Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association
Nov/Dec 2021/Jan 2022
ALL ONE FAMILY Oklahoma Firefighters Help Communities in Multiple Ways Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 1
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION 2716 N.E. 50th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Okla. City, OK Permit No. 570
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Contents
November/December 2021/January 2022
Volume 38, Issue 3
klahoma Firefighter Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 2716 N.E. 50th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 424-1452 • Fax (405) 424-1032 osfa@osfa.info • www.osfa.info
Cover Photo - Raegan Layne
Pictured: Cory Rink, Phillip Ott, Darryl Beebe and Mike Honigsberg
Pages 26-33 - All One Family
Published quarterly for members of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to educate its membership, to improve the fire service and to enhance the value and dignity of their profession, either paid or volunteer. Editor in Chief Tippy Pierce tippy@osfa.info Co-Editor Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info Managing Editor Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info Get your Oklahoma Firefighter magazine the minute it goes to press! Read it on your smart phone, laptop or other digital device!
18-19 - 22nd Annual OSFA Statewide Memorial Service
Simply call (405-424-1452) or email the OSFA office (osfa@osfa.info) and request digital editions!
Advertiser’s Index
39 - 25th David Bain Memorial Golf Tourney OSFA / ORFA UPDATES
FEATURES 14 - In Memoriam 25 - The Rural Firefighter: Corey Conrady 34 - Firsts in Oklahoma Fire Service 39 - Question & Answers 47 - Oklahoma Fire Spotlight - Wagoner FD
5-8 - OSFA Executive Board 4, 10 - Museum Expansion Photos 11-12 - OSFA Directors 14 - ORFA President’s Report 15 - Women’s Auxiliary Report 16 - Museum Report OSFA COMMITTEES 20 - Educational Advisory 20 - Legislative Report 21 - Public Education 22 - Safety & Health 22 - EMS Report 23 - Volunteer Fire Service
49-51 - OFCA News
Page 21
FIRE SERVICE REPORTS 22 - Assistant State Fire Marshal 36 - Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains (OFSC) 37 - OSU Fire Service Training (OSU-FST) 38 - Firefighter Near-Miss 40 - Fire Service Instructors of Okla. (FSIO) 40 - National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA) 42-46 - Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System
34 -- Aristotle Capital 46 -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP 2 -- Casco Industries 52 -- Casco Industries 15 -- Chief Fire & Safety 33 -- Conrad Fire Equipment 35 -- DACO Fire Equipment 21 -- FPP Wildland Book 17 -- ITE Fire & Rescue 24 -- MES 31 -- Moore Norman Tech 9 -- NAFECO 13 -- NVFC 20 -- OAEVT 46 -- Phillips Murrah P.C. 46 -- Roberts Testing 41 -- Robbins & Geller 48 -- Scott + Scott 37 -- Sharp Testing 20 -- SOS Fire Equipment CONTACT osfa@osfa.info to place an ad in the magazine
Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 3
OSFA EXPANSION
Day 1 of construction on Museum Building
7,200 square foot space will serve as storage and repair area for Fire Trucks
DAY 1: Oct. 15, 2021 -- First day of trenching for the footing and the rebar for concrete.
DAY 2: Oct. 18, 2021 -- Concrete pouring began. The ground was soft and concrete truck got stuck due to rain the previous week. Had to unload the concrete truck with a Bobcat loader.
DAY 4: Oct. 20, 2021 -- All the footing is poured and now working on base for concrete floor.
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DAY 3: Oct. 19, 2021 -- Pouring footing with a concrete pump truck. Packing the ground for the concrete floor base.
DAY 4: Oct. 20, 2021 -- Aerial view of mat on top of the leveling for the concrete floor and the steel for the concrete.
Cliff Davidson: OSFA President’s Report Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well in these crazy times. I don’t mind paying a little more for fuel, but the trips to the grocery store are getting a Ringwood FD little out of hand. I gave up hunting many years ago. I just got to the point where it just didn’t excite me anymore. But if these grocery prices keep going up, I may have to hunt out of necessity. I feel for our elderly who are on a fixed income. We all need to look out for them and each other. We all get caught up in our own lives and tend to forget about the ones around us. As we get older, we start realizing how important it is to care for one another. I hope this current situation is just a bump in the road, and things will smooth out pretty quickly. But it’s not feeling like it, so I guess we need to do what we always do and prepare for the worst and pray for the best. I want to take a minute and recognize some of the firefighters on the Ringwood Fire Department. As we all know as volunteers, there are times when we are faced with some challenging situations with a limited amount of personnel. And these firefighters let their training and experience kick in and get the job done. As a chief, I couldn’t be more proud of them. Thanks to all you volunteers who take time away from your families and work to do the training and everything else that it takes to serve your communities. Safe hunting and I hope everyone enjoys their holidays.
OSFA STATEMENT ON SAFER GRANT On March 25, 2016, the Oklahoma State Firefighter Association (OSFA) was awarded the SAFER Grant. This grant had the purpose of covering costs for recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters in the state of Oklahoma. Based on information that we have now, a partial amount of year-4 funding was lost due to FEMA administratively closing the grant. We are currently working to investigate what happened and will remain honest and transparent throughout this process. However, rest assured that the following is happening: • OSFA Executive Board is conducting a full investigation into the recording of spent funds that were supposed to be covered by the grant. • All vendors with outstanding invoices will be settled by the Oklahoma State Firefighter Association ASAP. • We do not believe money was embezzled or misused. • The OSFA was also awarded this grant in 2018. Please note, we are working to ensure any issues are corrected with our current grant and for future grants going forward. This investigation will be completed by early 2022. In the meantime, we will continue to update all members on the investigation process and how this will overall affect the organization.
Trim around the OSFA Office and Museum was painted recently, which improved the looks of the building tremendously.
Painting could only be done on dry non-windy days. When the temperature was over 90 degrees, the paint would dry before it could be spread on the metal. Thanks to President Cliff Davidson for the use of his lift (pictured).
O K L A H O M A S T A T E F I R E F I G H T E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
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O K L A H O M A S T A T E F I R E F I G H T E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
Jim Ed Nimmo: OSFA 1st Vice President’s Report The leaves are starting to turn in eastern Oklahoma. Tulsa FD The older I get, the more I seem to value the changing of the seasons. I enjoy this time of year from a fire service standpoint. Here are a few reasons that stand out to me: The first, which I’m sure you all can relate to or remember, is that wearing bunker gear on scenes becomes a lot more tolerable. Next, like many of us, I also enjoy how the holidays bring us together. The truth is, I had lost this a little through my 20s and early 30s, and really didn’t start to value it again until I had children of my own. I also know that the folks who mow
on their days off are looking forward to a breather, as well. Finally, if summertime is the best time for vine ripe tomatoes, then the cooler months starting with October are the best time for one of my favorites -- Reese’s cups. On a more serious note, I would refer you all to the board’s statement in this issue concerning the 2015 SAFER Grant. While I’m sure it does not answer all the questions you might have, please know that the board is working to ensure that the interests of all members and stakeholders are protected going forward. I hope that you all have a great holiday season. Keep it in the house when you can and do the best for those you serve when you’re called.
OSFA ARCHIVE Here’s a bit of history you may or may not know about your association: At the first convention of the Territorial Firemen’s Association of Oklahoma in 1894, President Tom E. Dowell of El Reno went to call the meeting to order. But he discovered that no gavel had been provided. As he was anxiously casting about for something to use as such, someone suggested using a cow bell that at the time was adorning one of the delegates from Guthrie. No sooner proposed than put into action, that cow bell became the gavel that called OSFA Conventions to order for 40 years. It was also used at the 100th Convention in 1994 and the 125th Convention in 2019. The cow bell is now on display at the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.
Tony Lopez: OSFA 2nd Vice President’s Report Hello Oklahoma Firefighters! Well, it has been a very busy couple of Midwest City FD months. I attended several conferences and functions, and everything was very educational. Also for some reason, our call volume has increased over the last few months. I had a chance to attend two pension trustee conferences and learned a lot to better serve on our pension board. I also attended the IAFCSW Chiefs Educational Conference. The speakers they brought in were awesome. I was impressed with how well the conference was put on. Chief Brush did a good job lining up the speakers. I would recommend it for all officer to attend. The David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament was a big success again this year, and I hated that I had to miss it. We held our annual Statewide Memorial Service virtually again this year. It is always a privilege for me to read the names and honor those who have passed. We are coming up on elections again soon. I encourage everyone to be informed on the candidates who support firefighter issues. We need to elect those who will help us protect what we have
and will help us achieve the things we need. If you are not registered to vote, go and do so. You have to make a difference on the things you believe in. Where has this year gone? I cannot believe the holidays are right around the corner. I hope everyone has a safe and joyful holiday season. God Bless and Stay Safe.
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OSFA Executive Board members at the 2021 Statewide Memorial Service
Donnie Bennett: OSFA 3rd Vice President’s Report Greetings everyone! As the OSFA wraps up a busy first quarter of business, we are eagerly looking forOKC FD ward to an exciting second quarter and Holiday Season. The Oklahoma Fire Service is a tradition-rich group, and one of the many ways that we strengthen our traditions is by remembering and celebrating our own. The Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial located just outside of the OSFA Office and Museum, honors all Oklahoma firefighters who have served since the inception of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association in 1894. Continuous maintenance and upgrades are required to preserve the engaging appearance of the Memorial. The most recent updates added over 1,700 names to the Memorial Wall just in time for the Statewide Memorial Service. Although the Statewide Memorial Service was a held on a virtual platform this year, the Memorial looked great, and all participants did a great job honoring our Oklahoma firefighters and their Families. The annual David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament proceeds are used to maintain and preserve the Memorial, so please remem-
ber to sign up early for next year’s tournament once the date has been set. The various OSFA committees are comprised of firefighters and partnering agencies from around the state, with each committee focused on a specific mission. These committee members filled out applications this summer, and they are already hard at work and making a difference for the OSFA. If you are interested in making a difference and possibly serving on one or more of the committees, I encourage you to go to the OSFA website (osfa.info), read about the committee duties and sign-up next summer. While you are on the OSFA website, go to the events section to learn of the upcoming events throughout the state regarding the Oklahoma Fire Service. In conclusion, I encourage you to take care of one another during the holiday season and find a way to give back to your respective communities outside of your daily routine. The holiday season is always an exciting time, but it can also be a difficult for those who are grieving or dealing with unfortunate circumstances. If you are in need or simply just need someone to talk to, please feel free to contact me. As always be safe and stay ready!
2021-22 OSFA EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
Cliff Davidson
580-554-1886
davidsoncliff@yahoo.com 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Jim Ed Nimmo
918-557-8379
jimnimmo7@gmail.com
2ND VICE PRESIDENT Tony Lopez
405-739-1343
tlopez@midwestcityok.org 3RD VICE PRESIDENT Donnie Bennett
donben1889@gmail.com PAST PRESIDENT Eric Harlow
405-520-2893
ericharlow200@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS Jan. 26-28, 2022 OFCA Pre-Conference Workshop & Winter Workshop At Stillwater Community Center Feb. 5, 2022 OSFA Volunteer Caucus At Kiamichi Tech Center in Atoka April 11-13, 2022 100th Annual OFCA Conference Hosted by Moore FD June 7, 2022 41st Annual ORFA Convention in Enid June 8-11, 2022 128th Annual OSFA Convention in Enid Hosted by Ringwood FD June 8-11, 2022 90th Annual OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Convention in Enid Hosted by Ringwood FD
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O K L A H O M A S T A T E F I R E F I G H T E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
Eric Harlow: OSFA Past President’s Report Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters! This month, I want to touch on a somewhat taboo topic that continues to plague our profession -- mental health and stability. We continue to read and hear about fellow brother and sister firefighters struggling with addiction, unhealthy habits and in many cases, taking their Guthrie FD own lives. Often times, they leave behind not only their firefighting family, but also wives, girlfriends, children and other family members. We need to understand that these mental health issues don’t just affect the individual, but everyone around them -- from family members to co-workers, even the citizens we serve every day. Fortunately, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the available services for mental health in our profession. Unfortunately, many are still so ever-hesitant to seek them out when they need them. There is still the ages-old stigma of one being considered weak if they seek help. We must stop this! We cannot expect our co-workers -- our own brothers and sisters -- to live a healthy life and be the best firefighter they can be if we don’t do everything we can to help support their health and well being. We see a lot of promotion and encouragement for physical fitness activities in the fire service and have for decades. Well, I’m telling you friends, it’s high time we put the same emphasis on mental health. We cannot keep living a lie and acting like it’s not there. You cannot keep shoving thoughts into the back of your head and expect to think clearly and perform at optimum levels. Trust me, I won’t lie and try to say it doesn’t bother me! I won’t sugar-coat the truth. I struggle with things on the daily. I have my demons that I try to suppress just like most of you. It’s not fun and I truly hate it. I know many of you struggle, at least occasionally, with mental health issues. Even if they’re minor, they can dramatically affect your life and the lives of those around you. My wife tells me all the time, “you’re in your head. You’re way over thinking things.” You know what? She’s right. I can’t help it most of the time. I’m just wired after doing this job, for well over 20 years now, to automatically start thinking gloom and doom. My brain instantly wants to consider the worst possible outcomes. I really cannot stand it, but at the same time, I cannot seem to stop it. It does nothing good for my health. It doesn’t benefit my relationship or my family and ultimately it can affect my work performance also. Not all of our mental health issues come directly from work-related trauma. It can easily be a combination of things, or even childhood upbringing or trauma. It could be a memory that’s non work-related that was triggered by something at work. It’s a very complex subject and not an easy one to try and fully understand for us who aren’t schooled in the science of the mind. I’m not ashamed. I see a doctor. I don’t see her as often as I should. I know I should’ve started seeing someone earlier than I did. I finally sought out help after an incident that wasn’t directly related to my job at the fire department. Yes, I was on duty when it happened, but it wasn’t a fire call that triggered things, and I’ll pardon that pun ahead of time. It had already been a terrible week. We’d lost a sheriff’s deputy in our county a few days earlier to gunshot wounds while serving an eviction notice near Mulhall. Myself and some of my people were the first ones on scene of that call, literally pulling in behind the first backup deputy. We were able to talk to the deputy. He was coherent and able to move. We didn’t think it’d be that bad at first, but things started spiraling downhill. We were finally able to stabilize him enough to put him on a helicopter and get him to OU Medical Center. Deputy David Wade tragically passed away on the surgery table later that morning. Being a reserve
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deputy for our county at the time, I immediately switched into law enforcement mode. A massive manhunt ensued the rest of that day, with his murderer after having carjacked a young woman, being taken into custody after being found by tactical team personnel hiding in a barn in a rural area east of Guthrie. I tell this part to preface the week’s events and show how things can “pile on” quickly. Two days later, myself and dozens of first responders had just arrived at the county courthouse for a prayer vigil to remember Dave. Before it could even begin, everyone’s radios crackled with a call about a “shooting” in the southeastern part of the county. Several of our fire personnel responded immediately, thinking we had a shooting with potential victims. While enroute to the area, the call notes revealed that no one had actually been shot, but a man was walking up and down a street with a gun threatening to shoot people. Long story short, I had one of our firefighters riding with me. He was also a reserve deputy for the sheriff’s office. We ended up being the second and third deputies to arrive on scene. In the end, the man with the gun had set himself up to ambush responders by hiding behind some brush. He was subsequently shot and killed by three of us deputies, two of them being myself and our firefighter. I tell this story because I want you to realize it’s not always something you respond to or see at the fire station that “tips your hand” to the point you seek help. Cody and I will forever be affected by this incident. It’s something that will haunt us in some way, shape or form for the rest of our lives. I could tell several similar stories about fire-related calls. One major incident that affects several in our department is the 2013 Moore tornado. We sent several personnel and worked alongside numerous other departments at Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore. What we were tasked with doing was something I can never unsee. But you know what, a lot of us talk about it still to this day. It helps us cope with the sights, the sounds, the smells, the bad dreams. If you do nothing else, do NOT be afraid to talk. I promise you that it WILL help you. Our job isn’t one where we can afford to not be razor sharp in our decision making, which makes this subject very important to those of us in our profession. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other. Check in to what services are available through your department or employers. There are also several groups out there that specifically cater to those of us in our profession. I’m not vouching for any of these groups specifically, but I do know a lot of the key players that work with these groups and I will vouch for them personally. One local group is the Warrior’s Rest Foundation. They’re a multi-faceted group that focuses purely on first responders. They focus on the physical, mental, relational, spiritual, financial and emotional health of first responders. They have some excellent people involved in their group. Many of them we all know and have worked with at some point in our careers. This truly makes me a believer in what they’re doing. You can check them out at www.warriorsrestfoundation.org. They are available to help individually or for your whole department. Oakwood Springs (oakwoodsprings.com/helpfor-heroes/) in Oklahoma City is a facility that offers inpatient and outpatient services specifically directed at the first responder community. There are many other services available simply by checking online. There is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. I know this has been kind of touchy-feely, but if I’m able to get through to just one of you, this article has done it’s job! Until next issue, have a safe and happy holiday season. Be sure to always check up on your brothers and sisters. Even if you just call or text to say “hey, how ya doin?” It helps ... I promise you.
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OSFA EXPANSION
Day 4 of construction on Museum Building
DAY 4: Oct. 20, 2021 -- Aerial view of mat on top of the leveling for the concrete floor and the steel for the concrete.
DAY 5: Oct. 21, 2021 -- Pictures of the floor with the finishing equipment working.
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DAY 6: Oct. 22, 2021 -- Pictures of floor and the stress cut made on concrete.
