Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System

When it comes to being a firefighter, age, health, and physical ability play a vital role. I, for one, am still a young and healthy individual, but I certainly do not have the physical ability to do what each of you do day in and day out. I admire and respect the fire service, and it is my honor to serve you as the Executive Director of the Pension System. It is my job to ensure you have a healthy pension when it is your turn to retire. One key component to the health of your pension and the health of the fire service (which in turn protects the public) is to ensure only candidates that can safely perform the essential job functions of a firefighter are put to work. The job functions of a firefighter are extreme and not everyone is physically and mentally able to perform these job functions. It is for this reason that we have in our statute the requirement to pass a pre-employment medical exam and physical ability test before becoming a firefighter. Recently, the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System underwent a large-scale review of the essential job functions of a firefighter, the medical exam requirements, and the physical ability test. This resulted in the rule-making process opening and culminated in rule amendment adoption that will ensure we are in line with the process to best evaluate these important items for firefighter candidates. You can review these adopted rule amendments, which will go into effect in September 2021, on our website at www.ok.gov/fprs/Pension_ Rules_and_IRS_Rulings/index.html. In addition, the board reviewed the physician for the board and decided it was time to make a change from the Integris System we have been using for many years.

I am excited to introduce to you, the new physician for the pension board, Dr. Isaac Ilaoa D.O., with Your Health and Wellness. I am so excited about the new partnership and I believe you will love Dr. Ilaoa. (His name is pronounced “Allow-uh” but I know from experience you can call him Dr. I). They are set up and taking physical appointments as we speak, and I know they can’t wait to serve the firefighters of Oklahoma in this role. You can schedule appointments to get candidates evaluated by Dr. Ilaoa by calling 405-730-6990 or text 405-544-5152. As always, we are here to serve you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Be safe and stay healthy!

MEET DR. ILAOA

Dr. Isaac Ilaoa is a true “Okie from Muskogee.” After finishing high school, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. After completing five years in service, including a tour in Iraq, he returned home to continue his pursuit of practicing medicine. He majored in Bio-medical Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, and completed medical school at Oklahoma State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Ilaoa went on to complete a residency in Internal Medicine in San Diego, Ca., and recently finished his second stint in the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander at Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi. He is excited to be returning home, and is looking forward to sharing life with his new community. Dr. Ilaoa spends the majority of his free time with his wife and two kids; typically involved, are playing music, or outdoor activities. They are also active in working with underserved, and underprivileged communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Fireman’s Convention in Guthrie Makes Front Page of The Daily Oklahoma State Capital newspaper on May 11, 1895

EXTINGUISHED

The Fireman’s Convention Adjourns and the Boys go Home -- A Parting Toast and Resolutions Complimentary to the Citizens of Guthrie Generally by the Visiting Members - A Profitable Three Day Session

The three days session of the Territorial Firemen’s Association ended last night and the visiting members left for their respective homes. On account of the bad sand storm, the ball for last night had to be given up; but in its place a general reception was given at the K.P.Hall in which the fire boys exchanged happy compliments before parting. Speeches, music and songs were the order of the evening. A committee composed of S.E. Clute, J.T. Farrell and L.W. Lay, appointed to draft resolutions, presented the following which were unanimously adopted: To the officers and members of the Oklahoma Firemen’s Association:

Resolved, that the thanks of this convention be extended to his excellency Wm. C. Renfrow, governor of Oklahoma, in view of his taking so pronounced a stand in our behalf; and we further recommend that he be made an honorary member of the association.

Resolved, that this association highly appreciates the hospitality of the Leader and The State Capital and citizens of Guthrie during our sojourn here; and that this resolution be spread upon the records and published in the official organ of the association.

Resolved, that is view of the fact that we have been highly entertained through the painstaking and untiring efforts of Chief George W. Taylor of the Guthrie Fire Department, we extend our sincere thanks and brotherly love to this worthy chief;

And be it further Resolved, that we congratulate the citizens of the city of Guthrie on their fortunate selection of this untiring chief.

Resolved, that this association extend to his hoor, Mayor Martin, our hearty appreciation of his efforts to make our sojourn while in this city one long to be remembered and cherished by us;

And be it further Resolved, that we also thank and highly appreciate the cordial treatment of the honorable council and chief of police of the city of Guthrie.

Resolved, that this association thank the Guthrie Fire Department for the efficient manner in which they have entertained us while their guests and that this resolution be spread upon the records of this association.

Resolved, that in view of the able manner in which T.E. Dowell, president of this association, has exercised the prerogatives of his office, that this association desires to show our high appreciation of him as an honored president and brother fireman by thanking him most heartily for services rendered.

DUES: Membership in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association will be forfeited if dues are not paid by May 11.

CREDENTIALS: Delegate registration must be on the credentials form with proper signature. Pre-registration may be mailed, but all credentials are due in the OSFA office no later than May 31.

REGISTRATION: Registration cost for delegates and members is $60. Registration cost for spouses and guests is $50. The OSFA encourages all members to attend convention, whether as a delegate or as an interested member.

Everyone should pre-register, including spouses and guests.

