Oklahoma Firefighter Magazine - Nov/Dec 2023/Jan 2024

Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION SUCCESS STORIES Pages 26-29

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION 2716 N.E. 50th St. OKC, OK 73111

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 1

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Okla. City, OK Permit No. 570

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Contents November/December 2023/January 2024 Volume 40, Issue 4

klahoma Firefighter Official Publication of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association 2716 N.E. 50th Street OKC, OK 73111 (405) 424-1452 • Fax (405) 424-1032 osfa@osfa.info • www.osfa.info Published quarterly 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 Mike Kelley mkelley@osfa.info

12-16 - Inaugural No One Fights Alone Gala

Co-Editor Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info Managing Editor Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

Advertiser’s Index Pauls Valley FD -- First Place, A Flight

10 - 2023 Memorial Golf Tournament

20-21 - 2023 Memorial Service

45 - Oklahoma Fire Spotlight - Mooreland FD

47-52 - OFCA News

OSFA/ORFA UPDATES

FEATURES

5 - OSFA 2nd VP Report 6 - OSFA Executive Director’s Report 9 - OSFA Administrative Director’s Report 16 - Safety & Health Committee Report 17 - Public Education Committee Report 19 - Volunteer Fire Service Committee Report 22 - Names on Memorial Wall 25 - ORFA President’s Report 25 - ORFA Executive Director’s Report 31 - On Display in Firefighters Museum 33 - In Memoriam

24 - Question & Answers 24 - Fire Family - The Billingsleys 36 - The Rural Firefighter: Corey Conrady FIRE SERVICE REPORTS 33 - Oklahoma Fire Chaplain 35 - Oklahoma Fire Marshal 35 - Fire Protection Publications (FPP) 34 - OSU Fire Service Training (OSU FST) 34 - National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA) 38 - Firefighter Near-Miss 40-44 - Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System

12 ........... 4M Farms 40 ........... Angelo Gordon 46 ........... Ardian 31 ........... Argonaut 43 ........... Artistotle 44 ........... Bernstein Liebhard 42 ........... Bleichmar Fonti & Auld 30 ........... Capital Dynamics 2 & 52 ..... Casco Industries 37 ........... CF Private Equity 17 ............ Conrad Fire Equipment 13 ........... Devon Energy 31 ........... FPP / IFSTA 23 ........... Intercontinental 11 ............. ITE Fire & Rescue 18 ........... Jackson Square 41 ........... Kayne Anderson 51 ............. Kirkpatrick Architecture 14 ........... Last Stop Store 32 ........... LGT Capital Partners 15 ........... Linen + Lace 12 ........... LION 7 ............... NAFECO 22 ............. OAEVT 12 ........... Red Iron Coffee 19 ........... Roberts Testing 15 ........... Saxena White 9 ............. Weis Fire & Safety Equip.

CONTACT osfa@osfa.info to place an ad in the magazine

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 3

4Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Cary Provence: OSFA 2nd VP Report Uncertainty.

Seems it’s running rampant all over the world these days, and everyone has an uneasy feeling about their Yukon FD future because of it.

We are fighting amongst ourselves more than ever and more polarized than any time in history. Whether it’s the economy, healthcare, politics, or what minimum wage should be, it seems people want to fight over everything these days.

Social media plays a large part in that, as well as traditional media, and I’m not sure that’s ever going to change. People just don’t trust things that were once trusted without question.

However, there is one thing people still have certainty in and trust in America, especially in Oklahoma, and that is the firefighters who serve their community.

That is something to be extremely proud of!

However, we can’t just sit back and rest on our laurels. We must continue to honor that trust, working hard daily to get better and serve the people we swore to protect.

Let’s not allow our own in-fighting to distract us from the mission, saving lives and property. No other person in the world is trusted like we are. Mothers will almost throw their sick or injured baby at a complete stranger simply because they’re a firefighter. Give you their baby and let you leave, think about the level of trust that takes!

All it will take in these current times to destroy that is one incident that circulates on the internet. We all benefit from the good deeds other firefighters have done before us, and we could absolutely all have to suffer the consequences of not doing what is expected and trusted of you to do.

Do not allow the public to lose their faith in us like they have so many other things. Continue to work and build it even stronger in these times of uncertainty, give them something to lean on.

Department size, career or volunteer, it does not matter. The people of your community think the world of you. Honor the firefighters who came before you and laid the path you walk on

today. Build the path better and consider the firefighters who will follow you and give them something worth walking on.

We may not be able to repair people’s faith in everything in this world, but we can definitely work to maintain and possibly even strengthen the certainty they have in us.

In the last few days (of writing this) the OSFA held its annual Statewide Firefighters Memorial Service, as well as our first ever Mental Health Gala. I thought both went extremely well and was very proud of the staff at the office for two amazing events in a short amount of time.

Untold amount of work goes into those types of things, and I don’t know if everyone realizes what it takes behind the scenes to make those events happen. Hopefully everyone else feels the same way, and if you see any of the staff, let them know you thought it was good.

If there is anything you’re unhappy with, please visit with a board member or the executive director about that. The morning of the Mental Health Gala, I got news that a childhood friend had committed suicide. He was not a firefighter, but it definitely drove home the need for mental health treatment and support to be readily available and be able to talk about it without judgement.

If you have those types of feelings, please reach out to someone. If someone you work with starts to withdraw or is acting different, ask them how they are, don’t just assume everyone is always OK. The further down the road they go, the harder it is to come back, so ask if they want to talk or would like some information.

It’s not an easy thing to do, but it is worth it.

The board volunteers our time for all of you to make the Oklahoma Fire Service better. If there is something you see the need for us to address, please bring it to our attention and we will look into it. We consider what is best for all firefighters -- past, current, and future -- on every decision we make.

Thank you all for putting your trust in me to sit on your board. I am always available if you need anything. Call, text, or email anytime.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

VOL. 1 NO. 1

2023-24 OSFA EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT Tony Lopez

Midwest City FD

tlopez@midwestcityok.org 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Donnie Bennett

Oklahoma City FD

donben1889@gmail.com 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Cary Provence Yukon FD

cprovence@yukonok.gov 3RD VICE PRESIDENT Tom Marcum

Mooreland FD

tommarcum@pldi.net PAST PRESIDENT Jim Ed Nimmo Tulsa FD

jimnimmo7@gmail.com

APRIL 1983

OSFA ARCHIVE -- Here’s a bit of history you may or may not know about your association: OSFA premiered its official publication 40 years ago.

Volume 1, Issue 1 of Oklahoma Firefighter was released in April 1983.

It was an 8-page newspaper that included a story on the April 6, 1983, gas explosion in Oklahoma City that injured seven firefighters, info on the

89th OSFA Convention hosted by Moore FD and history on the association’s first Legislative Committee meeting in 1908.

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 5

Mike Kelley: OSFA Executive Director’s Report Greetings brothers and sisters! We have had Thanks to Raegan, Sheri, Madelyn and several events since the last issue.

Lance for the herculean effort that went into making this event possible. These individuals On Sept. 13, OSFA hosted the annual David work extremely hard for you, our members, year Bain Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters round and really stepped up again for this worthMemorial Golf Tournament at Lincoln East. while endeavor.

Thanks to the many sponsors and participants Ret. OKC FD Thanks to all of the sponsors and attendees, as well, because who made this the most successful tournament without them it wouldn’t have been successful! that we’ve ever hosted!

Thanks to the OSFA and Museum staff for all of the hard work We are always looking for ways to provide value to you, our handling the logistics of this Memorial/Museum fundraising tourOSFA member. nament and the post golf meal and fellowship!

One way is to give you an opportunity to get group health benefits through being an OSFA member. If you haven’t logged into the On Oct. 8, OSFA hosted the 24th annual Oklahoma State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service to honor our brothers and sisters who website and updated your information, I would encourage you to do so. passed in the last year.

There is obviously no obligation to enroll in the coverage, howThanks to the OSFA and Museum staff, Herb Bradshaw, Womever I would suggest that everyone at least take a look. There will en’s Auxiliary, the OSFA, OFCA, ORFA and past presidents for all be guarantee issue products available through Jan. 15, 2024. This of the hard work handling the logistics of the event! Thanks to the means no health questions or qualifying for the guarantee issue Oklahoma Fire Pipes and Drums, Midwest City and Oklahoma products during the open enrollment period.

City FDs for providing aerial apparatus and Our hope is that our members can take advanpersonnel. A special thanks to Lance Gill for OSFA staff at the 2023 Memorial Golf Tournament tage of these offerings if it fits your needs. once again establishing the livestream of the service.

One of the new benefits with membership that started this year was that all OSFA memOn Oct. 14, OSFA hosted the inaugural bers are included in the Brent Hatcher Fund.

No One Fights Alone fundraiser for mental The benefit amounts increase over the next two health. This event was created by Raegan years as the dues increase. Year-to-date, we Layne, Sheri Nickel and Madelyn Roth after have paid death benefits to nine active OSFA taking calls from our members who needed members. Our condolences to their friends and assistance. loved ones.

This is the kind of staff that you have.

As stated previously, please log into the webThey worked tirelessly on the event and site and update your information to include a made sure that it was successful. beneficiary.

A video that was produced, filmed and edited by Lance Gill, our museum go-to guy, Also, another membership benefit currently was the focal point of the evening. The video provided our members by AIL is a $4,000 accimay be viewed at A Full Cup - A PTSD dental death benefit.

Documentary by OSFA (Oklahoma State Everyone have an amazing holiday season!

Firefighters Association) - YouTube .

Stay safe and may God Bless you and yours!

PURCHASE AN OKLAHOMA FIREFIGHTER LICENSE TAG! • Oklahoma Firefighter tags cost $40 a year (on top of regular tag fees) • $20 goes directly to the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum/Memorial • Tags can be purchased from local tag agents any time during the year • Tags can be customized to 6 letters as approved by the Tax Commission

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OSFA’s Educational Advisory Committee has been hard at work planning the 2024 State Fire School.

The committee put out a poll, and it was voted that our members would like

to see State Fire School moved to October.

We are excited for this change and the time it allows to put extra planning into conducting a beneficial and well-attended fire school.

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State Fire School is an amazing benefit of your OSFA membership, as the whole weekend of classes is free for our members. So be sure to put it on your calendar!

Sheri Nickel: OSFA Administrative Director Once upon a time …

Even now, as adults, there’s something in most of us that perks up and starts to listen when we hear those words.

We love stories. They bring us together and reinforce our sense of community. They engage and amuse Orlando FD those who listen.

And depending on how a story is delivered, it can be used to validate one’s self-worth by altering a narrative to make yourself a hero or it can motivate and inspire an audience.

Storytelling can make or break any initiative.

I’m not speaking of wolves who parade around as sheep. But we don’t have a moral obligation to spread our stories because we want to be right or to appear to be the wronged one.

As firefighters, we have all ran on those calls where you get told one story from one person and another story from another. We have a tendency to fall into the trap of the “he said, she said.”

But the thing is that a lot of people think they are being honest, and they are … from their perspective.

Most don’t make statements with the intent to deceive. Sometimes it is just easier to focus on the objective truth and realize that no matter what we believe to be the case, some things will always be true and other things will always be false.

There is power in the first story we hear. We tend to believe that the first story is gospel, then filter through the same story as told by another person.

When folks tell us something, we should be quiet, listen, and then weigh the information. We shouldn’t immediately pick a side and berate others who have roles in specific stories.

It is not necessary to form judgement and waste energy on being opinionated about things that really do not matter in the bigger story.

Do you even realize there is a bigger story?

