Oklahoma Firefighter October 2019 newspaper by Oklahoma State Firefighters Assoc

October 2019 Volume 36, Issue 8

Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

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227 Members on 11 Committees

Committee Members & Mission Statements Inside

OSFA Executive Board Members’ Comments............................................................. 5-6 OSFA Executive Director’s Report - Steve Lumry ......................................................... 7 ORFA Report - President Tippy Pierce ........................................................................... 8 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report - Kenda Engle........................................................... 8 Firefighter Near-Miss Report - Greg Lindsay ............................................................... 10 Chaplain’s Corner - Steve Alyea .................................................................................... 11 Museum News - Gene Brown .........................................................................................12 Executive Board Meeting Highlights ............................................................................. 28 Oklahoma Fire Spotlight -- Mangum FD ...................................................................... 29 2019 OSFA Memorial Golf Tourney Photos ............................................................... 30 In Memoriam .................................................................................................................. 31

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OKLAHOMA STATE STATE FIREFIGHTERS FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA 2716 N.E. N.E. 50th 50th St. St. 2716 Oklahoma City, City, OK OK 73111 73111 Oklahoma

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2October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

klahoma Firefighter October 2019

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Volume 36 — Issue 8

Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 2716 N.E. 50th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 424-1452 • 1-800-308-5336 Fax (405) 424-1032 osfa@osfa.info • www.osfa.info

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Letters to the Editor: Oklahoma Firefighter encourages the

open exchange of ideas, opinions and concerns among members of the fire service community. Letters to the Editor should: concentrate on issues, not personalities; be typed; be signed by the writer and include writer’s telephone number; and be mailed (or emailed) to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association: 2716 N.E. 50th St., Oklahoma City, OK, 73111 (osfa@osfa.info). Oklahoma Firefighter reserves the right to publish, edit and condense letters according to space limitations and the editor’s judgement. Great care will be taken to ensure the message in the letter is not altered. Anonymous letters will not be published.

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Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Official publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

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Published monthly by and 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 Steve Lumry stevel@osfa.info

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 20193

June 5 5 -- 8, 8, 2019 2019 June Hosted By By Hosted

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OKLAHOMA STATE STATE FIREFIGHTERS FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA STATE 2716 N.E. N.E. 50th 50th St. FIREFIGHTERS 2716 St. 2716 N.E. 50th 50th St. 2716 N.E. Oklahoma City,St. OK 73111 73111 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City, City, OK OK 73111 73111 Oklahoma

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2019 OSFA Convention Details .......................................................................................4 2019 OSFA Convention Details .......................................................................................4 OSFA Executive Board Members’ Comments ............................................................5-6 OSFA Executive Board Members’ Comments ............................................................5-6 OSFA Executive Director’s Report - Steve Lumry ..........................................................7 OSFA Executive Director’s Report - Steve Lumry ..........................................................7 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report -Marti Carpenter ......................................................8 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Report -Marti Carpenter ......................................................8 Firefighter Near-Miss Report - Greg Lindsay ............................................................... 10 Firefighter Near-Miss Report - Greg Lindsay ............................................................... 10 Museum News - Gene Brown ........................................................................................13 Museum News - Gene Brown ........................................................................................13 ORFA Report - President Juan Rodriguez ....................................................................15 ORFA Report - President Juan Rodriguez ....................................................................15 House Passes Firefighter Bills ............................................................................... 18-19 House Passes Firefighter Bills ............................................................................... 18-19 Chaplain’s Corner - Kim Hayes .....................................................................................19 Chaplain’s Corner - Kim Hayes .....................................................................................19 Executive Board Meeting Highlights ............................................................................ 24 Executive Board Meeting Highlights ............................................................................ 24 Oklahoma Fire Spotlight -- Ft. Towson FD .................................................................. 26 Oklahoma Fire Spotlight -- Ft. Towson FD .................................................................. 26

Simply call (405-424-1452) or email the OSFA office (osfa@osfa.info) and request digital editions! Please provide your name and address for verification.

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4October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

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Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 20195

PresidenT n

Mike Kelley

OKC FD

We recently completed the 23rd Annual David Bain Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighter Memorial Golf Tournament. Thanks to all who participated, and a special thanks to all of our sponsors who make this event a success every year. Also, a big thanks to the OSFA staff and Memorial Committee members for their tireless work behind the scenes. This tournament helps the OSFA maintain your first-class memorial. One of the ways that we utilize and showcase our beautiful memorial is by conducting an annual service to honor those that have gone before us. This years’ service will be held Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 pm. This service is a wonderful tribute to those of our membership who have passed on in the previous year. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to say thanks to the unsung heroes, our family and friends which make sacrifices and offer support to enable us to answer the call. As I stated last month, the House and the Senate are both conducting interim studies on a COLA -4% in the House and 2% in the Senate. We know that this doesn’t come close to catching up those who haven’t received a COLA in over a decade. However, even though we will continue to communicate the need to the legislators, we need every member to engage in this effort. While this may not directly affect you depending on where you are in your career, remember we will all be retired one day and we need to support each other. You should have received a legislative alert from the OSFA. Please take the time to respond! As I open my email, I see another instance where PTSD has claimed another of our national family. The Oklahoma House leadership recognizes this as an important issue and is running legislation to designate PTSD as workers comp. Please support

2019-20 OSFA Executive Board

mkelley@local157.org 405-623-4338

their efforts when asked. I understand that everyone not only reacts differently to the horrors that we experience while serving our communities but also has their own feelings on PTSD. The bottom line is that none of us are immune, and with that in mind, I would ask each of you to not only conduct a self-evaluation but also be aware of the people that you serve with. Many firefighters who suffer from PTSD develop family and work problems because of the symptoms, including: • Nightmares • Daily stresses and anxieties • Difficulty concentrating • Hallucinations or delusions • Memory loss • Numbness toward emotions • Panic attacks • Feeling guilty, hopeless or shameful • Sudden flashbacks Drug addicts and alcoholics are often too ashamed of their addictions to ask for help -- and the same goes for those with mental illness disorders. Many firefighters battling PTSD hide their affliction because we’re the ones who are supposed to be the strongest and most unbreakable. Staying silent is the worst way to go, and only leads to further mental and physical health issues. It is important that we continue to break this stigma and encourage our brothers and sisters to seek help. We swear an oath to protect and serve our communities, and it is vital that we serve those that are closest to us. I would ask that we as the Oklahoma Fire Service develop and share best practices to combat anything that afflicts our fire service family! You are your brother’s and sister’s keeper! Stay safe brothers and sisters!

PRESIDENT: Mike Kelley 405-623-4388 • mkelley@local157.org 1ST VICE PRESIDENT: Eric Harlow 405-520-2893 • ericharlow200@gmail.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT: Cliff Davidson 580-554-1886 • davidsoncliff@yahoo.com 3RD VICE PRESIDENT: Jim Ed Nimmo 918-557-8379 • jimnimmo7@gmail.com PAST PRESIDENT: Dereck Cassady 580-761-5338 • IAFFLocal2479@yahoo.com

OSFA & Museum Staff Executive Director Steve Lumry stevel@osfa.info

Administrative Director Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info

Special Projects Tim Bartram timb@osfa.info

Event & Promotions Coordinator Trisha Chain trishac@osfa.info

Administrative Assistant Kristen Horton kristenh@osfa.info Receptionist Leesa Black leesab@osfa.info Publications Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

Museum Director Gene Brown geneb@osfa.info Museum Assistant Quintin James quintinj@osfa.info Museum Assistant Bob Noll bobn@osfa.info

1st vice PresidenT n

Eric Harlow

Guthrie FD

Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters! I don’t know about you all, but I am definitely ready for it to cool off a little. Football season is well underway, so it just feels like it should cool off for good anytime now. If you hadn’t heard yet, our association was again successful in obtaining a SAFER Grant from FEMA to continue the great work that Administrative Director/ Grant Administrator Sheri Nickel has been doing the past few years. This new funding will allow us to work with our training entities in providing more firefighter training to our members across the state. It will allow us to provide many of the same classes that we’ve been providing, plus Vehicle Extrication, LPG and Firefighter 2 courses. This is a huge win for our state’s fire service. Great

ericharlow200@gmail.com • 405-520-2893

job by Sheri and the staff on the writing of this grant and the subsequent award. Stay tuned to the OSFA Facebook page for information on upcoming classes! Mental health continues to plague the public safety industry. So many are faced with challenges that can directly be attributed to the jobs we do. I want to make sure that everyone knows that your OSFA Executive Board recognizes this and is constantly working to find solutions to better help our members. We are exploring ways to ensure that the help that our members need is available and that information is well explained to those that need it. This isn’t something that is just a fad that will go away with time. It is a true problem nationwide, and we are committed to working on finding better ways to help our brothers and sisters in need. On the subject of mental health, do you know how to recognize when someone around you needs help?

The Firefighter Behavior Health Alliance has some great tips, including a self assessment, available for those in need. Check them out at www.ffbha.org and see what all they have to offer. This is a good site to bookmark in case you need it down the road. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The old day attitudes of keeping your needs tucked away has passed. We need to be able to get the help we need without fear of being labeled or heckled by our peers. Be open minded with your co-workers and help them get the help they need. In closing, I want to encourage you all to stay in contact with your legislators this session. It will be a very important session for us as we continue to fight for a COLA for our retirees. Thank you for all you do to help your communities and our great state.

6October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

3rd vice PresidenT n

Jim Ed Nimmo 918-557-8379

So, I talked a little last month about the negative impact of technology on the fire service and our lives in general. I feel pretty strongly about that, not that it’s a new idea. That said, there have been some positives attached to it, and even though I passively put social media on blast last month, its not all bad. More than anything I would argue that it has given an audible voice to those who haven’t been heard in the recent past, at least those who were inaudible beyond the coffee table. The reason a lot of those voices were inaudible, at least in my estimation, was because they didn’t pass the smell test for the various editors and gatekeepers of fire service publications. Now the question in my mind is why those voices didn’t pass this smell test. The truth is a lot of them probably stank. However, odor, like beauty, is often in the eye -- or should I say nose -- of the beholder. While I’m sure a lot of ideas were rejected because they held no merit, I suspect just as many of them were rejected because they didn’t react well with the often overly sensitive noses of authorities and advertisers who became editors and/or authorities of previously mentioned publications. My experience has been that people are keen to speak the truth (at least as they see it) until speaking that truth has the potential to negatively influence their lives or careers. Then they get a lot better at looking the other way and keeping quiet as the truth or an acceptable version of the truth passes by, especially if that truth could cause them or their careers the least bit of discomfort. In some ways, I sympathize with this scenario. Folks who are serious about climbing the ladder or gaining influence in the fire service can face some pretty serious consequences for speaking their mind, and those consequences are magnified exponentially with the more time they invest in their climb and the more public the speech is. The sad thing is that this phenomenon has led to the watering down of ideas, and the watering down of leadership in general to the point that no one will get behind an idea that isn’t vetted to be so benign that it is unlikely to cause any waves with any of the various stakeholders in or related to the fire service. The problem with that being that many of those same stakeholders don’t really have as much at stake as a line firefighter, and that firefighter’s opinion is probably the least valuable to decision makers. In that vein, I’d argue that it’s the line firefighter’s opinion that matters most.

Tulsa FD

• jimnimmo7@gmail.com

I recognize there is another stakeholder’s opinion that matters, and that is the opinion of the public, but chasing that dragon is like chasing your tail. I think the public cares that you show up and help them when they ask. Beyond that, I have not seen, that they really have much of an opinion at all when it is all boiled down beyond loving us when we are there and not loving us when they have to pay. I have heard a lot of ideas passed off as public opinion or demand, but when I look at them closely it seems to me that they are often just an opinion on public opinion. Now we have a new medium for ideas, no one really filters it, and it is a lot like what is great about the coffee table at the firehouse. It is pretty open, offers relative ambiguity (at least to the observer), and the message gets out there. I’ll grant that many of the ideas are not new and have just been rebranded with new catchphrases and buzzwords. On the other hand, the fact that there is a place for fairly open positive discussion on issues is pretty powerful, and the fact that we all have access to it is pretty amazing. The most refreshing opinion I have seen in recent years came from Ray McCormack, now retired from FDNY. He gave a speech about extinguishment culture in the mid 2000s at FDIC that caused a lot of waves at the time, and still does. It can still be found on youtube. It has only been a couple of years since I saw this speech for the first time. It is pretty interesting, and it appears to me that he’s had to walk that speech back a few times over the years. What I admire most about it is that it went against the grain of what was being commonly written about in the fire service, which had become a very watered down shell of what this job really is. I am not saying the sun rises or sets in this guy, but his speech supported an ethos in firehouses across the country of the people who were still actually doing the job, but didn’t dare speak their mind at a meeting or PIA. I think it gave rise to a lot of the current blogs, sites, and accounts where guys air out ideas, some old and some new, that wouldn’t be discussed otherwise. This gives folks an opportunity to see how other departments work, what is similar, and what is not, what is new, what is old, and what is fantasy versus what is reality. Most importantly, you can now see the thoughts of so many that just 15 years ago would have only been shared through a filter, even if there is a lot of background noise that goes along with it. It is a good thing. As an added bonus you can also find plenty of unfiltered political, marital, spiritual, or financial advice. What could go wrong?

2nd vice President n

Cliff Davidson Ringwood FD 580-554-1886 davidsoncliff@yahoo.com

Hello Everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your summer seeing how fall has arrived. Hopefully cooler weather is just around the corner. It was nice having all the moisture in the spring and, something we haven’t seen for several years, moisture in the summer. With that said, we all know what to expect after that first freeze with all the extra fuel out there. We can only hope that the moisture keeps coming. With October being Fire Prevention Month, we all get the chance to work with young people and we open our stations or visit the schools. This is one of my favorite things that we do in the fire service. The excitement on their faces when you bring them into the station is priceless. Our department has a classroom time with them to discuss being prepared at home with having escape routes out of the house and having a meeting place with their parents and, of course, the “Stop Drop and Roll.” If we have a smoke house available, we will run them through that and then we let them handle a nozzle. That seems to be the favorite. What always impresses me is how much they remember from year to year. That’s when you realize how important the training you are providing truly is. I hope everyone has a great October and a safe Halloween.

