In Memoriam

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Oklahoma City firefighter Chad

Hyde on April 1. He was 32. Just two weeks after his birthday, Chad died after crashing his motorcycle at an on ramp to Interstate 35 in Moore. He loved his family -- wife Brittany and two small childen, Emery and Everett, and he served the community of Oklahoma City with distinction. A post by OCFD said, “We were honored by his dedication to the job and humbled by his passion to serve. Our prayers are with the entire Hyde family.”

R.B. Ellis, Tulsa FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Tulsa firefighter R.B.

Ellis on Feb. 24. He was 60. R.B. joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1989 and spent most of his career at Station 4. He was committed to his roles on the Tulsa FD, USAR Task Force 1, serving as longtime president of Tulsa Metro FOOLs and training with Tech Resq. A post by OSFA said, “We are very grateful for his service to our state fire school, and there are numerous reviews of his class from students that express the same sentiment.”

Jake Riner, Tulsa FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Tulsa firefighter Jake

Riner on Jan. 30. He was 35. Jake’s career path included several stops, all under the heading of service to others. He received his fire and emergency medical services certificate from Tulsa Community College, then served as an EMT for EMSA and as a firefighter with Bartlesville Fire and then Tulsa Fire. He was deeply loyal, led from the back without stepping on those ahead, the heart of the fire station, and the instigator of shenanigans. He was admired for being a “Jake of all trades” knowing something about everything and creating meals for his family or the firehouse.

Lonnie Bolar, Waynoka FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Waynoka Fire Chief

Lonnie Bolar on Jan. 29. He was 45. Lonnie became a member of the Waynoka Fire Department on Jan. 23, 2006. He had a passion for fighting fires, and he thoroughly enjoyed attending fire trainings. In addition to serving as the Waynoka fire chief, Lonnie was also foreman for Woods County District 3, owner of Scoob’s Tavern, weekend heavy equipment operator for Frontier Rodeo and Luddington Cattle. He passed away while heroically trying to save the lives of others.

Tayler Bradford, Waynoka FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Waynoka firefighter

Tayler Bradford on Jan. 29. He was 28. Tayler always had a love for all sports but track was a favorite. He attended state track meets all four years of high school and was proud to hold the school record for long jump and being tied for high jump. Later in life Tayler had many hobbies including jeeping, racing and being an aquarist. He tragically left this world while heroically doing what he loved.

Jacob Pack, Wetumka FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Wetumka firefighter

Jacob Pack on Jan. 20. He was 40. Jacob spent 16 years with the Wetumka Volunteer Fire Department and also worked with Enable Gas Company. A post by Wetumka FD said, “You were a brother, always the life of any party, making joke and seeing the light in any situation! You were a tremendous asset to the department 30 May/June/July 2021Oklahoma Firefighter and the community! You will be forever missed!

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Shawnee firefighter

Chalk Norton on Jan. 17. He was 71. Chalk was a firefighter with the Shawnee Fire Department from 1973-2007, rising to the rank of Battalion Chief. He was the Legislative Director of the Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma from 1977-2020. He was instrumental in passing the Fire and Police Arbitration Act in 1994, enhancing the livelihoods of career firefighters and police officers across Oklahoma.

Ricky Straub, Granite FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Granite Assistant Fire

Chief Ricky Straub on Jan. 5. He was 59. Ricky went to school and graduated from Hobart High School Class of 1979. He attended Western Oklahoma State College in Altus for a few semesters. Ricky volunteered and was the assistant fire chief at Granite FD for a number of years. He retired after 29 years of service from Kiowa County as a heavy equipment operator. He was a talker and never met a stranger. Ricky especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Larry Moore, Katie FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Katie firefighter

Larry Moore on Jan. 1. He was 64. Larry grew up West of Pauls Valley and attended White Bead Schools. He loved farming and worked as a farm hand all of his life. Living and being a part of a farming community, he served as a volunteer fireman for the Katie Volunteer FD for the past 14 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

Andy Davis, Oklahoma City FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Oklahoma City fire-

fighter Andy Davis on Dec. 24. He was 45. Andy was a 20-year veteran with OKCFD and was with Fire Station 10-C near downtown. He was the son of retired Capt. Johnny Davis, brother of Deputy Chief Tony Davis and Maj. Scott Davis and uncle of Cpl. A.J. Davis. Andy loved the job and serving the residents of Oklahoma City. His jovial approach to life endeared him to all who knew him, and his work ethic was an example of excellence. Andy loved watching his kids play sports.