Tippy Pierce: OSFA Executive Director’s Report I can’t believe it’s been three month since my last article! Time has flown and here I am beginning to ponder what I need to write about. Well, here I go with what will or has happened around the OSFA. I was saddened to hear of the passing of one of our past employees of the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum. Eldon Forester, retired firefighter from Midwest City, was a great asset to the museum. Ret. Moore FD Eldon started work at the Museum in 1998 and continued until 2005. We were a team -- Sam Oruch, Eldon and myself. We gave tours in museum, sold Redbooks and kept the museum open. Plus, we kept the newly -constructed Fallen and Living Oklahoma Firefighters Memorial operating. Eldon and I talked many times about what a great time we had and working together. When Linda Forester was Oklahoma State Firefighters Women’s Auxiliary President in 1998, he was helping her with boxes to carry or anything they needed him to do. That was just what Eldon did for anyone or any part of the OSFA Organization. What a man he was! Servant to all.
Newly engraved Memorial Walls include Panel 40 (below) and Panels 48-51 (above)
OSFA hosted its annual Statewide Oklahoma Firefighters Memorial Service on Oct. 3, and the service was broadcasted on Facebook Live. The broadcast was going well until Facebook started having glitches and finally stopped the broadcast. Facebook was down until late the next day. This was the first time I had ever seen Facebook have this happen. We have fixed the Memorial Service footage where it stopped, so if you would like to see the entire Memorial Service, it is on our Facebook web page. We can report that we have added 1800+ names to Memorial walls and three names to the Wall of Valor. The 1800+ names were engraved on five panels. The OSFA Board also approved to touch up the 220 names on the Wall of Valor. All the names on the Memorial walls, including the most current ones, can be searched on the OSFA web page. Log on to www.osfa.info and go to the bottom of the page under Museum, then click on Memorial. A new page will come up, and simply scroll down to Memorial Wall Name Search. Then you can type in a name and find which wall your firefighter is on.
All of the Committees have been picked by the Executive Board and have started to meet and work on all of the matters of the OSFA. Thanks to the members and the chairman of these committees for their dedication to the association. Remember, to serve on one of these committees you need to apply and turn the paper work in to Madelyn Roth. She will turn them into the executive board for them to pick who will serve on one of these committees.
Beautification work done around the Memorial and Museum prior to the Statewide Memorial Service
The Volunteer Fire Service Committee is working hard to set the Fire Caucus agenda to cover needs that the volunteers have. If you’re a volunteer, remember these are free classes and education that can be close to you. We are moving them to different regions of the state so the volunteers can go when it not too far from their area. The 2022 OSFA Volunteer Caucus is set for Feb. 5 at the Kiamichi Tech Center in Atoka. If you have any fire bunkers or equipment, they will be doing a free equipment exchange. Last year, loads of items were brought in and very little was left to bring back to the museum. Until next edition, be safe. God Bless each and every one of you!
OSFA & Museum Staff
Executive Director Tippy Pierce tippy@osfa.info
Administrative Director Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info
Administrative Assistant/Membership Madelyn Roth madelynr@osfa.info
Administrative Assistant/Events Shelby NeSmith shelbyn@osfa.info
Museum Director Gene Brown geneb@osfa.info
Museum Assistant Quintin James quintinj@osfa.info
Museum Assistant Bob Noll bobn@osfa.info
Museum Assistant Brendon Pierce brendonp@osfa.info
Publications Museum Assistant Administrative Penelope Soldan Lance Gill Assistant penelopes@osfa.info lanceg@osfa.info Raegan Layne raeganl@osfa.info Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 11
Sheri Nickel: OSFA Administrative Director’s Report In the state of the world today, where you can’t even get Styrofoam cups or go into restaurants because they don’t have enough employees to serve customers, the OSFA has been blessed to hire the best staff to serve you all within the last year. I want to take this opportunity to brag on the three office girls that take care of memberships, committee meetings, planning and executing events and everything necessary to run this asOrlando FD sociation, as well as the newest members of the museum staff who work every day to make sure that the beautiful Memorial and museum shine bright, as they are the gem of the organization. The old adage of “Together Everyone Achieves More” is certainly demonstrated on a day-to-day basis here at the office.
Madelyn Roth joined us in October of 2020. She came to us from Louisiana where she had worked as a bartender at Texas Roadhouse for almost nine years while attending college. She was interviewed via ZOOM and started working for us just a few days after moving to Oklahoma. Madelyn hit the ground running and has helped us sort through monumental problems with membership and an out-dated data base. You should have received your 2022 membership packets in the last few weeks, and Madelyn has finetuned membership to make it as easy as OSFA staff sending out possible for you to membership packets complete and return. Please take the opportunity to review the materials included in your packets. Failure to return the required information will result in you not getting your cards and decals until all information is returned. It is important for us to have accurate hire and termination dates for our members so that when it is time for your name to be engraved on the Memorial wall, there will not be a question as to whether or not you are eligible. If you have any questions, please call Madelyn and she will happily assist you.
Raegan has been assigned to the OFCA and takes care of day-to-day office responsibilities. So far, we haven’t asked her to do anything that she has been afraid to tackle.
Additionally we have added Lance Gill to the museum staff but utilize his talents in the OSFA office part of the time. Lance grew up in Broken Arrow and graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Film Production. After a stint of working in the movie industry in Los Angeles, Lance returned to Oklahoma City to father his son Luke. Lance has a worldly outlook on different opportunities that the OSFA can potentially offer our members, has built up a unique inventory in the museum, including a collection of rare Smoky the Bear comic books, and is awesome with graphic design projects. He is in the process of launching the OSFA’s PodCast “Beyond the T-shirt” and developing a chat board that will soon be available through the website.
Of course, I can’t fail to mention the other guys in the museum who keep things up and running and never hesitate to jump in whenever we need extra hands to help with large mail outs, stuffing golf bags or running to the post office or to pick up supplies. Brendon Pierce and Quintin James both are an important part of our team that we can’t do without. Brendon is the grandson to Executive Director Tippy Pierce and is the fourth generation family member to work in the museum. And Quintin has worked for the OSFA longer than any other member of the OSFA staff and recently became a career firefighter for the City of McLoud. He continues to work in the museum on his days off.
To try to explain the amount of work that goes into running this association is impossible to do in a magazine article, and to have a staff with the dynamics that we have right now is almost unheard of. These people pack a lot of dynamite into their days and are dedicated to you all. They have cried together on bad days and laughed at each other’s mistakes and figured out as a team how to overcome both even if it requires holding hands for a prayer or a simple group hug. The next time you see one of these staff members, please pay them the respect that they deserve and give them a pat on the back or a simple thank you.
Shelby NeSmith joined us about eight months ago. She is a volunteer firefighter with the Forest Park FD and was one of the students who successfully completed FF-1 under the SAFER grant. Her experience came from working for a doctor’s office and working as a wedding coordinator. Shelby is the staff member assigned to ORFA and is now our event coordinator. Logistical planning is almost complete for the 2022 Convention to be held in Enid and she has done a fabulous job of securing the contracts for all of the different venues that will be hosting us. She is also working hard make sure that the planning for the upcoming State Fire School is well underway.
Raegan Layne started her journey with us back in July. She was working as a waitress at the Boomerang restaurant in Perry while attending college at UCO in Edmond in pursuit of a degree in Strategic Communications, and she agreed to come work for the OSFA. She has brought a fresh outlook and array of skills to the organization that some of us older people lack in. 12 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
From Left: Shelby NeSmith, Raegan Layne and Madelyn Roth
WILL YOU ANSWER?
LEARN NEW SKILLS • MEET NEW PEOPLE • SAVE LIVES • MAKE A DIFFERENCE
of U.S. fire departments rely on volunteers to protect their communities from structure fires, wildfires, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and more. Your community needs you. Volunteer as a firefighter, EMS provider, or support member. Answer the call to serve at:
Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 13
Yogi Cole: ORFA Report Hello all! I hope that everyone is doing well. At the time of this writing (third week of October), we are making progress on our memberRet. Tulsa FD ship drive. It has been a slow start, but we are moving forward. The by-laws are being reviewed to see if changes need to be made to allow us, if possible, to expand our membership. One area of expansion that we are looking at is a County Chapter. We need every retired Oklahoma Firefighter to be a member of ORFA so that we can be an even bigger force at the State Capital. On Oct. 27, I will be attending the OSFA Legislative Committee meeting, and we will be updated on the current legislation that may have an effect on our Retirement
System or the pension board. Senator Lonnie Paxton currently has an interim study on consolidation of the state pension boards. This would not be good for us and probably none of the state pension boards. We will continue to work with the OSFA and our lobbyists in order stay on top of any legislation that may pop up. The deadline on filing bills is Dec. 10. It has been interesting being back on the Firefighters State Pension Board. I was on this board from 1989-1994 when I was on the OSFA board and a lot has changed. There is a great team in place and everyone on that board, including the non-firefighters, is actively engaged. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out.
ORFA NEEDS YOUR HELP In order to better communicate with members, your contact information needs to be updated. Please call OSFA’s Shelby NeSmith at 405-424-1452 to verify your email and cell phone info.
2021-22 ORFA Executive Board PRESIDENT A.K. “Yogi” Cole, Tulsa ycole@ipa.net 1ST VICE PRESIDENT James Fullingim, Norman nfdchief@hotmail.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Mike Duncan, Dewey mduncan51@aol.com
3RD VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Erick “Doc E” Reynolds, Milfay rerick@osufpp.org PAST PRESIDENT George Fina, OKC gomsoc38@gmail.com
In Memoriam Todd Owens, Owens & Co FD
The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Owens & Co Fire Chief Todd Owens on Oct. 11. He was 54. Todd founded the Owens & Co VFD in Vera, Okla., and served as its chief for 30 years. He received his fire training at Oklahoma State University and was a certified trainer. He also worked for the Northwest Rogers County FPD and Bartlesville Ambulance and served as President of the Washington County Fire Chief’s Association. Donations toward purchasing a fire truck in Todd’s memory can be made to Owens & Co FD, PO Box 81, Vera, OK 74082.
Eldon Forrester, Midwest City FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Midwest City FD firefighter Eldon Forrester on Sept. 28. He was 81. Eldon proudly served 25 years as a Midwest City firefighter, retiring in 1998. He then started working at the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum, where he gave tours and helped maintain the museum until 2005. He was also in the Air Force Reserves for six years, and he served faithfully as a Deacon at Meadowood Baptist Church where he was a member for 37 years. In his retirement years, he served Mission Mid-Del, spent time with family and friends, and was always looking for ways to serve. Eldon’s wife, Linda, served as OSFA Women’s Auxiliary President in 1998.
Ray Vaughn, Locust Grove FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Locust Grove Fire Chief Ray Vaughn on Sept. 13. He was 65. He was a dedicated member of the Locust Grove FD for almost 38 years, beginning his tenure on Dec. 1, 1983. Over the years, he obtained many firefighter and EMS certifications. He worked his way up the ranks and was promoted to chief in December 2013.
David Isbell, Crystal FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Crystal Fire Chief David Isbell on July 13. He was 45. David was a volunteer fireman and the current Chief of the Crystal FD. He was the first firefighter in Atoka County to receive the Honorary Firefighter I Certificate from the Oklahoma Firefighter Training Academy. He also volunteered at the McLoud Correctional Center as a laundry supervisor for several years.
Cody Gregory, Beaver FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Beaver Assistant Fire Chief Cody Gregory on July 14. He was 35. Cody joined the Beaver FD in 2017, and after completing the rigorous fire training, Cody was chosen as assistant chief by members of the department. He also became an EMT and found a place where his kindness and love for others was a perfect fit for him. He served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Beaver County Memorial Hospital and, in October 2020, he became the administrator of the Beaver County Nursing Home, as well.
14 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Haley Thompson: OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report Hello Ladies! There are so many benefits to having a local aux2021-22 Women’s Aux iliary. Active auxiliaries are able to raise funds to get Whew! This year is flying by and soon we will be into 2022! gear or tools that are needed for the fire department. In Executive Board It was a beautiful day for the some departments, when the local fire department is on Memorial Service this year. We a large fire, the auxiliary will meet at a checkpoint and PRESIDENT would like to thank the OSFA for bring the firefighters water and food. Ashley Corbett putting on a wonderful ceremony, The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Womashleyc814@att.net and we would also like to thank the OSFA for includen’s Auxiliary is an association that provides support to ing us in the festivities, as it was truly an honor. the firefighters of Oklahoma. VICE PRESIDENT Kendra Engle There are over 800 fire departments in the state of When the OSFA Convention rolls around, our goal is kedamo10@yahoo.com Oklahoma, and there are approximately five auxiliaraise as much money as we can to support the various ries that are a part of the Oklahoma State Firefighters charities that we donate to and help with the museum SECRETARY/TREASURER Association Women’s Auxiliary. expansion. Courtney Thompson That being said, we are looking to expand throughMost importantly, we are a network of women who courtneythompson524@gmail.com out the state. Currently, we are working on new ideas support each other in times of crisis. However, it is also to bring in new auxiliaries and expand on our mema close network of women who understands what it is JR BD MEMBER bership. We are extremely lucky to be able to have a like to be the spouse or family member of a firefighter. Haley Thompson great group of ladies currently dedicated to helping This year is a very fun and exciting year for the hthomp933@gmail.com not only at the state level, but also in their own indiOklahoma State Firefighters Association Women’s Aux vidual communities. iliary. The Women’s Executive Board will be hosting PAST PRESIDENT What are the benefits of having a local auxiliary? the first ever OSFAWA Christmas Party! We would like Michele Cole What is the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association to extend the invite to all firefighter spouses and firemomachel@aol.com Women’s Auxiliary? What is the difference between fighter family members. It will be held at the Oklahoma local auxiliary and the state level auxiliary? Firefighters Museum on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. Ladies, you can wear These are some common questions that are asked by many fire spous- your favorite ugly sweater and bring a Dirty Santa gift and your favorite es, family members of firefighters, and yes, even firefighters themselves. sweet treat! It will be a great time with fun games and lots of laughter. I would like to take a minute here to expand on these questions because We look forward to seeing some familiar and some new faces. We can’t I believe it is extremely important in our goal to expanding our memwait to see you there! Serving YOU Great bership that people learn the benefits of having an auxiliary at the local I hope everyone stayswith safe forthese the holidays and weBrands hope to see for you at level and being a part of the state level. the Christmas Party!
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Gene Brown: Firefighters Museum Director Hello everyone! There is change coming in the wind. We finally have a building permit. The construction Ret. The Village FD on the new shop here at the museum has begun. We expect to have it built -- weather permitting -- in three months. This will add some much-needed storage. We will have a bay that we can use for restorations. Also, there will be room to store equipment and trucks inside. This will free up room inside the museum. We are looking forward to the improvements to your museum. Speaking of improvements, we have a new display to remember Pete Stavros. Pete was a huge part of our history. He was instrumental in making it possible for widows to retain their pension benefits if they chose to remarry. Before then, they lost their benefit if they would remarry. Preventing them from moving on with their lives. Pete also assisted with our death benefit. He did so much for firefighters that it would take a book to list them all. We are grateful for all his contributions to all of us in the Oklahoma Fire Service. Our staff is working to get the eves on the museum painted. It has been a struggle to complete this quest. Your President Cliff Davidson from Ringwood FD loaned us a lift to be able to reach the high points that we could not reach. Thank you, Cliff! The museum has joined with the Oklahoma Historical Society in a partnership. This will help us to get our photo collection where it can be searched online. It’s early, but will be coming soon to a computer near you. We have shut the Memorial pool down for the winter. It needs to be re-sealed and maintenance done before winter. Stay safe and have a great day!
Bob Noll: Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Archivist On Display at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum The Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum is extremely fortunate to have a very wide variety of items in the museum collection. One such collection that always raises questions are the glass globes that are filled with a red liquid. Ret. Yukon FD These are known as fire grenades, and while they were very popular from 1920 through 1945, the concept was developed many years before. The grenades came in a few glass colors, including Cobalt (blue), Vaseline (light yellow) and clear. Occasionally, an Amber (light brown) would be found, but those were not as popular as the others. The contents, which is carbon tetrachloride, is clear in its natural state. The color of the grenade bottles had no significance other than decorative. Improved manufacturing techniques allowed glass bottles to morph into thinner containers and the grenade concept progressed. Now the glass containers, whose capacity was approximately a pint, while still glass were better suited to rough handling. Carbon tetrachloride might also be found in portable fire extinguishers. These improved glass containers were packaged in single lots and multiple lots in the form of carrying/storage cases. They could also be used as single station fusible link actuated extinguishing devices. Most of these items now contained red carbon tetrachloride both as an indicator of a fire extinguishing liquid and to discourage people from using it as a dry cleaning agent. By now, the haz mat firefighters reading this are worried that fire memorabilia collectors are stock-piling this type of extinguisher. They know that carbon tetrachloride is an extremely hazardous material. If you find one of these items, beware! Carbon tetrachloride is a legitimate hazardous material. Carbon tetrachloride in contact with hot objects produces phosgene gas, a deadly gas that was widely used in trench warfare in WWI. Contact a licensed hazardous waste company for disposal.