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 6-12, and this year’s theme is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” How do you define a hero? Is it a person who is courageous and performs good deeds? Someone who comes to the aid of others, even at personal risk? A hero can be all of those things. A hero can also be someone who takes small, but important actions to keep themselves and those around them safe from fire. When it comes to fire safety, maybe you’re already a hero in your household or community. If not, maybe you’re feeling inspired to become one. It’s easy to take that first step -- make your home escape plan!

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 20197

OSFA executive director n

Steve Lumry

OCFD Retired

stevel@osfa.info

405-424-1452

Hello Oklahoma Firefighters! A lot of good things have been happening lately around the OSFA. n We have received another Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (S.A.F.E.R.) grant from FEMA for $1,628,152 for training and outfitting volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma. n The David Bain Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial raised over $35,000 for the Memorial. n The Memorial repairs are almost complete. n The Statewide Memorial service will be happening on Sunday, October 6. n Planning is going well for the OSFA State Fire School to be held in Tulsa again next year. n Fundraising for the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum and Family Educational Center is continuing on the right path. n The over 220 OSFA committee members are hard at work to ensure that your needs are met and input is heard. n And, we (and when I say we; I mean you, me, and all of us) have been working extremely hard to obtain a COLA for the retirees whether volunteer or paid. The OSFA staff is working them-

•

selves to the point of exhaustion to make sure that everything is taken care of to the level that you expect or above, and they are doing an outstanding job. That leads to my next point. NONE of this would be happening without the input, help and direction from the membership. It also required the direction and assistance of those who came before us. All of our past Executive Directors: Andy Miller, Bill Liebegott, Louis Bunch, Bob Hollander, Jim Minx, Chris Bain, Herb Bradshaw and Phil Ostrander each helped move the ball forward, and we are eternally grateful to each and every one of them. They had help and guidance from all of the OSFA, ORFA, and OFCA Boards that they worked with also. Everything that we do is teamwork. We work with all the fire service organizations to bring you the best service and benefits available. As an example of just some of the things that were being worked on over the years, at right is a flyer that was distributed for the Firefighter Day at the Capitol in 2013. Finally, I want to add our congratulations to Dr. Erick Reynolds who is retiring after a successful career with OSU-FST. Doc E has been a tremendous asset to FST and he will be missed. Remember, Leave No One Behind!

DID YOU KNOW … You could make a gift to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in exchange for a guaranteed lifetime income stream. It’s true. You simply make a gift of cash, stocks, bonds or even real estate to the Community Foundation in exchange for a charitable gift annuity. You receive an immediate charitable income deduction, a lifetime guaranteed income and any funds left in the annuity upon your passing transfer to the Community Foundation to support charitable causes you designate.

2013 FLYER

3 Firefighter Funds Accepting Charitable Donations Through Oklahoma City Community Foundation (https://donate.occf.org)

• Pete and Lela Stavros Scholarship Fund • Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association’s Keith Bryan Memorial Scholarship Fund • Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum Endowment Fund

The NVFC’s Make Me A Firefighter campaign provides FREE tools and resources to make your recruitment efforts a success. Here are two ways to recruit more volunteers to your department: Sign Up: Register for free at http://portal.nvfc.org to access all campaign materials and resources. Post your Volunteer Opportunities: Make sure potential volunteers can find you by adding your opportunities to the searchable database available to the public at www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.

8October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

Women’s AuxILIARY report Kendra Engle Jr Board Member

The Woman’s Auxiliary Board and a few Past Presidents

had the opportunity to meet at the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum a few weeks ago for a work day to organize old records and have lunch. Although we did work, we enjoyed the fellowship of everyone who was able to attend. It was really neat seeing records from as far back as the 1920s. There was a lot of history most of us had never seen.

A lot of wives don’t know about the State Auxiliary, but I would like to invite anyone interested to join us! Membership is $10 per year, and you do not have to be a member of a local auxiliary to join. Dues can be sent to our Secretary/Treasurer Marti Carpenter (OKC). If your local department doesn’t currently have an auxiliary and would like more information on how to start one, please contact me and I will get you some information.

October is Fire Prevention Month. Safety Check: When using a fire extinguisher, think P-A-S-S: (1) PULL the pin. (2) AIM at the base of the fire. (3) SQUEEZE the handle. (4) SWEEP from side to side at the base of the fire until out. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween, and remember to always be SAFE!

2019-2020 OSFA Women’s Auxiliary Executive Board PRESIDENT Susan Walker 580-351-4116 sw233821@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT Michele Cole 918-698-4488 momachel@aol.com SEC/TREASURER Marti Carpenter 405-590-4608 marticarpenter@att.net JR BD MEMBER Kendra Engle 405-630-8898 kefd07@yahoo.com PAST PRESIDENT Erica Koch 405-308-2010 ejv97@cox.net

ORFA REport Tippy Pierce Moore FD Retired

Well, it is two-and-a-half months away from Christmas, but we still have work to do on the “Leave Nobody Behind” campaign. In August, the OSFA started having Grassroots Meetings to talk to volunteer and paid firefighters about the COLA. We had OSFA Board, Retired Board and Pension Board members at the meetings. We also had OSFA lobbyists, an OSFA Past Executive Director and the present OSFA Executive Director at these meetings to explain what has happened over the last 12 years to buying power for retirees due to not getting some cost of living increases. We discussed the four different categories of retirees pensions. We talked about what has happened in the legislature over the last 12 years. The biggest thing was about how and why we need every firefighter to respond to his/her Senator and House Representative and tell them that we need this COLA and why! Please contact them. Don’t expect someone else to do it for you! We cannot wait to the last minute to work on this issue.

The ORFA has a Cornerstone Committee that has selected sub-Committees to work on: n Membership Committee, Chairman is Dr. Eric Reynolds. n Building Expansion Fund Raising Committee, Chairman Mike Bower. n Financial Committee, Chairman T. Dick Cagle. These sub-committee will be meeting and working for each and every ORFA member. Again let’s remember that we need to leave the Oklahoma Fire Service better than we found it! And Remember as firefighter: Leave No One Behind!

2019-2020 ORFA Executive Board PRESIDENT Tippy Pierce, Moore 405-924-1104 fftip@swbell.net 2ND VICE PRESIDENT A.K. “Yogi” Cole, Tulsa 918-231-3591 ycole@ipa.net

1ST VICE PRESIDENT George Fina, OKC 405-373-2409 gomsc38@gmail.com 3RD VICE PRESIDENT James Fullingim, Norman nfdchief@hotmail.com PAST PRESIDENT Juan Rodriguez, Lawton jrod911@gmail.com

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE OSFA

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 20199

Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question: “What do you resent paying for the most?” Here is what they said: w Aaron Burns, Broken Arrow Ret.: Insurance hands down ... or should I say “Hands up, this is robbery!” w Donnie Bennett, Oklahoma City: Bad firehouse meals! w Phil Ostrander, Tulsa Ret.: Turnpikes. Time to move the Turner and Will Rogers toll booths to I-40 and I-35 for 50 years. w Mike Bower, Midwest City Ret.: It would have to be cable TV. I know cable is a choice, but I just don’t use the service very often and the cost continues to increase. w Quintin James, McLoud: Probably Beats earbuds that my wife wanted and are still in the box 4 months later. w Tippy Pierce, Moore Ret.: Tire disposal fee when you are buying new tires. w Bert Norton, Midwest City: I used to resent paying for a hair cut. Cost was not equal to what little they had to cut. I eliminated the problem and shaved it. w Clifford Lewis, Oklahoma City Ret.: My TV satellite service! w Travis Fortune, Fairview: High insurance cost that I haven’t used throughout the years! w Tom Marcum, Mooreland: Probably not a good answer, but vehicle insurance. After paying for it for years and not using it, you should get it for free the rest of your days. Just my 2 cents. w Bre Dahl, Marshall: A second and third surgery on a dog.

w Jeremy Goodrich, Yukon: Insurance. I cringe when my policy renews. w Brian Foughty, Moore Ret.: Tires. I hate tire shopping and dealing with pro-rating when issues arise with said tires. w Joel Bain, Midwest City: The first thing that pops up of things I resent paying for the most is insurance. It may be because I’m getting ready to have my second teenager start to drive. My insurance cost is already high, and my third child will be driving in just over two years. My son’s liability insurance is just as high as my daughter’s full coverage, and that’s on a 2000 pickup. I know we need it, but I may need another job to help pay for three teenage drivers. w S.R. Hunter, Bethany Ret.: Water. Who would have ever imagined that a plain bottle of water, ounce for ounce, would be four times the cost of gasoline in some cases. Go figure! w Juan Rodriguez, Lawton Ret.: I hate paying insurance premiums, ,interest on debt and taxes. The best value is taxes, because I get something for my money. Interest is just money that is gone. I guess the thing I hate playing the most is insurance premiums, because something bad has to happen in order to collect the benefits. w Cory Beagles, Deer Creek: Parking. It’s why I avoid downtown metro areas. w Jim Ed Nimmo, Tulsa: I, like everyone else, hate paying taxes. Specifically, I hate paying income tax! A real shocker, right?

Next Month’s Question --

“What’s the best fire training you’ve ever experienced?” Everyone is Welcome to Participate! Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info

SAFER Grant Sheri Nickel

SAFER Grant Coordinator

OSFA Awarded New SAFER Grant The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association is a recipient of a $1,628,152.00 Fiscal Year 2018 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to continue our efforts for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. A total of $350,000,000 was allocated by FEMA this year to award 300 fire departments, career and volunteer to increase the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments. After careful consideration, FEMA determined that the project submitted by OSFA was consistent with the SAFER Grant Program’s purpose and was worthy of the award. This grant will continue and enhance the efforts developed with the $2,176,123.00 awarded in Fiscal Year 2015 to the Association. These grants are awarded for 4-years, and we are nearing completion of grant year-3 of the FY2015 grant. So far with the funding for our state’s volunteer firefighters, we outfitted 73 new firefighters with new bunker gear in FY2 and are expecting to exceed our annual limit of 75 this

year with 107 new firefighters expected to complete the required Firefighter 1 training before Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, only the first 75 that complete the required training AND pension physical will receive the gear which is allocated according to FEMA’s expected outcome. However, the other 32 new recruits will join the 95 other volunteer firefighters that joined their fire departments prior to November 25, 2016 that have benefitted from the retention portion of the grant and received the free Firefighter-1 training, mileage reimbursement and per diem for obtaining their IFSAC certified FF1 training. As we approach Year-4, the final year of the original grant, we have already began preparations for the training that we will be delivering through our partnership with OSU-FST. However, now that we have received the additional award, we are going to take a step back and reevaluate our preliminary plan for 2020 to include the FF2 benefit that we are going to receive from this newly awarded grant. I have already received numerous requests to host these classes. Please be patient, and as I always suggest, follow our Facebook page at OklahomaStateFirefightersAssn or at OSFAtraining for updates and schedules of upcoming classes.

10October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

NEAR-MISS REPORT

By Greg Lindsay

OKC Fire Department

Watch Your Back When we talk about a firefighter’s job, the discussion tends to focus on activities on the scene, pulling lines to make an attack, the trauma patient’s interventions, or driving through the brush to get to a wildland fire. They all start the same way. Every firefighter that responds on a call has to work in the roadway. Sometimes the only time we spend in the street is to step off the apparatus. Other times the entire incident depends on us working while traffic continues to pass. Working in traffic can be the most hazardous work we do. This month’s featured report involves a firefighter responding to assist with a known traffic hazard area in snowy weather. As the event progresses, it becomes more apparent why the lesson this report shares is significant for us to read. LESSONS LEARNED

Sliding Car Narrowly Misses Battalion Vehicle http://firefighternearmiss.com/Reports?id=15874 EVENT DESCRIPTION Two engines, a truck, and a battalion chief were assigned to an injury accident involving two passenger vehicles and a semi in an eastbound lane of the interstate. Driving conditions were poor - low visibility because of blowing snow and slick road surfaces. The first due engine arrived on scene, established command, and began sizing up the situation. Based on prior experience, I knew that accidents in this area were hard to see ahead of time because of some subtle curves and rises in the interstate that block the drivers’ view. I chose to respond as a second battalion vehicle without lights and sirens to the area and provide some traffic control. I positioned on the right shoulder, about 3/4 of a mile west of the accident, with only my yellow warning bar lights flashing. Most drivers were beginning to slow in response. One driver did not understand why traffic was slowing down and began changing lanes from the left lane to the middle lane. He was forced to slam on his brakes. This sent him into a slide toward the right lane and shoulder where I was sitting. I watched it happening in my mirror, so I put my vehicle in drive and pulled forward about 40 yards. He slid right through the spot I had been sitting, then back across the interstate and into the Jersey barrier in the center median. There were no injuries in the car that hit the center median. I backed into my previous spot and continued slowing traffic until all of the fire units had cleared.