OSFA STAFF Executive Director Mike Kelley mkelley@osfa.info Administrative Director Sheri Nickel sherin@osfa.info Membership Coordinator Madelyn Roth madelynr@osfa.info Events Coordinator Raegan Layne raeganl@osfa.info Museum Staff Lance Gill lanceg@osfa.info Museum Volunteer Greg Roberts groberts1960@gmail.com

Sheri and Darrin Nickel at the No One Fights Alone Gala

Museum Volunteer Andie Hernandez Publications Penelope Soldan penelopes@osfa.info

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 9

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12Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

No One Fights Alone Gala A Success

By Raegan Layne, OSFA Events Coordinator

No One Fights Alone Gala Oct. 14, 2023

At Capitol View Event Center in OKC Sold Out Crowd of 150 Raised almost $20,000 to help Oklahoma Firefighters in getting mental health services

Sheri, Raegan and Madelyn

You maybe did, or maybe did not know, that the OSFA is run by three staff members -- Sheri Nickel, Madelyn Roth and me, Raegan -- alongside our executive director Mike Kelley.

We each play a completely different role but have the same goal -- we want everything we do to better the Oklahoma Fire Service for our members like you.

About a year and a half ago while sitting in the office, one comment about hosting our own and very first “OSFA Gala” turned into a project that we poured our entire hearts into.

We talked about how we could further benefit our members, and what could we fundraise this money for that would truly make an impact.

At this same time, we were receiving call after call from firefighters, as well as concerned family members, friends or other people on their department, regarding a mental health crisis from stresses and traumas tied to the job.

What we heard the most was the expenses associated with finding someone who was equipped to help first responders played a major role in their lack of seeking help.

If you consider that a majority of our firefighters in Oklahoma are volunteers, and the impact of responding in a small town where you are running calls on people you know really well -- including your own friends and family -- the emotional toll is so hard.

Continued on next page

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Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 13

GALA, Continued On top of this, seeking help as a volunteer is difficult because the financial burden is even deeper when you have to take time off, possibly without pay, from your Monday-Friday job.

This was a growing concern amongst our office that the resources and the money to put these resources into play was almost nonexistent, and the number of calls we were receiving was continuing to grow.

The other concerning thing was the amount of men and women -volunteer or career -- who needed help but truly believed that they were unfit for the job because they needed mental health help. Many feared that there would be repercussions for being bothered by the things they had seen or experienced on calls.

This perfect storm of an idea and a purposeful cause created the No One Fights Alone Fund.

Our office talk of hosting a gala was soon a reality and the planning began. We brought the idea in the works to your OSFA Board, where we received full support.

Over a year of planning went into OSFA’s Inaugural No One Fights Alone Gala held Oct. 14 at the Capitol View Event Center in Oklahoma City. And we are so pleased with its outcome and are excited for what the future holds for this specific mission within our office.

The gala served as the first major fundraiser to bring awareness to our cause. To say that we had any form of goal, or anticipated a certain amount of money to be raised, would be a lie. We knew that it was a gamble, but one that was so worth it for what it could turn into for our members.

Our preliminary estimate is that the gala raised just under $20,000. We are so happy with this and appreciate every single person who contributed to its success. We hope you truly understand the impact you are making in the Oklahoma Fire Service.

We have so many people we want to recognize for the part they played.

Firstly, I want to personally say how much I appreciate Sheri, Madelyn and Mike for all of the little meetings I made us have to discuss everything and for all of the times I asked them to read and re-read Facebook posts, letters, emails, etc. All of the work they put into the planning alongside me was crucial in the success of this event. I truly work with the best people!

There were also so many people outside of our office who stepped up.

The OSFA Safety and Health Committee was given the responsibility of helping with donations and sponsors. I would like to thank Brian Christy and Trent Williams for their efforts in this part, and Chairman Jeremy Williams for speaking at the gala and all of his assistance along

14Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

with his wife Michelle, whose company Linen & Lace also sponsored the photobooth for the evening.

We also want to recognize our event sponsors, Green Sapphire Sponsor Devon Energy, and Fire Opal Sponsors OFCA, Lion, Gore, Four M Farms and MSA Globe. This event could not have happened without them.

We also received so many generous donations for auction items -Meredith Herman on behalf of Project Life, Sammye Cravens, Corn hole boards from Dusty Boyd with DB Customs, Rod McCaul of Perry for the custom whiskey barrel table, IFSTA, Managing a Fire Company, Red Iron Coffee, Heritage Integrated, Rose Creek Golf Club, Olive Garden of MWC, Kendra Scott, Blackmon Mooring, Okie Shutter Photography, 2-S Guide Services, Tammy and Jeff Kirkpatrick for the Eufaula AIRBNB stay, Robin with the Ellison Hotel, Madelyn Roth for the painting, Sheri Nickel for the handcrafted quilt and Norman Firefighter Michael Simons for the autographed OU memorabilia.

The auction would not have been so successful without the fabulous job from our auctioneer and volunteer firefighter Jake Stallings. There are so many people and businesses small and large who we are so grateful for.

Another thank you to our master of ceremonies Sylvia Corkhill and News 9 for covering our efforts in a news story.

We also owe a huge thank you to Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum staff member Lance Gill. We traveled across Oklahoma with him and heard heartbreaking testimonies from firefighters who were so brave to share their stories on camera.

I highly encourage you to take the time to watch the No One Fights Alone campaign video (scan the QR code at left). I promise it is so worth it. Lance is incredible at what he does, and we are so thankful that he turned our ideas into a video that perfectly portrayed our mission.

We also want to thank Warriors Rest Foundation. Establishing a relationship with them is a crucial piece to this and will greatly benefit our members and member departments.

Your OSFA Staff is so passionate and deeply cares about bettering the Oklahoma Fire Service for you. To read more about the No One Fights Alone fund, or how it will be accessible to our members, please visit www.osfa.info/news.

As always, if you ever need anything, we are always here for you! Please do not hesitate to call or email one of us!

And remember, you are never alone in your struggles.

You are not weak for needing help. It is OK to need to empty your bucket. It is OK to not be OK.

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 15

Jeremy Williams: Safety & Health Committee Report Guthrie FD

No One Fights Alone

Mental health awareness in first responders is becoming more and more prevalent across the nation.

Access to help is still limited and there’s unfortunately a stigma that you are weak that keeps most from obtaining the help that they need.

A recent report from the Ruderman Family Foundation found that first responders are five times more likely to develop PTSD than civilians.

Although the stresses of the job have not changed, the attention it is receiving has. Bringing to light the struggles that first responders are going through helps us find ways of helping those in need.

OSFA and the Safety & Health Committee are vested in the betterment of our members so they may have long healthy careers in the fire service.

I recently attended the inaugural OSFA Mental Health Gala that kicked off OSFA’s No One Fights Alone campaign.

This campaign is designed to bring awareness to mental health and combat the stigma surrounding seeking help.

The money raised will be available through scholarships to members in need of help who cannot necessarily afford it all on their own.

As the chairman of OSFA’s Safety & Health Committee, I was honored to attend this event and speak to the needs of this campaign.

Early in my career through listening to conversations, I learned to keep my feelings to myself. This mentality has to STOP! Mental health should be looked at in the same manner as physical fitness. If we are spending time bettering our physical fitness to better protect our citizens, then mental health should be no different.

We all have different coping mechanisms. We all handle stress differently. But at the end of the day, we all have a bucket that our worries and stresses go into. After a while, that bucket begins to overflow. This does not only cause problems in our duties to our citizens, it bleeds over to our friends and families, as well.

We can all help in reducing the effects of mental health issues in our members. Bring to light in your departments that it is OK for your fellow firefighters to discuss things that are or have been bothering them.

Let your fellow firefighters know that it is OK for them to talk to you. I always let guys know in my department that no matter what is said around the kitchen table, at the end of the day they can come to me if they need to talk.

After bad calls, I can always count on guys calling the next day to make sure I am good. I have learned that these simple things are very effective in helping.

We all have to play a part in combating mental health issues within our own departments. We all have to help put an end to the stigma that mental health issues are a weakness.

Be the change in your department.

16Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Jeremy and Michelle Williams at the inaugural No One Fights Alone Gala

Jacob Stangl: OSFA Public Education Committee Report On Sept. 19, OSFA’s Public Education Committee hosted its annual Oklahoma Public Education Summit.

The event was held at the Bethany Children’s Health Center.

There were over 40 attendees from across the state of Oklahoma, as well as attendees from as distant Edmond FD as Delaware.

The Summit featured Kelly Ransdell of NFPA, Daniel Majano of ESFI, a representative from the CPSC and numerous other speakers and exhibitors.

The Summit provided a great networking experience for fire and life safety educators across the state.

Additionally, on Sept. 18, in conjunction with NFPA, the Steps To Safety Train the Trainer course was hosted at the Bethany Children’s Health Center.

This new program addresses fire and fall prevention in the older population. Attendees were given resources to present the new program to their communities. Our state is one of the first to receive this new training.

Both events provided great resources for not only fire departments, but also those working in healthcare and related fields.

We look forward to building on the success of this summit and making the 2024 summit even better!

OSFA Public Education Committee Members at the 2023 Oklahoma Public Education Summit

OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EDUCATION SUMMIT B L U E

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Kyle Ramer: Volunteer Fire Service Committee Report I have two questions for everybody: How many firefighters are in the State of Oklahoma?

How many fire departments are in the State of Oklahoma?

Jacktown FD Would it shock you if I told you nobody truly knows the answer? Sadly, that is the truth, nobody really knows.

Over the past few months, I have asked these two questions to every agency that should have the answer, and each agency provided me with what number they could dig up from records. Not a single one matched up.

It’s crazy to think that in this data overloaded world, we still don’t know how many fire departments or firefighters are currently serving in the State of Oklahoma.

For the most part, that is our own fault.

You see, volunteer departments make up the majority of the Oklahoma Fire Service. However, we find ourselves in the bottom five for national reporting percentages.

How can we tell our story and fight for funding when we aren’t even on the map?

Brian Brush said this about the fire service years ago. “It’s time we stop counting our losses and start counting our wins.”

This is true for the volunteer departments, as well.

We need to showcase those volunteered man hours sacrificed away from our families as wins and a huge cost savings to our state. It’s time to do our part!

It’s time we as the volunteer fire service help paint the full picture of our contributions to the Oklahoma Fire Service. It’s time we use data to drive the change needed for increases in funding, training, and respect.

I challenge all involved to come together and find a better way to provide these numbers so we can promote all the benefits we provide, day in and day out.

OSFA’s Volunteer Fire Service Committee has navigated a few obstacles this quarter. I’m sure many of you have heard rumblings of a project that OFCA is currently working on. I caution you to not jump to conclusions or form your beliefs based on invalid information.

Although our committee didn’t have a part in creating this idea, I promise you that the Volunteer Fire Service Committee is actively communicating with the leaders of OFCA to make sure this proposal does not negatively affect the volunteer fire service.

On Nov. 11, our committee is attending a pilot class that OFCA and OSU-FST has collectively created, centered around the proposed new fire chiefs training.

We are also just months away now from the 2024 OSFA Volunteer Caucus which will be held in Woodard on Feb. 3.