16 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
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Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 17
22nd Annual Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial Service
18 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Honoring Our Own n Oct. 3, 2021 n At Oklahoma Firefighters Museum & Memorial Ada Charles P Love Ada Charles D Bryant Alex Mark K Byrne Allen Lesley Rinehart Allen Donald R Wallis Altus Jerry D Chisum Alva Leonard Haight Sr Ames Larry Peck Anadarko Leroy Harrison Antlers Frank Rosenthal Antlers Sam B Smith Jr. Ardmore Jackie D Pilgrim Arkoma Jimmy Christian Barnsdall Joseph Kelley Bartlesville Michael D Gann Bartlesville Sherman Shanklin Bessie Donald Dyck Billings Allan W Brown Bixby Carl L Foster Blackwell Willard E Barnes Blackwell Jay C Jones Blackwell David Reynolds Blanchard Bobby E Harmon Bluejacket Jimmy J Langley Boise City William D Parker Boley Melva L Dunn Broken Arrow R. Mike Graham Broken Arrow Loren D Palmer Broken Arrow John Reamy Buffalo Harris Hammontree Cache Doyle Brooking Canton Fred Alexander Canton Johnny Coffey Canton Garry D Jinkens Carter Bobby G Simpson Chandler Evelyn B James Chandler Robert G Mascho Checotah Robert Emberson Checotah Homer G. Johnson Cheyenne Gary W Kirk Chickasha John M King Chickasha Kenneth Lehew Chickasha Leon R Thompson Choctaw Jerry H Pack Cordell Tommy D Merrill Covington G.A. Grantz Crescent C.T. Bailey Crescent Roy C Rogers Cromwell Frank Bleeker Cushing Tom R Wilson Sr. Custer City Darrell E Roulet Davis Jimmy W McGee Del City Archie I Card Sr. Del City Harvey L. Madden Del City Norman R Oliver Drummond Danny J Fleer Sr Duncan Vancel M Harvey Duncan Mickey E Jennings Durant Sammy J. Aldridge Dustin Joe “Gene” Brown Eakly Oral Buie Edmond Norman Aldridge Edmond Ronald E Lee Edmond Ronnie Williamson Elk City Robert G Brittain Elk City Harry D Haney Empire City Kenneth Baldwin
SUPREME SACRIFICE Line of Duty Deaths (Determined by OSFA Executive Board)
OKLAHOMA CITY WAYNOKA WAYNOKA
Enid Ralph W Cornish Enid Johnny L. Roberts Erick Carl W Jefferson Fairland Larry E. Boyd Fairview Gene Eitzen Fairview Paul D Worley Fargo Ralph N Rabe Forgan Jerry Swallow Fort Gibson Edward A Johnson Gould Wyman E. Weldon Granite Robert E Locklear Granite Martin Nickell Jr Guthrie Howard Jones Jr Harrah Ronald Morrison Helena Kelly May Henryetta Wiley Shoemaker Jr Holdenville Jerry R Green Hollis Leon Carrick Hugo Michael Burchfield Hulbert Bobby D Ellis Idabel Vern Burleson Idabel Steven M Norris Jenks Raymond Jordan Kansas Anthony Gann Keyes Willie J Shelly Kiefer Larry W Vanarsdel Kingston Marvin L Carroll Konawa Jerry M Surber Laverne Bill Mulbery Lawton John T Donnelly Lawton Larry D Klein Lawton Glen D Mccune Lawton Ronald E. Morgan Lawton John S Reed Lawton Rex K. Scrudder Leedey Marvin Quattlebaum Lone Grove Leo P Potts Luther Paul Vorel Jr Mangum Elmer G Knight Mannford John F Anson Marietta Eveyln Cohoon Marshall Denton K Reim Marshall Derwood B. Shelby Miami Robert L Turner Midwest City Douglas Browning Midwest City Thomas M Canfield Midwest City Dennis L Lemons Midwest City Don R Therkelson Milburn David A Trammell Moore Larry L Badley Muldrow Lecho W Vann Mulhall Leeroy Cyphers Muskogee Miles L Beverage Muskogee Henry D. Blevins Muskogee Robert J Hutson Muskogee Homer S Martin Muskogee Bill G McGuire
Andy P. Davis Lonnie L. Bolar Tayler W. Bradford Nash George A. Diller New Cordell Frank E Russell Nichols Hills Tim S. Ford Nichols Hills Clifford R Wells Norman Mark E Helm Norman Marlin Holsonbake Norman Robert L Witt NW Rogers Elven R Moore Oilton Jerry K Green Okeene Melvin Whitten Okemah Freddy M Amos OKC James R Adams OKC Clarence L Alberts OKC Howard S Baker OKC Huston D Bibb OKC Warren O Bogue OKC Jerry W Bryan OKC James E Clay OKC Donald R Covey OKC James F Damron OKC Jay K Davis OKC Bob C. Graham OKC John R. Harper Jr. OKC George F. Imhoff OKC John A. Knuppel OKC David Levescy Sr. OKC James E. Mitchell OKC Dennis H Paige OKC Ronald Ponds OKC Charles D Ramirez OKC Steven T Renshaw OKC Claude R Rex OKC Carroll D Roberts OKC Joseph Roberts Jr. OKC Clark H. Robinson OKC Raymond C. Self OKC Glasco R. Spriggs OKC David H. Sublett OKC Tommy Thompson OKC Michael J Webb Okmulgee James H Melton Omega Rural Ronnie Fry Pauls Valley Tommy R Riggs Perry Peter A Tell III Ponca City Dennis J Bearskin Ponca City Herbert H Brewer Ponca City Travis Cloud Ponca City Timothy F Dancey Ponca City Kenneth G Sherron Porter Roy L Essary Poteau Harrell C Bright Pryor Charles E Couch Pryor Jerry O Gates Pryor Delano D. Morgan Quapaw Roy A Teeter Ratliff City Charles L Wright Ringling Larry K Longest
Ringling Frank Van Buskirk Rocky Lynn D Dobbs Roff Jodie E Young Salina Darrell G Blaylock Sallisaw Owen R Davis Sand Springs Orville E Chambers Sapulpa Dan K Whitehouse Seminole Jerry R Bowen Shawnee Craig A Cooper Shawnee Chalk Norton Slaughterville Bud Shepherd Snyder Max E Reese Sr. Spiro Donnie R Odom Sterling Jimmy D Camp Stillwater W Bill R Burk Stillwater Michael Whiteman Stratford Samuel Greenwood Swoda Jerry L Brehm Tecumseh Larry G Crow Tecumseh Donald H Rousey Tishomingo Johnny Sneed Tulsa Robert F Barrett Tulsa Joe R Bartlett Tulsa Daniel R Buthod Tulsa George M Coble Tulsa D R Crawford Tulsa Robert R.B. Ellis Tulsa Michael L Gordon Tulsa Elery C Jackson Tulsa Joseph A Jones Tulsa James A Koonce Tulsa Floyd H Leighty Tulsa Carl A Long Jr Tulsa George Morrell Tulsa Floyd H Pannell Tulsa Fred J Perryman Tulsa Thomas L Pruitt Tulsa Jacob W Riner Tulsa Darrel W Schoolfield Tulsa Ronald S Shinnen Tulsa Jimmy D Shipman Tulsa Jack N West Tulsa Richard A Williams Sr. Tulsa Kenneth M Wilmott Vian Edward Elbon Vici Jerry R Bailey Wagoner Harvey C. Briggs Wagoner Kenneth L Cleland Wagoner Richard L Ford Wagoner Wendell J Hughes Walters David Glenn Warner Troy R Duncan Waurika Tommy E Martindale Weatherford Alvin E Hays Weatherford Terral L Perry Welch Michael L Fitzpatrick Welch Melvin F Harden Welch Senior E Horner Welch Paul M Wallace Welch Richard L Winfrey Weleetka Gus D Stuckey Westville Billy D Hamblin Whitefield Henry B Few Woodward Clyde L. Tower Wynnewood Lloyd T Moxley Honorary Life Member Harry E Brown Jr.
Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 19
Kendall Williams: Educational Advisory Committee Report Does anyone else feel like this year flew by?! Maybe it’s because 2020 was seemingly never-ending for most all of us. Hopefully we are on our way to some normalcy! In case you were wondering (I know, everyone was dying to know, ha!), the Educational Advisory Committee is made up of 30 fire service members, holding numerous different job titles, from all over the state. Tulsa FD All of these individuals graciously volunteer their time to create an incredible free training opportunity for firefighters across Oklahoma and surrounding states. The Educational Advisory Committee began the planning process for the 2022 State Fire School in August of this year. In the last five years, OSFA Fire School has provided free training to more than a THOUSAND firefighters. The majority of these firefighters wouldn’t be able to receive this training if there was a cost associated. The OSFA isn’t able to provide this free training without donations from numerous vendors and sponsors. Every year, it is becoming more and more difficult to obtain sponsors to help cover the increasing costs of fire school. Without consistent financial backing, state fire school may become a thing of the past. Not being able to host fire school would be detrimental to hundreds of firefighters and their departments. So what can you do to help? If you have a business or know of one that would be willing to be a sponsor for the 2022 OSFA State Fire School, please have them send me an email to Kendall.williams1217@ gmail.com requesting sponsorship information. Thank you for your dedication to your communities!
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20 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Cary Provence: Legislative Committee Report Hello all! My name is Cary Provence and I have been with the Yukon fire Department for 21 years. I have been selected (due to lack of options I can only assume) as your chairman for this year’s OSFA Legislative Committee. I am honored to say the least, thank you for that. In the time that has passed since the board selected this committee, we have only been Yukon FD able to meet once and there isn’t much new to report on yet. This year’s legislative session doesn’t officially begin until the first Monday in February, but drafting of all bills is due by December 10 of this year, so we should know what all we are dealing with in the coming weeks. As always, OSFA lobbyists Don Armes and Julia JerniganSmith are hard at work for us making sure we stay on top of anything that may have an effect on the Oklahoma Fire Service, both positive and negative, they don’t miss anything. If you see them, be sure to tell them thank you as they work tirelessly for us, so be sure to let them know they’re appreciated. If you don’t know them already, I strongly encourage you to reach out to your local Senator and Representative. Make sure they are aware of you and your family and the impact decisions they make may have on a personal level. Don’t let these folks get elected then forget about the people that got them there. They work for us just as we work for the people we serve as Oklahoma firefighters. Find their phone number and email address and save it in your phone. The squeaky wheel gets the grease so be the loudest one out there. Our futures depend on it. We are more divided as a nation than we probably have ever been, but I believe we will get through this. I also encourage you to get out of your comfort zones and have civil discussions with people that may feel different than you. There is a lot of good that can come from constructive dialogues. They may be uncomfortable at first, but that’s where growth happens. Stay safe and continue to give your all.
FY 2022 Appropriations Bills Contain Increases for Fire and EMS Programs The House Appropriations Subcommittees have begun work on FY 2022 appropriations legislation, and the bills as introduced include increases for a number of programs that assist fire and EMS agencies. H.R. 4331, the FY 2022 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, provides $370 million each for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, an increase of $10 million for each program. H.R. 4331 also provides $53.212 million for the U.S. Fire Administration, an increase of nearly $4 million over the FY 2021 level. H.R. 4372, the FY 2022 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Act, provides $20 million for the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program. That represents a $1 million increase over the level provided in FY 2021. H.R. 4502, the FY 2022 Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Act, provides $2.5 million for the National Firefighter Registry, which will track incidences of firefighter cancer. $2.5 million represents full funding – the highest level of funding authorized for the Registry.
Louis Marschik: OSFA Public Education Committee Report MORRIS FD LEADING THE WAY At last year’s OSFA Convention, Oklahoma State Fire Marshal G. Keith Bryant spoke about a very sad and alarming statistic: Oklahoma was #49 in the nation for Ret. OKC FD fire fatalities per capita. This should hit the heart strings of every Oklahoma firefighter. We are losing lives of residents and firefighters that could have been prevented. To address this problem, the OSFA Public Education Committee received 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to be used throughout Oklahoma. These alarms were donated by Vision 2020 through the work of our Vision 2020 state representative and committee member Cody Banks (Tulsa Fire). Properly working smoke alarms and home escape plans can greatly reduce the chance of death by fire & smoke. Leading by example is the Morris Fire Department. On July 10, members of the Morris Volunteer Fire Department and fellow volunteers came together for their community. They provided their residents with free smoke alarms (provided by Vision 2020) and performed home safety surveys. In one day, they visited 348 homes and installed 174 smoke alarms. And they have now completed their smoke alarm canvassing, as their entire community has now been offered life saving alarms! Job well done, Morris! If your department is interested in providing these life-saving alarms, please call the Oklahoma Firefighter Museum at 405-424-1452 and ask for Gene Brown.
OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EDUCATION VIRTUAL SUMMIT A SUCCESS!
COVID tried its best to derail our summit, but to no prevail! After multiple attempts to have an in-person event, we went the virtual route. With the help of many, the summit was a great success! We even reached some of our brothers & sisters beyond our state lines. Our line-up began with our keynote speaker, Chief Tonya Hoover (acting United States Fire Administrator) with national trends and valuable resources. In case you were wondering, the National Fire Academy is open for business. State Fire Marshal G. Keith Bryant gave an update on the issues/concerns that marijuana has brought to the fire service. He also spoke about our fire fatality problem. The silver lining is that we have improved slightly from
#49 to #48 in the country for fire fatalities per capita. NFPA Regional Director Kelly Ransdell spoke on educational messaging and provided helpful resources available to our departments/communities. Neal Zipser from Knox Box gave an insightful presentation on Carbon Monoxide and CO Detectors. We concluded with updates from the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fire Marshal’s Association of Oklahoma and Safe Kids Oklahoma. A FEW HOLIDAY REMINDERS • Thanksgiving is the #1 day of the year for kitchen fires. Please do not leave the kitchen or grill unattended. • Blow out those nice seasonal smelling
Morris FD members and volunteers getting smoke alarms out to their community
candles before you go to bed. • Keep combustible items and children at least three feet from space heaters. Also, plug them directly into the wall (not extension cords). • Test your Smoke and CO alarms. Thank you to everyone who is making fire safety a priority in their communities. Together, we can prevent fire fatalities!
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Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 21
Jeremy Williams: S&H Committee WHAT IF? What if talking to a co-worker about mental health was not taboo? What if we could lean on others to process the stressful calls? What if physical fitness was a requirement? What if physical fitness was tested every year? Guthrie FD
These questions are ones that run through my mind constantly. Who has the authority to make these changes? Is it the chief of the small volunteer department or the training officers of larger career departments? For me I believe these questions can all be answered by us as individuals.
What if talking to a co-worker about mental health was not taboo? What if we could ask for help and not be pushed away or made fun of? I believe that as individuals, we can achieve this. If we as individuals take it upon ourselves to be more open-minded and become that person that people can come to, then as a whole, we can start to improve the mental health in the fire service. What if you let fellow firefighters know they can come to you in a time of need and not feel judged or thought of as weak. What if you take the opportunity to ask a fellow firefighter if everything is OK after experiencing a stressful call. Although you might not think it’s that big of a deal, believe me, your fellow brothers and sisters will appreciate it more than you know. What if physical fitness was a requirement in the fire service? What if physical fitness was held to some sort of a standard? These two questions are for higher paid people than me. I just believe that as individuals we should take the initiative on our own to be healthy and fit. As firefighters, we should put our own health first. Fellow firefighters should not have to worry if you are going to be OK during a stressful situation. We shouldn’t have to be told that this job requires a certain degree of fitness. As individuals we should demand that our physical fitness will never get in the way of serving our customers. We owe it to our customers to be in good physical condition.
I’m asking you as individuals to not wait for direction from the top of your organization but to take the steps on your own to be mentally and physically fit. I’m asking you to be open minded and be that listening ear for fellow firefighters. I’m asking that you be the example in your department when it comes to physical fitness. I’m asking that we stop worrying about what others may think and take the steps necessary to improve our own fitness. Take the initiative as an individual and see what it leads to within your department.
Blake Braden: EMS Report Thank you to Chief Anthony Stewart from Kingfisher FD and the expertise he gave to the EMS Committee as the Committee Chair last year. We hope all is well in the trying times of Covid and the stress of increased call volumes. I would like to review why this committee was created and this year’s goals. Guthrie FD The EMS Committee Mission Statement is: To identify, research, and discuss issues which affects Fire Based EMS in the State of Oklahoma. These issues shall include, but not be limited to, funding and rules and regulations. The goals this year will to be to maintain awareness for Managed Care as it may affect the GEMT Program and other bills for EMS. I would also like to assist agencies that want to become a licensed Emergency Medical Responder Agency, as well as promote training opportunities for EMS Credentialed Personnel to assist in the increased demand. We had our first meeting recently and look forward to a productive year. One key topic that will affect EMS was brought up. In December, be on the lookout for the OSDH changes for a comment period. We will pass along more information when we get more from the department. If there are any concerns or ideas, please let a member of the EMS Committee know. We are here for you and want to help in any way possible.
