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Oklahoma Fire Spotlight - Olive FD 47-52 - OFCA News
OLIVE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief: Jason Dobson FD Formed: 1990 Joined OSFA: 2013 Number of Volunteers: 14 ISO Rating: 5/10 Population: 836 Sq. Miles Covered (Fire): 44 Calls Per Year: 100 (approx.) Number of Stations: 2 Number of Engines: 1 Number of Brushpumpers: 3 Number of Tankers: 2 Number of Rescue Vehicles: 1
UTV and Rescue boat
Squad 1 2016 Ford/Pierce 23 HP/200 Pump/250 Tank Two major incidents have occurred in the Olive area:
n On June 8, 1974, a massive tornado outbreak occurred along the I-44 corridor from Lawton to Tulsa. An F-5 twister did heavy damage in Drumright before leveling most of the town of Olive. The tornado killed more than 15 people -- 13 in a Drumright nursing home -- before ending near Lake Keystone. n In August 2012, a 60,000 acre wildfire in Creek County destroyed more than 300 structures. In the OFD response area alone, the fire covered 5,800 acres and 10 square miles.
BP-2 2006 Ford/OFD 23 HP/200 Pump/300 Tank
Tanker 3 2010 International/Deep South 500 pump/2000 tank E-1 2017 Freightliner/Pierce 1250 pump/1250 tank
Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation proudly supports the Oklahoma Firefighters
Tim Nash timn@intercontinental.net (689) 257-0440 1270 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02135 www.Intercontinental.net
Greetings! I hope this finds everyone doing well. When we meet as an association and elect individuals to represent us as board members, we expect to have representatives who will work together to ensure that we are moving forward to accomplish what is best for the Oklahoma fire service. As your president and a representative of this organization, I feel it is important to attend as many functions as possible representing you and the OFCA. Whether it is attending an OSFA board or committee meeting, traveling to Stillwater for an event at Fire Service Training, attending a State Fire Marshal Commission meeting, attending the OML Conference, or stopping in at a fire station across the state, it is imperative that we have representation at as many events as we can. As Executive Board members, we work for you, the OFCA members. I feel that transparency of the operations of this association is a vital component of the future sustainability of the association, and as your board we are working to enhance communication between the board and you, the members. Through the hard work of 2nd VP Craig Carruth and the Legislative Committee, several proposed changes along with some additions have been identified in the Constitution and By-Laws. We will be bringing these to you in the form of resolutions to the conference in April.
As chief officers, I feel that we should lead by example and begin to address areas where changes need to be made. The changes and additions mentioned above, if passed at the conference, will assist in ensuring that there is transparency and communication for the members in the future. I would also like to address the number of firefighter deaths Frederick FD and injuries we have had over the past few years. One is too many. Would any of these horrific events been preventable with a little extra training? If we could save one life or send one more firefighter home uninjured, wouldn’t that make a little extra effort to train worth it? To prevent firefighter deaths and injuries I think we could start by creating a standard for Oklahoma fire chiefs and encourage the legislature to fund training to meet that standard. If chiefs have the proper training, then they will have the knowledge to lead their crews in a safe manner. Once again, leading by example and helping chiefs meet a standard, we can encourage the rest of the ranks to meet a standard, as well. The result should be less firefighter deaths and injuries for the Oklahoma Fire Service. We can make a difference for the fire service by working together. Let us know how we can better serve you. I look forward to seeing you all in Stillwater at the Winter Workshop in January 2023. As always, stay safe!
OKC FD
Greetings Brothers and Sisters! With winter fast approaching and wildland season in our midst, I hope everyone is prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. Winter time is always filled with increased structure fire incidents, and this year with the extreme drought, the wildland fires have the recipe to grow to conflagration levels. As fire service professionals, we must increase our focus on smoke alarm checks, installs and the message about defensible spaces, hardening of the home and wildland fire prevention measures. Although there are numerous challenges for firefighters during the winter season, it is also a tremendous opportunity to enjoy time with the family during the holiday season. I hope each one of you and your family have an incredible Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas Season. There are so many things to be thankful for, and I challenge you to ponder on the blessings in your life as you celebrate the holidays. We are quickly approaching the Chiefs Winter Workshop which will take place Jan. 25-27 in Stillwater. OFCA 2nd VP Craig Carruth has put together a top-notch program that will be filled with great fire service influencers imparting wisdom to Oklahoma Fire Service Leaders. Not only is this a perfect time to learn from industry leaders, but more importantly it is an opportunity to network with fire service leaders in our state. Come be a part of a great program and bring someone with you to learn, as well. On Oct. 12, we started a new recruit academy in our department with 64 pro-
bationary firefighters who are eager and excited to join the ranks of our organization. I had the honor to speak to them about our department and the great men and women before them who established our high-level expectations and laid the foundation for service to our community. As I was preparing for this opportunity, it allowed me to reflect on my service and how lucky I am to serve the residents of our community while working with the greatest group of people I have ever known. So often we get wrapped up in the negativity of life and forget what an honor it is to be called a firefighter. I hope as you read this that you reflect on your service and the phenomenal opportunity you have been given. Never underestimate your level of influence. Until next time, strive for excellence because leaders are not born, they are made.