Mark those calendars and come let your voice be heard to better the volunteer fire service.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

OSFA and OFCA were represented at the OML Conference Sept. 20 and shared the benefits of being a member and details of upcoming events

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 19

24th Annual Oklahoma Fallen & Living Firefighters Memorial Service

20Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Honoring Our Own n Oct. 8, 2023 n At Oklahoma Firefighters Museum & Memorial Afton Allen Allen Alva Alva Anadarko Antlers Arapaho Bartlesville Bethany Bethany Billings Blackwell Bluejacket Braman Brent Rural Byng Caddo Capron Carnegie Cashion Checotah Chickasha Coalgate Collinsville Copan Covington Crescent Cyril Cyril Davenport Durant Elk City Enid Enid Enid Eufaula Fairfax Francis Frederick Gage Gage Garber Haileyville Haskell Hastings Henryetta Hobart Holdenville Hugo Kingfisher Laverne Lindsay Locust Grove Lone Wolf

Thomas L. Bassett Charles S. Cannon Buck Clinton Cooper Roger Rhodes Sr. Terry L. Swenn Dennis W. Wilkerson Donald W. House Kevin E. Evans John J. Stokes Alvin V. King Carl W. Lightner Wilfred Waggoner Donald R. Decamp Jack W. Warden Don A. Leatherman Stacey L. Webb William D. Randolph Kenneth R. Whorton Daryl D. Schwerdtfeger Billie J. Smith Sr. Jeffrey L. Beutler Andy L. Blizzard Brian Zalewski Richard D. Traylor John D. Swim Dewayne J. Anderson Calvin L. Redwine Joeseph L. Kegin Lee E. Gibson Don R. Snider Jimmy J. Clarkson Don L. Herron Billy Word Jimmie A. Evans Bernard L. Flaming Walter L. McAlister Melvin L. Clover Dale W. Brewer Larry R. Scroggins Buddy A. Mealor Irvin L. Cook Richard P. Morley Elvin W. Sweet Ralph W. Weaver Donald A. Laferry Ronnie Bohot Kenneth E. Matthews Paul M. Lalli Bobby J. Brittain Andy Feco Glendon Benda Guy M. Harvey Kenneth Scruggs John D. Holman George B. Dugan

Mangum Mangum Mannford Marietta Mulhall Muskogee Muskogee Muskogee Nichols Hills Norman Norman Okarche Okarche Okemah Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Okmulgee Paoli Pawhuska Ponca City Ponca City Pryor Purcell Sapulpa

Wayne Smith Richard Perry Jimmie L. Cramer Bobby J. Sharp Glen Fillmore Curtis D. Jackson Roy G. Derebery Vernon L. McLemore Jimmy P. Belden Harold W. Caskey Lloyd G.Yates Leo E. Meyer Paul J. Biller Vance Vanhooser Gary L. Ashcraft Michael R. Nitzel Ronald H. Butler Kenneth D. Evetts Samuel L. Musick James R. Minx Kenneth D. Adams Joseph D. Rohr Ralph A. Davison Rex L. O’Brien Russell D. Burkhalter Kinley M. Purcell Leslie Lambeth Sr. Tom Porter Donald E. Peters Gregory L. Strahm Virgle O. Taylor Larry D. Brown Richard Crittenden Sr. Billy H. Bacon Edward E. Duty

Shattuck Shawnee Snyder Snyder Spiro Stillwater Stillwater Stillwell Sulphur Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Tulsa Union City Union City Vici Wayne Waynoka Weatherford Weatherford Westville Wilburton Wilburton Wilson Wright City Wynnewood Yukon

James Wade Bruce Charles W. Wolfe Jackie G. Harmon Curtis W. Bates Enie Tobler Jr. John R. Huff Ellis E. Allinson Ronald S. Trentham Clifford Johnson Pete C. Faulkenberry Jimmy L. White Danny E. Jones Gary W. England Harold L. Reese Bob J. Kendrick Joshua L. Rutledge Terry E. McGee Kirk P. Lewis Stanley E. Day Edward S. Sunday Jr. Ed W. Allphin Eldon R. Ventris Harold W. Ratterman Gary Turner Ira R. Perry Jim Parks David W. Wright Dean R. Brown Bentz C. Hester John Cook Vernon Underwood Jim D. Barnes Terry D. Laster Edward A. Nelms Curtis D. Schroeder

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 21

Names Added to Memorial Wall If you hit your 20 years of service this year and have been an OSFA Member for all 20 years, your name is now engraved on our beautiful Memorial outside the OSFA office!

The new engravings were added to the mahogany granite panels numbered 56, 57, 58 and 59.

ATTENTION Fire Chiefs and Department Heads Need training for your mechanics?

Are the mechanics working on your equipment certified?

Think you cannot afford training?

The Oklahoma Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians helps mechanics and departments find training, servicing and parts for emergency equipment.

oklahomaevt@gmail.com mechanic_efd@yahoo.com www.OKEVT.com OKEVT on Facebook

O.A.E.V.T. CAN HELP!

O.A.E.V.T. can provide FREE TRAINING 405-834-5975 groberts1960@gmail.com that can be •tailored to your department 22Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation proudly supports the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

Tim Nash timn@intercontinental.net

1270 Soldiers Field Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 23 Ro

Boston, MA 0213

Blake Braden: OSFA EMS Committee Report The OSFA EMS Committee has had an excellent start to this year.

Guthrie FD I would like to extend my congratulations to OSFA Administrative Director Sheri Nickel and OSFA’s dedicated staff for their successful acquisition of the SAFER grant.

This achievement represents a significant milestone, as it enables the launch of initial fire and education courses across the state for our valuable volunteers.

This development promises to be a valuable asset, benefiting both our communities and the state as a whole.

During our recent EMS Committee meeting, the primary focus revolved around training, given its pivotal role in enhancing our emergency medical services.

Notably, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) has posted a vital update on its website regarding Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Moving forward, only CEUs that are CAPCE and State-approved will be accepted.

The OSDH Education and Training Committee is scheduled to convene on Nov. 9, during which they will unveil the processes by which CEUs will be approved.

We engaged in in-depth discussions concerning training, identifying specific topics that require state-specific CEUs, aligning with our commitment to constantly improve our EMS for the fire service.

In keeping with our ongoing efforts, we remain vigilant about exploring funding opportunities that can further elevate our EMS capabilities.

We are dedicated to finding ways to enhance the fire service’s emergency medical services continually.

Should you or your department require assistance creating an Emergency Medical Responder Association (EMRA) or have any training-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or any committee member. We are here and eager to provide our support.

Together, we can strive to make a difference and advance emergency medical services in our state.

Firefighting Is Family Business For Billingsleys Mike “Rookie” Billingsley saw the Multi-Generational Fire Families feature in the last issue of Oklahoma Firefighter.

So he decided to share his fire family’s story.

In 34 years as a firefighter, Rookie served on four Oklahoma FDs and in the U.S. Navy.

And he served at two FDs twice!

His son Ryan Billingsley saw how much his dad enjoyed the fire service, so he joined, as well.

Ryan started at Lawton FD in 2010 and transferred to Yukon FD in 2013, where he is now a Corporal.

Rookie started as a volunteer at Wewoka FD in 1967.

Then he joined the U.S. Navy and served as an Aircraft FF for two years.

After his discharge, he joined The Village FD and served from 1970-1976.

Then he went back to Wewoka FD as a full-time FF in 1977. Then he went back to The Village FD in 1982.

In 1985, Rookie transferred to Edmond FD, where he stayed until 1990. Then he found his retirement FD at Nichols Hills,

Question & Answers Oklahoma Firefighter asked last issue’s readers this question: What is one thing you’ll never do again?

Here is what they said: w Cary Provence, Yukon: Get married!! w Michael Baker, Tulsa: Buy a house that sits on a sloped lot. w Sheri Nickel, Orlando: One thing I will never do is ride an electric scooter!!! w Mike Price, Ret. OKC: The one thing I will never do again is say no to God’s call in my life, whether as Pastor or serving as Chaplain for over 1,100 Oklahoma City Retired Firefighters. w Eldon Henderson, Ret. Enid: I’ll never hike the Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Trail down to the Colorado River and back up again in one day. A beautiful hike, just too much for one day! w Darren Alexander, Cedar Country: I’m afraid of heights, so it would be zip lining in Jamaica. Everything looked a little sketchy to begin with, and when I asked them if OSHA had looked at any of this equipment, they replied ‘Who is OSHA?’ as I was screaming above a waterfall. w Bryan West, OSU-FST: One thing I learned as a young boy -- Don’t lie to or sass your mother. w Bert Norton, Midwest City: I will not run a marathon again.

Ryan and Rookie Billingsley

retiring in 2001.

Rookie also had two uncles who were firefighters.

Earl Billingsley retired from Oklahoma City FD (1922-42), and Fred Billingsley retired from Orange County (CA) FD. “Listening to their fire stories as a young child encouraged me to dream about being a firefighter.,” said Rookie, who also served on the ORFA Board (2002-06) and ran the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum for eight years.

24Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

w Marshall Dunnam, Ret. OKC: There are many things I will never do again.

One is fight in a war. Two is fight fire. But the one that means the most to me that I dearly miss is hugging my mother.

Next Issue’s Question -If you could create a holiday, what would it be?

Everyone is Welcome to Participate!

Email Your Response to penelopes@osfa.info

Mike Duncan: ORFA President’s Report

2023-24 ORFA EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT

3RD VICE PRESIDENT

Dewey FD Ret.

Tulsa FD Ret.

Mike Duncan

Hello all!

The retirees are staying busy going to Regional Meetings with our Representitives. We have also been stopping by some county retiree meetings.

We had a lunch picnic with the retirees at the Oklahoma State Firefighter Museum. There were around 100 Ret. Dewey FD people in attendance. I missed out, as I still wasn’t feeling well. I am doing better, but still a little more to go.

Winter is getting closer. Flu and cold season is here.

Wash your hands a lot. Flu shots are available for those who want them. Watch yourselves and be safe. If you’re traveling for the upcoming holidays, be safe.

mduncan51@aol.com

PAST PRESIDENT

Milfay FD Ret.

Norman FD Ret.

Dr. Erick Reynolds rerick@osufpp.org

nfdchief@hotmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OKC FD Ret.

Moore FD Ret.

Marshall Dunnam

dunnamm@yahoo.com

VICE PRESIDENT Haley Thompson hthomp933@gmail.com

JR BOARD MEMBER Ada Allison allisonada55@gmail.com

James Fullingim

2ND VICE PRESIDENT

2023-24 OSFA WOMEN’S AUXILIARY EXECUTIVE BOARD

SEC/TREASURER Sara Johnson sjohnson033@yahoo.com

gordongingrich@gmail.com

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

ORFA Board Members enjoying the day at the 2023 David Bain Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament

PRESIDENT Courtney Thompson courtneythompson524@gmail.com

Gordon Gingrich

PAST PRESIDENT Kendra Engle kedamo10@yahoo.com

Tippy Pierce

fftip@swbell.net

Tippy Pierce: ORFA Executive Director’s Report I have some exciting news about what is happening with the ORFA. We have started a new Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Assn. Facebook page.

Ret. Moore FD We will be posting information about ORFA Board meetings, minutes of board meetings, upcoming events and any other relevant information.

Our chapters can put information about what is going on with them.

If you have pictures of events that your chapter has held, we would be glad to post them.

Feel free to get more information out to all retired members.

After the next ORFA Board meeting, we will be posting the people who will be on all of the Cornerstone Committees.

We thank everyone who has served on these committees in the past and future.

By the next issue of the Oklahoma Firefighter magazine, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year will have happened.

Please have time to share with each and everyone in your family these holidays. God bless each and every one of you.

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 25

OAK GROVE FD Last August, Oak Grove Fire Department held its first Volunteer Firefighter Academy.

Firefighters helped promote the event through word of mouth, social media and a short video with snippets of training and some calls. News 6 in Tulsa even aired a few stories about it.

“Most importantly, we held an Open House Recruiting event,” said Sheeba Atiqi, Oak Grove firefighter and Public Information Officer. “That gave people the opportunity to come in and fill out an application (for the academy), take a tour of the fire house and meet the fellow firefighters. It gave people the opportunity to ask questions, see the environment and see if this would be a good fit for their lives.

“And we were able to recruit 11 out of 13 applicants, which is huge as you know for a volunteer fire department. So our first Volunteer Academy had a class of 11 people, five of them being girls! We pride ourselves on the diversity of the department that brings people from all walks of life together for a common passion -- to serve the community. “ The Volunteer Academy was two weeks long, and then it immediate-

n RECRUITMENT & RETE R

ecruitment and retention are v fire service. Fire departments play a cr towns and unincorporated areas in ou But without enough dedicated men difficult to fulfill the mission.

T

ly transitioned into the Fire 1 Certification Course taught

by Wagoner County Firefighter Academy instructors.