Melvin Whitten, Okeene FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Okeene fire-

fighter Melvin Whitten on Dec. 24. He was 81. In 1971, Melvin started work at the Sooner Co-op, and he became a farmstore manager at the Co-op before retiring in 1999 after 27 years. He was a part of the Okeene Volunteer FD for 18 years. He was a kind man with a heart of gold, and it only took talking to him once to see that. He never knew a stranger, and his love for his family was endless. No matter where he was, no matter who he was with, he always had a smile, and greeted everyone as if they were a friend.

Frank Van Buskirk, Ringling FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Ringling firefighter

Frank Van Buskirk on Dec. 17. He was 47. Frank worked alongside his family in their ranching and fertilizer business. He was also a member of the Ringling Volunteer FD for more than 10 years. He learned to rope from his dad, Lyndal, and loved to compete, he passed that love and knowledge on to his son. Frank excelled at youth and high school rodeo.

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Oklahoma City firefighter John Knuppel on Dec

13. He was 93. Before graduation from high school,, he and a group of young men enlisted in the Navy. He served on the USS Parris Island as ship’s fireman. After the Navy, he returned to Oklahoma and completed high school. He then went to work for the ZP Meyers Photography Shop in OKC. In 1951, John joined the Oklahoma City FD. He served at several stations, later becoming the first official photographer for the OCFD. At the time of retirement, he was a Captain in the Fire Prevention Bureau. John then helped establish the Oklahoma Firefighter’s Museum in OKC, being the first curator. Many of his photographs are on display at the museum along with some of his firefighting memorabilia.

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Wetumka firefighter

Clifton Williamson on Dec. 15. He was 34. Clifton and his family settled in Okfuskee County in 2014. He worked as an electrician for the City of Wetumka, as well as a machinist with his father. He also spent several years on the Wetumka Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed motorcycles and loved to buy and sell cars. He also enjoyed hunting and being outdoors. He is remembered as a very giving person and he always had a big smile.

Ben Brown, Mooreland FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Mooreland firefighter Ben Brown on

Dec. 4. He was 19.

Ben attended Mooreland High School where he was set to graduate in the spring of 2021 and planned to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall. He was a diesel tech at his brother’s company while also working as a farm hand and a proud Mooreland firefighter (badge #247). Ben also competed in track & field and cross country, taking back-to-back state titles the last two years.

Dewayne Blevins, Muskogee FD

The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Muskogee firefighter De-

wayne Blevins on Dec. 9. He was 63.

The following is a tribute to Dewayne Blevins by Jim Ed Nimmo, Tulsa FD, OSFA 2nd Vice President

Captain Dewayne Blevins or “Blev” as he was affectionately known was one of the good guys. He began his career at Muskogee Fire in 1979 and retired in 2012 with 33 years on the job. In addition, his wife Johnette, was the long time secretary at MFD, keeping the machine running for many years. I had not seen Blev in about 15 years, but I was fortunate enough to run into him at the retiree’s convention a couple of years ago and visit with him a few times over the last year. He was still the same funny, easy going and likable guy with a self deprecating sense of humor I had known at the beginning of my career. I’d like to share a story and one piece of advice I received from Blev while I was still at MFD that I’ve never forgotten. Dewayne’s son, Brandon, would occasionally come around the station. Over the five or so years I was there, I’d seen him grow from a small kid to a teenager. I’m certain Brandon doesn’t remember me, but I won’t forget his haircut at the time. The easiest way to describe this haircut would be to say he looked like a member of the old punk rock band The Ramone’s, if you’re familiar with them, but with blonde hair and dressed in Abercrombie & Fitch. Like most firemen, I wasn’t going to miss a chance to gig Blev a little on his son’s haircut. As we all know, nothing is really off limits at the firehouse. It didn’t phase Blev a bit, and he gave me a little advice. He said, that with teenagers you have to pick your battles and if that was the worst thing he ever had to deal with, he was just fine with it. I walked away with a different perspective on parenting, even though I wasn’t a parent at the time, and I’ve never forgot it. Sixteen years later, the kid I remember with the funny haircut is a grown man, and like his father, a fireman in Muskogee. The haircut is considerably tighter now. Legacies live on. On behalf of the OSFA Board and Staff, I’d like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Johnette, Brandon, Brandy and the Muskogee Fire family for the unexpected loss of a good father, husband, fireman and friend.

