Multi-Generational Fire Families

We took time getting to know some of the multi-generational firefighter families in our great state, and we want to share the inspiration and pride they feel continuing a legacy that leaves an impact.

All stories were written by OSFA Events Coordinator Raegan Layne

and Oklahoma Firefighter Editor Penelope Soldan.

We know there are so many families we probably missed, but commitment and dedication do not go unnoticed. We love using the Oklahoma Firefighter magazine to shine a spotlight on the many different elements, perspectives and stories of being a firefighter in Oklahoma.

We try to always post on our Facebook page @OklahomaStateFirefightersAssn, when we are looking for specifics for an upcoming edition. Be sure to watch for our posts in case you fit what we are looking for!

Scott Lathrop grew up around the ambulance station in Boise City where his father was a Paramedic..

“I remember being strapped to a backboard many times acting as a patient for monthly EMS meetings,” Scott said. “I also remember traveling with my father to Amarillo Texas on EMS transfers throughout my younger years. Those memories and many more definitely inspired my career choice as a Public Servant!”

Scott, Galen’s nephew, started as a volunteer firefighter at Guymon FD in 2006, and a year later became a career firefighter. He is currently Assistant Chief of Training & Operations.

“Being a part of a multi-generational firefighter family always makes our family reunions more interesting,” Scott said. “I enjoy the stories that get told that get bigger every year they are told!”

Two people inspired Toby Shores to become a firefighter -- his dad Galen Shores and former OSFA Legislative Director Pete Stavros.

He has been serving since 1993, starting at Ripley VFD. He joined Midwest City FD in 2003 and is currently a Major/ EMT-B.

“As a whole, my time in the Oklahoma Fire Service has been filled with family, and not just the family I come from,” Toby said.

“The brotherhood of the fire service creates its own family through the time you spend together. Our days and nights are filled with training, working, having fun, pulling pranks, saving property and lives, seeing the best and the worst day in and day out, cooking, laughing, and much more. Being in the fire service is a lifestyle, one I’m thankful for everyday.”

Toby’s wife Missy also enjoys the fire family life. And when she saw the topic for this issue, she took the time to coordinate family responses and photos.

“Thank you for this opportunity to showcase our family,” said Missy, who was multi-tasking between taking a CPR Class for nursing school and gathering information from family members. “Fire runs deep through our veins!

“Several of the wives in our family are involved in local and state levels of Ladies Auxiliary, and all of us at some point have been involved with Hydrants of Hope. As a family, we are so proud of that part of our legacy that was started and continues because of Mark, Selina and Kinsey Meyer.”

Kinsey Blunt’s dad Mark Meyer founded Hydrants of Hope in 2012. A year later, he was medically discharged from Tulsa FD with stage 4 epthiliod fibro sarcoma.

“Unfortunately, my dad passed away before I had a chance to learn any skills from him,” Kinsey said. “But I will say that it was pretty awesome to have my cousin, Toby Shores, as my firefighter instructor through OSU-FST. Not too many people get to learn from a family member like that.”

Kinsey tried 4 years for Tulsa Fire before getting the call that her dreams were coming true.

“Unfortunately, my path in the fire service ended abruptly, but my love for the firefighters who serve and have served did not,” Kinsey said. “A piece of my heart will always be in fire service.”

Trae Shores started as a volunteer firefighter at Newcastle FD in 2019. Now he is a Firefighter/A-EMT at Tuttle FD.

“Growing up with my dad and grandpa being firefighters and watching it from a kid’s perspective, then joining in and learning it as a firefighter myself has made a big impact on my career,” Trae said.

“It’s pretty special to carry on the legacy. And I enjoy being able to pass on the knowledge and skills I’ve learned from those before me to the next generation behind me.”

When Gage Pittman watched firefighters help his mom, he knew he wanted to do that.

“They treated her as if she were the most important person to them,” said Gage, who started at Anadarko FD in 2021 and is now a Firefighter/A-EMT at El Reno.

“My immediate family was not in the fire service, but marrying into this family and seeing the generations and now getting to be part of that and continuing on that legacy is an honor.”

Another thing Gage is proud of was getting hired as a firefighter at a young age,

“It can be tough to get looked at without a lot of experience, but persevering until the right department found me was worth the time it took. I’m looking forward to seeing where my career leads.”