all agree that a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet can lead to obesity and further medical issues down the road as we age. Choosing a diet is a personal choice. But I hope you will at least consider portion control and lowering your carb intake as a minimum. Any diet that helps you lose weight can reduce or even reverse risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and metabolic issues. You need to stay healthy and retire fit for your families. We have enough dangers to face on this job on a daily basis. We sure don’t need issues to our health due to poor diet and lack of exercise thrown into the mix. This is something we can fix ourselves. Until next time, take care and stay safe and healthy. See you in Ponca City!


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201925 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Chase Rankin

Terri Williams

Executive Director

Executive Secretary

James Reynolds

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

n MEETING (March 15, 2019) Members Present: Dereck Cassady, Mike Kelley, Cliff Davidson, Matt Lay, Dana Cramer, Scott Vanhorn, Juan Rodriquez, Ron Hunter, Janet Kohls, Brent Bryant, Brandy Manek. Members Absent: Buddy Combs, Eric Harlow. Others Present: Chase Rankin, Executive Director; Timothy Vanhorn, Assistant Director; James Reynolds, Assistant Director; Terri Williams, Executive Secretary; Marc Edwards, Legal Counsel; Troy Brown, Tim Nash and Tony Kay, &CO; Warren DeKinder and Richard Yasenchak, INTECH; Andy Pataky and Ben Blakney, Mesirow; Clay Moss and Kirk Hall, Hall Capital. Ben K. Merritt/Lawton - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective February 25, 2019: Motion was made by Rodriguez and seconded by Kelley to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective February 25, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Manek, Kohls, Hunter, Lay, Cramer, Bryant and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Eric J. Gomez/Owasso – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective February 17, 2019: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Kelley to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective February 17, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Manek, Hunter, Lay, Cramer, Kohls, Bryant, and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Terry Starling/Tulsa - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective March 1, 2019: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Vanhorn to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Service”, effective March 1, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Hunter, Lay, Cramer, Bryant, Manek, and Rodriguez. Nayes: Kohls. Motion carried. Glen Hash/Broken Arrow – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Kelley to approve the Request of Hash to modify from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Lay, Cramer, Hunter, Bryant, Manek, Kohls, and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Donald Thomason/Oklahoma City - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Kelley and seconded by Vanhorn to approve the Request of Thomason to modify from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Lay, Hunter, Cramer, Bryant, Manek, Kohls, and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Brent McDaniel/Shawnee – Request To Modify Pension From “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Rodriguez and seconded by Vanhorn to approve the Request of McDaniel to modify from “Disability Not in the Line of Duty” to Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Combs, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Cramer, Bryant and Hunter, and Rodriguez. Nayes: Kelley. Motion carried. James Bales/Altus – Request For A Hearing In Regards To Denial Of “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Hunter and seconded by Vanhorn to approve Disability in the Line of Duty Pension for Bales. Ayes: Kelley, Cassady, Vanhorn, Davidson, Lay, Harlow, Cramer, Bryant, Manek, Kohls, and Rodriguez. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Than Dinh

Assistant Director (COO)

Controller

Tim Van Horn

Keely Swonger

Member Services Coordinator

Vicki Mulbery

Accounts Payable Administrator

Thelisha Clark

Records Administrator

Assistant Controller

Assistant Director (CFO)

Martha Pierce

Latoya Battle Data Processor

n CONSENT AGENDA (April 19, 2019) CHECKS TERMINATED IN MARCH 2019 (Deceased): Canute Cashion Corn Enid Goldsby

Helena Hobart Midwest City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City

Ruth A. Beack Betty Haffner Phyllis Sawatzky Ruby Kelley Randall W. Wilson

Joann Stiles Barbara A. Hathorn Joe S. McSparrin Maxie R. Holt Thomas M. Stegner

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Tulsa Tulsa

$5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT: Ardmore Bartlesville Bartlesville Bristow Broken Arrow Calumet Cashion Lone Wolf Loyal Marshall Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Stroud Stroud Tulsa Tulsa

Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home On Behalf Of Austin Reed Jerolene Hendricks, Widow Of Robert T. Hendricks Theresa Elsclager, Death Recipient Of Miles R. Baker Hutcins Maples Matherly Funeral Home On Behalf Of Daniel Sullivan Jr. Thelma L. Rutherford, Widow Of Randall F. Rutherford Betty Maxine Evans, Widow Of Thomas J. Evans Stephanie L. Gibson, Widow Of Trent H. Gibson People’s Cooperative Funeral Home On Behalf Of Ricky J. Harris Ruth Ann Bilderback, Widow Of James Nathan Bilderback Delilah Rouse, Widow Of Bill G. Rouse Bill Merrit Funeral Home On Behalf Of Thomas M. Stegner Yanda & Sons Funeral Home On Behalf Of Marvin L. Mouse Max Robinson, Child Of Lawrence C. Robinson Beau Robinson, Child Of Lawrence C. Robinson Dustin Robinson, Child Of Lawrence C. Robinson Dorothy McFarland, Widow Of Floyd E. McFarland Geneva E. Wintz, Widow Of Richard L. Wintz Sandra Boman, Widow Of David W. Boman Patty Zickefoose, Widow Of James G. Zickefoose

William G. Wood Grace D. Malear Jan S. Leftwich Glenn Joyce E. Warren

APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM: Ardmore Blackwell Blackwell Bristow Enid Enid Fredrick Hominy McCloud Miami Poteau Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Weatherford Woodward Yukon

Brandon Shepard Reed Mcauliffe Timothy Mckenna Wade Snelling Daniel Pillsbury Colby Schultz Jordan Janis Tiara Ford Josh Jenkins Jacob White Brad Cook Brandon Don Bryan Goodnight Matthew Kent Brennen Stewart Jay Whitson Caden Harper Christopher Kondos

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE: 10/22/2018 04/03/2019

Cashion Tulsa

Stephanie Gibson, Widow Of Trent H. Gibson (Deceased 10/21/2018) Carrie Phillips, Window of Ryan Phillips (Deceased 04/02/2019)

APPLICATION OF CHILD FOR PENSION: 02/23/2019 02/23/2019 03/10/2019

Crescent Crescent Holdenville

Rachael Vigar, Guardian Of Hunter Smith, Son Of Jason Smith (Deceased 02/22/2019) Rachael Vigar Guardian Of Kyle Smith, Son Of Jason Smith (Deceased 02/22/2019) Laurel L. McConnell Guardian Of Charles P. Huff, Son Of Charles W. Huff (Deceased 3/9/2019)

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019

Ada Ames Boise City Bowlegs Br. Arrow Catoosa Colbert Grove Idabel Jet Marietta Norge OKC Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Warner

Sandi L. Beller, Widow Of Audrey M. Beller Rosetta Cotton, Widow Of Robert W. Paulsen Alberta M. Shannon, Widow Of Jerry L. Shannon Marsha Carr, Widow Of Mark A. Carr Michelle Cagle, Widow Of Phillip C. Cagle Brenda C. Conley, Widow Of Jerry D. Conley Angelina Dunlap, Widow Of Edward L. Dunlap Joyce R. Wilke, Widow Of Oscar I. Wilkie Juanita I. Brown, Widow Of Joe V. Brown Theola J. Hopkins, Widow Of William L. Hopkins Helen C. Mapp, Widow Of Bob Sharp Gilbert Unruh, Widow Of Erma J. Unruh Kathie L. Mouse, Widow Of Marvin A. Mouse Sandy L. Boman, Widow Of David W. Boman Patricia A. Cox, Widow Of Thomas G. Cox Selina S. Meyer, Widow Of Mark E. Meyer Joanne C. Turpen, Widow Of James D. Turpen Lillian J. McBee, Widow Of William P. McBee

REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS:

