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