OKC Fire Chief Richard Kelley with OCFD’s previous five fire chiefs. L-R: Kelley, G. Keith Bryant, Alan Benson, Gary Marrs, Tom Smith and Jimmie Catledge
Mustang FD
Craig Carruth: OFCA 2nd Vice President’s Report
Greetings Everyone! The holiday season is upon us, which tends to have the ability to bring additional stress with schedules, traffic, gifts,
and crowds. I encourage all of us to push past the distractions and really enjoy this time of year. Make a point during the holidays to slow down and connect with what really matters most: our families and friends. This is also a great time of year to remind our communities about several basic holiday CRR items: n Turkey frying do’s and don’ts. n The importance of not over loading electrical receptacles and abiding by manufacturer safety standards when it comes to Christmas light installation. n Watering real Christmas trees on a regular basis to prevent a Christmas tree fire. n Practicing proper ways to dispose of fireplace ashes.
Shifting focus, I would like to encourage everyone who is not a member of the OFCA to become a member of this wonderful association (you have nothing to lose, it’s free for your first year). Everyone who is a member, please make plans now to attend the 2023 OFCA Winter Workshop January 25-27 at the Oklahoma State University Alumni Center in Stillwater. The theme this year is “Educate, Encourage, Empower -- Leave Them Better.” It is a reminder to make every day count with your community, department, and especially your members. We will kick off with a pre-workshop event on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at IFSTA with the Five Bugle Brownbag informational meeting, round table, and networking. This event is open to new and current fire chiefs representing volunteer, combination, and career departments. Again, please make plans on your calendar to attend both the pre-workshop and the workshop. Utilizing the responses submitted from last year’s conference survey, I have been working diligently to put together an educational workshop loaded with useable and relevant content presented by quality instructors. I plan to have the Winter Workshop agenda completed in the very near future and look to have it posted on the OFCA website for everyone to view. This will allow everyone time to get excited and make plans to attend this annual upcoming OFCA event that you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait to see everyone there, so mark your calendars!
Reflecting on this Year’s Memorial Services
Tulsa FD
I was honored that on Oct. 2, I represented the OFCA at the 2022 Memorial Service at the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial. The event was attended by firefighters, families, and friends of those brothers and sisters who we have lost over the past year. The day before, I attended my third Tulsa Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service as the department’s fire chief. Previously, I attended many of these events over my career as a member of the TFD Honor Guard. What these services have revealed to me over the years is that one day in October does not adequately honor the sacrifices of our fallen members. The fire service is truly a unique profession. Regardless of if the work is with a volunteer or career department, a rigorous selection process seeks to find the most trustworthy and brave leaders in our community. We do a pretty good job of finding them. Our members live together in a special workplace, sharing time flanked by a fire department and personal family. Firefighters place themselves between danger and those in need, regardless of the circumstances. There seems to be a constant debate whether leaders are born or made. But I believe that when you review the leadership qualities of a firefighter, the only explanation of their dedication to service is that they are born to lead. Leadership requires certain qualities, and there are three that can be found within the firefighter. The first quality is competence. Doing the job with the utmost of professionalism and constantly seeking to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities required to ensure that when called to action they are ready. Regardless of rank, career achievements, or station location, our citizens can count on the fact that they have a fire department that reflects professional competency beyond imagination. Next is compassion. A firefighter simply must possess empathy for the community in which they serve. Working with those living with mental illness, gripped with addiction, or experiencing homelessness can test the endurance of any human. But it is the firefighter, that will serve no matter your status in life. The possession of a servant’s heart cannot simply be a box within a job application, it is a quality that is inherent with each of our members and will grow throughout their tenure of service. The final quality is caring. Does the firefighter care about the multitude of things in their professional life? Their fitness, the apparatus, what is occurring in the community, and their fellow firefighters are all areas that firefighters care about. It is the smallest of tasks completed by a firefighter that demonstrates the care for their profession and their community. Each of the firefighters we remember in this year’s memorial services reflect the qualities of competence, compassion, and caring. The fire service of today was built upon their sacrifices, and the support of their family. They will live forever in the legacy, tradition, and culture of our departments through stories, memories, their heroic actions and by simply being part of our family. In his book “Legacy,” author James Kerr writes: “True leaders are stewards of the future. They take responsibility for adding to the legacy.” These members we honor may have passed from this physical world, but they are an integral part of our state’s fire service legacy. From this moment forward, our collective task is to honor the leadership and legacy of all the members we have lost, each day knowing that we are better for their contribution to our communities.