Hired

Kreston Taylor Enid Buck Shaw Monkey Island Joshua Snipes Woodward

10/03/2011 09/16/2016 12/04/2014

APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION: 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 08/01/2018 03/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 04/01/2019 03/23/2019 03/01/2017 04/01/2019

Dean R. Hutchinson Troy L. Madden Randall L. Lancaster Michael E. Roby John D. Jackson Henry T. Cosgrove Jason R. Skaggs Douglas L. Brand Samual L. Seyler Tommy D. Stroud Timothy Miller

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT: 04/01/2016 02/29/2029 05/14/2020 09/01/2018

Terminated 09/21/2018 03/12/2019 10/14/2018

NEW COUNTY AND/OR CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT ENTERING THE PENSION SYSTEM: Central High CFD/Sequoyah County

Agra Byars Capron Crowder Granite Haywood/Arpelar Hillsdale/Carrier Keota Keota Oak Grove Sumner

Berryhill Mara Muskrat Dewey Edward W. Stephens Muldrow Ray L. Watts Tonkawa Wayne Duvall Jr.


26May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

OSFA Executive Board Highlights

The OSFA Executive Board met March 14, 2019 in the boardroom of the OSFA at 2716 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK at 9:05 a.m. Roll Call: Dereck Cassady, present; Mike Kelley, present; Eric Harlow, excused; Cliff Davidson, present; Matt Lay, present; Juan Rodriguez (ORFA), present. Others: Steve Lumry, Gene Brown, Sheri Nickel, Tim Bartram, Trisha Chain, Sean Douglas, Julia Jernigan, Eric Hamilton, Don Armes. Guests: Mike Duncan Fire Marshal Commission Report: Lay Vacant positions are still open; a bill to change how the Fire Marshal Commission is comprised has not been heard on the floor. Fire Service Training Report: Duncan The wildland regional school at Camp Gruber is coming up on the 30-31 of March; staff is keeping busy with multiple classes around the state. The annual FST Golf Tournament is the day before OSFA State Fire School. COMMITTEE REPORTS: n Legislative: Lumry The next committee meeting will be at the Capitol, held in conjunction with the retirees’ Wednesday meetings. The Legislative Reception will be March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. n Safety & Health: Bartram Committee has filed two special resolutions for Convention: Special Resolution 19-01: Recommendation that departments implement a mandatory seatbelt use policy. Special Resolution 19-02: Recommendation that departments implement a mandatory policy requiring biennial EVDT. n Educational Advisory: Bartram Enrollment in the State Fire School is roughly 442 students. n EMS: Bartram The Dept of Health-EMS Division has created 3-4 committees as a result of discussions with Dale Adkerson through this committee. Bartram is a member of their Rules Committee, who will be reviewing rules for EMRAs and the OERSSIRF Grant. n Benevolent: Chain Committee met and is working on creating a planning binder whose purpose will be assisting survivors and/or beneficiaries. n County Sales Tax A meeting will be scheduled when answers are received from the Attorney General’s office n Financial Advisory: Lumry A meeting has been requested to discuss impact and strategy of COLAs, with findings being presented to the Legislative Committee. n Public Education: Brown Committee has met with staff in the State Superintendent’s office to discuss curriculum plans for ‘Lessons in a Box’ project; committee is researching ideas to implement in the Museum expansion for people with special needs.