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This event was largely out of the control of the responders. It depended on the commuters seeing the warning lights and slowing for the incident. Knowing this was possible; I watched my mirror for any indications of problems, which gave me the time I needed to pull forward. The lesson learned is to maintain situational awareness always. There are many instances where I may have been performing other duties and not have seen this problem developing. Having eyes in the back of our heads may be out of the question, but keeping our heads on a swivel is necessary. When we work near the roadway, our safety is in the hands of the people driving by. Consider these discussion points • Discuss the times you have been on the scene when someone drove near the incident without much regard for the personnel working nearby. • Do you always use blocking techniques to protect personnel in the road? • Have traffic-blocking techniques always been effective? How could these be improved? The firefighter in this report maintained their awareness of the conditions and avoided a nearmiss. Being your own safety officer is sometimes the only way to avoid an accident like this one. If you have experienced a similar incident where someone saw a potential threat and alerted personnel to avoid a mishap, I would like to read about it. Your story may be the one that influences another firefighter to scan the area more often and watch your back. I recently saw a news story that described how two responders were injured near the roadway. There was adequate traffic blocking where they were. They were both wearing reflective safety gear, and although the images appear to show overcast skies, it was light enough for all to see clearly. However, none of these safety measures was enough to prevent this accident completely. In the video and news story, it described a vehicle pulling a trailer that hydroplaned on the roadway. It slid sideways into an emergency vehicle, and whipped the trailer around slamming into two personnel standing off the side of the road. The video, captured on an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers dash camera, shows the event as it unfolds. After the impact, they were knocked several feet away, landing in the grass. Watching the video, I saw the firefighter nearest to the road looked up with just enough time to react to the oncoming vehicle. He may have alerted the other firefighter and seems to have braced for the impact. It appeared he even put out an arm to push the other firefighter out of the way. The firefighters were injured in the incident but not seriously. I noticed when the car collided with the fire vehicle blocking their position it protected them from the most severe possibilities imaginable. Above you can see a screen grab from the video just as the trailer made contact. If you want to see the video, go to https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Js4tNKZcqJg.

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201911

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Chaplain’s corner

Critical Incident Stress Management Fire Chaplaincy

Steven Alyea Illinois River Fire/Rescue Cherokee County Chaplain

Nov. 1-2

8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

At Broken Arrow Public Safety Complex (1101 N. 6th Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74013)

In my first fire school, the instructor talked about our structure PPE and how things have changed. Offered by Oklahoma State CLASS OFFERED: The “old timers” he said, would know to pull back when Fire Chaplains Association their ears started stinging from the heat. For More Info: He also said that with the new gear, we could have a false n Essentials: Basic Fire Chaplaincy www.okfirechaplains.org Gary Dill sense of security and not be aware of a flash over situation. deerslider@gmail.com $200 plus manual He taught us to respect the dangers of our profession and Accredited through the techniques to complete our skills with the least amount of ($60 hard copy, $35 digital) Federation of Fire Chaplains Hal J. Penner exposure to risk. We can’t avoid risk, but we can reduce our hjpiguana@hotmail.com chances of being a victim by following our safety procedures. The safety of spiritual life is eternally important to ourselves, Teddy Wilson Send Registration to: families and friends. teddy.wilson@okc.gov Gary Dill, 20422 South 540 Road, Tahlequah, OK 74464 In the Book of Genesis 4:6, we read the account of the first murder in the Bible, but before the event God told Cain the Chuck McDade chaplainchuckmcdade@ following: Make checks payable to: OK Fire Service Chaplains gmail.com “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” To post prayer requests and find up-to-date information on the Oklahoma Fire For our spiritual safety our lives need the Jesus style of PPE Chaplains, go to www.okfirechaplains.org. (Protective Prayer Everyday) to minimize risk and give us the 24x7 advantage. Sin might be hard to recognize at first, but eventually the deal with our daily struggles. truth will be shown in the brightest light. In the world of believers, avoiding sin is These spiritual struggles can go one of two ways, we rule over it or it devours like scene size up and situational awareness. us. When I hear sin is crouching at my door I visualize a mountain lion that missed Our bodies will eventually die, but the part God wants is our souls and it will breakfast and I smell like a Chicago Pizza. Personally, I have opened the wrong live. The Jesus PPE is God’s Word and promise of an eternal life with peace and door (it happens to everyone) and found a starving beast that likes my smell. love starting now until eternity. I found sin stinks and love has the aroma that fills the heart. Keep your Jesus PPE on 24x7. God is the author of love and truth in His written Word, which he gave us to

NFPA REPORT Bob Sullivan

National Fire Protection Assoc. SW Regional Director bsullivan@nfpa.org • 720-237-1752

Residential Sprinklers (Part 3) As we continue with Part 3 of this series, here is some more information about how residential sprinklers operate, what their intended purpose is, and what the Fire Department can anticipate upon arrival on the scene of a home equipped with residential sprinklers, in which a fire has been reported. As mentioned in the last article, with today’s modern highly-combustible furnishings and other items found in an average home, fires can develop very rapidly to the point of reaching flashover within the room of origin in as little as 2-3 minutes from when the fire started, while also quickly filling the rest of the structure with toxic smoke. When factoring in the time needed to call 911, and for dispatch and initial Fire Department response to occur, there are many times when the room of origin has already flashed before the Fire Department arrives on the scene to begin suppression. Residential sprinklers are designed to operate within this narrow time frame to discharge enough water

to delay flashover. The intent is to delay flashover long enough to allow the occupants of the building to safely escape, as hopefully they will be notified of the fire by the simultaneous operation of smoke alarms in the home. We previously discussed how fire death rates are being affected by a greater percentage of the population having mobility issues and having more difficulty in moving quickly to escape a fire, and this is where residential sprinklers can play a key role in allowing more time for escape and hopefully reducing the fire death rate. The residential sprinklers may or may not contain or extinguish the fire. Unlike commercial sprinkler systems, which are designed to discharge a higher volume of water and contain (and possibly extinguish) the fire, residential sprinkler systems are designed as lower-flow systems with the primary intent to allow the occupants to escape. While they often will also contain or extinguish the fire, that doesn’t always happen, and the fire could still eventually overwhelm the system, and you could still be faced with a significant structure fire upon arrival. But hopefully you will be arriving at a fire scene where the occupants are already out of the building,

which also helps to lessen the risk to firefighters. Another significant benefit for firefighters is that the residential sprinklers can assist in reducing the overall amount of toxins that firefighters are exposed to in the process of extinguishing the fire, which is another way to help battle cancer in the Fire Service. NFPA works with a partner agency called the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. On their website, at https://homefiresprinkler.org , there is a short video that shows a basic summary of the timeline of a fire in a home without sprinklers, followed by a timeline of a fire in a home that is equipped with residential sprinklers. This information is useful both for firefighters and the general public, and can be incorporated into training programs and public information sessions. In next month’s issue, we will continue this series with a closer look at some of the technical details of a residential sprinkler system, including design and maintenance.

12October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

Museum news Gene Brown Museum Director geneb@osfa.info 405-424-3440

Owner Chris Hayes is a Retired Volunteer Fire Fighter and has been rebuilding Transmissions for more than 30 years.

Hello everyone! The 23rd annual Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament was a success. The player numbers were down, but everyone had a great time. Thanks to all who attended. Everything is going well here at the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum. We are still looking for volunteers to help around the museum. If anyone is interested, please contact the museum. We are working on getting a tow vehicle for the Public-Education trailer so that we can start using it around the state. Please remember we are always interested in any old equipment you might have laying around. And we still need pike poles and pick axes.

VISIT YOUR OKLAHOMA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM Mon. thru Sat. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Sun. 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. FREE for OSFA Members & Immediate Family

HHH Transmission diagnoses and rebuilds brush truck heavy duty transmissions. We welcome the opportunity to work with your fire boards and purchasing departments!

Oklahoma’s Source for Service and Repair for All Transmissions

Museum Staff report Quintin James

Hello all! Everything is going well here at the museum. We are constantly making improvements to our displays. Most recently, we have acquired a line throwing gun, and we updated an

old display case to house it. Also for those of you that don’t know, we have started a video series called “Fundamentally Fire.” In this series, we will be discussing important topics related to the fire service. Our first video discussed COLA. Check it out on the OSFA Facebook page.

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Thursday, Oct. 3 Thursday, Oct. 24 Thursday, Nov. 14 Thursday, Dec. 12

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Dr. J. D. Carlson, OSU fire meteorologist and OK-FIRE program manager, will lead the workshops, which consist of a combination of presentations and lab exercises in which attendees will get hands-on experience with the OK-FIRE website. Registration is required and can be done online by contacting Andrea Melvin (andrea@mesonet.org; 405-325-2652) at the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. More information about each workshop (including directions) will be sent out the Monday before each workshop date. Workshops will be filled on a first register, first served basis. These workshops are designed only for those who directly or indirectly work with wildland fire, and only those who fall into these categories should register.

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201913

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14October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

20th Annual Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial Service Honoring Our Own n October 6, 2019 n Oklahoma City

LAST ALARM Adair James F. Powell Allen Lewis Woodell Altus Thomas Sadler Antlers John Rousseau Apache Colby Mckeown Ardmore Granvle “Gerry” Byrne Jr. Arnett Edward Wildman Bartlesville Miles R. Baker Bartlesville Buddy J. Brashear Bartlesville James Brown Bartlesville Gerald “Jerry” Gilliland Bartlesville Robert Hendricks Bessie Donald Buehler Bethany Ronald R. Eagan Bethany Milton W. Hoskins Bethany Garland Nance Blackwell Adelbert A. Miller Boswell Joe Anderson Broken Arrow Phillip Chris Cagle Broken Arrow Randall F. Rutherford Broken Arrow Lawrence Kelly Lechlider Broken Bow Lewis W. Whitten Calumet Thomas J. Evans Carmen Melvin Brooks Carnegie David W. Bowlin Cashion Trent Gibson Catoosa Henry Russell Chandler Dennis Beaty Chandler Richard Key Cherokee Tate J. Allison Cheyenne William R. Harmon Claremore Marty Osborne Clinton Nolan E. Unruh Cox’s Store Jody L. Dreves Crescent Max E. Miller Jr. Crescent Jason Smith Crescent Clinton D. Wallace Crescent Forrest P. Yenzer Criner Hills Sharon Butler Custer City Charles E. Fischer Sr. Davis Willard Warren Dewar Joseph C. Watson Dewey Tommy E. Short Duncan I.B. Jones Duncan Delbert L. Sears Durant Haskell Manners Edmond David Jones Edmond Phillip Witcher Enid Bruce Johnson Erick Paul W. Vines Fairview Charles Obermiller Fletcher Roy R. Thomas Foss Terry Price Gate Kenneth Shook Geronimo Bobby Roach Gotebo Randy Gonzalez Granite Robert Nuckolls Greenfield Dale Grove Haskell Carl Damme

Hinton Clarence Findley Hinton Roderick Johnson Holdenville Charles Huff Hunter Johnnie Hisey Indianola Calvin Carney Jr. Jenks Paul S. Jenkins Jet Bill Dunavant Kendrick Ronald E. Matheson Keyes John K. Vannatta Kiowa Dan J. Cearley Lawton Claude “CJ” Hall Lone Wolf Gracchus Feldmann Marietta Bill Hill Marland Mickey Robinson Marshall Bill G. Rouse Maud Kay Goss Maud Nicholas R. Silas McAlester Robert L. Dunn Medford Gregory C. Smith Midwest City Charlie Joyner Midwest City Joe McSparrin Mountain View Michael Davis Muskogee Roy Hickey Mustang Jerry L. Rice Newalla Andrew Corbin Norge Marvin Smith Norman Gerald Fuzzell Norman Lester Myers Norman Walter Turner Oklahoma City James Butler Oklahoma City Carl G. Cobb Oklahoma City Johnny L. Crabtree Oklahoma City Raymond Houston Oklahoma City Daniel Hyer Oklahoma City John M. McCutchen Oklahoma City Arley D. McMillon Oklahoma City Cecil Meeks Oklahoma City Bobby J. Mowles Sr. Oklahoma City Steve M. Phillips Oklahoma City Lawrence Robinson Oklahoma City Thomas M. Stegner Oklahoma City Charles W. Thompson Oklahoma City Jimmie Whitfield Oklahoma City Bill G. Wood Owasso Ronald Stuckey Pawnee Alford J. Majors Perry Gary Billingsley Picher Jerry D. Coach Porter Bill G. Kilpatrick Porter Edgar McCollough Poteau Don Goforth Purcell Tommy L. Herell Sapulpa Troy Smith Seiling Harold Reynolds Soper Raymond L. Fails Spavinaw Bruce E. Trout Stillwater Everett Caldwell Stillwater Frank L. Smith Stroud Richard Wintz

SUPREME SACRIFICE STROUD Michael Cole Alcorn

Talihina The Village Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Twin Lakes Wainwright Wetumka Wetumka Wyandotte Wynnewood

Dannie Reed Delbert Tabor Thomas G. Cox Clifford Douglass Paul Hudson Steven Johnson Mark Mauldin Mark E. Meyer Ryan Phillips James H. Pilkington Truman Putnam Shelby F. Rice Robert L. Ridenour Louis Ryan James Selsor David M. Srader Loyd Wheaton James G. Zickefoose Robert Lea Darrell W. Johnson Jimmy Hollins Kenny Maxwell Jim McCall David Mallow

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201915

2018 ORFA FUN & FELLOWSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT

SCHOLARSHIPS BENEFITTING FIREFIGHTERS From Oklahoma City Community Foundation

Pete & Lela Stavros Scholarship Foundation Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Fire Lake Golf Course 1901 Gordon Cooper Dr., Shawnee, OK 74801

Registration at 11 a.m. Lunch at Noon • Tee-Off at 1 p.m. Cost: $75 per person (includes green fees, cart & lunch) Mulligans are 4 for $20

OPEN TO ALL FIREFIGHTERS Prizes Reserved for Retirees Everyone receives a Goody Bag for registering Register online at www.osfa.info Questions? Call OSFA Office at 405-424-1452

n www.CONRADFIRE.com

Awarding scholarships to high school seniors -- all the children of Oklahoma Firefighters -- since 2004. At the 2019 OSFA Convention, five $1,000 scholarships were awarded.

Keith Bryan Memorial Scholarship Fund Established in 2012 to provide scholarship opportunities for aspiring and/or current Oklahoma Fire Officers in leadership and management training education. Available to members of the OFCA.