James Fullingim: Assistant State Fire Marshal Report Marijuana has become a growing concern for firefighters in Oklahoma, especially in our rural areas. As of July 2021, there have been 8,247 OFCA Ex Officio marijuana grow licenses issued in Oklahoma and the number continues to expand. It is important to consider that that one grow license may include several buildings, as many as one hundred or more as long as they have one owner and are located at the same address. This number does not include any unlicensed facilities that exist. One of the concerns I have heard is the possibility of failing a drug test if you respond to a fire in one of these facilities. With the use of proper PPE including SCBA, this should be the least of your worries. Of greater concern to me is the other chemicals associated with the operation, the processes utilized and the safety of the building in which the business is operating. The only way to be prepared for an incident (any incident) in one of these facilities is to inspect the facility and do a pre-fire plan. The Fire Department not only has the authority to inspect any business within their district but also the responsibility. As I covered in the last article, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) plays a large role in building compliance and the extraction process. Therefore, a good place to start is to look for the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the AHJ, as this will let you know that the building met the minimum code at the time of construction for the use identified, and it does not allow for any modifications or change of use that may have occurred after issuance. We have seen a variety of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, CO2, butane, propane and, many times, unlabeled substances in these facilities. Common issues we encounter include improper electrical wiring, people living in the building, un-permitted cooking areas, inadequate means of egress, lack of adequate fire detection and suppression equipment, improperly stored hazardous materials, lack of identification of hazardous materials and inadequate fire lanes. If you encounter any issues, they need to be included in the pre-fire plan with the assumption that they will not be immediately addressed. Additionally, the violations should be reported to the AHJ for enforcement. If the State Fire Marshal’s Office can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
22 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Eric Carranza: Vol. Fire Service Committee Hello all of you cool cats and kittens! As the new Chair of the OSFA Volunteer Fire Service Committee, I would like to share a few words. First off, I have some really big shoes to Springer FD fill following Cory Beagles of Deer Creek FPD. As the cooler weather moves in and the season changes, I reflect on the finer moments of life. One of the things I appreciate the most is family and friends and the good times had with all. I consider those in emergency services my family. There is a camaraderie like no other in fire service. One of the best times I can remember from this year was the OSFA Volunteer Firefighter Caucus, and I know next year’s will be just as great. The 2022 OSFA Volunteer Firefighter Caucus will be in February. The social will be Feb. 4 (location and exact time TBD). The Caucus itself will be Feb. 5 at the Kiamichi Tech Center in Atoka. All volunteer firefighters are NEEDED to attend. We look forward to meeting new faces and seeing old friends as we try to decide on our three resolutions to take to convention. We WANT your volunteer input. Make YOUR voice be heard. The Volunteer Fire Service Committee is here to help YOU. Also, be on the lookout for regional round table discussions in your area. The first one will be in the Rolling Hills area (exact location TBD). Chief Bryon Fox with the Rolling Hills FD will be hosting the first of what is expected to be many round table events.
Cory Beagles: OSFA Volunteer Caucus What is the OSFA Volunteer Firefighter Caucus? I’m glad you asked! It’s not just a challenging word to say without giggling. Deer Creek FPD A caucus is defined as a meeting or conference of local members of a particular party or faction. It is typically used for determining delegates or political office candidates. In our case, we use the Volunteer Caucus to voice concerns and issues of the Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Service and bring them to the OSFA in a formalized manner to proceed with actions to work towards remedying the issues. The annual OSFA Volunteer Firefighter Caucus is an opportunity for volunteers from all over the State of Oklahoma to meet and discuss issues they are facing. This coming Caucus will be the 20th in OSFA’s history. It will be held Feb. 5, 2022, at the Kiamichi Tech Center in Atoka. There will be an open panel discussion with representatives from various state organizations. Following that, there will be an overview of each of the Oklahoma state statute title fire departments and how they differ and function. Lunch will be provided, and then the attendees will be divided into breakout groups to discuss what they feel are the most important topics facing the volunteer fire service in Oklahoma. Then all the groups will reconvene and present their top three issues. Those issues will then be voted on by the attendees and the resulting top three issues will have resolutions drafted for presentation and approval at the next OSFA Convention. From Convention, the resolutions will typically be given to an OSFA Committee to work on through research, development, legislation, and potentially create or find a solution. What are the OSFA Committees you might ask? There are several, and the OSFA committee application forms will be at the Caucus for those in attendance. Committees range from the Volunteer Fire Service Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Educational Advisory Committee, the Membership Committee, and several others. A complete list of committees can be found at: https://osfa.info/osfa/ meetings. We hope you will take the time to attend this coming year’s Caucus and help improve the Volunteer Fire Service in Oklahoma! Registration should be open on November 1, 2021. Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 23
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24 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
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Corey Conrady: The Rural Firefighter - First Responder Violence
Drummond FD
This article is dedicated to all fire departments, not just rural, and the kinds of things we deal with as firefighters who live and serve in the communities we have grown up in. Headlines read: “CO Firefighter Punched in Face During Call” ... “AZ Paramedics, Firefighter Shot in Fatal Attacks” ... “Two Fire Fighters, One Civilian Taken to Hospital Following Fire, Assault Reported.” Alarming, to say the least.
“According to the department, the firefighters were assaulted while responding to a reported fire on Eastern Avenue in southeast Baltimore Sunday night. Officials say a man threw glass bottles at the crew as they attempted to enter the home.” -- WBFF Baltimore
“Soon after the fire was reported, a gunman walked up to two emergency medical technicians parked nearby at Quincy Douglas Center and opened fire through the driver’s side window of the AMR ambulance company rig. The paramedic behind the wheel, a 20-year-old man, was shot in the head. He was in critical condition Sunday night. The paramedic in the passenger seat, 21, was shot in the chest and arm. However, she was able to call for help. One neighbor was shot in the head and died, Magnus said. A Tucson firefighter was shot in the arm, and a bullet grazed another neighbor’s head.” -- 2021 The Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, Ariz.)
“In October 2015, emergency medical technicians Kelly Adams and Al Royas were dispatched just after midnight to a gritty section of midtown Detroit to help a woman with an injured ankle. When they arrived, the woman’s boyfriend insisted that he ride along in the ambulance to the hospital. When the EMTs refused, the man punched Royas in the head, then drew a box cutter and slashed Royas in the hand and under the eye. In an attempt to save her partner, Adams grabbed a stool from the ambulance and struck the attacker twice; unfazed, he punched Adams, then used the box cutter to slash a deep gash the length of Adams’s left cheek, from her ear to the corner of her mouth. Battered and bloodied, the EMTs were eventually able to barricade themselves in the ambulance and drive to the emergency room.” -- NFPA Journal published on Jan. 2, 2019 According to the ems1.com report Research Analysis: Preventing downstream consequences of EMS assaults, 91 percent of respondents reported having been verbally harassed, while two-thirds reported being physically assaulted while practicing EMS, mirroring rates previously published. There was no difference across genders, however, women were slightly less likely to feel safe on duty versus their male counterparts (57% vs. 64%). As we saw, most of these reports were from EMS, and in my research, that is where most of the assaults are reported. However, a lot of them go unreported, because of responder bias, i.e. the unintentional violence due to altered mental status of the patient, and they didn’t know what they are doing. The reality is that no matter where it comes from, violence is not acceptable and can have unintended consequences on others in our lives in unimaginable ways. Ways that can affect us, our families, our friends, and the patients we treat.
In our rural communities that rely on volunteers to serve the community, this could be devastating. Violence likely has downstream consequences What are some of the ways a violent encounter, or even the threat of violence, can negatively impact the future? The following things come to mind: • The impact on the quality of care received by that patient • The impact on the quality of care received by the next patient • The recruitment of the next generation of providers • The retention of today’s providers • The long-term mental wellbeing of the care team • The above average rate of suicide by first responders
We live in a world where it is taboo to speak of your faults and shortcomings, more so for men. Then add on top of it that we are firefighters and public servants and the reality is that we store it all inside. But remember, there is hope and help. There are a number of programs out there to help, where anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. One of my favorites is Celebrate Recovery, where I can share and know that my “junk” will not be shared. Also there are a number of mental health professionals who share this same ethos. If you need immediate support: • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255 (or go to the web site for chat) • National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) • Crisis Text Line is available by texting HOME to 741741 • OSFA will respond with help within 48 hours. Call the OSFA office at 405-424-1452 or Executive Director Tippy Pierce at 405-924-1104 • Or call or text me anytime: Corey Conrady, 580-540-0970 Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 25
First Responders Work Together to Saves Li By Raegan Layne OSFA Administrative Assistant You commonly hear all the cliché sayings about how important teamwork is, and how vital it is to success. More than likely, you think of your favorite sports team or the office where you work. But the importance extends even more so to the first responder world. Every day, different agencies are required to work together, and the success of every call is dependent on the teamwork that occurs on the scene. It is a vital part of being a first responder. We don’t always greet each other with a warm welcome, but being able to work together to achieve the common goal of saving lives and property is a key component of our jobs. There is a very common misconception of dislike between public safety agencies, but none of that matters in the case of an emergency when their life -- and sometimes even your own -- is dependent on your ability to work together as a team. In the moment, the mother who’s child you are saving, the older man whose wife needs help, the complete strangers -- they believe in your ability not because of which specific agency you work for, but because you choose to serve as a first responder. The long-standing argument of the power behind a gun, and the strength to carry a hose, and which makes you tougher ends as soon as you both show up to the scene and someone is dependent on your ability to work together to save them. When all different agencies meet at a scene, they all share a common mission -- helping those who are in need. This common vision, along with good leadership, leads to a strong team and building an atmosphere conducive to success. Communication is a vital aspect in this regard, as well as the ability to count on one another. So how can you decide if you are being a good team member and contributing to the success of your department and their mission? • You understand your role within the team • You are open to collaboration • You hold yourself accountable • You have a positive attitude • You work to achieve your duties to the best of your ability • You commit to the team “Teamwork makes the dream work.” You have probably heard this hundreds of times but dismiss it as a repetitive, meaningless, poster banter. However, teamwork really does make the dream work -especially in this high-stress, demanding environment. When you have a team you can rely on, and people surrounding you who share your goals, you will see success. At the end of the day, every single person’s time, work and effort matters. A department is only as good as the people in it.
. . . Some Even Serve Th G. Keith Bryant Still Learning and Leading Oklahoma State Fire Marshal G. Keith Bryant was going through CLEET training when he was contacted regarding the “All One Family” feature. “My current role as State Fire Marshal gave me the opportunity to experience an aspect of the Fire Service that I had never been directly involved in before, such as Code Enforcement, Investigation and Public Education,” he said. Bryant’s road to public service started as a Fire Explorer while still in high school. He then served four years in the Army as a military firefighter.
26 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
After the Army, he was hired by the Edmond FD, where he spent six months before joining the Oklahom City FD. He served 35 years at OCF the last 12 years as Fire Chief. In 2017, Bryant was sworn in as U.S. Fire Administrator. In May 202 he was appointed as Oklahoma Sta Fire Marshal. “What I like best is knowing tha each and every day there is an oppo tunity to make a positive difference people’s lives and therefore a positi impact on the community,” he said “I have been blessed to have been able to work in the Fire Service at th local, state and national level, work with and learning from some truly exceptional people.”
ives & Property . . .
ALL ONE FAMILY
OSFA put out a call for photos that embraced the “All One Family” theme. Pictured on the next few pages are a few favorites that were submitted on the OSFA Facebook page. Thanks to all who participated! PHOTO AT LEFT: Submitted by Amanda Woods with A. Woods Photography. Her husband Kenny Woods is a firefighter for Morris FD. Photo features the Jenkins family from Hitchita, Okla., which is southeast of Okmulgee, northeast of Henryetta and directly north of Oklahoma’s largest lake, Lake Eufaula. From left are Kim, a nurse practitioner; Ron, a Lieutenant with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol; youngest son Jett, a volunteer with the Hitchita VFD (wearing donated gear from Dewar FD); and oldest son Tyler, who was with the Okmulgee Police Department when the photo was taken and is now in the Tulsa PD Academy.
heir Communities in Multiple Capacities
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Cory Rink Always Dreamed of Being Both a Firefighter and Police Officer In August 2020, Cory Rink was elected as Sheriff of Garfield County. He was sworn into office on Jan. 4, 2021. That was one of his lifelong dreams. The other was to be a firefighter, which he currently is at Covington VFD. “As a kid, I always dreamed of becoming a police officer and a firefighter,” he said. “My school bus driver was a firefighter for Covington VFD, and he always encouraged me to become a volunteer firefighter with him. “I have always had a passion for helping the people in my community. Watching firefighters before me helping people in a medical crisis or putting out a blaze, serving the people we live and work with every day, inspired me to begin serving my community as a firefighter.” Rink joined the Covington VFD in 2005, served as Assistant Chief from 2009-2011 and Fire Chief from 2011-2017. He completed numerous firefighting certifications along the way, including First Responder, Firefighter 1 and 2, HazMat Ops and Structural Firefighter Instructor. At the same time he was pursuing his firefighting dreams, Rink was working in law enforcement. He stepped down as Covington Fire Chief and back into the role as volunteer firefighter so he
could focus on law enforcement. He served the community of Covington as Police Chief for several years before moving to the Garfield County Sheriff’s office, then to the Noble County Sheriff’s Office and then back to the Garfield County Sheriff’s office as Sheriff. “I have always wanted to serve my community as a volunteer firefighter, but my career goal has always been law enforcement,” Rink said. “I think working for the Sheriff’s office and the desire to become Sheriff of Garfield County may have been inspired by all of the John Wayne movies my family watched growing up. “I always enjoyed these movies when the outlaws were brought to justice and spent time in jail for their crimes. “I am very proud to serve Oklahoma. Oklahomans are very proud of their fire departments, both paid and volunteer, and their law enforcement. Oklahomans continually support their fire departments and law enforcement throughout the state, and this makes Oklahoma great. “I am proud to serve as both a firefighter and a peace officer. I enjoy keeping my community safe in all emergency situations.” Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 27
Helping Rural Fire, Police, EMS Is Priority for Blake Braden Blake Braden has a passion for teaching. And helping rural communities is at the top of his to-do list. So in addition to being a firefighter paramedic with Guthrie FD and a part-time paramedic at Lifenet EMS, he is Director of Operations for Heartland Medical Direction. “At Heartland Medical Direction, I am able to help train agencies that would not be able to obtain a higher level of medical training,” he said. “I have seen first-hand that the training provided to these agencies was able to
truly help these communities. This drives my passion for sharing the knowledge even more.” While a senior in high school, Braden joined the Ranch Drive Volunteer FD in Ponca City. That’s when his passion for firefighting and providing medical care to rural citizens grew into a career. And while going to EMT school, he joined the Cashion Ambulance Service and became the Assistant EMS Director and a Cashion firefighter. He completed EMT at Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater, and he holds an Associates of Science from Oklahoma City Community College with a certificate of mastery in EMS Paramedicine. Blake holds many instructor certifica-
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tions, including Fire Fighter, EMS, NAEMT, AHA, and ASHI. “I wanted to be a volunteer firefighter to help the rural community due to lack of personnel to serve,” he said. “This transitioned into wanting to do the job full time. “During EMT school, I developed a new view to be able to help my community in multiple ways. This gave me the drive to obtain my paramedic license. Now I am able to help rural communities by providing a dual role.” PHOTO AT LEFT: Submitted by Carson Combest, Ponca City FD. Photo features First Responder Appreciation night at the 101 Ranch Rodeo in Ponca City. Pictured are Ponca City FD Reserve Ambulance 111, Ponca City Police Department and Kay County Sheriffs Department.
Coal County Citizens Benefit from Aaron Blue’s Work in Emergency Services Aaron Blue was first on-scene at a major vehicle accident when he was a high school senior. That’s when he decided to volunteer at his local fire department -- Lehigh FD -- in 1995. A year later he joined the Coalgate FD, and in 2003, he became a firefighter/EMT when Coalgate FD assumed the ambulance service responsibilities for Coal County. Blue assisted with moving the EMS service to Coalgate FD, as he was Director of Emergency Medical Services for Coal County at the time. And it was determined that the best benefit to the citizens of Coal County was to join the EMS and Fire services into one department. “I enjoy knowing that I am working to provide the best services and protection possible for my family and friends,” he said. Blue served as the Director of Emergency Management for Coal County and City of Coalgate from 2006 to 2015. He became the Assistant Chief of Coalgate FD in 2007 and then Chief in 2015. 28 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
He is a Licensed Paramedic, Certified Firefighter 2, Fire Instructor and has a Certificate in Disaster Response and Emergency Management from Northeastern State University. “I enjoyed watching the weather and was a volunteer storm spotter for our local Emergency Management Department,” he said. “The EM Director sent me to OK-First Radar Interpretation School and I volunteered for the EM until he retired. “I took over as the Director and served 10 years with the department. I was intrigued by the mitigation process and the ability to effect the occurrence and impact of emergencies and disasters. “It has been an honor to have the trust of the community and to work beside some of the most selfless, caring, dedicated responders in Oklahoma. “My career in Emergency Services has never felt like a job. We are fortunate in Oklahoma to have dedicated responders protecting our citizens across the state and to have a tight knit community of responders in all facets of emergency services who are dedicated to helping each other in times of need.”
FAMILY
Will Langley’s wish came true: He’s a Trooper and a Fire Chief
PHOTO ABOVE: Submitted by T.J. Rockenbach, Amorita/Byron Fire & Rescue in Alfalfa County. Photo taken in March 2017 on the Latimer Fire in Alfalfa County. The fire burned approx. 4,000 acres and required assistance from multiple agencies, including the Oklahoma National Guard helicopter.
Sean Douglas Started As a Junior Firefighter in Missouri At Age 11 Even though Sean Douglas got an early start into the world of firefighting, he was undecided in college as to what he wanted to do. “My parents would say that they knew that I would be either be a fireman or join the Army,” he said. “I had exposure to the fire service at a young age and enjoyed it. And I enjoyed growing up around the Army. “I did two years of ROTC in college before fully committing to the fire service. I would blame it on reading Golden Books and watching the TV show ‘Emergency!’ at an impressionable age.” Douglas was a Junior Firefighter with the St. James (Mo.) Volunteer FD when he was 11, and he passed FF1 at age 13. Shortly after starting college, he joined the Warrensburg (Mo.) FD as a volunteer/part-time firefighter, transitioned to full-time status in 1998, to the fire marshal role in 2001 and became assistant fire chief in 2004. In June 2010, Douglas moved to Oklahoma to become the Claremore Fire Chief. He also serves as the Emergency Management Director for the City of Claremore. “I’ve always liked serving the community and helping people in general, and have found my career very rewarding,” he said. “I enjoy being able to help the community and helping to remove roadblocks to provide better service, developing organizations and people, and laying the groundwork for those who come after us to succeed.”