March 14, 2019 MEETING

One member has confirmed he will attend the NFPA’s Spotlight on Public Education Conference; his mileage, room, and registration will be paid by OSFA and he will attend the OSFA Convention as a delegate. Museum Report: Brown The Lawton truck was returned to Lawton and had great local media coverage. Thank you to Davidson for his help. The Stuart truck is expected to be running in the next week. The 2019 David Bain Fallen & Living Firefighter Memorial Golf Tournament will be September 18 and this year, will be open to all participants. The Memorial repairs are estimated to be done by mid-July. House pages will be touring the Museum the 20th. n Museum Expansion Committee: Lumry Lumry and Art Cotton had a great meeting with Kim Henry of the Sarkeys Foundation and are encouraged about the potential of a donation. Cotton has reported there is an interest of a legacy donation to the expansion project. Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Report: Nickel Firefighter 1 classes in Drumright and Ardmore are finishing, next are classes in Blaine County and Altus, a class planning meeting will be held in Enid next week, and gear will be delivered in Poteau. Nickel wrote a $3.3 million SAFER grant that will be reviewed with the help of Fire Service Training. NVFC Report: Nickel NVFC will be featuring Nickel’s family in the Anheuser-Busch water project documentary. OFCA Report: Douglas Douglas is preparing for the OFCA Conference and encouraged everyone to attend April 3-5. ORFA Report: Rodriguez Board has not met but is interested in having a representative of the Insurance Commissioner as a vendor at Convention. Legislative Report: Armes, Jernigan The COLA bill has made it out of the House and will move to the Senate; Armes is encouraged that it may pass if it gets out of committee and is heard on the floor. Jernigan encouraged members to meet their representatives in their own districts instead of at the Capitol. Lumry thanked Armes and Jernigan for their diligence and dedication to the active and retired firefighters of Oklahoma. Federal HR 141 and SR 521 both seek to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Executive Directors Report: Lumry Lumry expressed appreciation for each staff member’s hard work. The return from 2019’s membership drive is at 409 departments and 9,303 members, including one new department: Langston. ORFA membership is at 4,462, Brent Hatcher Benevolent Fund is at 121 members, the digital Oklahoma Firefighter subscription is at 651. There are 26 OSFA Associate Members and 32 OFCA Associate Members. The OFCA Conference currently has 92 attendants registered. The Adventure District has a board meeting coming

up March 27; Lumry and Cotton have a meeting set with the Executive Director of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to discuss strategies to include all Adventure District museums in the city’s MAPS 4 project. The Training and Benevolent Fund paperwork had to be resigned and sent in again; the request for matching funds for the Museum endowment was approved; TFCU requested a sponsorship for their foundation that provides housing solutions for first responders – no action was taken. The OSFA is still waiting on the auditor’s report; the legislative subcommittee regarding billing for vehicle accidents met with representatives from Farm Bureau and would like to include representatives from Fire Recovery USA in the next meeting. Next meeting: April 18, 2019 Adjourned: 11:53 a.m.

Upcoming Dates to Remember: 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 Sept. 18, 2019 23rd David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament Lincoln Park West Course

n FUNDRAISERS Canute Volunteer FD’s annual Fundraiser Fish Fry on Friday, May 3 from 5-8 p.m. at the Canute Fire Station. Fundraiser is by donation. Tecumseh Volunteer Firefighter Association Golf Tournament May 4 at Fire Lake. 4-Man Scramble - $300 per team. For more info: jstokes@tecumsehok.org Calumet Fire and Rescue 8th Annual Dinner & Benefit Auction Saturday, May 11 at Calumet School. Dinner 5-7 p.m., Auction 7-9 p.m. For more info: Terry Brungardt 405-203-2114. Norman IAFF Local 2067 Golf Tournament Monday, May 13 at The Trails Golf Club. Fourman Scramble, 9 a.m. Shotgun Start. Benefits “Operation Warm.” For more info: Jordan 405990-6809. 7th Annual Yukon Firefighters Golf Tournament Friday, June 21. $340 per team. For more info: Jeremy 405-760-1795 or Brent 405-317-0560.


