Tom Marcum: OSFA Volunteer Fire Service Committee Report

The Volunteer Fire Service Committee has been busy since the last update.

The committee held a successful Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Caucus in Atoka on Feb. 4, 2023. There were numerous new attendees, several vendors and a day stocked full of speakers. We had approximately 85 attendees representing 42 departments across Oklahoma.

The other thing that the Volunteer Fire Service Committee has been working diligently on is our Strategic Initiatives. In August of 2022, the committee met with Dennis Compton at the FPP Mace Center in Stillwater for a day of setting the group’s initiatives, as well as setting up people responsible for each initiative and setting due dates for each.

The initiatives (and their major objectives) are as follows: a. Create a downloadable pdf of current OSFA information and benefits for consistent messaging in our outreach. b. Expand outreach by attending local and regional FD meetings quarterly, with consistent messaging from VFSC & OSFA. c. Create and maintain an accurate database of contact information for members of the OSFA. d. Using future and existing technologies, provide a minimum of monthly communications to members on OSFA topics, information, training, etc. a. Form a subcommittee to research and establish the performance criteria for firefighters to be reported to VFSC to present to caucus. b. Form a subcommittee to research funding mechanisms on a state level for training including the oversight agency to be reported to the VFSC to present to caucus. c. Work with the oversight agency to create legislation.

1. Enhance communications with the Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Service through outreach, use of technology, data, and more direct communications with the individual members.

UPDATE: This was due during the 1st quarter of 2023 and the document has been created and just needs to be converted to a pdf and uploaded to the OSFA website.

UPDATE: This, too, was due during the 1st quarter of 2023 and multiple meetings from OKC, Beaver, Mooreland (NW OK) have been attended by the membership of this committee.

UPDATE: This is due by the 4th quarter of 2023 and is already being worked on.

UPDATE: This is due in the 2nd quarter of 2023 and is nearing completion.

2. Establish performance criteria and funding mechanisms for the Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Service including emphasis on safety, quality of training, and access to training.

UPDATE: This is due in the 1st quarter of 2024 and is currently being worked on.

UPDATE: This is due in 1st quarter of 2024 and is in progress.

UPDATE: This is due in 3rd quarter of 2024 and is progressing.