OSFA Executive Board 4, 10 - Museum Expansion Photos

Cliff Davidson: OSFA President’s Report

Ringwood FD

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 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).

Jim Ed Nimmo: OSFA 1st Vice President’s Report

Tulsa FD

The leaves are starting to turn in eastern Oklahoma. 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.

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

Midwest City FD

Hello Oklahoma Firefighters! Well, it has been a very busy couple of 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.

OSFA Executive Board members at the 2021 Statewide Memorial Service

Donnie Bennett: OSFA 3rd Vice President’s Report

OKC FD

Greetings everyone! As the OSFA wraps up a busy first quarter of business, we are eagerly looking forward 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 remember 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

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 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

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 Guthrie FD “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.