To Make Secure Donation With Credit Card: https://donate.occf.org To make contribution with check, call OSFA office at 405-424-1452 for donation card & return envelope

@conradfire

@conradfireequipment n (913) 780-5521

@conradfire

Conrad Fire Equipment and Steve Martin would like to thank and congratulate the Oklahoma City FD on the recent purchase of their fleet of Pierce Enforcer Pumpers.

STEVE MARTIN (405) 620-1891

RYAN REEVES (405) 269-3844

ROGER BROWN (785) 865-6941

CARY PROVENCE (405) 623-8216

Firefighters Serving Firefighters

16October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

A PIECE OF THE PIE 2019-20 Legislative Committee By Cory Beagles OSFA Legislative Committee Chairman Hello there, OSFA Membership! Once again, a group of great individuals has been assembled to serve on this year’s Legislative Committee, and for some odd reason, I have been asked to serve as chairman of that committee for the 2019-2020 session. I have had the pleasure to serve on the committee for the last few years and contributed to a sub-committee prior to that. I have been fortunate enough to see and to play a small part as the OSFA Legislative Committee was able to get two pieces of legislation approved and signed in to law benefiting Title 19 Fire Protection Districts. It is through serving on this committee that I truly recognized the enormous benefit the OSFA is to the Oklahoma Fire Service. This year, I believe our resolve to continue pushing for a COLA for our retirees is paramount. We worked hard last year and were able to make some progress. This year, we will continue pursuing avenues in order to find the support in our legislature to help our members. Please encourage your department members to attend these open house events to learn the reasons we are seeking the COLA. We also ask that when you receive a “call to action” via the app, email, or mail to contact your legislature members, that you do so in order to make the largest impact possible. As always, the committee will continue working on the issues brought forward as resolutions from the board, convention, other committees and sub-committees, and the volunteer caucus. We will continue monitoring the proposed bills that will have an impact on the fire service in any capacity, from directly to indirectly. The end goal of this committee is to serve all our membership from retiree, to current, and even future member. However, in the end, we will need each and every one of you to play an active role with your local representatives and senators in order to achieve these goals. So be watching for those “calls to action,” and be proactive with us, so we can accomplish great things. Cory Beagles, Deer Creek (Chair) Matt Lay, Tulsa (Vice Chair) Justin Beard, Oklahoma City Brady Bond, Garber Brandon Boughen, Meridian Herb Bradshaw, Ret. Warr Acres T. Dick Cagle, Ret. Tulsa Mike Caniglia, McAlester David Carter, Oklahoma City Dereck Cassady, Ponca City Dana Cramer, Ret. Norman Mike Duncan, Ret. Dewey George Fina, Ret. Oklahoma City Brian Foughty, Ret. Moore Eric Harlow, Guthrie Travis Harris, Kildare

Matthew Hart, Norman James Heap, Frederick Greg Herbster, Moore Scott Kirby, Mill Creek Travis Miller, Tahlequah Jim Nance, Tulsa Chalk Norton, Ret. Shawnee Tippy Pierce, Ret. Moore Randy Rose, Ret. Oklahoma City John Soos, Ret. Oklahoma City Nick Terhune, Norman David Thompson, Slaughterville Terrell Thompson, El Reno Matt Webb, Stillwater Cameron Weems, Oklahoma City

2019-20 Membership Committee

MISSIO

By David Thompson OSFA Membership Committee Chairman The membership committee has been busy this past year. I am happy to announce that there have been several tribal entities become members of the OSFA since the changes to the by-laws allowing federal government fire departments and Indian Nations to join. Since the creation of the Membership Committee, we have continued to work towards expanding the membership base not only with the inclusion of the federal and tribal organizations that requested to be a part of the OSFA, but also to reach out to the numerous fire departments in the state that are not members. While working towards increasing the membership, it is also our goal to increase the benefits for all our current and future members, as well. With the diversity, knowledge and experience that the committee members bring, we plan to reach out and inform the non-member departments as to the value of being a part of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association. The committee welcomes suggestions from the membership as we move forward to accomplish this goal and make a great organization even stronger and better.

To review possibl members benefits

David Thom (Chair) Kenny Baron (Vice Chair Jeff Choate, G Stephen Duk Brian Fought Justin Hackw Eric Harlow, Travis Harris Jerimy Meek David Milby, JoeVan Russe Noe Santillan Randal Sulliv Bobby Tallch Scott VanHor Jimmy White Kevin Woffor

2019

and tr impor An is by p activi ment. Yo

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201917

At the last few Executive Board Meetings for the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, members for OSFA Committees were selected. A total of 227 members are on the 11 OSFA Committees. Following is a list of Committee Members and Mission Statements. And all of the OSFA Committee Chairs have submitted an explanation as to what their committees’ responsibilities are to the membership and how the committees plan to accomplish their goals.

2019-20 Volunteer Fire Service Committee By Travis Fortune OSFA Volunteer Fire Service Committee Chairman

ON STATEMENT

w and recommend le changes in the ship structure and s of membership in OSFA

mpson, Slaughterville

ne, McAlester r) Geary ke, Perry ty, Moore worth, Tahlequah Guthrie s, Kildare k, Midwest City y, Iowa Tribe ell, Frederick n, Guymon van, Eufaula hief, Bartlesville rn, Oklahoma City e, Yukon rd, Vinita

I’m Travis Fortune, Fire Chief of the Fairview Fire Department, and it’s an honor to be selected by the OSFA Executive Board to serve as chairman of the Volunteer Fire Service Committee. I would like to thank the OSFA Executive Board for the opportunity to serve in this position for such an important committee! The purpose of the OSFA Volunteer Fire Service committee is to be a voice within the Oklahoma Fire Service and to gather the needs and requirements of the volunteer firefighters within the State of Oklahoma. The committee consists of several volunteer firefighters throughout different regions of the state, and is responsible for planning the annual OSFA Volunteer Firefighter Caucus. We obtain individual and group sponsors, identify the speakers and plan the agenda for the Volunteer Caucus. It is a great event specifically designed for the volunteer firefighters to come and be a voice and share ideas and concerns. The caucus is also a great opportunity to bring

MISSION STATEMENT To solicit and bring forth the interests, needs, desires, and requirements for the benefit of the volunteer firefighters in the State of Oklahoma Travis Fortune, Fairview (Chair) Randal Sullivan, Eufaula (Vice Chair) Joe Bennett, Sooner Melanie Colvin, Lexington Cliff Davidson, Ringwood Mike Duncan, Ret. Dewey Craig Hannan, Perkins Travis Harris, Kildare Lee Johnson, Liberty James Kesterson, Ret. Turley Scott Kirby, Mill Creek Tom Marcum, Mooreland Greg Moore, Onapa Charlie Starbuck, Slapout David Thompson, Slaughterville Dave Webster, Deer Creek Michael Weinkauf, Orlando Elizabeth Wheeler, Dickson

9-20 Museum Expansion Committee By Mike Bower OSFA Museum Expansion Committee Chairman

I am pleased to report that funding efforts for the museum expansion are well underway and approximately $2.5 million has been raised to date. The Museum Expansion Committee needs your help and is asking firefighters to provide contact information for potential donors, including businesses, organizations ribal communities that have a desire to be partners in this rtant project. nother way you can be involved in the fundraising efforts purchasing OSFA car tags or sponsoring a fundraising ity in your community, such as a poker run or golf tourna. ou can also make a donation in the name of a family mem-

ber or group – every contribution helps. The total cost of the project is $9.5 million, which includes construction cost, equipment, furnishings and endowment to maintain the structure and upgrade equipment. There will be an opportunity for naming rights for many of the rooms and exhibits located in the new structure. For additional information, contact OSFA Director Steve Lumry. The Museum Expansion Committee is working closely with the Financial Advisory Committee, Memorial Committee, OSFA Executive Board and OSFA Staff to insure the 25,000 square foot expansion, the 6,100 square foot workshop/storage building and the expanded parking lot will all come together to be known as The Oklahoma Firefighters Museum and Family Education Center. The Museum Expansion Committee looks forward to working with firefighters throughout the state to make the dream of the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum and Family Education Center a reality.

up any future wants and needs, and any pension requirements or legislative changes that we would like to be discussed or pursued. The committee and I look forward to working diligently throughout the rest of the year in planning a successful volunteer caucus and being the voice for the volunteer firefighters across the state. I want to urge every firefighter, paid or volunteer, to get involved with the OSFA and become a member! A great way to get involved, is to sign up and serve on the various committees throughout the OSFA that you are passionate about. The OSFA is a huge voice and resource that is fighting every day to improve the Oklahoma Fire Service and the more members representing this great organization creates a larger voice! Thank you and God Bless!

Mike Bower, Ret. Midwest City Robert Doke, Ret. Chickasha Chris Bain, Ret. Nichols Hills Jesse Bain, Broken Arrow Mike Billingsley, Ret. Nichols Hills Gene Brown, Ret. The Village David Buckles, Ret. Moore Mike Caniglia, McAlester Dereck Cassady, Ponca City Mike Duncan, Ret. Dewey Eric Harlow, Guthrie Kenneth Helms, Enid Matt Lay, Tulsa Clifford Lewis, Ret. Oklahoma City Gary Marrs, Ret. Oklahoma City Jim Minx, Ret. Oklahoma City Tom Smith, Ret. Oklahoma City Nick Terhune, Norman David Thompson, Slaughterville Scott VanHorn, Oklahoma City Richard Walts, Ret. Fort Sill Allen Clark, Clark Construction Clay Moss, Hall Capital

18October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

2019-20 Educational Advisory Committee By Trent Bryan OSFA Educational Advisory Committee Chairman The Educational Advisory Committee was formed to “research, develop, and implement educational programs for the firefighters of Oklahoma.” One of the primary ways this task is accomplished is through the annual John F. Futhey II OSFA State Fire School. The planning phase of next year’s State Fire School set for May 7-9, 2020, is in full swing. The committee has an excellent balance of new members injecting energy and past members contributing ideas and improvements. It has become obvious that training and education is a passion for the committee members. The members have already begun inquiring about training needs around the state. They are also recruiting some of the best instructors in the fire service to teach at next year’s State Fire School. If you have a training need in your area or department, contact a committee member and let them know. If you know an excellent instructor, encourage them to submit a class to the committee. After five years of being involved with the State Fire School, I continue to be impressed. I still find it hard to believe that we can put on a training event as big as State Fire School and make it free to students. As an OSFA member, attending just one class more than pays for your yearly membership! The State Fire School has been, and will be, a unique opportunity to bring classes that firefighters in the state would otherwise not have access to. Instructors from Oklahoma and from out of state always bring unique perspectives that enhance the Oklahoma fire service. As if this wasn’t enough, the committee always plans evening events that do not disappoint. Planning and executing State Fire School takes tremendous cooperation and coordination. For that reason, we want to thank the OSFA Executive Board, OSFA staff, OFCA, OSUFST, TCC, Tulsa Fire Department, Red Cross, OEM, Career Tech, FOOLS, and many others. We also want to thank all of our vendors and sponsors. MISSION STATEMENT To provide safe, excellent, and pertinent fire and emergency service training to firefighters throughout the State of Oklahoma and to remain diligent in identifying training needs for the Oklahoma Fire Service. Trent Bryan, El Reno (Chair) BreAnn Horn, Marshall (Vice Chair) Christopher Barton, PennWell Justin Beard, Oklahoma City Donnie Bennett, Oklahoma City Dereck Cassady, Ponca City Corey Conrady, Drummond Cliff Davidson, Ringwood Jamie DuBose, Deer Creek

Mike Duncan, Ret. Dewey Rodney Foster, Shawnee David Friend, Broken Arrow Ray Hammons, Tahlequah Craig Hannan, IFSTA/FPP Greta Hurt, Tulsa Julie Lynn, Tulsa David Macy, Oklahoma City Riki Manley, OSU-FST Bert Norton, Midwest City Cary Provence, Yukon Caroline Reed, OSU-FST Sam Schafnitt, State Fire Marshal Brian Stanaland, EOC Randal Sullivan, Eufaula Terrell Thompson, El Reno Rick Umstead, Red Cross Kendall Williams, Tulsa

2019-20 EMS Committee By Eric Harlow OSFA EMS Committee Chair The OSFA EMS Committee is entering its third year as an official OSFA Committee, and much work has been done in that time. Our committee is comprised of both volunteer and career firefighters, as well as transport and non-transport agency representatives. We also have a few non-OSFA committee members representing special areas of the EMS-industry, including Dale Adkerson, the director of the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s (OSDH) Emergency Systems Division that oversees EMS in Oklahoma. We are constantly working to enhance the relationships between all fire departments and the OSDH. We all recognize that there have been strains in that relationship and we feel that we’ve made some strides in that regard over the past few years. The inspection process is constantly reviewed and discussed, with any issues passed on to OSDH to be addressed. We have also deeply reviewed proposed new rules before they’re put into effect in order to provide constructive input. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority has received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for their proposed Medicaid plan amendments. These amendments will enact a Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) supplemental reimbursement program for government-operated EMS transport agencies. This program is in the process of being fully implemented here in Oklahoma and if you’re a transport agency, you may have already been contacted by Professional Consulting Group about the services they provide to assist with this program. PCG is offering a discount on their services to all OSFA members and they’re very knowledgeable in the program, as they’ve assisted numerous agencies in other states with this process. They were instrumental in assisting both OSFA and the Oklahoma Ambulance Association with our work in getting this GEMT program implemented in Oklahoma. This is a huge success for Oklahoma, as it will offer much needed revenue to our EMS agencies. With EMS call volume constantly growing for all agencies, this committee is crucial to working on issues affecting the medical side of our business. If you, or anyone on your department, has issues related to EMS, please reach out to one of our committee members and we will work to address them as best as possible.