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201927

OSFA Convention Legislative Resolution 19-01 WHEREAS the Municipal Fire Protection District Act has been introduced in many legislative sessions of the Oklahoma Legislature; and WHEREAS this legislation has changed to include police and other items important to municipalities; and WHEREAS this legislation has not been able to come to fruition for more than a decade; and WHEREAS this legislation is now referred to as the Public Safety Protection District Act; and WHEREAS this legislation will increase the potential funding of fire departments, EMS, police, and costs associated with housing municipal prisoners in the county jail throughout the state; and WHEREAS this legislation has bearing and impact on a large number of fire departments in Oklahoma, both volunteer and paid; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OSFA add this item to our legislative agenda as a priority item for the 2nd Session of the 57th Legislature and take an active role in assuring the passage of this legislation. SUBMITTED BY:

OSFA Legislative Committee -- Jim Ed Nimmo, Chairman OSFA Executive Board -- Dereck Cassady, President

OSFA Convention Special Resolution 19-01 WHEREAS Firefighters die every year in automotive accidents while driving and riding in fire apparatus; and WHEREAS NFPA 1500 requires seat belt use in fire apparatus; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association recommends that all fire departments implement a mandatory seat belt use policy. SUBMITTED BY:

OSFA Safety and Health Committee -- Dan Newbury, Chairman OSFA Executive Board -- Dereck Cassady, President

OSFA Convention Special Resolution 19-02 WHEREAS Firefighters die every year in automotive accidents while driving and riding in fire apparatus; and Whereas the State of Oklahoma requires EMS personnel take an EVDT training every two years: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association recommends that all fire departments implement a mandatory policy requiring EVDT training every two years. SUBMITTED BY:

OSFA Safety and Health Committee -- Dan Newbury, Chairman OSFA Executive Board -- Dereck Cassady, President

LETTER TO THE EDITOR THANK YOU! From my heart, I want to thank you, Director Lumry and President Cassady, Vice Presidents Kelley, Harlow, Davidson, Administrative Director Nickel, Special Projects Bartram, Office Technicians Horton, Chain, Soldan, Museum Director Brown, Museum Staff James, and Noll, and All The Brothers and Sisters from the past and present who made Oklahoma State Firefighters Association a blessed beacon of light to me, a small town rural volunteer, and my neighboring brothers and sisters, both career and volunteer. Without Your OSFA’s grant, I would not have had the opportunity to attend an OSU-FST 2-day Extrication Class with our state’s renown Lead Instructor John Vietta and assisting instructors John Burrows and Gary Baustert. All stress the “Work Safe-Be Aware” rules. I am so enthused from this training I have to share what it did for me. Our class was divided into three groups, and we rotated skill stations as we finished our hands-on training. We worked up a good sweat many times. We learned skills required to extricate under a wide variety of scenarios like stacked cars, flipped, pinned under victim, side tree intrusion, front and rear impact. And we worked with not only state-of-the-art equipment, air lifts, hydraulic cutters, spreaders and rams, but also real-world conditions like electric saws-all, hand pump ram for dash lifts, and it goes on and on. We covered many years worth of hands on accidents in two days with 10 cars/suvs/trucks. The hosting Brothers and Sisters at Dickson Fire Department could not have been nicer. The clean, well-equipped training room we used for four hours was ideal. The skills working area was many acres behind the fire station and parking was plentiful. Thank you, Dickson. Be assured we will use our gained knowledge to help our communities, me in Choctaw County, others scattered across southern and central Oklahoma. The training from your generous grant did not stop when our class was completed. We will share our newly learned skills with our home departments. My small town fire department, like many departments, struggles with training. Some members work jobs with evening or night shifts, with weekends mandatory when weather effects production. Others travel out of our county or state for weeks at a time. Family and friend time is special, and traveling many hours to Oklahoma City, Tulsa or Stillwater for class and staying at a hotel over night is impossible for most here. That is only one reason why we say Thank You to you, OSFA, Sister Associations, All Brother and Sister Members, OSU-FST Instructors ( many whom travel hours from their homes and families to teach class). And to those who donate to OSFA, I say thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for keeping the light of training and knowledge shining into all areas of the state. This was a great class at a great location with instructors who looked us in the eyes and asked: “Tomorrow morning at 2 a.m., can you do this skill if needed?” Our answer: “YES!” Thank You To All, From one of the many Brothers and Sisters Attendees