Firefighters at Oak Grove are required to acquire FF1 and EMT certification within their first two years on the department.

“Along with the new academy, we have shifted

our call responding and staffing policies, which has helped with the retention and even camaraderie of the department,” Atiqi said.

“Since January, we have made minor changes but made major waves in our retention and overall happiness and success of our firefighters.”

Oak Grove firefighters Sheeba Atiqi and Noelia Delgado

Agra Patrick Johnston Alva Joby Allen Avant Dustin Truitt Beaver Zachary McLemore Bridge Creek Devon Johannesen Bridge Creek Shane Lundy Bridge Creek Caleb Stalnaker Bridgecreek William Sparks Buffalo Max Shuman Carmen Blake Oldham Cashion John Pourroy Cashion Garrison Myatt Cedar Country Andy Wise Central High Tyler Myers Checotah Zachary Nugent Checotah Dakota Smith

By Sheri Nickel, OSFA A

Choteau Choteau Choteau Choteau Cleo Springs Cleo Springs Cleo Springs Cleo Springs Collinsville Collinsville Cromwell Dewey Dewey Douglas FAIC Fairview

Max Keith Hill Jason Treat Nathan Graham Kelly Emberton Josh Davidson Taylor Haggard Seth Wichert Jody Clark Andrew Mack Ethan Nichols Austin Galyen Robert Johnson Brandon Willis Matthew Jantz Brandon Armstrong Kyle Koehn

26Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Fairview Fargo Foraker Foreest Park Freedom Gideon Gideon Goodwell Goodwell Grove Hennessey Hennessey Hennessey Hominy Hominy Hydro

Willis Mallory Eric Strick Ty Flanary Shelby NeSmith Pake Carlson Elijah Tatman Sierra Smith Drew Marvin Smith Tyrun Rose Brookelyn Popp Jalyen Goff Kyle Keeton Levi Copeland Brendon Peters Dillon Gwinn Forrest Lambert

he OSFA was recently awarded a grant for fiscal year 2022.

This funding will allow us to contin volunteer fire departments and firefigh Since receiving the 2015 SAFER gra to improving the recruitment and rete Oklahoma.

Hundreds of volunteers have been and 2.

We have worked with OSU-FST thr branched out and created a new partn deliver high-quality training to those m their certification.

Additionally, thousands of hours of taken out and delivered to communiti value of the responders all over.

Another major benefit has been pro new recruits to determine if they are “ department with a new set of PPE for trained firefighters have an increased s knowing that all of their training coup them ready for when the call for help

T

he funds from the 2018 SAFER g ers regardless of their hire dates the op of Firefighter-1. That isn’t including th currently.

Of those 163, the 140 firefighters lis fit to include their NFPA 1582 physica purchase a new set of PPE. Congratulations to these firefighter loyalty into making this happen. They Oklahoma Fire Service.

Special thank you’s go out to the co the time away from their families to sp In the coming weeks, I will be meet a training plan for 2024. Please be sure for the changes that will occur with th Hydro Hydro Hydro Illinois River Iowa Tribe Kellyville Kenton Kenton Keys Laverne Liberty Area Little Axe Little Axe Little Axe Lowrey Marlow

Justin Southard Taylor Anderson Toby Chisum Lauren Champlin Hattie Lincoln Jacob O’Brien Kenny Bob Tapp Joshua Tapp Gracee Walker Scott Wayne Weeks Avana Vess Megan Pfeiffer Bryan Wingfield Joshua Imoe Jake Colburn Alexander Nowlin

ENTION SUCCESS STORIES

Administrative Director

vital elements for the success of the ritical role in safeguarding cities, ur state. n and women, it becomes increasingly

another almost $2.7 million SAFER

nue to deliver quality training to hters. ant, the OSFA has been committed ention of volunteer firefighters in trained to the level of Firefighter-1

rough the years and have recently nership with OSU-OKC to continue to men and women who want to obtain

f basic firefighter training have been ies all over Oklahoma, increasing the

oviding the NFPA 1582 physicals to “fit-for-duty” and providing the fire these recruits which helps the newly sense of self-worth and confidence pled with properly fitting PPE has drops.

grant provided 163 volunteer firefightpportunity to be certified to the level he two classes that are finishing up

sted below qualified for the full beneal and to allow their fire department to

rs who put true determination and y each are an improved piece of the

oordinators and instructors who took pend training these men and women. ting with instructors and developing e to watch our Facebook training page his new funding.

Marlow Keedric Emerson Marlow James Bourke Marlow Michael Elroy Monkey Island Chad Tucker Monkey Island Murphy Matthew Mulvane Monkey Island Thomas Hohmann Mounds Paul Perez Mountain View John Geoffroy Mountain View Gary Rakes Nash Morgan Meyer Nash Adam Schuermann Nash Wyatt Shrewsberry Nash Samuel Wagar North 48 Dalton Haynes Norwood Rural Holden Ratterree Nowata Matthew Larson

n KILDARE FD

Kildare Fire Chief Travis Harris is easy to reach. Firefighters give out his phone number to anyone interested in joining the department.

But it is not as easy to get on the department.

There is a 5-page application, interview, background check, 1-year Travis Harris probationary period and one year as a rookie.

“It has taken five or so years to get here, but we can be picky now,” Chief Harris said. “My firefighters have pride they are Kildare firefighters -- not that we didn’t have it before, but it is different with more self worth.

“And all of the Kildare firefighters would rather have one committed recruit than three or four who are not committed.”

New recruits receive a yellow helmet and a green book that contains pertinent information, such as SOG’s, command structure, apparatus info and other info.

At the end of their rookie year, they are tested on it to see who gets a red hat and becomes a full-fledged firefighter.

And all new hires are required to become a minimum EMR in two years, as long as it is free to them.

“Now that Kay County has a Fire/EMS county tax, new hires will be attending EMS classes as soon as possible after starting,” Chief Harris said. “We do not have the people who are here just for the cap and tee-shirts now.”

Kildare FD requires a commitment from all its firefighters, as well. Each firefighter must attend 40% of the opportunities offered at the station each year -- meetings, trainings or squad maintenance days.

“I know that some departments are desperate for help, but if you can start separating the quality applicants out before they start, you can reduce the number of people who get on, then NW Fire Dist Oak Cliff Oak Cliff Oak Cliff Oak Cliff Oak Cliff Oak Cliff Okeene Olive Olive Perkins Pernell Piedmont Pocola Pond Creek Pond Creek

Robert Loudermilk Maddison Frizzell Jamison Spence Trenton Draper Xavier Stockard Jared Brummitt Blaine Franklin Jacob Parrish Zachary Collins Matthew Laffoon TJ Evans Hailey Griffin Evan Siefke Scott Young Brandon Walker Justin Young

Quapaw Richland Rosston Sharon Sperry Springer Strother Stroud Taft Tahlequah Tecumseh Tecumseh Terlton Texhoma Turpin Valley View

In-house search and rescue training

say ‘This is not for me’ and stop showing up.”

When asked to share a success story, Chief Harris chose to talk about Nicole Landreth.

“Anyone of my firefighters could be selected for this question, but Nicole Landreth called me out of the blue. She was moving to the Ponca City area from Morrison, and one of her officers suggested she contact us at Kildare Fire.

“She filled out the application and interviewed. In her interview, she stated that she wanted to be a career firefighter.

“Kildare has a history of getting firefighters hired as career firefighters -- I can recall seven or eight who became career firefighters. And two of those are training at Pioneer Technology Center in Ponca City, with Nicole being one of Nicole Landreth them.”

Nicholas Abernathy Jacob McDaniel Ben Brown Campbell McAllister Heather Ashcraft Jack Cunningham Matthew Mustain Larry Vickrey Kenneth Lee Jr. Matthew Meredith Eddie Kidney Caeden Shirey Jackey Davis Trenton Ferguson Adam Sander Joseph Doerr

Valley View Valley View Watonga W. Bryan Co. Wellston Wister Wister Woodward Woodward Woodward Woodward Yale Yale Yale Yale Yale

Mathew Exline Maurice Schulte-Mattler Dalton Laird Richard Colter Jonathan Spence Adam Hagelberger John Henson Chris Charmasson Colton Noreuil John Jake Persall Ben Vanderhoof Avery Jackson Bailey Magill Kelvin Reyes Ilona Klecka Aidan McCamant

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 27

Oak Grove FD members before the 2021 Chili Supper community fundraising event -- The department has about doubled since then!

What Oak Grove Firefighters Are Saying: Rookie Gracie Walker: What brought me to Oak Grove was how many firefighters I worked with through my paramedic program who told me how the department was about training and genuine teaching.

I wanted to make sure that since I was starting from little to no fire-related knowledge that I’d be taught and worked with on certain things.

Already in the past couple months, I’ve learned way more than I initially expected to in the academy, Fire 1 and at the station while staffing. We’ve ran drills and learned how to use equipment that I never thought I’d use.

Firefighter Danny Oliver: What’s kept me here is the family I’ve made. The opportunity to pay back what they’ve done for me by helping train the people who are in the same shoes as I was when I started.

I really like how it feels like a home. And I love the blessing I get to help the community on their worst day.

Firefighter Nick Bordofske: What brought me here was a calling to be something more than myself and to help out the community.

What keeps me here is the family I have created -- seeing us blowing up as a department and making a lasting name for ourselves.

Rookie Shalyn Anderson: I love how it feels like we’re a family and have each others’ backs no matter what.

I feel like everyone is willing to teach and genuinely wants to. I’ve learned a lot so far since I’ve been here, and I learn something new every time I’m at the station.

Gracie Walker

Nick Bordofske

Danny Oliver

Shalyn Anderson

Oak Grove FD is a 100% volunteer department with 35 members currently. n Fire Chief: Riley Shepherd n Joined OSFA in 1999 n Works mutual aid with Tulsa Fire, Broken Arrow Fire and Catoosa Fire.

OGFD’s New Staffing Policy: Firefighters are assigned a “staffing day” and they choose to staff during the day or night or even all day -- it’s up to their availability.

This has led to the station being staffed five out of seven days a week, leading to faster response times due to personnel already being at the station.

It has also had an uptick on station morale.

OGFD Firefighter Benefits: Firefighters have access to a full gym at the station that they can use for free.

OGFD encourages outside training opportunities and even pays for that training.

On Tuesday nights, firefighters train as a station in various skills. And prior to training, everyone eats dinner together as a family.

Firefighter Training offered

28Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Why These Firefighters Are Proud To Be on Kildare FD: Firefighter Nicholas Otto: To serve the family and friends of my community. To work with individuals of passion and drive for a common goal of protecting our community as well as those surrounding.

Nicholas Otto

Kildare FD currently has 22 firefighters, including six who are paid.

Four firefighters are sharing two sets of gear until Kildare FD gets in new gear. n Fire Chief: Travis Harris n Joined OSFA in 1987 n Works mutual aid with Newkirk, Blackwell, Ponca City all of Kay County.

Tyler Arrowsmith

Senior Firefighter Bobby Laramy: I am proud to be on the Kildare FD because it is a small town department.

It seems as if every fire we go on, it is not just some random person, we are helping friends and family. Also, I’m proud that we are always here for each other and our community.

Bobby Laramy

Bo Elam

Capt. Bo Elam: That we are very much family first. Our reputation of bravery when we are deployed on a task force. Also, I like the history of our department.

Rookie Kildare & Arkansas City Firefighter Cade Gillock: I get to follow in my dad’s footsteps, while also providing voluntary service to those in need in my community.

KFD Goals: Chief Harris is working to get 75% or more firefighters in the next year or two with 80% EMR or higher.

Rookie Kildare & Arkansas City Firefighter Tyler Arrowsmith: I am proud to be with Kildare FD because of the firefighters I get to stand beside. I’m proud to have the opportunity to make a difference in the community with the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met.