Growing up in the small town of Stilwell in Eastern Oklahoma, Will Langley knew there were two things he wanted to do when he grew up. After graduating high school, he pursued his dreams by joining the Stilwell Volunteer FD and going to Northeastern State University to study Criminal Justice. After seven years at Stilwell FD, however, Langley had to leave to attend the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy. He graduated from the academy in October 2000 and was assigned to Ottawa County in Northeast Oklahoma, where he has served the last 21 years as a State Trooper. “It was in 2013 when I was approached by the then Chief of the Quapaw Volunteer Fire Department,” Langley said. “He asked if I would be interested in joining the department and I knew then that it was a good time to get back into firefighting and that it would give me another opportunity to serve the community. “Since then, I have worked my way up and was voted Chief in 2017, to which I currently serve. I have loved serving on the Quapaw FD and love bringing my ideas and experience to everyone who serves with me. I truly believe we have developed a great team of firefighters.” Here’s the reason Langley gave for wanting to be a firefighter: “My Father inspired my love for the fire department where I spent a lot of time with him as he served. “I can remember the times when the phone would ring in the middle of the night and without a second thought, he would get up and go help whoever was in need. As soon as he returned home, I knew he would tell me all the details and I loved every second of it. I knew that I wanted to do that one day. “I can also remember the days when he would take me to the fire station, and I could climb up on all the trucks and pretend as if I were driving to a fire.” Here’s why Langley wanted to be a State Trooper: “When I was 8 years old, a State Trooper came by our house. I was mesmerized by all his shiny brass and bullets he had on him. They carried revolvers then, and I just thought it was the coolest thing ever. I knew I wanted to do that one day.” Pictured Above: Quapaw firefighters Doug Dardenne, Casey Abernathy, Jason Garrison and Albert Ray at a fire in Baxter Springs, Kan. The FD asked for mutual aide, and the temperature that day was 10 below zero.
Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 29
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Darryl Beebe hooked on Fire Service after High School In 2003, Darryl Beebe was approached by the newly-formed Pioneer Skeleton Creek Volunteer FD about joining the department. “As a kid who just had recently graduated high school, the fire service seemed to latch hold of me and keep me interested,” he said. In 2008, Beebe was hired by the Waukomis Police Department and was later approached about getting on with the Waukomis Fire Department. Beebe is currently a Lieutenant and Advanced EMT for Waukomis FD, where he has served the last 13 years. Beebe is also an Agent with the Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Office and is assigned to the Northern District. “I have been in law enforcement for over 13 years, serving with the Waukomis Police Department and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office K9/Criminal Interdiction Unit prior to being employed with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. “I also assist in teaching as an adjunct instructor for fire and EMS classes for Autry Technology Center in Enid and OSU Fire Service Training. “Waukomis and the State of Oklahoma is a place full of great people. It’s about the people who live, work and travel through our communities and within our state.”
PHOTO ABOVE: Submitted by Jake Logan, son of Piedmont Fire Chief Andy Logan. Photo features Parade of Oklahoma FD trucks during the 127th OSFA Convention in Guthrie. PHOTO BELOW: Submitted by Josh Newton, Shutter Up Photos by Josh, Photography of Tahlequah Fire Department. Photo of Tahlequah FD responding to house fire in August 2021. Cause of the fire was deemed suspicious and TFD received assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in its investigation.
30 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
FAMILY
PHOTO ABOVE: Submitted by Kolten Brown, friend of Dewey Assistant Fire Chief Cody Meade. Photo is from a a non-injury wreck in Dewey. The Washington County Sheriff’s Department came out to assist, as well as the Dewey Police Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Sharon FD Volunteer David Conner Upgraded His Skill Set With CLEET Three years ago, David Conner joined the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office as an Agent 2. “The big training curve associated with changing jobs was going to CLEET to become a Law Enforcement Officer,” he said. “It ends up that it was great learning another first responder’s role.”
Conner, who has over 25 years in the fire service, started his firefighting career as a volunteer at Woodward FD. In a short time, he got on as a paid firefighter. He was with Woodward just shy of 23 years when he retired as Captain to take the job with the Fire Marshal’s Office. Conner is also a volunteer firefighter with Sharon FD. “I love helping others, and through my fire career, I knew there would be a time to
move on to another career,” he said. “As I moved through the ranks at the fire department, I had to learn about building codes and fire investigation. Learning these things helped me better understand life safety as a whole. “Now I get to help others be proactive and not reactive. We can’t prevent every emergency, but we can minimize the effects by proactive codes. If I could do it all over again, I would still be a firefighter.”
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Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 31
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Mike Honigsberg Wears Several Different Hats Mike Honigsberg entered the emergency service ranks while in college, working for an ambulance service as an EMT between 1972-78. But after graduating, he stepped back from that for almost two decades. Then in October 1996, he was named Emergency Management Director for Garfield County. “I got re-involved and it blossomed from there,” Honigsberg said. “Once you get involved with emergency services -- no matter what the branch -- it was very difficult to stay away. “I feel that if I can continue to do the job, I will.” In addition to his Garfield County position, Honigsberg is the Emergency Manager for the City of Enid and serves on the 911 Board. He also joined the Hillsdale-Carrier Fire District in 2005 as a firefighter and became the Fire Chief in April 2020. “It was just another way to serve our community and stay involved with what’s going on,” he said. “As an emergency manager, I worked with firefighters and wanted to get more involved, so I did. It was interesting and challenging at first, and after all these years, it still is challenging even though I have taken on a larger responsibility. It’s helping people when they need help and knowing we made a difference.” When asked what he liked best about being able to help the community in multiple ways, Honigsberg said, “It keeps me young.” “Folks today don’t realize what it takes to make all of these things happen. I have an opportunity to make a difference and bring to the public’s eye my perspective. And maybe somewhere along the way, this perspective starts a spark in someone else.”
PHOTO ABOVE: Submitted by Brandon Hopkins, Harrah FD & Spencer PD. Photo taken by Jackie Weir-Conner, Night Owl Media. Her husband Brett Conner is a firefighter with Harrah FD. Pictured is Hopkins changing the air tank for Nicoma Park firefighter John Dengler. Spencer firefighter Kale Daniels is in the background.
PHOTO BELOW: Submitted by Mike Clark, Richland Fire Chief. Photo taken at Express Ranch during Richland FD’s annual cookout fundraiser. Vehicles include RFD BP1, RFD E1, RFD Command 1 and CCSO Tactical Response Unit.
Help support your Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Expansion and Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial PURCHASE 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 $40 a year (on top of regular tag fees) and $20 goes directly to the Museum/Memorial.
32 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
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. Forms for Oklahoma Firefighter tags can be downloaded from www.osfa.info.
FAMILY Phillip Ott Follows In
His Father’s Footsteps
In 2002, Phillip Ott was approached by the Waukomis Fire Chief about joining the FD. “My father was a firefighter with Waukomis FD at that time, and I wanted to work alongside him,” he said. “My father was also a Lieutenant with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. I grew up watching him put on his uniform everyday and going to work. I always felt like I would follow in his footsteps and go into public service, as well.” Ott did just that. He is a Captain and Advanced EMT for Waukomis Fire Department, where he has served for over 19 years. He is also one of two training officers for the department. And he is also a Special Agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. “I have been in law enforcement for 17 years serving with the Waukomis Police Department and DHS-Office of Inspector General prior to being employed with OSBI,” he said. “I also teach Fire and EMS classes for Autry Technology Center in Enid and OSU Fire Service Training. “Waukomis is a good community full of great people. It’s an honor to help them in their time of need along with all of the other men and women who I get to serve with on the Waukomis Fire Department.”
PHOTO ABOVE: Submitted by Jeremie Gaines, Oak Cliff FPD. Pictured are Oak Cliff firefighters, from left, Chief Blake Hutsenpillar, Seth Bowen, Clayton Harland, Jeremie Gaines, Justin Nethercott, Lt, Dale Scribner and Assistant Chief Darren Martin. “Honestly, this was the day I fell in love with the job,” Jeremie said. “Just went interior in a house, my first time. Me and my LT in first. Being a part of such a group was an experience I will always look back on for the rest of my life.”
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FIRSTS in the OKLAHOMA FIRE SERVICE (Compiled from Media Reports)
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Donnie Bennett - First Black member of Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Executive Board (elected 3VP in June 2021) Jennifer Bradshaw - First Female Skiatook Firefighter (joined in 2005) Norita Bridges - One of First 2 Female Tulsa Firefighters (joined in Aug. 1991) Debbie Brooks - First Female Guymon Volunteer Firefighter (joined in early 2000s) James Coffey - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Henry L. Collier - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) Cecil Dixon - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Cledella Evans-Stearns - First Black Female Tulsa Firefighter (joined in 2001) Herbert Ford - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Tiara Ford - First Female Hominy Firefighter (joined in April 2019) Melvin A. Franklin - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Raymond Gates - First Black Lawton Firefighter (joined in Sept. 1971) Kristina Good - First Female Lawton Firefighter (joined in Sept. 2013) Milton T. Goodwin - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) Candice Hannah - First Female Holdenville Firefighter (joined in Dec. 2020) Clifford Harn - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) Cathy Hayes - First Female OKC District Chief of Operations (joined OKC FD in 1996) Carl Holmes - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Greta Hurt - First Female District Chief, First Female Training Officer, First Female Fire Investigator and First Female Staff Officer for Tulsa FD Willard Jenkins - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Cassy Juarez - First Female Stillwater Firefighter (joined in Jan. 2011) Karen Kirkham - First Female OKC Firefighter (joined in February 1985) Debra Kuffel - One of First 2 Female Tulsa Firefighters (joined in Aug. 1991) Algie Lawrence - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Clifford R. Lewis - First Native American ORFA President (2001) Julie Lynn - First Female State Fire Marshal Commission Committee Chairman (appointed to commission in May 2019) Marvin O. Nelson - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Sheri Nickel - First Female and First Native American Director at OSFA (Nov. 2018) and First Female Firefighter and Fire Chief at Shattuck FD Jan Polhemus - First Female to retire from Oak Cliff FD (retired in 2015 after serving 23 years) Caroline Reed - First Female Director for OSU Fire Service Training (appointed November 2019) Angie Retzlaff - First Female Tahlequah Firefighter (joined May 2021) Juan Rodriguez - First Hispanic OSFA President (2006) and First Hispanic ORFA President (2019) Carlos Rodriguez - One of first 2 Hispanic Guymon Volunteer Firefighters (joined in January 2003) Edward K. Russell - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Darbie Salamanca Barbie - First Female Latina Guymon Volunteer Firefighter (joined in June 2016) Kellie Sawyers - First Female Chief, First Female Deputy Chief and First Female Fire Marshal for Oklahoma City FD and First Female President of Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (2016) Jennifer Schmidt - First Female Norman Firefighter (joined in May 2016) Robert L. Shanks - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) Maximino Soto - One of first 2 Hispanic Guymon Volunteer Firefighters (joined in January 2003) Maryann Srbljan - First Female Edmond Firefighter (joined in Nov. 1980) Cleatus Q. Stephens - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) Merle Stripling - One of First 6 Black Tulsa Firefighters (joined in 1956) and First Black Tulsa District Fire Chief Bob Summers - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) Antoinette Thompson - First Black Female in Operations and First Black Female promoted to Capt/Major in Operations for OKC FD (joined in 1992) Larissa Upton - First Female Eufaula Firefighter (joined in Feb. 2021) Stephanie Wagner - First Female Owasso Firefighter (joined in 2011) Charles Q. Wright - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951) James H. Young - One of First 12 Black OKC Firefighters (joined in 1951)
Six Women Added To Oklahoma Fire’s List of Firsts Bryan Jay, a captain at Holdenville FD, was looking through the last issue of Oklahoma Firefighter and spotted an omission. “My fiance is the first female firefighter for the City of HoldAntoinette Candice Jennifer enville,” he said in an Thompson Hannah Schmidt email. “So I thought I would send in her name.” Capt/Major. She retired as an RNP. Candice Hannah, who joined Maryann Srbljan, who is now Holdenville FD in December 2020, a member of ORFA, served on the has now been added to the list of Edmond FD from November 1980 Firsts in the Oklahoma Fire Service. And so have five other women who to March 2009. She was the first female to make it through probation contacted the OSFA. and is believed to be the first womJennifer Bradshaw submitted an driver on a paid fire department. her name (first female firefighter at Jennifer Schmidt spotted an error Skiatook) and another -- Stephanie in the list. She was the first female Wagner (first female firefighter at firefighter for Norman FD, but Owasso). another name was listed. That has Antoinette Thompson’s name now been corrected. was also added. Not only was she “I would still be there if I hadn’t the first black female firefighter in been unfortunate to suffer an Operations for the Oklahoma City injury,” said Jennifer, who also won FD, she was also the first black several gold medals at the firefightfemale in OCFD Operations to be er games in California. promoted to Sgt/Lt and then to
If you know of anyone who should be added to this list, please email penelopes@osfa.info
34 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
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Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 35
Tim Dorsch: Fire Chaplain Report “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” That’s what many people believe and experience as they plan for and enjoy the observances of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, etc. Fairmont FD But many others dread and experience just the opposite as they deal with sadness, loneliness, heartache, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Some of the circumstances that have a bearing on whether we anticipate or dread these holidays include: financial resources, debt, health, relationships with family and individual family members, workplace environment (including coworkers, supervisors, and subordinates), reality of retiring well or not, how many jobs or hours needed to make ends meet, and many others that you may be facing or that come to mind. This year, in addition to the usual factors, we are in the midst of a pandemic which has resulted in a supply shortage of toys and items that are needed for Christmas presents and for items that are essential for the economy and our own well-being. There is continuing tension and fear about getting Covid-19, recovering from it, long-term recovery, needing treatment in ICU, not recovering completely, and dying. There is confusion and disagreement over best practices for treatments, masks, vaccines, boosters, mandates, natural immunity and much more. Besides seasonal influences and health issues of all kinds, there are also a variety of situations in the fire service that are a challenge to one’s emotional and mental health. There is a tendency toward dependence on excessive use of alcohol or other drugs or medications.
Remembering or seeing images of tragic injuries or death in our minds or dreams can dissolve one’s desire and ability to continue to serve people as a firefighter. There is help and hope. Chaplains are individuals whom God has led to serve firefighters and to guide them through the needs described previously, as well as in many other areas. Some are firefighters; some are retired firefighters; some are pastors or qualified people who are not firefighters, but have a heart for them. Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains is a group of Fire Chaplains who have organized to provide training, encouragement, and support to chaplains and to fire departments in Oklahoma. If you have a person serving as a chaplain, whether officially or not, please invite them to contact us so that we can perhaps meet them and be a resource. Not every chaplain will have had experience with every type of challenge or crisis. But remember, this is Oklahoma. I am sure that at least one chaplain will have already faced that type of situation and will be glad to help guide them. Please contact us at okfirechaplains.org or follow us on Facebook at Oklahoma Fire Service Chaplains For myself, I find comfort, peace and joy to celebrate Thanksgiving (for God’s many blessings both spiritual and physical) and Christmas, the birth of Christ, in the knowledge and faith that Jesus, God’s Son, loved me and every person so much that He became human and was born of Mary. He did this in order to suffer and die on the cross so that I, and all who believe in Him, will have forgiveness for sins and life everlasting with Him. May you and yours have a very merry and blessed Christmas.
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Rodney Foster: OSU Fire Service Training Report Fire Service Training has had a great summer, and moving into fall we are getting busy again. We hope that all had a great summer and look forward to the holiday season ahead. We would like for all firefighters to consider OSU FST Asst Dir an opportunity we will offer this spring. We are going to be offering an updated Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Program. This program has been offered in the past and has received great remarks from its attendees. The program is designed to develop leaders in the state fire service. Myself and Dean McFadden will be involved with the implementation of the program. We will have the program up for enrollment this fall. The classes will begin to meet early 2022. These classes will cover all types of readings and other activities. I am looking forward to the next group of students who enroll in the class. Some Past Enrollees Comments: “This is an excellent class for brand new fire service leaders as well as older more seasoned. I, for one, fall into the latter. It was this class, and by class, I mean the other students and facilitators, who were able to bring so many different prospective in an array of different subject matters. If you are a serious firefighter looking for more diverse ways in leadership, this is the class you will need.” -- District Chief Clint Greenwood, Chief of Safety Oklahoma City Fire Department
“Being a part of this class will create personal growth and make you a better leader and person. It won’t always be fun -- as Aaron Fields says “Comfort is the enemy of growth” -- and there will be uncomfortable times throughout. The friendships you make and things you learn about yourself is more than worth it.” -- Cary Provence, Captain -- Yukon Fire Department “The EFO leadership was one of the best outside the box training programs I’ve experienced. The integration of multiple styles of facilitating/ learning made for an environment where we were all learning together. From round top discussions, purposeful reading, and deep dialogue, the class gets deep into core principles. I found the experience meaningful in many ways. The facilitators find an excellent balance of teaching and allowing us to work through the critical thinking process. I was very fortunate to have excellent classmates that were open to discussion. I learned a tremendous amount of leadership tactics and styles from my fellow classmates.” -- Trent Bryan, Captain -- El Reno Fire Department Please visit our website to find classes that we have available. We look forward to upcoming year. Please reach out to us with any questions of how we can assist your fire department. Thank you for all your support.