This allows the OSFA office to have your name tag pre-typed so the registration lines can move more quickly. You do not need to pre-pay to pre-register. You can also call the OSFA office to register members and guests. Any volunteer department whose income to its general fund during a fiscal year is less than $25,000 may choose a one-day registration. The one-day registration shall be for the voting session day only (Saturday) and the cost shall be one-third the cost of the normal convention ($20). Any delegate wishing to attend the convention under the authority of this section must be pre-registered for the convention.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Host hotel is Hampton Inn & Suites Guthrie. Rooms are $96 per night (use group code “OFA”). Hampton Inn is located at 401 Cimarron Blvd, Guthrie, OK 73044. The hotel’s phone number is 405-293-9595. Holiday Inn Express (405-293-6464) is also a host hotel offering $96 room rates for the OSFA Convention. Additional Hotels in the area: La Quinta Inn & Suites (405-293-6000), Sleep Inn & Suites (405-260-1400).

MEETINGS: Daily meetings will be held at the Dominion House (602 E. College. Guthrie, OK 73044).

ACTIVITIES: Fishing Tournament is Saturday, June 5, at Lake McMurtry East Pavillion in Stillwater. 2-person teams (one must be active or retired firefighter). Registration starts at 6 a.m., fishing starts at 6:30 a.m., weigh-in at 3 p.m. Cost is $100 per boat (includes meal at weigh-in, T-shirt if registered by May 14). Golf Tournament is Wednesday, June 9, at Cimarron National Golf Course (500 Duffy’s Way, Guthrie, OK 73044)). Tee times at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $80 per person or $320 per team (includes green fees, cart, lunch). Shooting Tournament is Thursday, June 10, at Silverleaf Shotgun Sports (8513 S. Douglas Blvd., Guthrie, OK 73044). Begins at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person (includes T-shirt if registered by May 14). Fire Apparatus Parade is Thursday, June 10, at 5 p.m. in Guthrie. To participate, please contact the OSFA office. Picnic will be at the end of the parade at Mineral Wells Park (901 S. Division, Guthrie, OK 73044).

MEMORIAL SERVICE: To honor those members who have passed since our last convention, a Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 10, at 8:30 a.m. at Dominion House. The service will be virtual and will stream live on the OSFA Facebook page.

DOOR PRIZES: Each department is asked to bring three (3) 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 Friday at the Dominion House ballroom, and you must be present to win.

ENTERTAINMENT: Scheduled for Friday, June 11, at the Dominion House ballroom in Guthrie.

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.

Be Mindful at Convention in Guthrie

By Penelope Soldan Oklahoma Firefighter Editor

Eric Harlow loves Latin phrases. So when it came time to pick a theme for the 127th OSFA Convention, he searched online for one that conveyed his message. It is “Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Mindful of what has been done, aware of what will be.” “I knew I wanted to embrace our association’s history, especially with the historical significance our department has with the association,” said Harlow, OSFA President and Guthrie Fire Chief. “But at the same time, I wanted to show that we are ever ready and always preparing for the future. I added the English equivalent to the logo mainly to make sure everyone knew the meaning and there would be no doubt what our theme was!” Sole credit for the convention logo design goes to Michelle Sheridan, Harlow’s mother-in-law. “I told her what our theme was going to be and how it was embracing past, present and future, and she did the rest,” Harlow said. “She did an excellent job! Her creative talents never fail to amaze me, and I cannot thank her enough for her help!”

Guthrie FD and the OSFA

Only four fire departments were represented at the inaugural convention of the Territorial Firemen’s Association of Oklahoma held in 1894 in El Reno. Those FDs were El Reno, Oklahoma City, Guthrie and Norman. Guthrie, a charter member of the association that would later be called OSFA, then hosted the 2nd convention (1895), 6th convention (1899) and 11th convention (1904). Now, 117 years later, the OSFA is bringing the convention back to Guthrie. “It’s been before Oklahoma statehood since we hosted one here and it’s beyond time to bring it back,” Harlow said. “Our department has played such an integral part in the creation of the OSFA. And I know myself, our department and our city are all very proud to be hosting the 127th convention here in Guthrie.”

Historically Speaking

• Guthrie was designated as the territorial capital after the Land Run of 1889 and named the first state capital of Oklahoma in 1907. • In 1894, Guthrie Fire Chief G.W. Taylor secured a charter for the association from the governor of the Territory of Oklahoma. • The Dominion House, built in 1923, will host this year’s OSFA convention meetings. Originally constructed as the Masonic Children’s Home of Oklahoma, it served in this capacity well into the 1970s. It closed in 1978 and was sold in 1982 to a private developer. In the early 2000s, Dominion House sold again to its current owner who undertook a massive remodeling project, making the building into what it is today.

Eric Harlow

OSFA President and Guthrie Fire Chief

Harlow on OSFA Conventions

What are your hopes for the 127th OSFA

Convention? My biggest hope is that we show that we are strong as an association and as a fire service, coming out of the COVID mess and showing that we are a diverse, yet unified group of firefighters.

Anything you like better or worse from your first OSFA convention to your OSFA conventions as

a board member? They’ve all been a lot of fun. It is always a great time to visit with old friends and network with new ones. It’s great to see the representation from across the entire state when it’s convention time. And it is much more interesting being involved from the board side of things, especially this year as I get to be so involved with the coordination of the entire convention.