Cade Gillock

Tommy Talkington

Lt. Tommy Talkington: How appreciative the people are when we are on scene, whether it be a grass fire or a lift assist or even when you are out and about and someone recognizes that you’re a Kildare firefighter.

I enjoy the smile on their face when we show up, the ability to help someone out in a time of need and to be able to help out the community.

“This is a plan to make Kildare FD the best it can be, and it has been a lot of work,” Chief Harris said.

In the last couple of years, the only firefighters Kildare FD lost were from people moving away or those let go because of inactivity.

Kildare firefighters loading new supply hose

Nicholas Otto, Jason Johnson and Tommy Talkington

through OSFA’s SAFER grant

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 29

Capital Dynamics is a proud supporter of The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association (OSFA) and salutes the work of all the active and retired members With our 14 offices worldwide and over 160 professionals, Capital Dynamics is a continued supporter of OSFA’s purpose to create, maintain, and perpetuate a fraternal spirit among its members, to suggest helpful legislation, to educate its members, and to enhance the value and dignity of the firefighting profession.

Capital Dynamics is distinguished by its deep and sustained partnerships with clients, a culture that attracts entrepreneurial thought leaders and a commitment to provide innovative ideas and solutions for its clients.

capdyn.com

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Disclaimer: This document does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of any kind in Capital Dynamics, including any of its funds or other investment products. Any such offer or solicitation shall be only made pursuant to a private placement memorandum or similar such document furnished by Capital Dynamics. This document shall not, nor the fact of its distribution, form the basis for, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract. Before relying on this information for any purpose, including with respect to making any investment in any Capital Dynamics investment product or fund, Capital Dynamics advises the recipient of this information (the “Recipient”) to perform independent verification of the data and conduct his or her own analysis with appropriate advisors. This document is for informational purposes only, is confidential and may not be reproduced in whole or in part (whether in electronic or hard-copy form).

30Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

On Display at Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum

Picture above is the diving helmet and its manuallyoperated air pump that was used by the Oklahoma City FD for water rescue and body recovery.

They were purchased and placed into service in the early months of 1936.

OKC Fire Chief George Goff even put on the diving helmet for a photo that ran in the Oklahoma City Times newspaper on Feb. 24, 1936 (story at right).

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 31

LGT Capital Partners is a proud sponsor of the 129th Annual OSFA Convention LGT Capital Partners Ltd. is a leading alternative investment specialist with over USD 85 billion in assets under management and more than 650 institutional clients in 44 countries.

An international team of over 700 professionals is responsible for managing a wide range of investment programs focusing on private markets, liquid alternatives, and multi-asset class solutions. Headquartered in Pfaeffikon (SZ), Switzerland, the firm has offices in San Francisco, New York, Dublin, London, Paris, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Vaduz, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney.

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32Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Mike Price: Oklahoma Fire Chaplain Report Fire Chaplains provide a very important service to retirees and retiree families.

Just because we are Ret. OKC FD retired doesn’t change who we are, and the pride and brotherhood and sisterhood of the firefighter family.

As the chaplain for the Oklahoma City Retired Firefighters Association, I represent over 1,100 retirees.

I served OCFD from March 1968 to December 1993, retiring with the rank of Major.

One of the major functions as chaplain is trying to help keep our members updated on the health and well-being of our membership. We do that through our Facebook group and emails with the help of our second vice president William Hallman.

We are fortunate to have excellent relationships with the active duty chaplain Steve Harris and Fire Chief Richard Kelley.

When one of our retirees passes away, I respond to the home with a care bag filled with paper goods, coffee, tea and other items needed with friends and family coming to the home.

We also include an information sheet that lists all the places the survivors would need to contact after the death -- the Firefighters Pension and Retirement system, Plan B, OKC Benefit Coordinator, life insurance, medical insurance, Social Security office.

This has proven to be very helpful to the firefighters’ survivors.

Funerals are an important part of what I do. Helping with funeral planning, assisting with the services and many times conducting the funeral service -- assisted by the OCFD Honor Guard, rendering firefighter honors, presenting the OCFD flag to widow or next of kin followed

by Taps. We are there to support the family any way possible.

Eddie Joe West Died Oct. 15 (Age 82) Tulsa FD (1971-1997) James Quimby Died Oct. 9 (Age 88) Tulsa FD (1960-1980) John Imhoff Died Sept. 28 (Age 68) Tulsa FD (1981-2007)

Warren Stallard Died Sept. 24 (Age 54) Loyal FD (2013-2023)

Greg Cross Died Sept. 23 (Age 57) Altus FD (1994-2023)

Levi Wilkins Died Sept. 22 (Age 36) Norman FD (2013-2023) Charles Oliphant Died Sept. 9 (Age 86) Norman FD (1965-1986) Dakota Green Died Sept. 6 (Age 29) (Line of Duty) Grove FD (2017-2023) Cody Frantz Died Aug. 2 (Age 25) Balko FD (2019-2023)

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 33

Caroline Reed: OSU Kelly Ransdell: NFPA Report FST Director wildfire-prone areas. Governments Happy Fall Y’all!

Greetings from Stillwater!

As we get closer to the New Year, we have been busy getting our 2024 training calendar scheduled.

Get ready to sharpen your skills and expand your knowledge as we OFCA Ex Officio gear up for a series of exciting training events in the coming months.

First on the agenda is the Destry Horton Wildland and EMS School scheduled for Feb. 23-25. This event promises to provide valuable insights and hands–on experience in wildland firefighting.

Following that, we have a Regional Fire and EMS School in Atoka, taking place March 9-10, where participants can look forward to comprehensive training and networking opportunities.

We are actively planning additional Regional Schools in the northwest and northeast regions of the state to ensure that our training reaches a broader audience.

Mark your calendars for a major highlight of our training calendar -- the 2024 Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Conference May 15-18. This four-day event features renowned keynote speakers including retired U.S. Navy Seal Jason Redman and Rudy Ruettiger from the University of Notre Dame.

The Hazmat Conference will offer the attendees the chance to delve into the latest developments in hazardous materials management, learning from experts in the forefront of the field.

It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss, so stay tuned for more details and registration information as the date approaches.

These training events promise to be both informative and inspiring, providing invaluable resources for the state fire service to further its expertise and connect with like-minded peers.

Winding down 2024 will be the Oklahoma Swiftwater Conference Sept 9-13, 2024. The conference and competition is a unique opportunity for first responders from across the country to train and learn at the best water rescue training facility in the United States, RiverSport OKC. The instructors bring real-world experience through multiple national deployments and local responses to water rescue incidents.

The last day will include a competition to allow participants to perfect the skills they learned in a competitive and challenging environment.

The conference and competition offers the premiere opportunity to train personnel on techniques that are proven successful and safe in the most dynamic and dangerous water conditions.

RiverSport OKC offers a safe and challenging swiftwater training facility that can simulate the most difficult water rescue scenarios first responders may face.

34Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

We had an exciting summit and training on Steps to Safety in September.

Here is a look at some educational Regional Director resources over the last few months.

Outthink Wildfire Following the catastrophic Maui wildfires, which are among the deadliest in U.S. history, and with the state of Washington now grappling with its own destructive blazes, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging governments, communities, and individual property owners alike to take science-backed steps to prepare for wildfire, reduce risks, and support more robust firefighting efforts at the local level.

Nearly 45 million homes are in the wildland/urban interface (WUI).

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, approximately 71.8 million properties in the U.S. are at some risk from wildfire.

Each year, some of the largest-loss fires occur in the WUI. In the past five years alone, wildfires have destroyed nearly 63,000 U.S. structures, most of which were homes, not including the recent losses in Maui.

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that less than 10 percent of at-risk communities have developed community action plans to reduce loss from wildfire.

NFPA’s Outthink Wildfire initiative provides a policy framework and recommendations to prepare for, mitigate, and fight wildfires.

The Five Tenets of Outthink Wildfire: 1. Require all homes and businesses in the wildland/urban interface (WUI) to be more resistant to ignition from wildfire embers and flames. Assistance by way of guidance, incentives, and clear requirements is vital in helping property owners reduce ignition risk.

2. Current codes and standards and sound land use practices must be in use and enforced for new development and rebuilding in

are strongly encouraged to use and enforce current fire codes, building codes, and land use practices proven to mitigate risks. NFPA provides essential guidance and documents to aid this effort.

3. Fire departments for communities in the WUI must be prepared to respond safely and effectively to wildfire. NFPA research reveals a critical need to provide local fire departments with the necessary training, protective clothing, and equipment. Most departments respond to wildfires but lack sufficient resources for safe and effective action.

4. The government must increase resources for vegetative fuel management on public land. The Outthink Wildfire policy initiative highlights the importance of fuel treatments on federal, state, and tribal lands, emphasizing methods such as cultural burning, prescribed burning, mechanical treatments, and restoration practices.

5. The public must understand its role and take action in reducing wildfire risk.

Steps to Safety NFPA has announced the launch of Steps to Safety: Prevent Fire and Falls at Home program, which serves as an update to Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults, the NFPA fire and falls prevention curriculum for older adults created some 25 years ago.

Like Remembering When, Steps to Safety’s core messages and methods focus on risk reduction to falls and fires, while the updated program reflects changes in today’s social, physical, and technological landscape.

Steps to Safety features 16 key safety messages -- eight fire prevention and eight fall prevention, developed by experts from national and local safety organizations across the U.S. and Canada.

The program includes an online professional training curriculum, along with new digital and print assets that support learning and behavior change across the older adult lifespan.

OKC FD Ret.

Keith Bryant: Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Report

I recently received an email from a state senator requesting fire fatality data for Oklahoma.

More than just the total number of fatalities, the senator requested a breakdown by residential vs. commercial property and if there was a working smoke alarm present.

To say the least, it was a bit embarrassing to have to tell the senator the information being requested was either non-existent or inaccurate.

Timely and accurate data has historically been a challenge not only in Oklahoma but nationally.

The latest data indicates there are almost 30,000 fire departments in the United States with just over 22,000 that report their data to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

In Oklahoma, there are 926 registered fire departments in the state with 435 reporting their data to NFIRS and 488 reporting on an annual basis on paper to the Oklahoma Fire Incident Reporting System (OFIRS).

The OFIRS paper reports are never entered into NFIRS. On the positive side, it’s good that almost 100% of Oklahoma fire departments are reporting in some form or fashion.

On the negative side, it makes it difficult to know what the true fire problem is in the state when there is a lack of consistency in how data is reported, to what system it is reported in and what information is entered into these systems.

Without accurate, reliable data, it is impossible to make a case for needed additional resources and where we focus our collective effort to reduce loss of life and property to fire in Oklahoma.

In case you weren’t already aware, the United States Fire Administration has recently contracted with the Fire Safety Research Institute within Underwriters Laboratories to develop the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). This system will eventually replace NFIRS. The goal of NERIS is to empower the local fire and emergency services community by equipping them with near real-time information and analytic tools that support data-informed decision-making for enhanced preparedness and response to incidents involving all hazards.

I would highly recommend Oklahoma Fire Service leaders begin to educate themselves on this new system and how it may be beneficial to addressing the fire problem in our state.

Fore more information, go to National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) at www.fema.gov.

Craig Hannan: Fire Protection Publications Director’s Report Greetings Oklahoma Firefighters!

At the time of this writing, I just returned from the U.S. Fire Administrators Summit on Fire Prevention and Control and the fall meeting of the Congressional Fire Service Institute National Advisory Committee.

The second annual USFA Summit, held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, provided an update on the six issues identified at the previous Summit.

There were several Oklahoma Fire Service representatives in the audience. Chief Michael Baker, Fire Chief of Tulsa Fire Department, presented on TFD’s innovative EMS plan for the homeless.

If you were unable to attend, the USFA will provide links to the various presentations from the Summit.

Each of the issues are also Oklahoma Fire Service issues. I encourage you to view the presentations and learn the strategies in place to resolve the issues.