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28May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

n

educational Advisory Report Tony Samaniego

Chickasha FD

n

in memoriam Paul Vines, Erick FD

Hello firefighters! We are already steaming through 2019. The cold northerly winds are behind us and the beautiful spring weather is upon us. As you are reading this the John F. Futhey II Oklahoma State Fire School will (or soon will) be taking place. As temperatures rise, so does enrollment into this tremendous training opportunity for Oklahoma Firefighters. The State Fire School is the No. 1 free fire training event in the Southwest United States. There are over 100 classes being offered from some of the top instructors from around Oklahoma and the United States. The Educational Advisory Committee works nearly year-round to bring you free training on subjects ranging from Cancer Prevention to Incident Command and everything in between. Without our amazing vendors, sponsors, Tulsa Community College and the Tulsa Fire Department, the OSFA would not be able to provide such great training for free. A huge THANK YOU goes out to each and everyone who helps make this event so special and helps continue to make it grow. If you are reading this after getting home from the State Fire School, please let everybody at your department know how much you enjoyed your time with us. If you have yet to make it to the OSFA State Fire School, let me say you are missing out. So make plans now to attend next year’s event, as it promises to be even bigger and better. Stay safe, Brothers and Sisters.

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Erick Volunteer Firefighter Paul Vines on April 8. He was 50. In addition to volunteering for the Erick FD, Paul was a loyal and dedicated Walmart manager for several years. He started as an hourly employee and worked his way to district manager. He has managed stores in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado. Paul had many hobbies he enjoyed during his lifetime, such as stock car racing, golfing and enjoying the outdoors hunting and fishing.

Ryan Phillips, Tulsa FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Tulsa Firefighter Ryan Phillips on April 2. He was 42. Ryan started his career with the Tulsa FD in February 2005 and was assigned to Engine 29. He spent his entire career on Engine 29, which has always been one of busiest companies in the city. Ryan took great pride in the fact that Engine 29 was the busiest company in Tulsa, and the third busiest in the State of Oklahoma during 2018. Ryan always held himself to a high standard as a firefighter and paramedic. Ryan was the definition of what a firefighter should be and delivered the absolute best care to all the patients he had the privilege to meet while serving the citizens of Tulsa.

Colby McKeown, Apache FD

PUBLIC EDUCATION SUMMIT Friday, May 3 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. NFPA Data Overview: Take a fast and furious look at free resources to help you address hot topics and life safety issues effecting all communities. This session focuses on real-life solutions to everyday fire problems.

8 to 9 a.m. 9 to 10 a.m. 10 to 11 a.m. 1 to 5 p.m.

Community Risk Reduction (CRR): What exactly is CRR and what does it have to do with us? Discuss how CRR impacts our fire and injury losses in our Oklahoma communities. We’ll also discuss a few examples of CRR in Oklahoma.

NFPA Data Overview (73031) CRR- Comunity Risk Reduction (73238) EMAC Workshop (73004) NFPA Hot Topic Round Robin (73032) EMAC: This session will focus on how to use educational messaging that is developed by the NFPA Educational Messaging Advisory Committee (EMAC) so that all fire departments and educators can use the same language to educate the public.

Learning Stations and Round Robins: A variety of topics -NFPA 3000 - Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER), Carbon Monoxide Home Fire Sprinklers, Wildfire & Firewise, Safe Kids Oklahoma and more -in a fun rotating format.

Fire impacts every community and every person no matter your age or culture. The Public Education Summit aims to enhance community safety, quality of life and confidence by minimizing the impact of hazards and emergency incidents through education and prevention.

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Apache Volunteer Firefighter Colby McKeown on March 26. He was 20. Colby grew up around the fire service and fire station, and when he graduated from Apache HS in 2018, one of the first things he did was join the Apache Volunteer FD. Colby loved hunting and fishing. His father is Captain Jackson McKeown of the Lawton Fire Department. His mother is Carie Anderson. Colby always did for others and would give you the shirt off his back when needed.