Dewayne Blevins with wife Johnette and son Brandon

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2021 amended Association By-laws

By-laws Article 4 –Clarification Section 1. 2022 Association Active Member Dues Implementation: (Chart at right).

Section 2. 2005-2019 Inflationary Off-Set 1) Identifying appropriate OSFA Funding/Expense and Distribution levels, based on the following criteria The BLS July 2019 South Region Urban-CPIU Index (all items, not seasonally adjusted) “Round” used here, is an inflation percentage of 25.000% used here to offset the period’s lost buying power increase to a higher whole number. Hereafter referred to as the “Index round”. 2) The 2005 -2019 OSFA budget funding - expense - distributions experience. The 2005 OSFA “total expense” of $600,449 was projected by the “Index round” to increase to $750,561 (25%). From 2005 -2019 the OSFA’s “total expense” actually increased $458,727 (76.397%) to $1,059,176. The 2019, “total expense” of $1,059,176 outpaced the “Index rounded” projection by $234,358 (39.03%).

Section 3. Association “Income Budget Reserve” The dues increase is the first of a two-part, 8-year Plan to stabilize the OSFA’s “fundraising income reserve” to underpin OSFA finances as follows:

Part 1: The annual $32.00 dues increase is accomplished over 3 years as follows: FY2022, dues go to $70.00 ($14 increase); FY2022, to $80 ($10 increase); and 2024 to*$88.00 ($8.00 increase). Part 2: The 8-year Plan: 1) FY 2022, OSFA Active Member Annual Dues go to $70.00 ($5.83/mo.). The Association will create a “fundraising reserve account” and dedicated an annual budget supplement of $10.503, ($1.00 active membership dues equivalent) is directed to the “fundraising reserve account”. 2) FY 2023, the “reserve budget accounts” dedicated budget supplement is increased to $31,143 ($3 active member dues equivalent) and to be provided through FY2030. FY 2023, OSFA Active Member annual Dues go to $80.00 (round $6.66/mo.). FY 2024 Active Member Dues go to $88.00 annually (round $7.33/mo.) FY 2031, the “fundraising income reserve” balance will be $231,066 + and should be sufficient to supply a 2-year window of funds, should future “fundraising income” be disrupted. The plan will stabilize the budget and underpinning the Association’s financials. Hopefully, in time for a FY 2030 OSFA Dues Study. See the following “Fundraising Income Reserve”Budget Distribution Schedule Table. Section 4. Staff Benefit Package Enhancement Committed quality staffer can only afford OSFA employment till they find better employment. By improving the staff benefit package, we can stop the revolving door. By attracting and rewarding quality employees, the Association will elevate its performance. By developing a trial employment period, with satisfactory performance, staffers may qualify for up to $250 per month cost-sharing (healthcare) supplement or the monetary equivalent. The 2021, to cost the seven (7) member staff quality family healthcare coverage or the monetary equivalent of would be approximately $1,500 per month. The dedicated $2/member dues commitment should provide $21,006.