In addition to the Summit, the Congressional Fire Service Institute National Advisory Committee met in Washington, D.C. Prior to the NAC meeting, the CFSI held a press conference at the District of Columbia Fire Department Station 3. The press conference was held to encourage Congress to fund the SAFER and AFG grant programs, as well as the USFA for the FY 2024 appropriations bill.

If your department has benefitted from the AFG or SAFER grant programs, or you have attended an in -person, online or hand-off course from the National Fire Academy, I encourage you to contact your Federal representative to support funding these programs.

Recently, OSU Fire Service Training held the NFA State weekend offering five NFA courses. Enrollment for each of the classes was full or near-full by the time the classes were held.

Specific information on funding the AFG/SAFER and USFA programs and messaging can be found at the CFSI website (www.cfsi.org). The necessary funding for each of these programs has a very needed and positive impact on the health, safety and training of Oklahoma and United States firefighters. Your voice matters!

Until next time, be safe, be well, be well trained.

Perkins FD

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Corey Conrady: The Rural Firefighter

Drummond FD

This article is dedicated to all fire departments -- not just rural -- and the kinds of things we deal with as firefighters who live and serve in the communities we have grown up in.

Learning from Tragedy:

Crucial Role of Firefighter Fatality and Near-Miss Investigations This month again we will focus on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s firefighters’ life safety initiatives.

The 9th initiative is “Fatality and Near Miss Investigations.”

In 2022, the NFPA “reported that a total of 96 fatal firefighter injuries occurred while the victims were on duty. This increase is largely due to the inclusion of deaths occurring within 24 hours of duty. These deaths were previously not counted unless there was a specific physical complaint while on duty.

“Of the 96 firefighters who died of on-duty injuries in 2022, 51 were volunteer firefighters, 38 were career firefighters, six were contractors to state and federal land management agencies, and one was a full-time federal land management employee.”

In firefighting, every call to duty is a potential life-or-death situation. Firefighters put their lives on the line daily to protect their communities, making it paramount that we learn from their experiences to improve safety. This is where firefighter fatality and near-miss investigations come into play.

THE GRIM REALITY Firefighting is one of the most dangerous professions, with numerous hazards that can lead to tragic consequences. Each year, lives are lost in the line of duty, leaving behind grieving families, devastated colleagues, and communities in mourning.

While these losses are heart-wrenching, they underscore the need for a comprehensive investigation process.

FATALITY INVESTIGATIONS: HONORING THE FALLEN When a firefighter loses his/her life in the line of duty, it is not just a personal loss but a blow to the entire firefighting community.

Fatality investigations serve a dual purpose: paying respect to the fallen hero and identifying the circumstances that led to their death. By analyzing the causes and contributing factors of these tragedies, investigators can determine if there were equipment failures, communication breakdowns, or lapses in training. The lessons learned from these investigations can prevent similar incidents in the future, ultimately saving lives.

NEAR-MISS INVESTIGATIONS: A WAKE-UP CALL Near-miss incidents in firefighting are those situations where disaster was narrowly averted, but the potential for catastrophe was alarmingly close. Investigating these near misses is just as crucial as fatality investigations.

These events offer a unique opportunity to learn from near tragedies and apply corrective measures before an actual fatality occurs.

Through rigorous examination, they can reveal flaws in firefighting procedures, training deficiencies, and gaps in communication that need immediate attention.

36Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

SAFETY, TRAINING, AND PREVENTION These investigations aim to improve safety standards, enhance training protocols, and prevent future tragedies. Fire departments across the world have adopted a culture of continuous improvement and safety consciousness, driven by the insights gleaned from these investigations.

COMMUNITY IMPACT The impact of these investigations extends beyond the fire station. Communities benefit from the increased knowledge and vigilance in firefighting. By learning from past incidents, fire departments can provide even better protection and service to the public, reassuring them that the brave individuals who protect their lives are as well-prepared as possible.

Firefighter fatality and near-miss investigations are not just formalities; they are life-saving tools. As we commemorate the sacrifices of these heroes and honor their memory, we must also be committed to preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The knowledge gained from these investigations is the beacon guiding us toward a safer, more secure future and the communities we serve. The dedication of investigators, the resilience of the firefighting community, and the determination to save lives demonstrate that from tragedy, lessons emerge. From those lessons, we forge a path to a safer tomorrow.

There are several tools to guide the process. One such tool is the Vulnerability Assessment Program (VAP) administered by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. This free assessment is available to all fire departments—volunteer, career, industrial, fire/ EMS, and combination services.

Until next time, remember to look out for one another, in the smoke and at the station. Everyone Goes Home!

Sources The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation leads an “Everyone Goes Home” Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives” https://www.everyonegoeshome.com/16-initiatives The National Fire Protection Agency, Fatal Firefighter Injuries in the US in 2022 Richard Campbell and Jay T. Petrillo June 2023

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By Greg LindsayNear-Miss OKC Fire Department Greg Lindsay: Firefighter Report

The Commute to Work One of the essential aspects of any training event is setting the scene for learning.

Often, we start with a goal and establish the OKC FD setting to share the lessons effectively. It’s important to remember that each step in the process is also crucial for success.

The highlighted content for this month is from an archived report from Firefighternearmiss. The lesson is vital to understanding what is necessary to accomplish training while establishing a culture of safety.

Interestingly, the nearmiss element was not the focus of the exercise but was a part of the process needed to achieve the training goal. This is a reminder that from the time we begin any low-occurrence event, our focus should not stray from protecting our personnel.

EVENT NARRATIVE We were conducting a departmental in-service on confined space training. The evolution involved passing through a manhole in the floor of the drill tower and lowering to the floor below. There was some confusion about whether the firefighter would lower on a haul system or rappel to the floor below. In the confusion, the descent device was attached to the rope but was never connected to the harness.

Without direction from the training, command, or safety staff, the firefighter stepped over the opening and fast-roped to the floor below. Though there were no injuries from this incident, the 10-foot drop could have had a very different outcome.

In this scenario, the training involved entering the confined space through a manhole-type opening, but does not discuss the type of training that would occur in the confined space. Without that information, we can only surmise there was more to it than entry and exit. Otherwise, this would have been a ropes class. Take a moment to discuss the following points: • What equipment would this firefighter have used while entering the area through a manhole mock-up?

• Before an actual confined space entry, what essential training should be shared with personnel?

• What are the most likely hazards associated with confined space entry?

• How often do you train with rope systems from any height?

• Suppose you were assigned as the safety officer for this training event. What practices should be in place before anyone enters the training area?

LESSONS LEARNED It is important to note that each element of a successful training evolution was in place to ensure safe practices. This event had a safety officer in place and had been approved by training and command staff. The critical element was a last-minute discussion about conducting the training, which distracted the involved personnel while preparing to begin.

It is also important to note that this was not the first person to attempt the drill, and there had not been any safety checks before anyone was on rope.

We see some safe practices in place with the lessons learned from this event. A safety officer had been assigned, and there had been previous evolutions before this incident. Because the “last-minute discussions” impeded the training, resetting the evolution’s safety parameters may be necessary.

38Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Additionally, issues with urgency and complacency may have contributed.

For most confined space drills, we must identify why these spaces are unique. NFPA 350 Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work is available on the NFPA website.

A fact sheet is also available as a download at: www.nfpa.org// media/Files/Code-or-topic-fact-sheets/FirstResponderConfinedSpaceFactSheet.pdf.

The first element is that the area is not designed for human occupancy. For this reason, we must suspect there may be issues with space to move around and ventilation. Also, these events are usually to accomplish a rescue while hazardous material conditions could be present. This type of event certainly requires planning, whether training or an actual event.

Finally, because each task we perform on the incident scene is specific to the event, there is also the element of getting to the site for the actual work. If you consider the rope system used to access the area is the commute to work, the rescue in a confined space is the job, all combined to complete the training evolution. Each element requires planning and safe practices, especially when they are low-occurrence, elevated-risk events.

Many departments utilize a field guide for these events as a checklist for best practices. A helpful rope rescue article from Firerescue1 magazine is available at www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/rope-rescue/articles/1338303-Steps-to-successful-rope-rescues/.

While these event types don’t happen that often, we do train for them to keep our knowledge base current and our skills sharp.

Our personnel deserve the most protection because they are our most valuable resources. As supervisors in the fire service, we must uphold the standard for safe practices during training so that we perform on the scene with every safeguard in place. Practice the way you play and come home safe.

Talking about an incident at the scene can help everyone with a personal experience have a deeper understanding. Finding a new way to share that experience with a broader audience has been identified as one of the essential initiatives introduced to prevent accidents, injuries, and line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.

Thank you for reading.

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n MEETING (July 21, 2023) Bryan L. Karns/Chickasha – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” to “Service” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Loren Bumgarner/Choctaw – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded by Cramer to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

James D. Milacek/Enid – Application

For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Baggett seconded by Cramer to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Bradley E. Harlow/Guthrie – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer seconded

by Baggett to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” to “Service”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Steven A. Broadrick/Hugo – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective June 19, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer seconded

by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effec-

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tive June 19, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jeffrey B. Epley/Hugo – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective June 19, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer seconded

by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective June 19, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Craig W. Caldwell/Lawton – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion made by Baggett seconded by Provence to approve Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws: Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jeffrey D. Hughes/Midwest City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Baggett seconded by Cramer to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Gregory L. Beaver/Muskogee – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion made by Baggett seconded by Nimmo to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Eric E. Black/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Bennett seconded

by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Nathan Freeman/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective March 17, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective March 17, 2023. Ayes:Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Bag-

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gett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Kenneth Morris Jr./Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion made by Provence seconded

by Bennett to approve Application for “Disability in Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jennifer A. Pavlik/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Bennett seconded by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Colt F. Forsythe/Shawnee – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective June 14, 2023: Motion made by Cramer seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective June 14, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

David Westfall/Stillwater - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Bennett seconded

by Lay to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Dicus Benton/Tulsa - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded

by Baggett to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, to “Service”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Tim Downie/Tulsa - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Nimmo to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Bryan Hickerson/Tulsa - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Robert D. Scott Jr./Tulsa - Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Lay and seconded by Nimmo to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jonathan A. Steiner/Tulsa -Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective July 1, 2023: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded by Nimmo to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective July 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

James A. Guthery/Broken Bow Application For “Disability Not In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective September 3, 2021: Motion was made

by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability Not in the Line of Duty”, effective September 3, 2021. Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Steven Martinez/Oklahoma City – Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Bennett and seconded by Cramer to approve the request of Martinez to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty.” Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Request To Declare Death In The Line Of Duty/Brian Jantzen/Ringwood – Surviving Spouse Sarah Jantzen: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to modify the request of “Death Not in the Line of Duty” to “Death in Line of Duty”.

Ayes: Nimmo, Bennett, Provence, Duncan, Lopez, Green, Cramer, Baggett, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried. n MEETING (Aug. 18, 2023) Brad Mietchen/Lawton – Application For Disability In The Line Of

Duty” Pension, Effective June 1, 2023: Motion made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to approve Application for “Disability in Line of Duty”, effective June 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Duncan, Lopez, Coldiron, Cramer, Bryant, Kohls, Marcum, Lay and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Jay M. Stovall/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective August 1, 2023: Motion made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to approve Application for “Disability in Line of Duty”, effective August 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Duncan, Lopez, Coldiron, Cramer, Bryant, Kohls, Marcum, Lay and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Chad F. Foster – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective August 1, 2023: Motion was made by Lay seconded

by Nimmo to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective August 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Duncan, Lopez, Coldiron, Cramer, Kohls, Bryant, Marcum, Lay and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Eric Harlow/Guthrie - Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: No action was taken.