Eric Harlow, Guthrie (Chair) Mike Baker, Tulsa Jill Boeckman, Broken Arrow Russell Brand, Perry Chad Campbell, Woodward Dereck Cassady, Ponca City Brian Davis, Edmond Jamie DuBose, Deer Creek Mike Duncan, Ret. Dewey Mike Harkey, Caney Kreg Hunt, Canadian

Scott Kirby, Mill Creek Pebbles Luddington, Freedom David Macy, Oklahoma City Phil Ott, Waukomis Anthony Stewart, Kingfisher Grant Wadley, Guymon Brian Zalewski, Chickasha Dale Adkerson, Oklahoma Dept. of Health Greg Reid, OKAMA Jim Winham, EMSA

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201919

2019-20 Memorial Committee By Scott VanHorn Memorial Committee Chairman This is the busy time of year for the Memorial Committee. The golf tournament was held Sept. 18, and again it was a success, raising close to $30,000. Thank you to all of our board members and the OSFA staff for again making this a great event! Next up, we have our Memorial Service on Oct. 6. If you have not been to one, I would suggest you attend, as we honor all of the firefighters who have died in the past year. It is a special event where we get to say “thank you” to the families for sharing their loved ones with us. Firefighters are family, and their family is ours, as well. Fundraising for the Memorial and Museum expansion is underway. Change is happening, and it will be fun to watch the progress. If you don’t have a Firefighter Specialized Tag, please get one and support OUR Firefighters Museum and Memorial.

2019-20 Safety & Health Committee By Donnie Bennett Safety & Health Committee Chair

The Safety and Health Committee is responsible for providing resources and suggestions to the OSFA on how to improve conditions for the Oklahoma firefighter. The Safety and Health Committee is currently under construction, but we plan on accomplishing our goals by being proactive, productive, and intentional. As we embrace our variety, and use individual skill sets to continuously move and improve as a team; we will strive to improve the safety, health, and wellness of the OSFA Membership. By observing and researching various trends throughout the fire service, the volunteers of this committee will positively affect and enhance our quality of existence in the Oklahoma Fire Service. A couple of the recurring duties of this committee is to carefully select specific topics, and write the “Page to Ponder” and “Live Long MISSION STATEMENT The Safety and Health Committee acts as a clearinghouse of information about firefighter safety and health and provides resources and suggestions to the OSFA on how to improve conditions for Oklahoma firefighters

and Prosper” columns in the Oklahoma Firefighter newspaper, the official publication of the OSFA. The membership can get a glimpse of what the committee is working on by reading these articles. The Safety & Health Committee also consists of several subcommittees to ensure effectiveness of the group. A few of these subcommittees include: • Health & Wellness • Exposure Control • Cancer Prevention • Firefighter PPE/Equipment Meetings are held every other month, where the chairperson of each subcommittee provides a report on what they’ve worked on since the last meeting. The committee typically follows an agenda throughout the meeting, and the OSFA Staff is always present to assist us. Occasionally we will have members of the Executive Board attend our meetings to observe and assist, as well. In closing; if at any point, you or any other member has questions or concerns regarding Safety & Health, please reach out to anyone on the committee, and we will put it on the agenda/discuss it at our next meeting.

Donnie Bennett, OKC (Chair) Justin Hackworth, Tahlequah (Vice Chair) Kenny Barone, McAlester Rick Chisum, Okmulgee Yogi Cole, Ret. Tulsa/Keys Melanie Colvin, Lexington Steve Day, Ret. Woodward Mike Duncan, Ret. Dewey Leslie Feerer, Fargo Clint Greenwood, OKC

Larry Hansen, Oklahoma City Sam Kohler, Guthrie Tom Low, Stillwater Ron Middleswart, Br. Arrow Dan Newbury, Tulsa Jim Ed Nimmo, Tulsa Anthony Stewart, Kingfisher Terrell Thompson, El Reno Bryan West, OSU-FST

MISSION STATEMENT To protect, preserve, and improve the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial and the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum infrastructure Scott VanHorn, Oklahoma City (Chair) Yogi Cole, Ret. Tulsa/Keys (Vice Chair) Jesse Bain, Broken Arrow Eric Biedermann, Oklahoma City Larry Bogges, Ret. Lawton Mike Bower, Ret. MWC Herb Bradshaw, Ret. Warr Acres Chigger Burch, Ret. Lawton T. Dick Cagle, Ret. Tulsa John Craig, Oklahoma City Sammye Cravens, Civilian Robert Doke, Ret. Chickasha Jordan Hughes, El Reno Clifford Lewis, Ret. Oklahoma City Bert Norton, Midwest City Phil Ostrander, Ret. Tulsa Richard Walts, Ret. Ft Sill

Help support your Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Expansion and the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial by purchasing 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 $35 a year (on top of regular tag fees) and $20 goes directly to the Museum/Memorial. 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.

20October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

2019-20 Public Education Committee MISSION STATEMENT

To provide quality interactive educational programs and fire prevention material for all ages, emphasizing community safety and fire prevention across the State of Oklahoma. The committee strives to provide diversified programs and educational material consistent with our local community’s needs, fire department’s needs, and children’s needs across the State of Oklahoma. Antonio Carbajal, OKC (Chair) Joel Bain, Midwest City (Vice Chair) Cody Banks, Tulsa Gene Brown, OSFM Dereck Cassady, Ponca City Rick Chisum, Okmulgee Jamie DuBose, Deer Creek Melissa Hobbs, Woodward Amy Howard, Post Mountain Tim Lee, Ardmore Anthony Margarit, Tahlequah Louis Marschik, Oklahoma City Bryan Miller, Alva Stephen Mixon, Tulsa Bob Noll, OSFM Billy Sizemore, Elk City Jacob Stangl, Edmond Joey Wiedel, Bixby Bob Sullivan, NFPA Kelly Ransdell, NFPA

By Antonio Carbajal OSFA Public Education Committee Chair Hello everyone! I bring you greetings from the Public Education Committee. We have been very busy over the last year, and we hope that you all will be pleased with our efforts. The Public Education Committee members are still feverishly striving to gather educational programs to disseminate to the Fire Departments across Oklahoma. During the State Fire School in May 2019, the PubEd Committee assisted NFPA reps Kelly Ransdall and Bob Sullivan with the first PubEd Summit, and we are also making strides towards conducting our second summit in March 2020. Kim Grey of the Bethany Children’s Hospital has offered their facility as a venue to hold the summit. National Fire Administrator Keith Bryant and President of Safe Kids Worldwide Torine Creppy have both agreed to be presenters at the upcoming summit. So mark your calendars and plan to attend. See you there!

2019-20 Benevolent Committee By Phil Ostrander Benevolent Committee Chair Benevolent can be defined as “an inclination or tendency to help or do good for others.” This seems a natural progression for members of the fire service. Several FDs have structures in place to aid members and families in times of need, but many don’t. The OSFA has provided services as needed and when we are made aware of situations. We all think of need when there is an LODD, Phil Ostrander ,Ret. Tulsa (Chair) and the OSFA is usually Justin Beard, OKC made aware of these Donnie Bennett, OKC cases and is available to Chigger Burch, Lawton help with the State and T. Dick Cagle, Tulsa Federal Benefits. Tim Casey, Perry Benevolence can also Yogi Cole, Ret. Tulsa/Keys Melanie Colvin, Lexington go much farther. We Rob Crews, Elk City could look at the possiMike Duncan, Dewey bility of putting together Les Foughty, Ret. OKC teams of off duty or Clifford Lewis, Ret. OKC retirees to help build Tom Marcum, Mooreland or repair ramps at the Philip Mead, Atoka homes of retirees when Tim Moxley, Perry needed. Michael Pettey, Fort Supply These are just a few Juan Rodriguez, Ret. Lawton Joshua Smith, Wynnewood of the items that this Richard Walts, Ret. Ft. Sill committee may decide Andy Willrath, Mustang to look at.

2019-20 Financial Advisory Committee By Mike Kelley OSFA Financial Advisory Committee Chairman The Financial Advisory Committee continues to concentrate on three main issues. First, collect and analyze information that supports the need for a COLA for our retirees. Second, make recommendations concerning fundraising efforts for our Museum Expansion. And finally, review our dues and dues structure. The first priority has been providing the OSFA Staff and Lobbyists with information that demonstrates how far our retirees are behind the CPI (Consumer Price Index). While social security benefits increase each year based on CPI our retirees have gone over a decade without a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment). We understand these facts because our members

MISSION STATEMENT To ensure the financial integrity of the Association and develop strategies to continue the financial strength of the Association while maintaining the minimal burden upon the Association’s members

Mike Kelley, OKC (Chair) Mike Bower, Ret. MWC Larry Bogges, Ret. Lawton Herb Bradshaw, Ret. Warr Acres T. Dick Cagle, Ret. Tulsa James Crawford, Fort Supply Steve Douglas, Ret. Choctaw Clifford Lewis, Ret. OKC Jim Minx, Ret. OKC Tippy Pierce, Ret. Moore Kellie Sawyers, Ret. OKC Mike Smith, Ret. Laverne Nick Terhune, Norman Mark Zeckser, Ret. MWC

have been living it, however it imperative that we develop a concise message to communicate to legislators. Thanks, in particular to T. Dick Cagle for his invaluable work in this area! The Museum Expansion fundraising is an ongoing effort. The OSFA hired a professional fundraiser to assist in getting the word out to foundations and high net worth individuals that may not have been aware of this effort. This expansion will better showcase our collection and allow us to educate the young people of our state. While we already have a museum that we can all be proud of, this expansion will allow additional space and new technology to reach more people in our communities. Finally, our committee is tasked with examining our dues and dues structure. The committee and your Board are committed to providing you the most value for your membership dollars. Our preference is obviously to expand our offerings and membership base. Thanks to all the members that serve on the Financial Advisory Committee!

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201921

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22October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

www.osufst.org

1723 West Tyler, Stillwater, OK 74078 • (800) 304-5727 • (405) 744-5727 • Fax: (405) 744-7377

October 2019 CLASS SCHEDULE Current as of September 20, 2019

Courses are subject to change • Call or check online for changes in courses

All courses are FREE unless otherwise noted

EMS Instructor Workshop / Bridge (75217) Oct. 1 (8 hours) • $650 - All Participants Moore Training Center Emergency Response Symposium (75517) Oct. 1 (8 hours) Payne County Expo Center Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part B (71320) Oct. 2 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part B (71321) Oct. 3 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department NFA - Building Organizational Support for Community Risk Reduction (74268) Oct. 3-4 (16 hours) Mustang Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part A (75176) Oct. 7-8 (16 hours) Duncan Fire Department

AHIMT - Facilities Unit Leader L-971 (75010) Oct. 14-18 (30 hours) Tulsa Police Academy

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71293) Oct. 24 (8 hours) Midwest City Fire Department

Curriculum Development (Instructor II) (75317) Oct. 7-10 (32 hours) • $2000 - Okla Emergency Responders • $4000 - Out-of-state Responders Broken Arrow Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part A (75192) Oct. 14-15 (16 hours) Mustang Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71294) Oct. 25 (8 hours) Midwest City Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part B (71325) Oct. 15 (8 hours) Altus Fire Department

Fire Fighter I Certification (74984) Oct. 26 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part B (71373) Oct. 8 (8 hours) Chickasha Fire Department Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (72972) Oct. 8 (8 hours) The Village Fire Department Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies (75480) Oct. 8 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast

Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part B (71322) Oct. 4 (8 hours) Edmond Fire Department

Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (72974) Oct. 9 (8 hours) The Village Fire Department

Pump Operations (74237) Oct. 5 (8 hours) Bristow Fire Department

Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part B (75177) Oct. 9-10 (16 hours) Duncan Fire Department

Vehicle Rescue Technician Level I Part A (74956) Oct. 5-6 (16 hours) Blaine County Fairgrounds - Watonga Flammable Gas Emergencies (LPG) (75497) Oct. 5 (12 hours) Northwest Tech Center - Fairview Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training (75615) Oct. 5 (8 hours) Elmore City Fire Department Oklahoma Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training TtT (75616) Oct. 5 (8 hours) Elmore City Fire Department Fire Fighter II Vehicle Extrication Evaluation (74957) Oct. 6 (4 hours) Blaine County Fairgrounds - Watonga

Pipeline Awareness for Emergency Responders (74726) Oct. 9 (4 hours) Woodward County Fairgrounds Industrial EMS: 16 Hr. AHA CPR/AED First Aid (Industrial Medic) (72811) Oct. 10-11 (16 hours) Baker - Hughes, Barnsdall Hazardous Materials Operations for WMD Refresher (72975) Oct. 10 (8 hours) The Village Fire Department Pump Operations (75561) Oct. 12 (8 hours) Pawnee Fire Department Industrial EMS: 66 Hr. Emergency Medical Responder Training (72812) Oct. 14-24 (66 hours) OSU-FST Classroom - Stillwater

Hazardous Materials Operations Certification (75485) Oct. 15 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Rope Rescue Technician Level I Part B (75193) Oct. 16-17 (16 hours) Mustang Fire Department Rope Rescue: Low Angle Operations (75017) Oct. 18-19 (12 hours) Okarche Fire Department Wildland Fire Fighting: Skills (74993) Oct. 19-20 (16 hours) Comanche Fire Department Confined Space Rescue Technician Level I & II (75452) Oct. 19-20 (16 hours) Weatherford Fire Department Water Shuttle (75569) Oct. 19-20 (16 hours) Eufaula Fire Department Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part A (75178) Oct. 21-22 (16 hours) Duncan Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher - Part A (71292) Oct. 23 (8 hours) Midwest City Fire Department Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part B (75179) Oct. 23-24 (16 hours) Duncan Fire Department

Fire Fighter I Live Burn (74985) Oct. 27 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Fire Fighter I Live Burn Evaluation (74986) Oct. 27 (8 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Industrial Fire: 40 Hour NFPA 1081 Advanced Exterior Facility Fire Brigade Member (73987) Oct. 28-Nov. 1 (40 hours) • $11000 - All Participants OSU/FST/FESTC NFA - Best Practices in Community Risk Reduction (74267) Oct. 28-29 (16 hours) Tulsa Community College Northeast Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part A (75194) Oct. 28-29 (16 hours) Oklahoma City Fire Training Center Emergency Services Instructor (Instructor I) (75603) Oct. 28-31 (32 hours) • $3000 - All Participants Purcell Volunteer Fire Department OEM-FEMA G.191: ICS-EOC Interface (74710) Oct. 30 (8 hours) Fechner Event Center Rope Rescue Technician Level II Part B (75195) Oct. 30-31 (16 hours) Oklahoma City Fire Training Center

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201923

fire service training

Dr. Erick Reynolds OSU FST Director erick.reynolds@osufst.org • 405-744-5727 (W) • 405-409-0961 (C) Hello Oklahoma Firefighters! At this writing, there is just a touch of Fall in the air! Feels good! I am tired of the hot

weather! This is my final article, I think, for OSFA’s monthly Oklahoma Firefighter newspaper. As most of you know, I will be retiring as of Nov. 1. It has been my honor and privilege to serve the firefighters of Oklahoma for the past many, many years in a variety of roles! Thanks for putting up with me! So, what makes firefighting in Oklahoma bring about such a sense of pride? Many things, and here is just a small sampling! To begin with, paid or volunteer, you cannot be successful in this line of work unless you have a servant’s heart and are willing to put others before yourself. Success in this line of work is wrapped in sacrifice dressed in many different types of clothing. THANK YOU for being willing to make these sacrifices! You obviously think that sleep is overrated and you become quite accustomed to operating on much less than what is considered to be the acceptable standard for most human beings living in the developed countries of the world! Like I always say, the phone is on 24-7. Call me, and I am probably awake!