Section 5. In-Line of Death and Not In-line of Duty Death Benefits. Firefighting has inherent loss of life hazards. Many of Firefighter family budgets are ill prepared for loss of their Firefighter much less their burial expenses. The Association recommends combining the existing three (3) Association Death Benefits and provide a meaningful In-Line of Duty Death and a Not In-Line of Duty Death Benefit, as set forth in Association FY 2021 Constitution Article 14 as follows;

OSFA Article 14, Section 2. Article 14 – IN-LINE OF DUTY DEATH AND NOT IN-LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS Section 1. Benefit Requirements: a) All active (dues paid members) of the Association are eligible for a death benefits from The Brent Hatcher Fund, as follows: b) The applicable In-line of Duty Death benefits shall be paid to an Association’s active member’s eligible surviving spouse, if the surviving spouse has been married to the Firefighter for the thirty (30) continuous months preceding the member’s death, provide the surviving spouse of a member who died while in, or as a consequence of, the performance of the members duty for a participating Fire Department and shall not be subject to the marriage limitations for an above-mentioned death benefit. Otherwise, the Association will pay to the members living designated recipient(s), otherwise to the estate of the member. Not In-Line of Duty Death benefits shall be paid to an Association’s active member’s eligible surviving spouse, if the surviving spouse has been married the member for the thirty (30) continuous months preceding the member’s death. Otherwise, the Association will pay to the members living designated recipient(s), otherwise to the estate of the member. c) No change d) This benefit is not an insurance policy but an immediate benefit available to the Association’s active members. Section 2. Terms a) Effective July 1, 2022, The Association shall deposit four dollars ($4.00) per member per year into The Brent Hatcher Fund for payment of the Associate active member death benefits In-Line of Duty Death or Not In-Line of Duty Death Benefits.

Effective July 1, 2023, The Association shall deposit nine dollars ($9.00) per member per year into The Brent Hatcher Fund for payment of the active (dues paid) member death benefit whether In-Line of Duty Death or Not In-Line of Duty Death. Effective July 1,2024, the Association shall deposit thirteen dollars ($13.00) per member per year into The Brent Hatcher Fund for payment of active member death benefits whether In-Line of Duty or Not In-Line of Duty. 1) In-Line of Duty Death Benefit (ILD) and 2) Not In-Line of Duty (NILD), will have the following three-year implementation schedule: July 1, 2022 - $4.00 per member, per year, Benefits ILD $2,500, NILD $1,500, July 1, 2023 -$9.00 per member, per year, Benefits ILD $4,500, NILD $3,000, July 1, 2024 - $13.00 per member, per year, Benefits ILD $6,000, NILD $4,000,

Section 6. Pension Member dues shall be calculated as follows: a. Calculate the previous five-year average (FYA) of the OSFA active members and the OFRA participating member. b. Total the OSFA and ORFA FYA to provide Total OSFA dues members FYA. c. To find the ORFA’s participating members “percentage” of the Total OSFA active and pension members FYA: Total OSFA Dues members FYA is divided by the ORFA’s participating Members FYA. d. To find the pension member dues amount: Multiply the ORFA’s member FYA “percentage” times the OSFA dues operation portion (this excludes the ($13.00 OSFA active member death benefit cost, i.e., $88.00 -$13.00 = $75.00 operation portion). Pension Member dues calculation example: 1) ORFA Member FYA 3,679+ OSFA active members FYA 10.054=Total OSFA dues members 3,679/13,733=.26789 (26.79%) 2) OSFA operations portion dues ($88-$13= $75) "Calculation-13,733/3,679 = 26.79% * $75 = $20.06 round $21.00 Association By-laws changes require their separate vote of approval. Requiring only a majority of the delegate votes (50% majority plus 1), as per Association By-laws Article 2. Section 2.