Chris Cagle, Broken Arrow FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Retired Broken Arrow Captain Chris “Spike” Cagle on March 25. He was 51. Chris graduated Jenks HS in 1985 and soon after joined the United States Air Force in 1987, later continuing to serve our country in the Air National Guard until 1999. Chris was a dedicated member of the Broken Arrow Fire Department, reaching the honor of Captain until his retirement in 2015. His supportive guidance to those around him was felt by many and will leave a lasting influence that few can hope for. To know Chris was to love him and he will be eternally missed by those blessed to have enjoyed his company.


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201929

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30May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

OSFA Snapshots

Got something going on at your Fire Department? Share the news! Email photos to osfa@osfa.info

New firefighters from Lakewood, Addington, Healdton, Velma and Marlow are proof that good things happen when you train hard. They have all completed the requirements for the SAFER Grant and received their bunker gear.

OKC Firefighters at Station 20 welcomed a very special guest on April 17 -- U.S. Senator James Lankford stopped by for a visit between meetings.

On March 19, the Konawa Fire Department provided our brothers at the Bowlegs Fire Department dinner to show their appreciation to them.

Drumright’s online FF1 class graduated March 26 -- 29 firefighters from 19 FDs completed the 8-week training, and 16 are new recruits who will receive a pension physical and a set of bunker gear from the OSFA SAFER Grant. Congratulations! And great job, instructors, for not letting anyone drop out! NW Oklahoma Strike Team meeting and FF1 planning for Enid area on March 20. Awesome turn out from many Oklahoma fire departments.

Volunteers with the Orlando Volunteer FD staged a structure fire training drill on April 1.

Caney FD gave four new Heartsine AEDs and training to Caney Public School.

Thank you to Altus Chief Davis for hosting the online Firefighter I class that began April 12. Skills will be held in the new Altus Fire Station, which had its grand opening on April 19.

21 more Oklahoma Volunteer Firefighters have now successfully been trained to the level of Firefighter-1. Congratulations to the Ardmore Online FF1 class for a 99% pass rate on their IFSAC test.


Oklahoma FirefighterMay 201931

Now available to all OSFA members

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SM


32May 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

Evolution® 6000 TIKO Promotion Casco & MSA is pleased to announce the EVOLUTION 6000 TIKO (Thermal Imaging Kit Option) Promotion. This promotion pairs one of four models of EVOLUTION 6000 Thermal Imaging Camera with a Truck Charging Kit. For the four part-numbered kits listed below, MSA provides a five-year camera warranty, more than doubling the standard two-year warranty that MSA has previously offered on TICs.

Program Notes: •

EVOLUTION 6000 TIKO Promotion runs from February 1, 2019 to December 6, 2019.

• No product substitutions (such as alternate featured cameras,

alternate chargers, etc.) are permitted.

EVOLUTION 6000 TIKO part numbers assembled for this promotion: Part Number Description SALE PRICE E6000+, less laser pointer/flashlight feature complete with a Truck Kit (consists 10173119 of truck charger, two rechargeable batteries, retractable lanyard and user instructions). Includes 5-Year Warranty on camera. E6000+ with Laser Range Finder complete with a Truck Kit (consists of truck

10173120 charger, two rechargeable batteries, retractable lanyard and user instructions). Includes 5-Year Warranty on camera.

E6000X, less laser pointer/flashlight feature complete with a Truck Kit (consists

$6,553.00 $6,860.00

10173151 of truck charger, two rechargeable batteries, retractable lanyard and user

$6,576.00

E6000X with Laser Range Finder complete with a Truck Kit (consists of truck 10173152 charger, two rechargeable batteries, retractable lanyard and user instructions). Includes 5-Year Warranty on camera.

$7,389.00

instructions). Includes 5-Year Warranty on camera.

Contact your Local Casco Salesman for a Presentation!

800-551-8787

www.cascoindustries.com


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