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By Greg LindsayNear-Miss OKC Fire Department Greg Lindsay: Firefighter Report Do Decisions Add Risk? Responding to a fire alarm can be one of the most challenging assignments for firefighters. While there are thousands Oklahoma City FD of decisions to consider, many of those decisions are contingent on what we find on arrival. Just based on the dispatch information, our thought processes can branch into many directions. Like an objective coming into focus as we get closer, a fire scene becomes more precise with additional information. When the first apparatus arrives, an initial report can change the entire operational action plan. The term dynamic is used frequently to describe this type of event, but the speed with which information can change is a match for the fire itself. The featured report details a residential house fire with a person likely trapped inside. The initial response is limited, and crews must adapt to the conditions found. While reading this report, consider when you have encountered these conditions and how your experience now could have changed your decision-making. The complete report can be found at http://firefighternearmiss.com/Reports?id=15879.
ROOF COLLAPSE FOLLOWING EXTREME RESCUE EFFORT Initial size-up One-story, residential, with heavy smoke showing from the A/B side with reports of a person trapped. Event Description My department responded to a reported structure fire. The first engine on the scene reported a “bedridden” patient trapped in a bedroom. The decision was made to make the rescue of the trapped individual first. The first engine took that assignment and operated as the Rescue Group. The second engine to arrive on the scene initiated the fire attack. The fire was in the garage and extended into the attic. There were no visible flames from the exterior, but a large volume of “pea green” smoke was billowing out the front door. The fire attack team took a defensive position to protect the egress of the Rescue Group. The Rescue Group reported hoarder-like conditions inside the residence and had contacted the trapped person. The egress route was still protected, and an additional crew was sent in to help with the rescue effort. Due to the hoarding conditions, the rescue effort posed multiple complications. An assessment of the room showed the only way out was through the door. Outside, trees and bushes blocked any attempt to go out of the bedroom window. To further complicate the rescue, interior crews were running low on air. The incident commander ordered the interior crews out of the building to exchange air bottles. New crews deployed into the building and completed the rescue under severe fire conditions. The roof of the building collapsed shortly after all crews exited the building. Information changes during an incident can
trigger turning points in the event. Discuss the information triggers in this narrative that may have changed on-scene decisions. • Given the initial size-up, is there any additional information you consider essential to arriving companies? • Given the two types of single-story homes pictured at right, would heavy smoke from the garage change your assignment decisions? Discuss why these house types are different with your crew and what more you would like to know about them. • Discuss how incident priorities can dictate assignments and how those assignments need to be very specific. • The two assignments mentioned were Rescue and Fire Attack. What other assignments may have been performed at the scene but did not make it into the report? What would have been the priority assignments, in your opinion? • A single-story residence fire is considered by many to be the most common type of fire response. Are there things about this type of response that you always look for while conducting a 360? Lessons Learned The Rescue Group encountered multiple issues with the rescue attempt. Hoarding conditions and the physical state of the patient inhibited a fluid extrication of the patient. Second, the large volume of heat and smoke, coupled with the issues mentioned above, used up resources on the scene quickly. The Incident Commander did not supplement resources in a timely fashion, thus further complicating the incident. As far as rescue, in the future, discussion of utilizing an alternative method for bedridden patients is being discussed and researched. Command became task saturated and missed tactical benchmarks and time stamps. In the future, second alarm support will be called earlier. Last, a designated Safety Officer was not assigned until late in the incident. There was a total of seven firefighters inside the building that escaped the collapse. Potentially, if a Safety Officer had been assigned sooner, the collapse potential may have been identified and a new plan implemented. When things on the fire scene change, we all have the responsibility to improve situational awareness. Requests for additional resources or a change in other assignments are based on new information. The focus of this report has been about changing conditions at the scene and responding to the differences. Every lesson from this report has been about reacting to those changes. The multiple issues encountered by the rescue group require the group leader to be specific about resource requests. Adding an additional crew to assist when hoarder conditions are noted can hinder maneuverability when space is
38 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
limited. The reporter’s comments about needing extra resources for the rescue need to be balanced with the space available. The IC could consider announcing on-deck resources or assigning a formal Rapid Intervention Crew when complications with interior crews are broadcast. Reassuring the interior groups that reserves are ready when needed. The next issue mentioned involved fire conditions hampering operations. The report indicated a defensive posture for attack crews to protect egress. Using progressive tactics to knock back or extinguish the fire could be an alternative to protecting egress. We could consider water mapping the attic space or transitional attacks into the garage. Techniques that prevent disturbing the thermal layering are very useful even when interior crews are operating away from the fire seat. Our goal in these situations is to protect life safety by separating the fire from the people and rescuing the occupants. Fortunately, when we have adequate resources, both objectives can be accomplished simultaneously. The last consideration involved command issues and assignments. While task saturation can become a significant part of any assignment on the fire scene, having additional personnel to absorb some of the decision-making is critical. When an incident commander has more than five objectives to manage, thought should be given to dividing assignment management into separate categories. Using a division commander to oversee some of the elements can help with span-of-control. Remembering a command chart, the parts of the incident that are not assigned are still the responsibility of the incident commander. While some of the positions in a full command chart are not critical in a small fire response staging, accountability and safety are command responsibilities additional to rescue, ventilation, fire attack, and RIT. Task saturation is always a consideration when span-of-control is exceeded. A final thought about this incident is that only one person submitted this report from this response. We don’t know the person’s perspective initiating this report or what their assignment may have been. We can predict, from the narrative, that this person was possibly part of the rescue group, but that isn’t given. By assuming each person carried out their assignment to the best of their abilities and used the information available to make decisions, the crews all focused on completing the rescue. When a report is posted, we get a slice of the information and only guess about other aspects of the incident. Each side discussion about this report is useful for helping other firefighters plan for future decisions they may have to make.
Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question: What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Here is what they said: w Richelle Treece, Bethel Acres: I’d have to say the goofy spin dial you have to use on the Lifepack to enter demographics. Never fails I spell something wrong and have to go back. w Eldon Henderson, Ret. Enid: Painting my house. Preparing the surfaces, continually moving the ladders, and cleaning the brushes and rollers. w Jeremy Goodrich, Yukon: Dusting … Damn, I hate that and so do my allergies. w Michael Pettey, Fort Supply: Cleaning the bathroom. w Tim Dorsch, Fairmont: Meeting the deadline for submitting an Oklahoma Firefighter article -- not the article itself, just meeting the deadline!
25th annual David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament
w Tony Lopez, Midwest City: The chores I dislike the most are dishes and laundry. w Bre Horn, Marshall: I would have to say cleaning up the dog pen is my least favorite chore. w Tom Marcum, Ret. Mooreland: Weed eating. It’s just a necessary evil. w Bryan West, OSU-FST: Cleaning! However, I know it must be done. w Kendall Wiliams, Tulsa: ABSOLUTELY 100% DISHES. I don’t know if I could hate anything more. Even though we hand wash everything at the station, at home, I literally try to fit everything in the dishwasher. I can’t go to bed with dishes left in the sink because it bugs me, so I just cram them all in the dishwasher! w Darren Alexander, Cedar Country: Hose washing. And cleaning toilets. w Mike “Rookie” Billingsley, Ret. Nichols Hills: Kitchen clean up! w Eric Carranza, Springer: I absolutely hate doing all chores, but it is not the fact that I don’t like one particular thing. It’s the fact that I get cleaning ADD and I bounce from one thing to another, and the first thing I started on doesn’t get completely finished because I do 10 other things I see along the way. My wife calls it “there goes a rabbit syndrome.” w Greg Lindsay, OKC: The chore I hate doing the most is the one I have to do when there is another that I want to do. w Haley Thompson, OSFA Women’s Auxiliary: The chore that I hate doing is definitely dishes. They are the worst and they don’t ever stop! w Donnie Bennett, OKC: Folding clothes! The washing part of the laundry process is easy, but the folding and putting them away portion can be a challenge.
Next Issue’s Question -“What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
Everyone is Welcome to Participate!
Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info
“Had a great time at the OSFA David Bain Memorial Golf Tournament this afternoon (Sept. 15). Had a better time catching up with some awesome guys!” -- Joel Bain, Ret. Midwest City 1st Place: Billy Sizemore, Terry Stone, Logan Grove, Derrick Rhoads (Donated back winnings) 2nd Place: Scott Lance, Kent Lagaly, Greg Herbster, David Oliver (Donated back winnings) 3rd Place: Chase Rankin, Dana Cramer, Greg Zavoyna, Tim Nash (Donated back winnings) Closest to Pin: Scott White (Donated back winnings)
Total Donated Back: $1,350 Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 39
Kelly Ransdell: NFPA Report Ending 2021 on a High Note Hard to believe we are finishing out 2021 and hopefully seeing the end of the pandemic that has changed the landscape of our nation and also Oklahoma. Thank you to the First Responders who work every day to keep our communities safe and sacrifice so much. I wanted to give you a few updates to help you with your jobs each day.
NFPA LiNK now has all the current versions of NFPA codes and standards, as well as some of the prior versions of select codes and standards. In addition to the free access to view all standards online, this new program has lots of useful features. To see the online codes you just need to visit www.nfpa.org then enter a / and the number of the code (www.nfpa. org/70). NFPA LiNK is a subscription service that allows you to access codes, do key word searches, add notes and bookmarks as well as collaborate with your team. To see more about NFPA LiNK just visit www.nfpa.org/link to start your free 14 day trial, as well as see pricing options. This is a great resource to replace your National Fire Code Subscription Service (NFCSS).
The 63-page report “Fire in the United States Since 1980, Through the Lens of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem” shows, in part, that: 1. The most successful recipe for fire safety in the built environment has been the implementation of fire safety technologies through mandated codes and standards. 2. NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem elements – government responsibility, development and use of current codes, and an informed public – have had an obvious impact on the fire experience. 3. Approaching fire safety as a system, and not individual bits and pieces, provides an opportunity to unravel the complex and ongoing fire safety challenge for society. 4. Smoke alarms are a huge success story. 5. Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires and injuries. 6. Smoking has been the leading cause of home fire deaths for roughly four decades. 7. Fire deaths of children under fire
have dramatically declined, but there has been little change in older adult death tolls. 8. States with higher fire death rates correlate with larger percentages of people who have a disability; are current smokers; have incomes below the poverty line; live in rural areas; or are either African American, Black, Native American, or Alaskan Native. 9. Wildfire is becoming the dominant type of fire that causes catastrophic multiple deaths as well as large losses. The new study analyzed fire data and other research from the past 40 years to provide a snapshot of what has influenced safety. Additionally, catastrophic multiple-death fires and fires in the wildland/ urban interface (WUI) were looked at because they have the potential to cause significant human loss.
The NFPA 1700 Guide for Structural Fire Firefighting has been released for firefighters to learn safer and more effective ways to handle fire incidents involving modern day materials and contents. The all-new instructional course, centered around NFPA 1700, Guide for Structural Fire Fighting, is based on extensive scientific research and testing on contemporary structures from the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute. Today’s home fires burn faster, reach flashover quicker, collapse sooner, and result in reduced escape times largely due to synthetic contents including furniture, plastics, rugs and composite materials versus the wood-constructed legacy furnishings of days gone by. These days, residences also tend to be constructed on smaller lots, include a second story, feature more open floor plans, and house all kinds of new technologies. These components and evolving fuel loads have prompted changes to the tactics that firefighters have used for decades; and led to the November release of NFPA 1700, the first NFPA document connecting fire dynamics research to response strategy, tactics, and best practices. Visit www.nfpa.org/1700 for more information. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and look forward to a healthy and happy 2022!
40 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Kara Owens: FSIO Report Well that’s a wrap! Hard to believe we just had our 40th annual conference for Fire Service Instructors of Piedmont FD Oklahoma. If you weren’t there, you missed out on some phenomenal speakers, including Chief Jim Annas of Skiatook, David Mellen with Valor Fire Training, Jay Dawes, Jonathan Strayhorn, EJ Sorrels, Rodney Foster and Nancy Howell. We had a top notch group of individuals, which has an unsurpassed passion for helping others, nominated for the Ray Davidson Instructor of the Year award. The nominees for this year were Zach Bruhn, John Burrows, Robert Goode, Nancy Howell, Josh Pearcy, CD Perkins, Robby Rivers. Each individual has made tremendous contributions to the fire service to help better their fellow firefighters, and for this we are extremely grateful. The knowledge and passion in this group of nominees is phenomenal! Nancy Howell was chosen as the 2021 Instructor of the Year! Huge shout out to Edmond Fire Department for graciously allowing us to host the conference at their facilities. Also thank you to IFSTA/FPP, OSU-FST, Conrad Fire Equipment for their sponsorship of the Nancy Howell conference. The officers for 2022 were nominated and approved. Thank you to the board members for helping make this another successful year. FSIO is looking forward to another great year of helping our fellow instructors and firefighters. It is a bittersweet moment as this is my last article as the outgoing FSIO President. So with that, I’d like to leave you with a few tid bits to ponder: As an instructor, knowing that you are contributing to something greater than yourself is such a great feeling! When we create positive training environments, we are trying to help our fellow fire fighters reach their full potential. Never stop training, never stop learning, remember the fire doesn’t care how much experience you have. What can we at FSIO do to help you? If you are needing help with training or needing training ideas, please reach out to one of us as we would be glad to help. If you are a member of FSIO, we have training resources on our website for you to utilize for training or record keeping. Never stop learning, never stop sharing, never stop training. Have you shared something you learned today with someone else? Don’t lose your fire!
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n MEETING (July 16, 2021)
nett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Brandon W. Sanders/Anadarko - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett and Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Paul E. Muskrat/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Michael S. Bailey Jr./Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
John R. Banks/Bartlesville – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made By To Modify Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty, To “Service”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Edward L. Perkins/Oklahoma City/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett and Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Stanley J. May/Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Troy S. Horn/Edmond – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Kenneth D. Ritchie – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Charlie Emde/Glenpool – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Michael L. Seiter/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
James Wilhelm/Cushing – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Wilhelm’s Request To Change His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Brandon A. Simmons/Muskogee – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective June 17, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Rodney S. Vernon/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Stephen J. Parmenter/Nowata – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective April 8, 2019: Motion Was Made To Modify The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty, To “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Marcus P. Williams/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried,
Larry W. Haswell Ii/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made to Approve Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Terry D. Hudson/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Ryan Williams/Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Glenn T. Wright Jr./Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Stacy L. Belk/Tulsa – Application For Jerry D. Kirton, Oklahoma City – AppliDisability In The Line Of Duty Pension, cation For Disability In The Line Of Duty Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Pension, Effective July 1, 2021: Motion Approve The Application For “Disability In Was Made To Approve The Application The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, NimFor “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: mo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, 42 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Ben-
Justin Owens/Moore – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Owen’s Request To Change His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”.Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried David Randolph/Norman – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Randolph’s Request To Change His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”.Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett and Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Richard Stiener/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Stiner’s Request To Change His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”.Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried John Turner/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Turner’s Request To Change His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”.Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Brian Stanaland/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Deny Request Of Stanaland To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Kohls, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Chase Rankin Executive Director
n MEETING (Aug. 20, 2021) Jim D. Manning Jr./Bristow - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 23, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Kenneth D. Wilson/Claremore – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Clinton B. Kizarr/Lawton – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Derrell R. Jones/Muskogee – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Max P. Rinehart/Newcastle – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Harland T. Carr Jr./Oklahoma City – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021. : Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Randy L. Blake/Stillwater – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Jerry Watson/Tahlequah – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 13, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried John Stapleton/Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And
Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried David W. Synar/Tulsa – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Domingo L. Ponce/Carnegie – Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective March 13, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Joshua R. Yanus/Collinsville – Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Eric Ankney/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Ankney’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett and Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Curtis Froh/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Froh’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Tony Mack/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: There Was No Action Taken. The Board Directed The Staff To Get Mack To Provide Another Doctor’s Letter. Christopher L. Mckenzie/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Mckenzie’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Bryant, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Joel Milner/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Milner’s Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Harlow, Lay, Baggett and Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. . Quinn Roberts/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Roberts’ To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson,
Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Steven Strother/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Strohters’ To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Lyne Payne/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Payne’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Donald Stern/Tulsa – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Stern’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Davidson, Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Bennett, Cole, Harlow, Lay, Baggett And Price. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Richard J. Mitchell/Okmulgee – Request To Approve Retro Active Pension Date & “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made to approve Mitchell with a retirement date of June 1, 2015 with Back Drop provision. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Nimmo, Cole, Cramer, Lopez, Harlow, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Motion was made to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” for Mitchell. Ayes: Davidson, Bennett, Nimmo, Cole, Cramer, Lopez, Harlow, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried.