Dewitt Roland/Oklahoma City Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Lay to deny the request of Roland to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”. Ayes: Nimmo, Duncan, Lopez, Coldiron, Cramer, Kohls, Bryant, Marcum, Lay and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Bennett and seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” effective June 14, 2023 and to work with the City of Edmond on contributions. Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Baggett, Green, Bennett, Provence and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Carlos K. Bustillos/Enid – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective September 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to modify the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty” to “Disability Not in the Line of Duty”, with clarification of injuries, effective September 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Baggett, Green, Bennett, Provence and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Collin M. Davis/Oklahoma City – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective September 1, 2023: Motion was made

by Baggett and seconded by Bennett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective September 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Baggett, Green, Bennett, Provence and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Derick C. Moore/Tulsa – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective September 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Nimmo to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective September 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Baggett, Green, Bennett, Provence and Laws. Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Danny F. O’connor Jr./Whitefield – Application For Disability Not In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective March 1, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Provence to approve the Application for “Disability Not in the Line of Duty”, effective March 1, 2023. Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Baggett, Green, Bennett, Provence and Laws. Nayes: None.

Motion carried.

Michael Ralls/Oklahoma City Request To Modify Pension From “Service” To “Disability In The Line Of Duty”: Motion was made by Bennett and seconded by Provence to approve the request of Ralls to modify his pension from “Service” to “Disability in the Line of Duty”.

Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Green, Bennett, Baggett, Provence and Laws.

Nayes: None.

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n MEETING (Sept. 15, 2023) Thomas Keefer/Ada – Application For Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective September 4, 2023: Motion was made by Baggett and seconded by Provence to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective September 4, 2023.

Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Green, Provence, Bennett, Baggett, and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

Ty Burnett/Claremore – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective January 22, 2023: Motion was made by Cramer and seconded by Baggett to approve the Application for “Disability in the Line of Duty”, effective January 22, 2023.

Ayes: Nimmo, Lopez, Cramer, Green, Baggett, Provence, Bennett and Laws.

Nayes: None. Motion carried.

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Eric R. Barrett/Edmond – Application For “Disability In The Line Of Duty” Pension, Effective June 14, 2023:

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 41

APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM:

n CONSENT AGENDA (Aug. 18, 2023) CHECKS TERMINATED IN JULY 2023 (Deceased): Afton Anadarko Blackwell Boise City Boswell Braman Chelsea Covington Garber Miami

Imogene Jones Janette King Gary M. Snow Marilyn Gillespie Eddie A. Anderson Don A. Leatherman Mary H. Delozier Calvin L. Redwine Elvin W. Sweet Georgia M. Turner

Muskogee Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Ponca City Roosevelt Spiro Tulsa Tulsa Wynnewood

Donald L. Martray Arnetta Kiebegott Kurk R. McCornack Kayte A. Pappan Joanne Howard Mavis C. Tobler Betty A. McQuaig Carolyn Stephens Edward A. Nelms

Blackwell Chandler Claremore Cleveland Cushing Cushing Elk City Jenks Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton

Bryce Pressnall Andrew Smith Lance Hoffman Jacob Schwenker Jarrett Buntin Jimmie Morrison James Southard Charles Ireland Jackson Attaway Devin Bush Cody Davis Christian Dructor Thomas Hoover Kevin Littlefield Matthew Martinez Collin Nixon Aaron Pamplin Conner Sullivan

Lawton Garrett Vela Lawton Joshua Zamudio Monkey Island Timothy D. Wood Moore Bryce Edwards Newcastle Jacob Baker Newcastle Ray Carlson Newcastle Aidan Hunter Nichols Hills Jeffrey Hamblin Oklahoma City Charles Hicks Oklahoma City Jeremy Wright Perkins Karson Montgomery Perry Cody A. Moss Ponca City Bryce Pressnall Seminole Roger Auld Stillwater William Lemmon Stillwater Colton Savory Stillwater Brandon Vessar Wewoka McClain Rogers

$5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT:

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE:

Afton Brown-Winters Funeral On Behalf Of Thomas L. Bassett Alva Marshall Funeral Home On Behalf Of Terry L. Swenn Amber Kimberly L. Foli, Widow Of Michael A. Foli Braman Ronnie Leatherman, Co-Death Recipient Of Don Leatherman Braman Sally Leatherman, Co-Death Recipient Of Don Leatherman Garber Shaw Funeral Home On Behalf Of Elvin W. Sweet Lindsay Winans Funeral Home On Behalf Of Kenneth Scruggs Locust Grove Carol Holman, Widow Of John D. Holman Mulhall Smith-Gallo Funeral Home On Behalf Of Glen D. Fillmore Newcastle Eisenhour Funeral Home On Behalf Of Ralph D. Callaway Norman Asa Smith Funeral Home On Behalf Of Mitchel L. Hunter Okarche Lori Crawford Child Of Leo E. Meyer Okarche Kimberly Annuschat, Child Of Leo E. Meyer OKC Karen J. Adams, Widow Of Kenneth D. Adams Sand Springs Hayhurst Funeral Home On Behalf Of Jared Rhodes Stillwater Mary Lou Huff Widow Of John R. Huff Tulsa Floral Haven Funeral Home On Behalf Of Donald R. Walker

07/12/2023

Sand Springs Kimberleigh Rhodes, Widow Of Jared Rhodes Deceased 07/11/2023

APPLICATION OF CHILD FOR PENSION: 06/17/2023 Grove

06/17/2023 Grove 06/17/2023 Grove

Kendal N. Jackson, Child Of Jerimey W. Jackson Deceased 6/16/2023 Logan E. Jackson, Child Of Jerimey W. Jackson Luna L. Jackson, Child Of Jerimey W. Jackson

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023

Allen Leta Cooper, Widow Of Clinton (Buck) Clinton Alva Gloria Rhodes, Widow Of Roger Rhodes Carnegie Oletta B. Smith, Widow Of Billie J. Smith, Sr. Collinsville Cathy Martin, Widow Of Roger A. Martin Crescent Beverly A. Kegin, Widow Of Joseph L. Kegin Hugo Verna Robinson, Widow Of Max B. Robinson Lone Wolf Roberta Dugan, Widow Of Gene Brent Dugan Norman Deloris Yates, Widow Of Lloyd G. Yates Porum Meredith Spradlin, Widow Of Connie Spradlin Quinton Tonya Cox, Widow Of Donald W. Cox Shawnee Doris Michelle Wolfe, Widow Of Charles Wolfe Snyder Susan Wheeler, Widow Of Don C. Wheeler, Jr. Texhoma Rebecca Lansdown, Widow Of Eldon Lansdown

APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION:

HIGH

IMPACT IMPACT DRIVEN DRIVEN

HIGH

CLIENT

CLIENT

BFA is honored to represent investors as we work together to $+( ŏ ,1 (% ŏ +), *%!/ŏ +1*0 (!ŏ 3$!*ŏ 0$!5ŏ)%/(! ŏ0$!ŏ) .'!0 BFA is honored to represent investors as we work together to $+( ŏ ,1 (% ŏ +), *%!/ŏ +1*0 (!ŏ 3$!*ŏ 0$!5ŏ)%/(! ŏ0$!ŏ) .'!0

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42Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter ċ ċ

07/31/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 08/01/2023 10/01/2021 02/01/2023 07/11/2023 08/01/2023 05/01/2023

Butler Covington Dover Glencoe Harmony Haskell Hulbert Ketchum Mounds Stratford Wetumka

Terrance Collins Stanley Anglemyer Wayne Thiems Colby W. Cagle Phillip E. Powell Shannon D. Pardue Mickey J. Graham Steven M. Evans Todd W. Watson Jason D. Korzan Randy R. Bray

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT: 06/29/2025 06/01/2032 08/04/2032 06/01/2024

Fairfax Okarche OKC Vian

Clinton V. Staples Eric J. Neuenschwander Russell M. Blackmon Steven R. Reaves

REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS:

Hired

Terminated

Tyler B. West Damon Schaefer Aaron King

04/01/2020 06/05/2023 04/04/2022

01/23/2023 08/04/2023 12/03/2022

Cleveland Enid Moore

n CONSENT AGENDA (Sept. 15, 2023)

APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION:

CHECKS TERMINATED IN AUGUST 2023 (Deceased):

09/30/2023 09/01/2023

Caddo John L. Cain Chattanooga William J. Nicholson Jr.

08/06/2023 09/01/2023 01/16/2023 09/01/2023 08/07/2023 09/01/2023 09/01/2023 09/01/2023 09/01/2023 09/01/2023 08/30/2023 09/01/2023 09/01/2023 09/01/2023 08/01/2023

Davis Enid Fort Cobb Fort Cobb Gate Konawa Loco Macomb Mangum Quapaw Rattan Strong City Tulsa Tuttle Vici

Ames Bethany Cashion Cleo Springs Davis Gage Grandfield

Langley Barbara Flock Donna Hoisingtom Medford Betty J. Delay Shirley N. King Muskogee Vernal J. Smith Pamela Kordis Norman Mitchell L. Hunter Sherman L. Hipple Oklahoma City Donald M. Fonzi Connie McGee Oklahoma City Bobby J. Mowles Jr. Irvin L. Cook Tulsa Janet M. Irving Virgie L. McLain

$5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT: Ada Alva Carnegie Crescent Elk City Enid Enid Gage Hugo Lone Wolf Norman OKC OKC OKC OKC Quinton Soper Soper Tulsa

Leta Audine Cooper, Widow Of Clinton Cooper Marshall Funeral Home On Behalf Of Roger R. Rhodes Oletta B. Smith, Widow Of Billie J. Smith Sr. Beverly Kegin, Widow Of Joseph L. Kegin Martin Dugger Funeral Home On Behalf Of Billy H. Word Henninger-Hinson Funeral On Behalf Of Jimmie A. Evans Sr. Ladusau-Evans Funeral On Behalf Of Walter L. Mcalister Misty Bandy, Child Of Irvin L. Cook Prater Lampton Mills & Coffey On Behalf Of Max Robinson Peoples Funeral Home On Behalf Of George B. Dugan McMahans Funeral Home On Behalf Of Lloyd G. Yates Gina Mcdonald, Child Of Donald M. Fonzi David M. Fonzi, Child Of Donald M. Fonzi Theresa M. Lujan, Child Of Donald M. Fonzi Dakota Mccornack, Child Of Kurk R. Mccornack Hunn Black & Merritt Funeral On Behalf Of Donald W. Cox Cynthia Jackman, Child Of Bob D. Edge Eulala Edge, Child Of Bob D. Edge Mmms Payne Funeral Home On Behalf Of Ricky D. Powell

APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM: Anadarko Ardmore Bixby Bixby Bixby Bixby Bixby Bixby Bridgecreek Bridgecreek Bridgecreek Bristow Broken Bow Catoosa Catoosa Chandler Collinsville Coweta Harrah Hugo

Joshua Taylor Trey Parker Adam Leak Lucas Loveless Gray Nelson Carson Rider Adam Roberts Hunter Standlee Devon Johannesen Shane Lundy Caleb Stalnaker David Barnett Michael Olvera Erick Esparza Randall White Patrick Shatto Riley Moneypenny Skylar Obrien Caleb Devoile Eric Sykes

Lawton Lawton Lawton Lawton McAlester McAlester Midwest City Midwest City Midwest City Norman Perkins Perry Pocola Sapulpa Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Tahlequah Wewoka Woodward

Cozae Banks Allex Gann Nicholas Piech Christopher Yearwood Tristian McMath Logan Smith Mason Lantz Colyn McNair Joshua Robinett Bryce Hale Karson Montgomery Kallen Montgomery Scott Young Jarrett Buntin Braylee Dickerson Dylan Evans James Ogden Jesus Nava Parker Molet Marcus Stephenson

Robert D. Bolding Jason A. Congdon Michael R. Locke Walter P. Opitz III Scott D. Long Kevin R. Madron Rodger K. Harman Travis L. Kinsey Christopher Hopingardner Stanley E. Humble Andrew P. Jones Joey D. Scott Kofi J. Wallace Noland W. Voss Richard R. Dryden II