Greg Herbster: OFCA Past President’s Report
Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service! Once again, we have reached the best season of the year -- football season. So far it’s been rough for us Sooner fans, but how about them Cowboys! One similarity between football and the fire service is change. Change is something we must have and we must embrace. Your football team comes into the season with a lot of promise and high expectations, but your coach leaves and takes half the players from the team. Your department can be fully staffed, all positions filled, and all the sudden you have a rash of retirements or injuries that set you back. Embracing change has never been so important. We must have the power to welcome change and look for opportunities to get out of our comfort zone and grow. Imagine if we didn’t change our PPE and we still fought fire with day boots and no SCBAs, went on medical calls without gloves or masks, operating on the fire scene without ICS. Imagine fire stations still full of only grey-headed old-timers and everyone having the same viewpoints, skills and opinions. It seems we are welcoming of change when it comes to fire-
fighting procedures more than we are to cultural or generational changes. The bottom line is, we must be leaders for change. We must have purpose and direction, yet be flexible and open while developing relationships and staying connected. Moore FD Changeability is the primary source of giving us a competitive advantage in our ever evolving profession. Nothing changes if nothing changes. Until next time, stay safe and stay involved.
As a fellow administrator, I have found that this last year solidified the importance of being a part of this organization. Throughout our careers, we are going to face challenges varying in scale and complexity. When those challenges arise, it is imperative that leaders have quality resources to utilize in making difficult decisions. Are you currently dealing with challenging issues in your department and ever wondered what other departments in our state are doing or have done in similar situations? Well, you have an opportunity to join an organization full of members willing to assist in any way possible. On behalf of the Oklahoma State Fire Chiefs Board, I am extending an invitation for you to join the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA). It is an association which enables and encourages all chief officers in the state to share information and learn from each other. The purpose of the OFCA is to create a general and mutual understanding among all chief officers in the State of Oklahoma for the purpose of discussing general fire department operations and conditions affecting the fire service. Each year, the OFCA sponsors a Winter Workshop bringing in subject matter experts from across the nation to discuss current issues facing chief officers. The OFCA also sponsors the Annual Chiefs Conference where members are given legislative updates, reports from state leaders and collaborative partners who interact with the fire service, as well as current information regarding the latest industry trends. The information gained through the speakers and networking will help you perform at an optimum level as a chief officer and leader within your community. Membership is open to all members of the fire departments in the State of Oklahoma. The annual membership dues for active members or chief officers are only $36 ($3 per month). For sustaining members or non-chief officers, it is only $18 ($1.5 per month) for those who want to be a part of the association but who do not have voting rights. Better yet, when you join as a new member, your first year is free. The return of knowledge you will receive dramatically outweighs the minimal amount invested, so step up and become a member of the leading fire service association in the state. We will continue to face management challenges in the future, and with your active participation, I am confident there is no challenge we cannot face together. Before you put this letter aside, please understand the majority of the operational needs of the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association is funded by annual membership dues. The funds are then used to invest back into the organization, which provides education, training, legislative representation, networking opportunities and support to its members. So, please take the time to fill out the membership information and enclose your check or follow the OFCA link on the OSFA website and become a member. You have been sent this letter because of your success within your organization, and we need your expertise in our organization. Below, you will find a heat map showing where active OFCA memberships are within our great state. You will note we have plenty of areas without any color, which indicates no involvement in the association. Underneath the map, there is statistical data that support the map. As Chief Officers in our state, we need to be doing a better job of getting involved and supporting one another. The data indicates only 27% of fire chiefs in the state are involved in an organization that by design was created by its leaders for its leaders. These numbers should get the attention of any chief officer and motivate them to get involved. This organization was established to support organizational leaders regardless if they are volunteer, combination, or career. Please consider joining the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association, as we could benefit from the knowledge of 73% additional members.
HEAT MAP
OFCA member departments: -- 245 TOTAL -- 61% Volunteer -- 21% Combination -- 18% Paid
This membership letter was sent to the Fire Chief of every department in our system (920 departments). -- Craig Carruth, Mustang Fire Chief & OFCA 2nd Vice President
2022-23 OFCA Executive Board
OFCA PRESIDENT
James Heap jrheap@pldi.net
OFCA DIRECTOR
Kent Lagaly klagaly901@ gmail.com
1ST VICE PRESIDENT Richard Kelley richard.kelley@ okc.gov
3RD VICE PRESIDENT Michael Baker mbaker@ cityoftulsa.org
2ND VICE PRESIDENT Craig Carruth ccarruth@ cityofmustang.org
PAST PRESIDENT Greg Herbster gregherbster@ cityofmoore.com