n MEETING (Sept. 17, 2021) Richard T. Prather/Chickasha-Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Tyler Clark/Tulsa -Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Deny The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Ryan Reed/Tulsa - Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 9, 2021: Motion Was Made To Deny The Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Albert Bryant/Fairview -Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective August 13, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve The Application For “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried Christopher Koscinski/Norman -Application For Disability In Line Of Duty Pension By Municipality On Behalf Of The Member, Effective September 1, 2021: Motion was made to deny Application for “Disability in Line of Duty by Municipality on behalf of the Member. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Scot Davis/Oklahoma City - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Davis’ Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Tony Mack/Oklahoma City - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Mack’s Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Mark Murphy/Lawton -Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Jonathan Pruitt/Oklahoma City -Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Pruitt’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Darren A. Hatton/Mannsville - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective July 3, 2021: Motion Was Made To Modify The Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty”To “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried
Paul Ator/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Ator’s Request To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Scot E. Bass/Oklahoma City -Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty Pension, Effective September 1, 2021: Motion Was Made To Approve Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole,
Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Stephen Cassity/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Cassity’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Elvert Celestine/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Celestine’s To Modify His Pension From “Servi.ce” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Michael Dumond/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Dumond’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Rick Fogleman/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve Request Of Fogleman’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Lyle Fulton/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Fulton’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. Terance Kulka/Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made To Approve The Request Of Kulka’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried. David Morris/Tulsa - Request :Ro Modify Pension From “Servi-Ce” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made By Cramer And Seconded To Approve The Request Of Morris’s To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: Bennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Roy Parsons /Tulsa - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion Was Made Davide. Brown Jr./Tulsa - Request To To Approve The Request Of Parson’s To Modify Pension From “Service” To Modify His Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Mo“Disability In The Line Of Duty”. Ayes: tion Was Made To Approve Brown’s ReBennett, Nimmo, Harlow, Cole, Bryant, quest To Modify Pension From “Service” Cramer, Weinrich, Lay, Price And BagOklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 43 To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”. gett. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Tim Van Horn
Than Dinh
Martha Pierce
Thelisha Clark
Terri Williams
Keely Swonger
Vicki Mulbery
Latoya Battle
Asst Director (CFO)
Executive Secretary
n CONSENT AGENDA (Aug. 20, 2021) Checks Terminated In July 2021 (Deceased): Broken Arrow Robert M. Graham Norman Chouteau Sandra Sullivan Okarche Cordell Tommy Merrill Oklahoma City Dickson Henrietta L. Schreiber Okmulgee Eakly Oral Buie Spaulding Gage Betty Laubhan Springer Granite Agnes B. Norman Tulsa Idabel Donna M. Nash Tulsa Muskogee Miles L. Beverage
Mark E. Helm Betty Kuehn Joann Hunter Lois Kolakowski Walker A. J. Davis Billy A. Lawson Cathy Marrs Michael L. Gordon
$5,000.00 Death Benefit: Blanchard Dreatha Guthery, Death Recipient Of Bobby E. Harmon Boise City Patricia L. Parker, Widow Of William D. Parker Broken Arrow Linda Palmer, Widow Of Loren Palmer Canton Doris Jinkins, Widow Of Garry D. Jinkins Commerce Beverly Perry, Widow Of Larry J. Perry Cordell Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home On Behalf Of Tommy Merrill Crowder Judy Christenberry, Widow Of Donnie L. Christenberry Erick Pamela V. Jefferson, Widow Of Carl W. Jefferson Lawton Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home On Behalf Of Rex K. Scrudder Muskogee Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home On Behalf Of Miles L. Beverage Muskogee Adelia R. Hutson, Widow Of Robert J. Hutson Nash Wilson Funeral Home On Behalf Of George A. Diller Nicoma Park Terry Wester, Widow Of Robert O. Wester Norman Robert D. Helm, Child Of Mark E. Helm Oklahoma City Wilson-Little Funeral Home On Behalf Of Tommy J. Thompson Quinton King & Shearwood Funeral On Behalf Of Jimmi D. Pryor Spiro Mallory-Martin Funeral Home On Behalf Of Donald Odom Springer Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home On Behalf Of Billy A. Lawson Stillwater Michael Joe Whiteman, Child Of Michael J. Whiteman Waurika Dudley Funeral Home On Behalf Of Milton D. Knutson Welch Marilyn Horner, Widow Of Senior E. Horner Application For Entrance Into The Pension System: Alva Sage L. Manunyon Lawton Bartlesville Ben Robles Lawton Bartlesville Coltn Williams Lawton Berryhill Justin Combs Lawton Bixby Jason Emmons Lawton Bixby Caleb Mays Mangum Cushing Dane C. Jenkins Miami Fairview David Averill Miami Grove Korey Beeck Purcell Lawton Clayton Brown Seminole Lawton Scott Davis Shawnee Lawton Seth Gonzalez Tahlequah Lawton Jamie Marple Tahlequah Lawton Dakota McKaskle Weatherford
Jace Moudy Dennis Sloniker Nathaniel Smith Anthony Swedlund Richard Warren Brian Gambill Kaden Baldridge Dusty Dunkel James Albertson Andrew Phillips Benjamin I. Johnson Nicholas Crittenden Dylan Hammons Brian McKevitt
Application For Surviving Spouse: 07/14/2021 Crystal Amy L. Isbell, Widow Of David L. Isbell (Deceased 07/13/2021) Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 08/01/2021 Ada Judy G. Bryant, Widow Of Charles D. Bryant 08/01/2021 Billings Lee A. Brown, Widow Of Allan W. Brown 08/01/2021 Boise City Patricia L. Parker, Widow Of William D. Parker 08/01/2021 Edmond Sharon M. Lee, Widow Of Ronald E. Lee 08/01/2021 Guthrie Shirley J. Ford, Widow Of Alan E. Ford 08/01/2021 Nichols Hills Edna D. Wells, Widow Of Clifford R. Wells 08/01/2021 Oklahoma City Sabrina Sublett, Widow Of David H. Sublett 08/01/2021 Welch Marilyn A. Horner, Widow Of Senior E. Horner Applictaion For Disability In The Line Of Duty- Modify To Service Pension: 08/01/2021 Bethany Marice T. James 08/01/2021 Chickasha James R. Brown 08/01/2021 Moore Mark A. Murdock 08/01/2021 The Village Kenneth L. Miller 08/01/2021 Tulsa Paul Ator 08/01/2021 Tulsa Martin D. Bennett 08/01/2021 Tulsa Stephen Cassity 08/01/2021 Tulsa Elvert J. Celestine 08/01/2021 Tulsa Michael W. Dumond 08/01/2021 Tulsa Jerald L. Gibbens 07/01/2021 Tulsa Roger L. Fourkiller 08/01/2021 Tulsa Sean P. Lawless 08/01/2021 Tulsa David S. Morris 08/01/2021 Tulsa Robbie E. Ralston
44 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Controller
Assistant Controller
Member Services
Accounts Payable
Records Administrator
Data Processor
Application For Service Pension: 08/01/2021 Broken Bow Timothy C. Tomlinson 08/01/2021 Canadian Virgil A. Rodgers 07/01/2021 Checotah Jeff Chandler 08/01/2021 Chandler Billy J. Buchanan 08/01/2021 Chickasha James C. Calhoun 08/15/2021 Comanche Montie B. Blair 07/27/2021 Elgin Joseph C. Rodgers 07/01/2021 Grady Carol S. Adams 07/31/2021 Grady Dustin E. Wynn 08/01/2021 Haskell Doug K. Fultz 05/01/2021 Hastings Tim J. Adkins 08/01/2021 Haywood/Arpelar Richard E. Shropshire 08/01/2021 Helena Dean A. Holt 08/01/2021 Lone Wolf Tim D. Blevins 07/01/2021 Lookeba Tommy S. House 07/01/2021 Mangum Jeffrey N. Goode 08/01/2021 Miami Michael W. Edwards 08/01/2020 Okeene Samuel D. Rauh 08/01/2021 Shawnee Roy L. Reece III 08/01/2021 Skiatook James R. Perkins 08/17/2021 Taloga Alice F. Bland 08/01/2021 Tullahassee Ralph S. Smith 08/01/2021 Tulsa John B. Boysel 08/01/2021 Tulsa Thomas L. Sunny 08/01/2021 Westville Danny R. Dixon Application For Vested Benefit: 07/29/2028 Binger Rodney M. Spencer 09/26/2034 Blair Jeremy D. Rodriquez 07/12/2026 Grove Jeremy Schoonover 02/14/2027 Hobart Jon D. Boyd 08/01/2018 Vian Kenneth P. Cowart Refund Of Contributions: Alex E. Battles-Wood Berryhill FPD Jerry Wieland, Blackwell Cody R. Welsch, Clarmore Kevin Nelson Hugo Tel Johnson Piedmont Jeremy Traylor Sulphur
Hired 01/01/2016 08/18/2017 08/13/2019 12/01/2020 08/27/2018 08/03/2015
Terminated 04/15/2019 06/04/2021 07/03/2021 08/02/2021 06/27/2021 11/27/2016
n CONSENT AGENDA (Sept. 17, 2021) Checks Terminated In August 2021 (Deceased): Arkoma Anna B. Young Canton Peggy N. Cloud Chickasha Leon R. Thompson Claremore Lownetta M. Boyd Cyril Ellen Wise Davenport Janice Ruch Duncan Caroyln E. Marney Enid Annie B. Rowley Fargo Ralph N. Rabe Gould Bettye Bullington
Jay Meeker Midwest City Norman Paoli Pink Reydon Texhoma Tonkawa Watonga
Carol J. Bryant Anna S. Parks Donald R. Therelson Billie L. Hurst Jackie D. Boucher Billie Graves Pauline Pennington June J. Smith Faye Lindsey Darel Elmore
$5,000.00 Death Benefit: Ada Criswell Funeral Home On Behalf Of Charles D. Bryant Beaver Lisa Bennett, Parent Of Cody Allen Gregory Billings Lee Ann Brown, Widow Of Allan W. Brown Chickasha Penny D. Williams, Child Of Leon R. Thompson Crystal Amy L. Isbell, Widow Of Davis L. Isbell Eakly Lockstone Funeral Home On Behalf Of Oral W. Buie Edmond Sharon M. Lee, Widow Of Ronald E. Lee Guthrie Hayes Funeral Home On Behalf Of Alan E. Ford Nichols Hills Demuth Funeral Home On Behalf Of Clifford R. Wells Oklahoma City Vondel L. Smith And Son Mortuary On Behalf Of David H. Sublett Sweetwater Kenneth C. Reed, Father Of Nathaniel A. Reed Application For Entrance Into The Pension System: Bixby Zachary J. Hebensperger Broken Arrow Bixby Allen Matthews Broken Arrow Blanchard Tyler Stephens Broken Arrow Blanchard Colten St. John Broken Arrow Broken Arrow Jeremy Brewer Broken Arrow Broken Arrow Shane Bridges Chickasha Broken Arrow Ben Adams Chickasha Broken Arrow James Campbell Claremore Broken Arrow Dodger Turner Claremore Broken Arrow Dillon Ellard Deer Creek
Gunner Francis Tanner Frederick Dalton Fulps Karson Gilbert Ty Warden Jason Johnson Roger Norwood Daniel Pillsbury Natrone Wolfe Cameron Jones
Durant Hugo Lawton Moore Moore Pryor
Sapulpa Sapulpa Skiatook Warr Acres Wewoka
Dylan Clymore Alan Garcia Michael Perez Emily Macdougall Hunter Southerland Justin Applegate
Tyler Kragel Tayler Lewis Matt Drummond Conner Ryan Boyd Halford
Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 09/01/2011 Alva Wanda Cox, Widow OfJerry C. Cox Sr. 09/01/2021 Apache Cynthia Laffoon, Widow Of Harold D. Laffoon 09/01/2011 Barnsdall Lara L. Kelley, Widow Of Joseph Kelley (Joe Bob) 09/01/2021 Grady Mary Hall, Widow Of James E. Hall 09/01/2021 Henryetta Tammy Shoemaker, Widow Of Wiley Shoemaker 09/01/2021 Keyes Teresa Shelly, Widow Of Willie J. Shelly 09/01/2021 Tonkawa Mary Ladd, Widow Of Jim G. Ladd Jr. 09/01/2021 Quinton Julie Pryor, Widow Of Jimmie D. Pryor 09/01/2021 Welch Julia M. Wallace, Widow Of Paul M. Wallace 09/01/2021 Wynnewood Caroyln Moxley, Widow Of Lloyd T. Moxley Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty- Modify To Service Pension: 09/01/2021 Broken Arrow Robert McAllister 09/01/2021 Oklahoma City Michael D. Seeley 09/01/2021 Sand Springs Michael G. Wood Application For Service Pension: 09/01/2021 Bethel Acres Russell E. Tucker 06/01/2021 Grady Gregory E. Seibold 03/01/2019 Haworth Gary K. Batson 09/01/2021 Manchester John V. Kerr 09/01/2021 Marietta Jeffery S, Cavener 09/01/2021 Medford Jeremy D. Brittain 09/01/2021 Miami James Turner 09/01/2021 Miami John Turner 09/01/2021 Okmulgee Richard A. Chisum 09/01/2021 Orlando Eddie C. Cook 09/01/2021 Ralston David W. Yandell 09/01/2021 Ratliff City Richard J. Wright 09/01/2021 Ringwood John G. Regier 09/01/2021 Roland James R. Edwards 09/01/2021 Tushka Roger D. McIninich 09/01/2021 Union City Darrel Wilkerson Jr.