You expect the person, guy or gal, to have your back and you, in turn, have theirs in any, and all, situations, on duty, off duty, Mondays, Thursdays, whenever! There is no one in the world that understands what makes firefighters tick other than ... other firefighters! You have an inherent instinct to run towards danger when all others around you, mostly people of decent common sense, are running away! It is this that differentiates firefighters and other emergency responders from the rest of the world. Thank you! Thank you for the willingness to take a stand and defend a position and do whatever it takes to make a situation better! You understand that you must train, learn, educate formally and informally to the point at which not only can you do a given task right, but that you must also continue to learn and train until you cannot get it wrong! Peoples’ lives, including yours, depend upon it! I was standing on the “Hill” at EOC Tech one morning working with my brother Brian Arnold when the thought occurred to me that “this is what I am supposed to do every day.” I think that thought was, hopefully, correct.

I will miss all of you and look forward to seeing you on down the road! The phone is always on if I can be of service. Please call anytime 24/7! Remember to tell the people you love that you love them! You might not get another chance! Love you all!

JOB OPENING: Director of Fire Service Training Fire Service Training (FST) is the Oklahoma fire training authority. The Director of FST provides the leadership to assure the fulfillment of all responsibilities for the curriculum development, training of fire and emergency responders and certification of related knowledge and skill levels for the state. Salary Range: $72,000-106,800

FTE: 1

Benefits: Full Benefits

Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Business Admin., Public Admin., Educational Admin.,Fire Protection & Safety Tech. or related • Five years of experience in administration of emergency service or adult/vocational training and education organizations to include planning, budgeting, program evaluation, and building consensus with stakeholder groups. • Have before hire and maintain after hire a valid driver’s license. A valid driver’s license must be maintained for the operation of an OSU vehicle, which is required in the performance of job duties as assigned. • Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, public speaking and organizational skills. Knowledge of the fire or emergency services. A high degree of initiative, selfdirection, decision making and organizational skills. A demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive relations with employees, supervisors and customers. Knowledge of state fire and emergency services training agencies. • Preferred Qualification: MBA or MS in a technical discipline Applications will be accepted until the positions have been filled or the search has been terminated Interested and qualified candidates should apply online at https://jobs.okstate.edu. Please include: • Cover Letter • Resume • 3 professional references For assistance with the on-line application process or to request an accommodation to enable application, contact OSU Human Resources, 106 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078 or call 405744-2909. For more information, visit eeo.okstate.edu. Oklahoma State University is an equal opportunity employer

24October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

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Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201925

What Do You Say to Someone Struggling from Emotional Trauma? By Chief Jared Meeker Reprinted from the NVFC Firefighter Strong newsletter

You might already know that mental health conditions occur at higher rates for first responders compared to the general public. We are routinely exposed to physical and emotional trauma, sometimes on a daily basis. Most people in this world do not see what we first responders see, and they cannot relate to what we feel after a tragic call — the change of mood, the feeling of depression, the attempts to file away those images from that traumatic event in hopes they never return. It is not surprising, then, that for many firefighters a traumatic incident or the accumulation of witnessing trauma over time can have a significant impact on their mental wellbeing. You may notice that a fellow first responder is struggling from one of those calls, or a series of stressful bad calls that just won’t leave their minds. You might have overheard them discuss their sleepless nights, their nightmares, and their increased anxiety. Or it might be the opposite; they may be isolating themselves or shutting down in response to the grief or sadness. You want to help them, but you don’t know what to say. What if they get defensive when you approach them? What if they deny there is a problem? What if the depression has taken over and the person is having suicidal thoughts? What if they refuse your help? It may seem intimidating to approach someone who is struggling, but we are firefighters and we don’t turn our backs on someone in need, especially one of our own. Reaching out may be the key to getting that responder the help they need. First, it is important to be able to recognize the signs that someone may need help. Many in the fire service try to hide or downplay what they are experiencing, perhaps out of fear of how others might perceive them, or because the department’s culture doesn’t foster open communication, or maybe because of lingering misconceptions about mental health. Some of the more common signs that someone is struggling include: • Avoiding people, places, or activities that could remind them of the traumatic event(s) • Trouble sleeping or nightmares • Trouble concentrating as their minds wander easily • Overwhelming guilt or shame • Recurring distressing memories of an event or series of events • Irritability with angry outbursts • Drinking or using prescription medications too much Unfortunately, I know all too well what it is like to walk in their shoes. I recently recovered from one of those situations that overfilled my stress bucket and placed me into a state of depression. I wrote about my experience in the last issue of the National Volunteer Fire Council’s Firefighter Strong newsletter. In that article, I explained how each of us has a bucket in our minds that gets filled with stressful moments over time. For some, their stress buckets can keep filling up and never spill. But for others, we reach a point where it just becomes too much, and the stress bucket starts to overflow. What is it that will finally overflow that stress bucket? Will it be a traumatic stress incident, such as a senseless motor vehicle accident caused by a driver under the influence? Or will it happen unexpectedly, maybe while watching a movie, when a part of the film takes your mind back to one of those traumatic events in your past? After my incident, many people would not approach me because they didn’t know what to say or felt they couldn’t help. At the same time, I didn’t reach out to anyone as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to hear. After many months of struggling with the depression and PTSD on my own, an acquaintance I ran into broke through the barrier I had built up. He asked me how I was doing and told me about resources that could help me. Although it still took me some time to follow through on

getting the help I needed, that conversation was the first step and opened up the path to recovery. So, what should you say or do when you know someone is struggling? Here are some tips to help you: • First and foremost, be compassionate. We use compassion on every call. Talking to someone who is struggling with emotional trauma doesn’t require any special training. Let the person know you are there for them and that they are important to you. • Notice what you are observing that creates concern and have a conversation with them. Explain to them the signs and symptoms that you have noticed and that you want to help. • Periodically check-in with the individual. Volunteer firefighters can hide by just staying home and struggling in silence. • Avoid asking questions that prompt limited or vague answers. For instance, when I ask my firefighters “How are you doing,” 99.9% of the time the response will be “I’m okay chief.” Instead, phrase the question in a way that will encourage a more detailed and open response, such as: “That child drowning call will stress me for a while as she was the similar age as my niece. How is this going to affect you?” • Listen actively. When you get someone talking about the stress they are feeling, do not interrupt them. Just keep listening and let them open up. • Do not try to compare one of your prior traumatic events in an attempt to lessen their traumatic event. • All conversations must be in confidence. The only way an individual in crisis is going to open up is trusting that you will keep what they say in confidence. The exception is if they express that they are planning to commit suicide, at which point follow department protocol to get them through the crisis point. • Only offer help to your ability, then suggest options for additional help, such as a local peer support team, a seasoned veteran, or behavioral health specialist. A simple “I want to help” or “I will listen when you are ready” can go a long way, but sometimes you will need to give the person time to heal by themselves and then be there for them when they are ready to talk or show emotion. There is only so much you can do if the person is not ready or willing to open up or accept help. I also want to say a few words to those who are struggling. Don’t be afraid of professional help. Many responders won’t seek the help of a professional because of the stigma that it shows weakness. That is so far from the truth. There are some things that we can’t fix by ourselves, and the way your mind works is one of them. It is important as first responders that we recognize when we truly need help. The treatment can only start with you standing up to say that you need help and that you want your life back. It is always important that we prioritize taking care of ourselves, and also that we are there for our brothers and sisters to ensure their mental wellness and emotional health. Stand up for yourself… life is too short.

Posters Highlight 11 Best Practices for Cancer Risk Reduction

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) released the Lavender Ribbon Report last year to detail 11 actions firefighters need to take to reduce their risks of occupational cancer. As part of this continued initiative, the NVFC and VCOS have developed 11 posters to highlight each of the best practices and remind firefighters to protect themselves and their crew. Studies have shown that firefighters have increased rates of multiple types of cancer when compared with the general population. Reducing exposure to toxins and carcinogens encountered is critical in protecting firefighter health. The best practices presented in the Lavender Ribbon Report should be adopted in all fire departments and adhered to by all firefighters in order to decrease the risks responders face. The new posters can be hung up at the station to remind firefighters of the actions they need to take to protect themselves and their crew. Download the Lavender Ribbon Report and the 11 best practice posters at www.nvfc.org/lrr or Download the 11 cancer VCOS.org/BeatFFCancer. Find additional resources for occupational risk reduction at www.nvfc. tocancer share and post in your dep org/cancer and www.vcos.org/BeatFFCancer.

Lavender Ribb

Lavender Ribb POSTERS AV Lavender Ribbon Report Lavender Ribb POSTERS AV Lavender Ribbon Report POSTERS AVAILABLE POSTERS AV Lavender Ribbon Report POSTERS AVAILABLE POSTERS AVAILABLE

Download the 11 cancer to share and post in your dep Download the 11 cancer risk reduction practices to share and post in your department: www.nvfc.org/LRR Download the 11 cancer to share and post in your dep Download the 11 cancer risk reduction practices to share and post in your department: www.nvfc.org/LRR

Download the 11 cancer risk reduction practices to share and post in your department: www.nvfc.org/LRR

Note: The National Volunteer Fire Council and American Addiction Centers partner to provide the Fire/EMS Helpline at 1-888-731-FIRE (3473). Calls are anonymous and confidential, and the trained counselors who answer the calls can get you the help you need. Jared Meeker is a 30+ year fire service veteran currently serving as a fire chief for the Lake Shore Fire Department, a combination fire department in upstate New York. His passion for the fire service includes teaching incident command skills to aspiring fire officers and career survival skills to all first responders. Jared has written two prior NVFC articles, When the Stress Bucket Overflows: A Firefighter’s Story of Pain and Healing and Fireflies and the Fire Service, available at www.nvfc.org. He currently offers a training program on firefighter behavioral health; learn more at https://seeingincoloragain.wordpress. com/sizing-up-your-behavioral-health/

26October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

okC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

On Sept. 7, 2019, 342 firefighters came to Oklahoma City and climbed 110 floors to honor the FDNY 343 and to commit to the promise of “Never Forget”. They climbed in full gear, and each was wearing a badge with the name and photo of one of the fallen

Chris Allbritton, Yukon Collin Allbritton, Anadarko Cody Allen, Tulsa Wade Ambrose, Broken Arrow Lucas Andrews, Drumright John Argo, Durant Dustin Armstrong, Poteau Terry Armstrong, Tuttle Philip Asher, Fort Sill David Averill, Fairview William Barnhart, Poteau Jake Barrett, Owasso Kevin Bass, Phillips 66 Christopher Bates, Anadarko Tyler Battershell, Pawnee Kyle Begley, Edmond Mark Beitz, Cushing Jay Bergner, Durant Carl Billey, Sayre Donald Black, Bridge Creek Joe Black, Enid Mike Black, Tulsa Austin Blake, Bethany James Blevins, Cushing Katie Blevins, Lone Wolf Michael Blevins, Owasso Tom Boecker, Cordell Blake Bogdan, Hydro Brett Bogdan, Hydro Tanner Bond, Purcell Johnny Boschman, Hydro Brian Bowles, Elk City Jefferson Bowman, Muskogee Vernon Boyce, Moore Kolton Brooks, Healdton Matt Brown, Norman Chris Bryant, Durant Jamil Buie, Oklahoma City Bobbi Jo Buntin, Braman Brandon Burchfield, Marlow Josh Burkhalter, Lawton Michael Burrows, Duncan Taylor Burrows, Oklahoma City Branson Byrd, Bridge Creek Blake Caldwell, Spencer Ryder Campbell, Cordell Shawn Carter, Del City Travis Carter, Cheyenne Colton Castle, Jet Kaylee Caudle, Broken Bow Jody Chase, Tinker Derek Clanton, Moore Billy Claxton, Ada Tyler Clift, Anadarko Ryan Coble, Spencer Shawn Coffey, Moore Levi Collier, Owasso John Collins, Lindsay Carson Combest, Ponca City Derek Cordray, Jones Josh Cottrell, Pauls Valley Brandon Courteau, Kingfisher Keane Cox, Jones Colton Craft, Bridge Creek John Craft, Bridge Creek Jason Crews, Elk City Walker Cross, Shawnee David Cumming Daniel Cunningham, Anadarko

firefighters. Actually, a firefighter from Coweta ended up climbing 220 floors. He was asked to wear the badge for someone who didn’t show, and he said it was only right to climb individually for each FDNY firefighter.