Section 7. OSFA Constitution Article 8–MEMBERSHIP DUES Section 1. Active members as defined in Article 2 of this constitution and Active Non-Pension Member as defined in Article 2, Section 3, of this constitution shall submit annual dues in the sum of eighty-eight dollars ($88.00) per member of which four dollars ($4.00) will be placed in the Association Firemen’s Museum and Memorial account to be used for continued maintenance and possible future expansions of the Memorial and/or Museum. Section 2. Pension Member of the association as defined in Article 2 Section 6 of the Association Constitution, shall submit annual Pension Member dues in the amount of twenty-one dollars ($21.00) from the ORFA member dues as set forth in 2021, amended Oklahoma Retired Firefighter Association Constitution Article VIII Section 1, of which $4.00 dollars ($4.00) will be placed in the to the Museum and Memorial account to be used for continued maintenance and possible future expansions of the Memorial and /or Museum, and seventeen dollars ($17.00) will be deposited with the Association account. The remainder to be placed in the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters account. *The Pension Member dues calculation method is set forth in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Associations, 2021 Bylaws Article 4 Section 1.

Respectfully Submitted: The Oklahoma Firefighters State Association Executive Board -- President Eric Harlow, Guthrie; 1st Vice President Cliff Davidson, Ringwood; 2nd Vice President Jim Ed Nimmo, Tulsa; 3rd Vice President Tony Lopez, Midwest City; Past President Mike Kelly, OKC

WHEREAS volunteer members of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association gathered for caucus in Lawton on February 6th to identify and discuss important issues facing the volunteer fire service; and WHEREAS after much discussion and debate the issues were narrowed to the top three issues affecting Oklahoma volunteer firefighters; and WHEREAS the OSFA is the largest representative organization for volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma; and WHEREAS a state funded pension for volunteer firefighters is a benefit that is not taken lightly and is earned by dedicated men and women of Oklahoma’s volunteer fire service; and WHEREAS the pension benefit is earned through years of service with participating departments and the amount is based on the total number of years; and WHEREAS these firefighters respond to emergencies in POV’s, utilizing fuel, training and equipment often purchased out of pocket; and WHEREAS this modest pension benefit is one way of repaying a small amount of the personal funds these brave men and women expend over years of service; and WHEREAS in recent years the vesting period for a firefighter’s pension was changed through legislation from 10 years to 11 years for firefighters who first become a member of the pension system after November 1, 2013; and WHEREAS the years of service for a firefighter to become eligible to retire was also changed through legislation from 20 years to 22 years for firefighters who first become a member of the pension system after November 1, 2013;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates at the 127th Annual OSFA Convention show the overall support of the organization toward our volunteer members; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, research, develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of reinstating a 10-year vesting period for all members of the pension system; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, research, develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of reinstating 20 years of service to retire for all members of the pension system; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these committees report back to the 2022 Volunteer Caucus and the 2022 OSFA Convention on their recommendations.

Respectfully submitted: By unanimous vote of the members present at the OSFA 19th Annual Volunteer Caucus, Chair Cory Beagles

OSFA Legislative Resolution 21-02

WHEREAS volunteer members of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association gathered for caucus in Lawton on February 6th to identify and discuss important issues facing the volunteer fire service; and WHEREAS after much discussion and debate the issues were narrowed to the top three issues affecting Oklahoma volunteer firefighters; and WHEREAS the OSFA is the largest representative organization for volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma; and WHEREAS a state funded pension for volunteer firefighters is a benefit that is not taken lightly and is earned by dedicated men and women of Oklahoma’s volunteer fire service; and WHEREAS the pension benefit is earned through years of service with participating departments and the departments pension contribution for its volunteers is designed to be an affordable cost for most volunteer departments; and WHEREAS these firefighters respond to emergencies in POV’s, utilizing fuel, training and equipment often purchased out of pocket; and WHEREAS there is a very modest earning cap on how much a volunteer firefighter can be compensated by his/her department before they are no longer considered a volunteer firefighter for the purposes of his/her pension and if that amount is exceeded, pension contributions would grow beyond the budget constraints of most volunteer departments;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates at the 127th Annual OSFA Convention show the overall support of the organization toward our volunteer members; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Volunteer Fire Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, research, develop, and propose legislation for the purpose of increasing the amount a volunteer firefighter can be compensated before they are considered a paid firefighter; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these committees report back to the 2022 Volunteer Caucus and the 2022 OSFA Convention on their recommendations.