Terminated 08/10/2021
Bryce Cobb Braden Culp Tyrone Dunkley Brandon Elliott Isaac Farris Michael Fisher Zachary Garlitz Dalton Hanson Geoffery Hatcher Cooper Koons Tyler Mcintosh Cameron Mahaffey Jakscot Moore Wayland Moore Kyle Morris Colton Owen Coulton Parker Stanley Quinn Zachary Ramirez Ethan Self Norman Smith Mason Story Fred Titera Donny Vail Warren Wand Mason Woodward Trevor Kimmell Lane Williams Que’shaun Jackson James Hampton Caleb McCain Braden Warcup
Appliction For Disability In The Line Of Duty- Modify To Service Pension: 10/01/2021 Tulsa Curtis Freeman 10/01/2021 Tulsa Ronald D. Lee 10/01/2021 Tulsa Michael Q. Parham
n CONSENT AGENDA (Oct. 15, 2021) Checks Terminated In September 2021 (Deceased): Broken Arrow Barbara J. Samuel Ponca City Chickasha Melba L. Heilman Quapaw Cleveland Harold D. Armstrong Sand Springs Davidson Carolyn Lewis Sand Springs Lawton Ronald E. Morgan Sayre Luther Paul Vorel Jr. Stillwater McLoud Robert F. Lempges Tulsa Oklahoma City Warren O. Bogue Tulsa Oklahoma City Carol J. Knuppel Vian Oklahoma City Ronald Ponds Watonga Oklahoma City Richard L. Woods Woodward Pawnee Hazel Huthrie
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Perry Perry Ponca City Newcastle Tuttle Tuttle
Application For Surviving Spouse For Continuation: 10/01/2021 Ardmore Susan Pilgrim, Widow Of Jackie D. Pilgram 10/01/2021 Bray Dian K. Gensamer, Widow Of James C. Gensamer 10/01/2021 Broken Arrow Anita T. McConnell, Widow Of Gerald W. McConnell 10/01/2021 Cache Anita F. Carter, Widow Of Kenneth E. Carter 10/01/2021 Enid Mary D. Krehbiel, Widow Of Ralph C. Krehbiel 10/01/2021 Lawton Patricia J. McCune, Widow Of Glen D. McCune 10/01/2021 Marietta Mike Cohoon, Widower Of Evelyn M. Cohoon 10/01/2021 Morris Jo Elaine Heston, Widow Of Lanny Heston 10/01/2021 Oklahoma City Joyce A. Clark, Widow Of Gayle D. Clark 10/01/2021 Oklahoma City Traci Roberts, Widow Of Joseph Roberts Jr. 10/01/2021 Ratliff City Joy V. Wright, Widow Of Charles L. Wright 10/01/2021 Ravia Nancy McSwain, Widow Of Terry J. McSwain 10/01/2021 Tulsa Vicki Bartlett, Widow Of Joe R. Bartlett 10/01/2021 Tulsa Linda M. Evans, Widow Of Wendell I. Evans 10/01/2021 Welch Terri M. Fitzpatrick, Widow Of Michael L. Fitzpatrick
Application For Vested Benefit: 07/23/2021 Healdton Wesley D. Christopher 12/22/2026 Hominy Christopher Johnson 05/21/2023 Silo Tommy D. Atkinson 11/20/2021 Tuttle Larry Steverson 10/16/2020 Vici Reine D. Goodman Refund Of Contributions: Hired Tyler Baxter Jenks 04/14/2019
Application For Entrance Into Pension: Broken Arrow Connor Bunch Broken Arrow Johnathan Mefford Broken Arrow Tyler Ridener Broken Arrow Jordan Slatcher Broken Arrow Tim Vessells Broken Bow Brayden Hardaway Catoosa Adrian Vasquez Chandler Garrett Sayre Durant Damian Labelle Edmond Seth Bowen Edmond David Graham Edmond Robert Hetrick Edmond Garrett Jones Edmond Matthew Jones Edmond Jacob Smith Edmond Heidi Thomas Fairview Jared Thompson Grove Ethon Martin Hominy Jacob Waits Limestone Michael Hallock Miami Christopher Durbin Miami Gavin Payton Moore Tristan Marti Newcastle Tyler Brewer Oklahoma City Ryan Abbott Oklahoma City Sterling Abernathy Oklahoma City Jack Alexander Oklahoma City Brock Barta Oklahoma City Cole Britt Oklahoma City Jacob Chambers Oklahoma City Jay Clary
D. Lucille Wilson Roy A. Teeter Orville E. Chambers Sarah J. Mason Wanda F. Crosby William R. Burk Elery C. Jackson Wanda M. Ramsey Edward Elbon Thelma C. Walker Lucille B. Stocking
$5,000.00 Death Benefit: Alva Wanda J. Cox, Widow Of Jerry C. Cox Sr. Apache Cynthia L. Laffoon, Widow Of Harold D. Laffoon Barnsdall Lara Kelley, Widow Of Joseph (Joe Bob) Kelley Grady Mary Hall, Widow Of James E. Hall Guthrie Pollard Funeral Home On Behalf Of Howard Jones, Jr. Henryetta Rogers Funeral Home On Behalf Of Wiley J. Shoemaker Keyes Henson-Novak Funeral Home On Behalf Of Willie J. Shelly Oklahoma City Joe Allen Bogue, Child Of Warren O. Bogue Oklahoma City Otis R. Bogue, Child Of Warren O. Bogue Oklahoma City Traci Roberts, Widow Of Joseph Roberts Jr. Stillwater Brian Burk, Child Of William R. Burk Tulsa Bonnie Franklin, Child Of Elery C. Jackson Tulsa Vivki Bartlett, Widow Of Joe R. Bartlett Tulsa Adams Crest Funeral Home On Behalf Of Mark A. Dix Tulsa Greenhill Funeral Home On Behalf Of Wendell I. Evans Vian Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home On Behalf Of Edward J. Elbon Welch Julia Wallace, Widow Of Paul M. Wallace Wynnewood Dillon Funeral Home On Behalf Of Lloyd T. Moxley
Application For Service Pension: 10/01/2021 Bentley Michael F. Mobbs 08/01/2019 Berryhill FPD Kelly N. Washington 10/01/2021 Bethany Lonnie G. Compton 10/01/2021 Covington George M. Bolz 10/01/2021 Durant James G. Hicks 08/07/2021 Gotebo Dusty G. Heller 10/01/2021 Gracemont Jeffery S. Boren 10/01/2021 Harrah Robert N. Young Jr. 08/01/2021 Haskill David R. Fultz 09/01/2021 Haskill John M. McCabe 10/01/2021 Henryetta Larry G. Hall 10/01/2021 Kiefer Covey W. Murray 10/01/2021 Kiefer William D. Sixkiller 10/01/2021 Kiowa Michael W. Sexton 10/01/2021 Norman Rodger L. Hackney 10/01/2021 Strother Nicholas R. Nadeau 10/01/2021 Tulsa Robert F. Bunch 09/01/2021 Tulsa Roger W. Williams 10/01/2021 Westville John E. Hembree 10/01/2021 Wilburton Bill D. Donoley Application For Vested Benefit: 12/01/2017 Lookeba Delbert Hamilton 10/01/2018 Snyder Denny L. Raincrow Refund Of Contributions: Hired Terminated Carson Kane Guymon 08/15/2013 09/05/2021 Jesse A. Frantz Limestone FPD 06/10/2020 07/14/2021 Mason Bumphus Muskogee 02/16/2017 02/20/2021 James F. Warren Newkirk 03/17/2014 09/11/2021 Daniel Swann FirefighterNovember/December Warr Acres 09/29/2020 09/22/2021 Oklahoma 2021/January
2022 45
Chase Rankin: Firefighter’s Pension Executive Director Oklahoma Fire! I am pleased to report that we shared our actuary report with the board and show an actuarial funded ratio of 71.7%, up from 70.4% in 2020. I am thrilled to say that we are continuing to be on the upward path to a fully funded and healthy pension system. However, I know there are many of you looking at this result as disappointing given the 31.79% rate of return we had in 2021. It is for that reason I feel it important to repeat a paragraph from the July 2021 article that I wrote. It is important to note that the actuary will not recognize the entirety of this investment gain in one year. They use a five-yearsmoothing model to calculate the “actuarial value of assets”. In a year, such as this, where the return is significantly different than the normal year, the actuarial value of assets can differ quite a lot from the “market value of assets”. This is because the actuary uses a five-year average of returns and only recognizes 20% of the experienced gain (the portion over 7.5%) to calculate the “health” of the System. This is important to prevent decision makers from making drastic decisions based on wild swings in the market (good or bad). The good news for us is that if we maintain our 7.5% for the next five years, we will experience a gain each year as we smooth the 31.79% into the plan. This is an excellent place to be so that there is a cushion in place should the markets be less co-operative than they were last year. So … just how much “cushion” do we have? The answer is that we have deferred gains in the actuary report of $524 million. Yes, that’s right, over half a billion dollars in deferred gains. What does that mean in terms of the funded status? The auditor must report our rate not on actuarial value, but on market value. That percentage is 84.24% as of July 1, 2021. What does this mean? Well, if we can earn our 7.5% each year, the actuarial value and the market value gap will close. This means we should be on track to be 84.24% on an actuarial basis at the end of the 5-year smooth, assuming we meet the assumptions listed in the report. The key assumptions are 7.5% rate of return and contribution requirements from the firefighters, employers, and the state. With the Insurance Premium Taxes back at the level we were in 2020, I expect the contributions to be solid. The auditor is tasked with verifying the expectation of us achieving a 7.5% return going forward. I asked this question to him at the meeting and got confirmation that this is still a solid assumed rate of return when he stated that this was a “reasonable expectation”. Finally, I am happy to report that the actuary stated in his report to the board that this pension system is a “well-funded plan”. We continue to make great strides to be the best pension system on behalf of the firefighters of Oklahoma. It is an honor to be a part of this success and to serve you as the Executive Director of the System. Please stay safe out there and know that we have you covered for your financial future. 46 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
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BY GREG ROBERTS n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT
Ret. Norman FD
WAGONER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief: Kelly Grooms Joined OSFA: 1913 Paid Members: 7 Volunteers: 18
E-1 2007 HME/Ferrara 1500 pump/1000 tank
R-1 2005 Chevy/Chief F&S 20HP/100 pump/300 tank
ISO Rating: 2
Population: 10,000 (approx.) Square Miles Covered: 109
Calls per year: 500 (approx.) Number of Stations: 2 Number of Engines: 3 Number of Ladders: 1
Number of Brushpumpers: 3 Number of Tankers: 1
WFD Members (at right) Chief Kelly Grooms, Jimmy Cagle, Jeff Hamilton, Darrel Watkins, James McMahan, Jarrad Edwards, Dalton Grooms, Jason Tackett Historic Footnote: A fire on July 30, 2017, destroyed five buildings in downtown Wagoner, including the 115-year-old Owl Drug building. To date, this is the largest and most devastating fire in Wagoner history. L-1 1979 Hendrickson/Boardman T-2 1988 Mack/4 Guys 1000 pump/3000 tank 1500 pump/500 tank/50’Oklahoma boom FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 47
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48 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
Greg Herbster: OFCA President’s Report Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service! I hope everyone is enjoying the best season of the year -- football, I mean fall. I would assume that firefighters across the state are taking advantage of the wonderful weather outside doing drills and skills until their hearts are content. Fortunately as chief officers, we can train in the comfort of climate controlled indoors. So please don’t miss the training and networking opportunity this January at the Winter Workshop in Stillwater. Our Motto for the OFCA is “We serve to provide professional leadership concerning fire and life safety for the citizens of the Great State of Oklahoma” and our Purpose (in summary) “to provide educational, networking, coordination and support opportunities to its members.” Our board members and staff work diligently to provide education and leadership training for our members every year by putting on the Winter Workshop and Annual Chiefs Conference. I want to strongly encourage each of you to take advantage of these training opportunities that will help you grow as leaders in your organization and gain peer support from networking with other officers. A training program we are very pas-
sionate about is the Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program. I was fortunate enough to go through the very first class Moore FD in 2014. This class was the best leadership training I have ever attended. This EFO program took many years to get off the ground and has helped develop some of the top leaders in our state’s fire service, so let’s keep it going. OSU is currently revamping the program with a new curriculum (it’s going to be better than ever). If you are a chief officer, and have not attended this program, you need to put it at the top of your list. This program is also great for officers who are aspiring to be chief officers. The requirements are 10 years in the fire service and 3 years as an officer. Let us continue to make our states fire service one of the best by training and developing our leaders to their fullest potential. We have some of the greatest resources right here at our fingertips, and we just have to reach out and grab them. Until next time, stay safe and stay involved.
2021-22 OFCA Executive Board PRESIDENT Greg Herbster
gregherbster@cityofmoore.com
1ST VICE PRESIDENT James Heap jrheap@pldi.net
2ND VICE PRESIDENT Richard Kelley richard.kelley@okc.gov
3RD VICE PRESIDENT Craig Carruth
ccarruth@cityofmustang.org
PAST PRESIDENT Bert Norton
bnorton@midwestcityok.org
OFCA DIRECTOR Kent Lagaly
klagaly@cityofelreno.com
OUR PURPOSE
OFCA MEMBERSHIP
To improve fire department administration, fire prevention, fire suppression and fire services delivery throughout the State of Oklahoma by providing educational, networking, coordination and support opportunities to its members.
Membership is open to ALL Active & Retired Fire Service Personnel.
Chief Officers & Shift Commanders $36 per year
First-Time Members are FREE. Membership runs July 1-June 30
Retired Members $26 per year
*Sustaining Members $18 per year
*Sustaining Members include all active members of a fire department --public, private or military-- or fire service agency. Sustaining Members are entitled to all privileges and benefits except voting and holding office.
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Oklahoma FirefighterNovember/December 2021/January 2022 49
James Heap: OFCA 1st Vice President’s Report O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N
Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service! I hope this finds all of you well. With the holidays approaching and all the activities Frederick FD and gatherings taking place, I hope everyone takes extra precautions to stay healthy. OFCA will be hosting the Winter Workshop Jan. 26-28 in Stillwater. Chief Kelley has been working hard putting together a great lineup of speakers for this event. I would encourage all of you to attend the Winter Workshop and take advantage of all the information available there. One opportunity to take advantage of at the workshop is the networking. Fire service personnel of all ranks may attend the workshop. You can gain an abun-
dance of knowledge from visiting with others in the fire service. It is nice to be able to talk with others that have experienced similar situations that you may be dealing with. You may learn something that will be helpful to you and enable you to make improvements for yourself and for your department. There will be someone there you can gain knowledge from whether you’re a volunteer, paid, from a rural area or from a larger city. Remember, the Winter Workshop is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a member of OFCA to attend. Plan to attend and bring a friend. In addition to the Winter Workshop, there will be a 5 Bugle Brown Bag on Jan. 25 in Stillwater hosted by OSU-FST. This is a round-table discussion for Fire Chiefs
and gives them an opportunity to discuss topics that are happening across the state. This also is a great networking opportunity. There have been some good discussions take place at the 5 Bugle Brown Bag in the past. Watch for the sign-up period for both these events and get registered so that we will have an idea how many of you are going to be there. You won’t regret attending either meeting. I’m certain you will find something to help you in your department. The 5 Bugle Brown Bag is free to attend, but the Winter Workshop has a registration fee that is affordable for 2 1/2 days of educational information. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! I hope to see you in Stillwater in January!
Richard Kelley: OFCA 2nd Vice President’s Report Greetings Brothers and Sisters! I hope everyone had time to get out and educate Oklahoma City FD their community on fire and life safety during Fire Prevention month. Although we now know that every day is an opportunity to educate our customers through community risk reduction activities, Fire Prevention month is a great time to refocus on these efforts. The beginning of fall is also a great time to make preparations for the upcoming wildland season. In Oklahoma it is extremely important, no matter what size community you serve, that you have a wildland urban interface policy or wildfire operations policy. Get involved with OSU-FST, the Oklahoma Forestry Service and the Oklahoma Incident Resource Hotline working group to identify training opportunities and available resources for your community. As it relates to training, I am excited for the upcoming 2022 Chiefs Winter Workshop which will be held Jan. 26-28 in Stillwater at the OSU Alumni Center. This year, our line-up is filled with incredible fire service leaders who will provide insight into success as a chief officer and ideas for anyone aspiring to become a chief officer or leader within your organization. All of our workshop presenters exude the qualities of our workshop theme: Innovate, Integrate, Motivate – Developing our Future. The workshop will kick off with a jolt from
Fire Service Leaders presenting at 2021 OFCA Winter Workshop: • Chris Fields, Oklahoma City FD Ret., Co-Founder of Trauma Behind the Badge • Battalion Chief Corley Moore, Moore FD • Fire Chief Michael Baker, Tulsa FD • Deputy Chief Mike Walker, Oklahoma City FD • Dr. Eric Reynolds, retired OSU-FST Director • IFSTA Publications Tom Marcum, Past Fire Chief at Mooreland FD • Battalion Chief Garrett Rice, The Colonies FD • Retired Division Chief of Training Donnell Campbell, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services • Kelly Walsh, consulting, author, speaker
50 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
the keynote speaker, Chris Fields, who retired from the Oklahoma City Fire Department and now is the Co-Founder of Trauma Behind the Badge. Chris speaks to First Responders and groups about overcoming trauma and the effects it has on you and the people around you. We also have top shelf leaders from our state as well as around the nation. In addition there will be updates and great tips from many more incredible fire service leaders. I would also be remised if I did not congratulate Fire Chief Bert Norton for an incredible job at the Southwest Division Conference that was held in Midwest City. What an incredible line-up of instructors that brought forth new ideas and provoked thoughts for improvement. As fire service leaders we must continually strive to improve personally while assuring our proud and noble profession is moving forward. This is another example of the importance of being involved in the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA). The purpose of OFCA is to provide educational, networking, coordination and support for our members. As leaders, we must continually strive to improve just as we expect our firefighters to do every day. I love the saying utilized by my pastor, Craig Groeschel: “When the Leader gets better, everyone gets better.” Never forget the responsibility you have as a fire chief, chief officer or leader within your department. Until next time, strive for excellence because Leaders are not born, they are made.
Craig Carruth: OFCA 3rd Vice President’s Report
Bert Norton: OFCA Past President’s Report
Happy Fall Everyone! Greeting Oklahoma Fire Leaders! In this time of the year, one must ask, “is there I hope all is well and everyone is safe a better time of year?” and doing great. Let’s face it: there are cooler temperatures, I want to take this time and reflect on football season is in full swing, and hunting the past year. As the Past President of the season has kicked off. Oklahoma Fire Chief’s Association, I have Mustang FD Midwest City FD That being said, I hope everyone is taking the had almost five years to serve the memtime to find balance between work and some outdoor activities. bers of this organization. Balance between work and relaxation is extremely important for The past two years have been the most difficult for the our mental and emotional well-being. Please take a moment, evalufire service. We have been dealing with COVID and trying to ate how your time is being spent, and make adjustments as needed. figure out what the new norm looks like. This will pay dividends for your family and co-workers. We have been through two high transmission rates and There are a few items I would like to update and remind everytried to manage our personnel during this to continue meetone about. ing the needs of our citizens. First off, we are still in the process of raising money for the Keith The thing that makes it tough for us is there is an expectaBryan Memorial Scholarship Fund. We continue to tion that when they call 911 there will be firestrive toward the monetary goal of this scholarship fighters available to respond to their needs. despite having setbacks over the past several years. Many of you have risen to the challenge and This scholarship fund was established to aid developed creative plans the make sure staffin the overall development of Chief Fire Officers ing levels are on duty. within the State of Oklahoma. When we think of the phrase “The OklaSecondly, the Winter Workshop is just around homa Standard,” the meaning for many deals the corner, so don’t forget to get registered for this with natural and man-made disasters. The reevent. Chief Kelley has put together a great educaality of the statement is that “The Oklahoma tional opportunity for us to learn from. Standard” means we will rise to the challenge This year, we will have the opportunity to take no matter what it is. advantage of break-out sessions, which will proDuring the last year, many Chief Officers Keith Bryan Memorial vide for focused topics in a much smaller setting. have become better at reaching out and Scholarship Fund On a different note, I would like to provide developing a network to be able to bounce everyone with an OFCA membership update. I am ideas and see what others are doing that is Established in 2012 to provide scholarship opportunities for extremely excited about the amount of folks that working. aspiring and/or current Oklahoma are getting involved! The Oklahoma Fire Service has always Fire Officers in leadership and We started last quarter with only 205 members been able to come together and work to better management training education. on the roles. Beginning this quarter, we have 497 the Fire Service no matter their background. members on the roles, with 97 of those being memThese groups have proven to be very useful To Make Secure Donation bers for the first time! and successful for dealing with this pandemWith Credit Card: https://donate.occf.org I would like to applaud everyone for taking the ic. first steps to get involved! It is paramount for us as I believe that from this we have also department leaders to spend time and engage with learned to be able to bounce other ideas for other department leaders in order to garner trends and insight. In situations we are dealing with. The group discussions let you doing so, we can use this insight to improve the departments that know you are not the only one dealing with issues. we have been given the privilege to lead. The Southwestern Division of the IAFC had its annual I cannot overemphasize the impact we can have on each other as educational conference Oct. 6-8 in Midwest City. leaders. The reasons I am so passionate about this organization are During the conference, we learned about adaptive chalthe members and how they have impacted me personally. lenges and how we can use groups to help find resolve on There is no one in the fire service that is going to understand the issues and problems we are going through. This process often roles and responsibilities you have as a Chief Officer like a fellow will help us to think outside the box for finding solutions for Chief Officer. the issue. For those who have recently signed back up as members, and If you are not a member of the IAFC, I encourage you to those who are new members, let me challenge all of you to make join and see all that IAFC has to offer, including all the reevery effort you can to attend the Winter Workshop (even if it is for sources available to members. just one day) to gain knowledge from the education and to network At the time this article was written, we were in full swing with leaders from all over the state. with Fire Prevention month. I was visiting with my staff the We have made great strides this quarter by improving our other day and we were talking about the changes we have membership; however, we still have work to do. Let’s not forget, we been forced to make during COVID. Many of us have been have 906 departments registered with the OSFA, which means we forced to make changes to the way we deliver our programs. still need leaders to step up. I am hoping we will make sure and keep these programs If you are wondering how to get involved and become a memgoing and make sure we can get in front of the kids again. ber with the OFCA, simply go to the OSFA website and follow the Fire Prevention is such an important part of what we do. OFCA link to become a member today. Stay Safe and Get Active! Until Next Time Stay Safe and Get Involved!
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52 November/December 2021/January 2022Oklahoma Firefighter