Tyson Cypert, Lindsay Bryce DallaRosa, Moore Barret Davis,Yukon Drake Davis, Jones Dustin Davis, Moore Keith Deakins, Owasso Nicholas Dean, Deer Creek Drew Delgado, Bridge Creek Christopher DePriest, Mooreland Aaron Dickson, Bethel Acres Jason Dillon, Edmond Matthew Dipirro, Valley View Jesse Dodson, Anadarko Teaner Downey, Bixby Ryan Drake, Iowa Tribe Turner Eaton, Del City Nash Ehrlich, Anadarko Kirk Ellington, Yukon Trevor Elliott, Broken Arrow Derrick Ellis, Elk City Daniel Eppler, Bethany Matt Estes, Broken Arrow Taylor Etchison, Muskogee William Farmer, Sayre Patrick Finn, Edmond Caleb Firestone, Tuttle Cody Fish, Duncan Marc Fitzpatrick, Poteau Rolla Forcum John Ford, Poteau Anthony Fridley, Altus AFB Stephen Frizell, Lindsay Bill Fulton, Onapa Landon Gabaldon, Phillips 66 Kaleb Gandy, Del City Nathan Garcia, Bethany Hunter Garrison, Spencer Jason Garrison, Quapaw Ken Gaskill, Deer Creek Royce Gaskill, Durant Graydon Gatlin, Lawton Ryan Gillham, Idabel Maria Gillien, Wylie Dalton Gillihan, Healdton Matthew Goodmiller, Muskogee Zain Gossvener, Healdton John Graham, Yukon Jared Grantham, Owasso Luke Gregory, Edmond Chad Griffith, Prague Tanner Hagerman, Sayre Garret Hagle, Healdton Gerold Haley, Yale Dustin Harold, Enid Kirk Hartman, Hydro James Harwell, Liberty Chris Hayes, Claremore Zach Hazelbaker, Warr Acres Jonathan Helms, DeQueen Preston Hensley, Del City Patrick Hewitt, Wylie Rusty Hilim, Pawnee John Hix, Fort Supply Garrett Hodgden, Fairview Howard Holcomb, Pond Creek Sara Holcomb, Pond Creek Kevin Holmes, Cedar Country Brad Homme, Yukon Jared Howell, Arapaho

Zach Howser, Stillwater Greg Hoyle II, Minco Austin Huckaby, Altus AFB Austin Hudson, Lawton Zachary Huffman, Duncan John Hunt, Wylie Lindsey Hunt, Ables Springs David Hurlocker, Goodyear Distin Jablinske, Pauls Valley Jace Jackson, Broken Arrow Travis Jacobi, Lawton David Jansen, Bridge Creek John Janson, Lawton Skylor Johnson, Stillwater Jeremy Jones, Berlin Kelton Kelch, Ardmore Cody Keller, Enid Kyle Kelley, Tuttle Brad Kennedy, Oklahoma City Justin Kennedy, Sheppard AFB Travis Kennedy, Sayre William Kenney, Elk City Rodney Kerbo, Phillips 66 Caleb King, Midwest City Justin King, Canadian Shores Justin King, Kingfisher Ryan King, Bixby George Knight, Onapa Chris Kondos, Yukon Cole Kroutil, Yukon Christopher Lareau, Fort Sill Jasen Lawwill, Broken Arrow Matt Lay, Oklahoma City Kaleb Lemieux, Medford Logan Lemieux, Forgan Matthew Leon, Lawton Mark Lewis, Oklahoma City Blaze Liebscher, Hydro Ty Linam, Marlow John Linley, Nicoma Park Jay Litchford, DeQueen Valen Little, Yukon Preston Loveall, Medford Justin Mann, Mid America FOOLS Justin Mann, Edmond Jordan Mannis, Del City Dakota Markes, Stillwater Jamey Martin, Drumright Shilo Martin, Broken Bow Travis Martinez, Wylie Russell Matthesen, Lawton Allen Matthews, Liberty Aaron Mayhugh, Muskogee Gage McCarthy, Stillwater Gregory McConnell, Lawton Christopher McCoy, Warr Acres Grant McDanel, Norman Chris McMillian, Oklahoma City Casey McsSarrin, Midwest City Chad Meyer, Lawton Matthew Meyer, Oklahoma City Jake Midgley, Durant Jacob Mitcheltree, Oklahoma City Matt Mockabee, Midwest City Tyler Moffat, Piedmont Kevin Mohr, Cheyenne Noel Mohrmann, Norman Jarrod Molloy, Agra Steven Monostori, Lawton

It has been 18 years since 9/11, the day terrorists invaded and attacked our country, killing thousands. And at the OKC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, the participating firefighters paid tribute to the 343 firefighters who died that day.

Tyler Moore, Warr Acres Matthew Moreno, Duncan Jonathon Morgan, Medford Josh Morgan, Bethany Stephanie Mulvey, Morrison Dustin Myers, Chickasha Kolton Nading, Lawton Benjamin Neff David Nelson II, Jones Michael Nettles, Guthrie Jake Neuenschwander, Yukon Brent Newcomb, Phillips 66 Jesse Newell, Sweetwater Jeff Odell, Norman Dayton O’Neal, Marlow Miguel Ordonez, Forgan Justin Owens, Oklahoma City Blaine Pace, Iowa Tribe Charles Pace, Canadian Ethan Pack, Owasso Tony Pack, Shawnee Kyler Paredes, Wylie Bryan Peach, Midwest City Kurt Pendergraft, Enid Ty Peterson, Fort Supply Jake Phillips, Garvin Jon Pickel, Poteau Brian Pierce, Elk City Alex Plain, Oklahoma City Denton Polson, Owasso Josh Pool, Edmond Jeff Prater, Marlow Brayden Pressnell, Stillwater Susannah Price, Keefeton Cary Provence, Yukon Jonathan Pugh, Anadarko Brandon Pursell, Del City Bret Quimby, Drumright Mickeal Reiss, Broken Arrow Seth Rich, Broken Arrow Blaine Richardson, Duncan James Robbins, Piedmont Greg Roberts, Drumright David Rodriguez-Lopez, Duncan Jason Romero, Lawton Dakota Roseberry, Lawton Jeremy Rousey, Keefeton Nicholas Sager, Pauls Valley Rudy Sanchez, Yukon Colton Sanderson, Nichols Hills David Schaap, Stillwater Brian Schattle, Bethany James Schneider, Lawton Dallas Scribner, Ardmore Jason Selman, Pauls Valley Douglas Seurer, Hydro Adam Shelby, Del City Seth Shelton, Del City Warren Shideler, Drumright Doug Shimmin Nicholas Shiplett, Enid John Shrabel, Cedar Country Timothy Skinner, Poteau Benjamin Slagell, Hydro David Small, Mustang Brandon Smiley, Duncan Billy Smith, Cedar Country Jay Smith Austin Solenberg, Lawton

Larry Solomon, Forest Park E.J. Sorrels, Anadarko Eric Spurlock, Marlow Dustin Stafford, Muskogee Brendan Starrs, Oklahoma City Jimmy Stephenson, Canadian Sh. John Stine, Deer Creek Josh Stine, Deer Creek Tobey Stroup, Anadarko Corey Sudduth, Del City Conner Sullivan, Eufaula Cooper Sullivan, Eufaula Randal Sullivan, Eufaula Zach Sullivan, Hydro Michael Swonger, Fairview Drew Tangren Denis Taron Jr., Shawnee Sam Tarver, Lindsay Kory Tate, Lawton Mark Tate, Lawton Blake Taylor, Jones Chris Taylor, Tinker Matthew Taylor, Onapa Raymond Thompson, Woodward Troy Thornton, Muskogee Nick Timmons, Chickasha James Tolson, Altus AFB David Trowbridge, Oklahoma City C.L. Turner, Lawton Lane Turner, Del City Timothy Clay Turner, Texanna Dustin Unruh, Forgan Diana Van Houten, Cedar Country Walter Vanaman, Paradise Valley Nikki Vanderpol, Cordell Dylan Velasquez, Del City Ashton Vernon, Del City Kenny Walker, Healdton Trey Walker, Lawton Evan Wallace, Muskogee Kyle Walls, Ardmore Tim Weathers, Jones Brent Weaver, Yukon David Weske, Duncan Jordan West, Norman David Westfall, Stillwater Caleb White, Stillwater Jimmy White, Yukon Josh Whitekiller, Broken Arrow Jared Whitlock, Stillwater Jack Whitt, Edmond Thomas Wicks, Grady Country Ben Wilcox, Edmond Jessie Wilder, Bethany Stephen Wilkerson, Pauls Valley Robert Williams, Owasso Tony Williams, Midwest City Clayton Wilsey, Edmond Patrick Winsett, Shawnee Clinton Woods, Chattanooga Scott Woods, Pauls Valley Shane Woolly, Ardmore Cody Yates, Pauls Valley Harrison York, Pauls Valley Tracy Young, Phillips 66 Braden Zelnicek, Edmond Thomas Zivkovic, Paradise Valley

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201927 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Chase Rankin Executive Director

James Reynolds

6601 Broadway Ext., Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-522-4600 • 1-800-525-7461 toll free • 405-522-4643 fax www.okfirepen.state.ok.us

n MEETING (August 16, 2019) Members Present: Mike Kelley, Cliff Davidson, Dana Cramer, Jim Ed Nimmo, Janet Kohls, Buddy Combs, Tippy Pierce, Dereck Cassady, Matt Lay, Eric Harlow, Brent Baggett, Brandy Manek, Brent Bryant. Others Present: Chase Rankin, Executive Director; Timothy Vanhorn, Assistant Director; James Reynolds, Assistant Director; Terri Williams, Executive Secretary; Marc Edwards, Legal Counsel; Troy Brown & Tony Kay, &CO; Patrick Fisher, Garrison; Jason Filiberti, Angelo Gordon; Alexander Grant and Claire Lewis, Wellington; Tom Bradley, Stillwater Fire Chief. Kent A. Shomber/Edmond - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective August 1, 2019: Motion was made by Harlow and seconded by Pierce to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective August 1, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Harlow, Nimmo, Davidson, Pierce, Bryant, Cramer, Cassady, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Combs and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Rickey D. Mcfadden Jr./Guymon – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective August 3, 2019: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Pierce to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective August 3, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Harlow, Nimmo, Davidson, Pierce, Bryant, Cramer, Cassady, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Combs and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Dusty L. Tatom/Norman/Tulsa - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 30, 2019: Motion was made by Cramer and Davidson to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Disability Not in the Line of Duty and send Tatom to the State Doctor. effective July 30, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Harlow, Nimmo, Davidson, Pierce, Bryant, Cramer, Cassady, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Combs and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Darryl Gore/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective August 1, 2019: Motion was made by Harlow and seconded by Cramer to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Service”, effective August 1, 2019.Ayes: Kelley, Harlow, Nimmo, Davidson, Pierce, Bryant, Cramer, Cassady, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Combs and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Teddy Wilson/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective August 1, 2019: Motion was made by Davidson and seconded by Pierce to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective August 1, 2019. Ayes: Kelley, Harlow, Nimmo, Davidson, Pierce, Bryant, Cramer, Cassady, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Combs and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried. Michael Clark/Lawton - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Davidson and seconded by Cramer to approve the request of Clark to modify from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Kelley, Harlow, Nimmo, Davidson, Pierce, Bryant, Cramer, Cassady, Manek, Kohls, Lay, Combs and Baggett. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Member Services Coordinator

Terri Williams

Vicki Mulbery

Executive Secretary

Accounts Payable Administrator

Than Dinh

Thelisha Clark

Assistant Director (COO)

Controller

Tim Van Horn

Keely Swonger

Assistant Director (CFO)

Martha Pierce

Records Administrator

Latoya Battle

Assistant Controller

Data Processor

n CONSENT AGENDA (September 20, 2019) CHECKS TERMINATED IN AUGUST 2019: Carmen Harold Kent Collinsville Randall L. Felkins Cushing Donna Selemon Gotebo Betty M. Adams Guthrie Karen M. Case Laverne Cecil R. Mitchell Midwest City Jerry Clark Norman Thelma G. Chilless Ponca City Lola M. Romary Sapulpa Virgnia L. Copley Sayre Ernest E. Moses Taloga Lois L. Ruble Terral Wayne Jackson Tulsa Brian McKim Warner Tobey C. Hadley Watonga Bobby J. Oler $5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT:

Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased (Lost Contact) Deceased

Blair Lowell-Tims Funeral Home On Behalf Of James O. Self Crescent Phillip Craig Yenzer, Child Of Forrest P. Yenzer Crescent Beverly Cox Child Of Forrest P. Yenzer Crescent Suzanne Carole Yenzer, Child Of Forrest Yenzer Crescent Cheri Clark, Child Of Forrest P. Yenzer Crescent Abernathy Aaron Funeral On Behalf Of Clinton Wallace Ft. Gibson Foster-Petering Funeral On Behalf Of Randall B. Vandiver Henryetta Sherry Ingold, Child Of Bobby J. Older Henryetta Robert J. Older, Child Of Bobby J. Oler Macomb McMahans Funeral Home On Behalf Of Glenn E. Bunch Minco Willadean Woodworth, Widow Of Clavin V. Woodworth Norman Lori Raniwater, Child Of Lester H. Myers Norman Dana Bullock, Child Of Lester H. Myers Norman Andrew Myers, Child Of Lester H. Myers Sayre Martin-Dugger Funeral On Behalf Of Stanford M. Perkins Shawnee Walker Funeral Home On Behalf Of Tommy Parrish Terral Cheryl Whatley, Child Of Wayne Jackson Terral Angela Throckmorton, Child Of Wayne Jackson Terral Kyle Jackson, Child Of Wayne Jackson Tulsa Mark A. Stein, Death Recipient Of James L. Selsor APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO PENSION SYSTEM: Altus Dylan Flinn Altus Nathan Peeler Ardmore Cade Webb Bartlesville Colby Williams Chouteau John Buchan Coalgate Audrey Gage Coweta Casey Saied Cushing Jackson Apple Cushing Ethan Glass Durant Bryce Steele Guthrie Clayton Davison Guthrie Matthew Dornan Hominy Connor Wadkins Lawton Dylan Andres Lawton Steven Jimenez Lawton Wyatt Johnson Lawton Nicholas Jones Lawton Matthew King Lawton Jared Serrano Lawton Christopher Smotherman McAlester Justin Bowler Miami Brandon Krause Midwest City Noah Gilliam Midwest City Caleb Paine Midwest City Drew Sunlye Noble Jacob Reed Ponca City Tanner Toney The Village Garett Carr Tishomingo Bo Cannon Vinita Christopher Lary Watonga Quentin Shelton Weatherford Jake Cowan Weatherford Ronald Merritt

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE: 08/12/2019 Poteau Cassie Goforth, Widow Of Don Goforth Deceased 08/12/2019 APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 09/01/2019 Bethany 09/01/2019 Comanche 09/01/2019 Elk City 9/01/2019 Ft. Gibson 09/01/2019 Gould 09/01/2019 Ketchum 09/01/2019 Langley 09/01/2019 NW Rogers 09/01/2019 OKC 09/01/2019 OKC 09/01/2019 Tipton 09/01/2019 Tishomingo 09/01/2019 Tulsa 09/01/2019 Tulsa 09/01/2019 Wakita

Marie G. Coddy, Widow Of Darwin A. Coddy Kathleen Blackwell, Widow Of Billy T. Blackwell Teresa L. Word, Widow Of Orville Word Patricia Vandiver, Widow Of Randall B. Vandiver Judie C. Gallagher, Widow Of John H. Gallagher, Jr. Linda K. Vanschuyver, Widow Of Ted M. Vanshuyver Mary E. Long, Widow Of Gary D. Long Rosalie B. Halfhill, Widow Of David L. Boggs Velma L. Dale, Widow Of Louis N. Dale Denise K. Scrivner, Widow Of Cletus D. Scrivner Ellyn M. Huff, Widow Of Marvin D. Huff Patsy Huchens, Widow Of Reid Huchens, Jr. Wanda Ramsey, Widow Of Max Ramsey Peggy Reynolds, Widow Of Russell Reynolds Susan E. Duncan, Widow Of Gary D. Duncan

APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION: 07/08/2017 09/01/2019 08/01/2019 09/01/2019 08/20/2019 08/01/.2019 09/01/2019 09/07/2019 08/12/2019 08/01/2019 09/01/2019 09/01/2019 09/01/2019 09/01/2019 06/19/2019 09/01/2019 09/01/2016 08/28/2019

Afton Anadarko Arnett Cleveland Dickson Dustin Edmond Elmore City Francis Hanna Rural Lucien Muskogee Oklahoma City Redland Ringold Shawnee Terral Whitfield

Jason M. Fuser Clint W. Courtney Randol C. Shirley Roger N. Findahl Jr. Jerren S. Preston Randy J. Williams Jon R. Neely Scott O. Martin Teresa A. Canada William L. Berryhill Ross W. Gregg Michael F. O’Dell Richard K. Carter Jeffrey B. Tomlin Robert K. White Charles Tade Rondel H. Weatherly Douglas A. Few

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT: 11/06/2027 Mulhall

Paul M. Fitzpatrick

REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS: Kevin M. Meyer Thad Reed Corey Letson Christopher Moore Brandon K. Norman

Altus Bartlesville Owasso Ponca City Purcell

Hired

07/01/2017 06/20/2017 08/22/2011 04/09/2007 01/11/2010

Terminated 05/22/2019 08/17/2019 08/28/2019 05/14/2012 07/23/2019

28October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

OSFA Executive Board Highlights

Roll Call: Mike Kelley, present; Eric Harlow, present; Cliff Davidson, present; Jim Ed Nimmo, present; Dereck Cassady, present; Tippy Pierce (ORFA), present. Others: Steve Lumry, Gene Brown, Sheri Nickel, Trisha Chain, Jason Louthan, Eric Hamilton, Chase Rankin. Fire Marshal Commission Report: Lumry Commission will conduct three interviews for the State Fire Marshal. A Governor’s appointee and OFCA representative are both on the interview panel. Fire Service Training Report: Louthan Steve George is retiring Sept. 1; Dean McFadden and John Carpenter are replacing him. Dr. Reynolds’ position is not open yet and an assistant for Paddy Metcalf was hired. COMMITTEE REPORTS: n Volunteer Fire Service: Lumry

Committee is in early phases of planning for their Volunteer Caucus. There have been a lot of members interested in the insurance from Manhattan Life.

n EMS: Harlow

Committee met and discussed GEMT program and consulting group PCG making contracts with departments. A task force has been appointed to focus solely on legislative issues.

n Membership: Lumry

Committee is reviewing potential Association benefits.

n County Sales Tax: Lumry

Committee is waiting for the Attorney General to approve answers that the auditor provided.

n Public Education: Brown

Committee reviewed Public Education Summit that was held during the State Fire School. A stand-alone event will take place March 6, 2020 at Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, and committee has secured a few speakers. Committee discussed the curriculum to accompany the smoke trailer, and Brown has been contacting dealerships who may donate a truck to pull the trailer. Museum Report: Brown Staff has built stands for some displays, to raise them; the memorial repairs are near completion; Memorial Golf Tournament flyers have been posted in golf shops around town.

The Memorial Committee met to work on getting door prizes for the tournament. n Museum Expansion Committee:

Lumry Art Cotton is still making contacts and meeting with foundations, especially in smaller towns around the state. Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Report: Nickel Since the beginning of the year, 66 people have been trained to Firefighter-1 in four classes. There are 112 more students enrolled in five classes to be trained before the end of November. NVFC Report: Davidson The fall board meeting will be the last full week of October, in Augusta, GA. The Anheuser Busch emergency drinking water campaign is ongoing. OFCA Report: Lumry OFCA is working with the OSFA and will have a joint meeting with ODOT to discuss the letter sent explaining reasons for not signing their OKTIMS document. ORFA Report: Pierce The Cornerstone Committee will be meeting for the first time to discuss membership. Pierce has been attending regional “Leave Nobody Behind” meetings to discuss the COLA.

Executive Directors Report: Lumry OSFA membership totals: 496 departments with 11,300 members. ORFA membership: 4406 members, Brent Hatcher Benevolent Fund: 223 members, digital subscription to Oklahoma Firefighter: 733 members. 2019-2020 OSFA Associate Members: 14 and OFCA Associate Members: 16. An estimate was received from Logix for higher speed internet through fiberoptic cable. Lumry recommended to consider it or Cox’s previous estimate for next budget year. During the Fire Marshal Commission meeting, they discussed the marijuana industry creating crystal THC, where 99.9% of the available THC from the plant is extracted. The NFPA is developing a fireworks standard; FST Certification committee has not met. Cassady reported correspondence for the FST Director search committee, and projected timeline includes conducting interviews the last two weeks of September; the job announcement has not been made public yet. Lumry discussed meeting with Oklahoma legislators to discuss H.R.141

August 15, 2019

Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 and S.521 Social Security Fairness Act when he is in Washington D.C. for the annual Fire Marshal’s trip. Lumry stated the trip would overlap October’s OSFA Executive Board meeting and apologized for his future absence. The regional “Leave Nobody Behind” meetings are going well; attendance is low, but engagement from members is high; Lumry thanked board members for attending. A video series titled “Fundamentally Fire” has been started, with the first episode discussing the COLA issues and also features museum employee and volunteer firefighter Quintin James, with Tim Bartram editing. New Business Selections made for Benevolent Committee, Financial Advisory Committee, EMS Committee, Membership Committee, Legislative Committee, Museum Expansion Committee, Volunteer Fire Service Committee, Public Education Committee, Safety & Health Committee. Members listed on pages 16-20. Board members who need accommodations September 17, please let Nickel know today. Lumry reported about his meeting with Pipes and Drums to discuss any needs; also let them know they can advertise in the Oklahoma Firefighter. Board asked Lumry to extend an invitation to use the OSFA tent, and have an Oklahoma Firefighter Pipes and Drums banner made, if requested. Rankin’s father had surgery and is doing well now. Jim Minx had to go to the ER but is doing well and might attend a regional meeting soon. Next meeting: Sept. 19, 2019. Adjourned: 11:16 a.m.

DATES TO REMEMBER Oct, 6, 2019 OSFA Statewide Memorial Service Oklahoma Firefighters Museum in OKC Oct. 9, 2019 ORFA Golf Tournament FireLake Golf Course in Shawnee Dec. 2, 2019 Submission Deadline for 2020 State Fire School Presentation Application May 7-9, 2020 OSFA State Fire School in Tulsa ________________________________

TRAINING Nov. 6-7, 2019 “Managing Disciplinary Challenges in the Fire Service” at Oklahoma City FD Training Center. Cost: $325. ________________________________

FUNDRAISER Oct. 26, 2019 Marlow Firefighters Association Golf Scramble at Generations Golf Course in Marlow. Cost: $75 per person. Call: 580-658-2121. Proceeds benefit the Marlow Firefighters Association with assistance in purchasing equipment.

SAFER GRANT

Recruitment & Retention

First Time Firefighters FF 1 - Bunker Gear Year-4 of SAFER Grant Opens Nov. 29, 2019 Funds dispersed on a first-come first-served basis

OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION Sheri Nickel Grant Coordinator www.OSFA.info • sherin@osfa.info 405-424-1452 office

580-554-7123 cell

Oklahoma FirefighterOctober 201929

n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT BY GREG ROBERTS

MANGUM FIRE DEPARTMENT In 1927, a Mangum firefighter screwed a new bulb into a light socket hanging above the MFD apparatus floor and, 92 years later, it’s still burning. According to multiple sources, it is the third-longest burning light bulb in the United States. The longest burning light bulb is in a Livermore, California fire station. The light there has been burning since 1901. The second longest burning bulb is

in a museum in Fort Worth, Texas – it’s been on since 1908. In the 1960s the MFD light bulb was moved upstairs to the bunkroom where it remains today. The current light fixture is hardwired and there is no switch to turn it on or off. After a storm in 1994, the electrical power in the Mangum area was off for a week and, when the power came back

E-5 1985 GMC/FMC 1000 pump/1000 tank

E-3 1972 Int. chassis/1948 Seagrave body 450 pump/500 tank

on, so did the bulb. The MFD light bulb began attracting attention as early as the 1940s. Since then, hundreds of visitors from across the U.S. and around the world have visited MFD to see the bulb. Fire Chief, Jeff Goode and the members of the Mangum Fire Department welcome all visitors to see this unique icon.

E-2 2006 GMC/Ferrara 1250 pump/1000 tank

Norman FD Retired

Fire Chief: Jeff Goode Department formed: 1906 Joined OSFA: 1911 Number of Paid Firefighters: 6 Number of Volunteers: 14 ISO rating: 5 Population: Approx. 2,800 Calls per year: Approx. 170 Square miles covered: 100 Number of engines: 3 Number of rescue rigs: 1 Number of tankers: 2 Number of brushpumpers: 4

Current photo of the light

Rescue 1 2008 Ford F-350 Built by the MFD

Jimmy Brooks, circa 1960s

The MFD station was built in 1911

If you would like to see your FD featured in a future issue of Oklahoma Firefighter, please contact Greg Roberts at 405-424-1452 or groberts1960@gmail.com

30October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter

23rd Annual david bain memorial golf tournament

Flight B 2nd Place Flight A 1st Place

Sept. 18, 2019

At Lincoln Park Golf Course 22 Teams • 88 Players FLIGHT A 1st Place: Larry Hansen, David Carter, Kirk Wright, Maggie Raprich 2nd Place: Scott Woods, Jason Selman, Jim Campbell, Trevor Felan 3rd Place: Jimmy Gaither, Justin Green, Chris Cole, James Gaither

FLIGHT B 1st Place: David Craig, Casey Baker, B.J. Baker, Jeremy Dry

Flight B 1st Place

2nd Place: Jim Ed Nimmo, Justin Hackworth, Richard Lorant 3rd Place: Rodney Foster, Cody Foster, Darrin Nickel, Quintin James Closest to the Hole: Chris Cole (#15); Andrew Pataky (#10)

Flight A 2nd Place

Longest Drive: Scott Woods (#16); Logan Gore (#5)

Flight A 3rd Place

Flight B 3rd Place

Oklahoma Firefighterď źOctober 2019ď ź31

OSFA Snapshots

Got something going on at your Fire Department? Share the news! Email photos to osfa@osfa.info

in memoriam

Blaine Alexander, Grady County FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Grady County firefighter Blaine Alexander on Sept. 12. He was 21.

Fire Alarm Telegraph at Oklahoma Firefighters Museum Watch a video of it in action on the OSFA Facebook page

Shawnee Chief Rodney Foster took these photos of the Okmulgee Online FF1 skills on Sept. 14. Way to go!

Oklahoma Firefighter Museum provided the U.S. Flag for the 3rd Annual Guns & Hoses Golf Tourney sponsored by the Shawnee Police Foundation and the Shawnee Fire Foundation. Students in Western Oklahoma began their journey through Firefighter-I on Aug. 30. This is the 10th and final class for this year.

Blaine was killed in a two-vehicle crash along a county road near Fort Cobb. He was an asset to his community serving out of the Acme Station.

Mark Gustafson, Wichita Mountain Estates FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Wichita Mountain Estates firefighter Mark Gustafson on Sept. 19.

Mark lost his life in a non-duty related incident. He served 2 tours to Afghanistan and leaves behind 2 children.

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32October 2019Oklahoma Firefighter