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT: 09/01/2020 05/14/2030 08/01/2020 07/07/2023 08/28/2027 01/16/2027

Arkoma Arlington Chandler Duncan Durant Norman

Jerry D. Unruh Ernest S. Reynolds Wendell S. Wintz Micahel W. Wilkerson Royce D. Gaskill Scott A. Jones

REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS:

Hired

Terminated

Caleb R. Paine Timothy Romero James D. Vanburen Kolten L. Minor Frank Miles

09/01/2015 05/16/2022 07/29/2020 06/01/2020 07/11/2022

05/19/2022 05/02/2023 04/01/2023 08/09/2023 08/30/2023

Altus Anadarko Elk City Limestone Norman

Aristotle is proud to support

Oklahoma State Firefighters Association Annual Convention

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APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 09/01/2023 Elk City Sherri J. Word, Widow Of Billy H. Wood 09/01/2023 Enid Vesta P. Evans, Widow Of Jimmie A. Evans Sr. 09/01/2023 Ponca City Janice L. Cobb, Widow Of Floyd L. Cobb 09/01/2023 Tulsa Rebekah Powell, Widow Of Ricky D. Powell

APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY IN THE LINE OF DUTY – MODIFY TO SERVICE PENSION: 09/01/2023 09/08/2023 09/01/2023

Bixby Pawnee Tulsa

Jonathan S. Kuhn Deirdre L. Pershall Sam Keeling

For more information, please contact:

Keri Hepburn

+1.617.648.2352 khepburn@aristotlecap.com

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Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 43

n CONSENT AGENDA (Oct. 20, 2023) CHECKS TERMINATED IN SEPTEMBER 2023 (Deceased):

Application For Entrance Into The Pension System:

Ada Afton Ardmore Bartlesville Carnegie Carnegie Catoosa Duncan Enid Hastings Hugo

Altus Keegan Kenyon Anadarko Antonio Alvarado Bethany Garrett Nivens Chickasha Eric Carlson Chickasha Tanner Croskey Chickasha Zachary Evans Chickasha Cameron Masters Chickasha Jacob Rempe Chickasha Jaeger Watts Choctaw Jude Lewis Collinsville Braden Slape Cushing Phillip Reece Cushing Dylan Taylor Davis Danny Cox El Reno Braxton Banks Guthrie Benjamin Cunningham Guymon Eidy Ochoa Harrah Charles Lee Holdenville Karter White Hominy Frank Stokes

Richard S. Harris Cleta N. Birks Patricia P. Doughty Sherry D. Lozano Mildred R. Lynch Oletta B. Smith Mary B. Abercrombie Betty L. Emmons Walter L. McAlister Carolyn Bridges Ruby P. Clancy

Jenks Paula J. Hutton Lawton Jauauna Hartman Muldrow Ronnie Vessell OKC Richard E. Schmitt Perkins Larry Moorman Purcell Charles Q. Moore Slaughterville Terry L. Childress Tulsa Shirley Bacon Wanette Joyce E. Pybas Wister Dorothy Garner

$5,000.00 DEATH BENEFIT: Ada Blackwell Blackwell Chickasha Cleo Springs Cleo Springs Cleo Springs Covington Covington Grove Grove Grove Grove Perkins Purcell Shawnee Tulsa Tulsa Wynnewood

Criswell Funeral Home On Behalf Of Richard S. Harris Todd Snow, Child Of Gary M. Snow Ronda Naiefh, Child Of Gary M. Snow Kimberly D. Zalewski, Widow Of Brian S. Zalewski Sherman L. Hipple, Jr., Child Of Sherman L. Hipple Suzanne Davis, Child Of Sherman L. Hipple Sandra Encarnacion, Child Of Sherman L. Hipple Timmie Rewine, Child Of Calvin L. Redwine Teresa Ritt, Child Of Calvin L. Redwine Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home On Behalf Of Dakota Green Logan E. Jackson, Child Of Jeremy W. Jackson Kendal Jackson, Child Of Jeremy W. Jackson Luna E. Jackson, Child Of Jeremy W. Jackson Tah Moorman, Child Of Larry Moorman Wilson-Little Funeral Home On Behalf Of Charles Q. Moore Walker Funeral & Cremation On Behalf Of Charles W. Wolfe Amy K. Looper, Child Of Michael W. Malone Alan Malone, Child Of Michael W. Malone Brenda Fonda, Child Of Edward A. Nelms

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE: 09/232023 09/23/2023

Altus Ronna K. Cross, Widow Of Gregory E. Cross Norman Emily Wilkins, Widow Of Levi Wilkins

APPLICATION FOR VESTED BENEFIT: 02/23/2023 11/15/2021 06/06/2023

Crescent Greenfield Hooker

Jesse W. Prosser Bobby Landreth Matthew Richardson

Bernstein Liebhard

Limestone Madill Miami Miami Mustang Newkirk Noble Norman Norman Norman Norman Okmulgee Ponca City Ponca City Seminole Spencer Tishomingo Wewoka Yukon

David Arthurs Dekevis Jordan Sawyer Richardson Zane Suman Dashawn McDowell James Warren Aidan Willige Seth Lee Logan McKay Juan Sanchez Ryan Swanson Matthew Hackler Vanessa Moulton Taylor Essary Christopher Prutzman Sian Busby Gary Deaton Dameayre Samuels Jace Moudy

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR CONTINUATION: 10/01/2023 Arnett Regina Norbury, Widow Of Brad E. Norbury 10/01/2023 Calera Linda Brown, Widow Of Sammy F. Brown 10/01/2023 Chickasha Kimberly Zalewski, Widow Of Brian S. Zalewski 10/01/2023 Durant Norma Pettett, Widow Of Billy C. Pettett 10/01/2023 Francis Frances L. Phillips, Widow Of Derrell L. Phillips 10/01/2023 Hickory Grove Tammie Johnston, Widow Of David Johnston 10/01/2023 Hooker Robert D. Montoya, Widow Of Carolyn Montoya 10/01/2023 Mannsville Reba C. Woody, Widow Of James W. Woody 10/01/2023 Morris Margaret Wainwright, Widow Of Malcomb

Wainwright 10/01/2023 Norman Linda J. Oliphant, Widow Of Charles W. Oliphant 10/01/2023 OKC Linda K. Blundell, Widow Of William C. Blundell 10/01/2023 OKC Connie L. Foster, Widow Of Phillip W. Foster 10/01/2023 OKC Deana B. Hill, Widow Of Jack W. Hill 10/01/21023 OKC Etta Pennington, Widow Of Michael Pennington 10/01/2023 OKC Shawnette Taylor, Widow Of Brice W. Taylor Jr. 10/01/2023 Randlett Carolyn A. Baird, Widow Of Lionel S. Baird 10/01/2023 Roberta Vicki Scott, Widow Of Earnest A. Scott 10/01/2023 Sterling Karla Crow, Widow Of James Crow 10/01/2023 Taloga Betty Cline, Widow Of Dan Cline 10/01/2023 Wetumka Alice F. Griggs, Widow Of James R. Griggs APPLICATION FOR SERVICE PENSION:

LLP

Proud sponsor of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association

44Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

09/01/2023 05/01/2022 10/01/2023 07/15/2023 10/01/2023 10/01/2023 07/11/2023 10/01/2023 10/01/2023 10/01/2023 10/16/2023 10/01/2023 10/01/2023 10/01/2023 10/01/2023 09/01/2023

Amber Bentley Berlin Calera Council Hill Custer City Fairview Gooseneck Bend Haywood-Arpelar Henryetta Hinton Redland Redland Roland Spiro Wanette

William G. Johnston Alan K. Coyle Rusty C. Miller Jeremy D. McKinney Joe D. Watson Jerry L. Blakley Christopher M. Lucas Kenneth C. Alexander Tommy R. Crone Edward D. Bullard Ricky B. Coats C. Shawn Blake Melvin Joe Duvall Douglas D. Cantrell Justin D. Sebo Michael L. Vanshuyver

REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS:

Hired

Terminated

Ricky Coats Zachary Lustfield Christopher Kent Eric Delay

09/03/2022 01/01/2021 02/14/2018 06/04/2018

02/25/2023 09/29/2023 08/28/2023 06/23/2023

Anadarko Clinton Oklahoma City Tulsa

BY GREG ROBERTS Ret. Norman FD n OKLAHOMA FIRE SPOTLIGHT

County: Woodward

Mooreland Fire Station

Fire Chief: Travis Case MFD formed: 1928 Joined OSFA: 1939 ISO rating: 3

Population: 1,300 (approx) Fire coverage area: 495 square miles

Calls per year:

175 Fire & EMS (avg)

Volunteers: 18 Stations: 1 Engines: 1

Brushpumpers: 6 Tankers: 1

Command Vehicles: 2 Antique Rigs: 1

Mooreland firefighter Tom Marcum currently serves as the OSFA 3rd Vice President.

Marcum is the first firefighter from Woodward County to be elected to the OSFA Board.

E-29 (Top Left)

2003 Freightliner/American LaFrance 1250 pump/1000 tank

BP-219 (At Left)

2008 Freightliner/MFD 200 pump/1400 tank

Command 220 (Bottom Left) 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

T-228 (Below)

2006 International/Pierce 1000 pump/3000 tank

Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 45

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46Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

Richard Kelley: OFCA President’s Report Greetings Brothers and Sisters!

Every October, we focus on fire safety in an effort to assure our residents have a fire OKC FD evacuation plan for their home, children understand the steps for “Stop, Drop and Roll,” when and how to appropriately call 911, smoke alarms are installed and working in every home in our community and that the residents understand the local fire department cares about their well-being.

Although Fire Prevention Week is an appropriate time to drive these critical factors home, we all understand it is a 24/7, 365 focus, one that never stops.

October is also the month where we celebrate the lives of our fallen brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, as well as our retirees who passed since our last ceremony. May we never forget their dedication to our

2023-24

OFCA Executive Board OFCA PRESIDENT Richard Kelley richard.kelley@okc.gov 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Craig Carruth ccarruth@cityofmustang.org 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Michael Baker mbaker@cityoftulsa.org 3RD VICE PRESIDENT Terry Essary terry.essary@stillwater.org

proud and noble profession.

As we prepare for the fall, time change, and the Thanksgiving holiday, I hope everyone takes the time to reflect on the important aspects of life.

Family, friends, and the opportunity to do life with others. This is the special sauce for the fire service, the honor to serve alongside other professionals who understand the importance of service, commitment, and dedication.

Take time during the busy season to reflect on your family and the opportunity you have to serve others.

In the fire service, it is important that we focus every day to improve, learn and grow.

Growth can come about organically, or it can be fostered through training, educational growth, and continuous commitment to improvement every day.

I believe these growth opportunities do not happen in a vacuum but more through effort, grit,

and determination.

Reading is one way to build personal growth. One book I just finished that is an easy read is “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog” by Admiral William H. McRaven.

This book will provide great leadership insight that is easy to instill in your everyday leadership repertoire. Read it, learn it, do it.

We are moving closer to the annual Chief’s Winter Workshop, Jan. 24-26.

Please make plans to attend as it is a great time to learn, grow and network with other fire department leaders.

We are also working on the 2024 OFCA Conference April 10-12 in Oklahoma City.

The host location is the Sheraton Hotel in downtown OKC. Plan to attend both events to build relationships, growth as a leader and learn with our incredible fire service family.

Until next time, strive for excellence, because Leaders are not born, they are made.

O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

OFCA PAST PRESIDENT James Heap jrheap@pldi.net OFCA DIRECTOR Kent Lagaly klagaly901@gmail.com Oklahoma FirefighterNov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024 47

Craig Carruth: OFCA 1st Vice President’s Report O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

Season Greetings Everyone!

The holidays are on their way, so Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!

Mustang FD I have heard it said many times before -- of all the presents we can give, our presence is the greatest.

I hope everyone will make the decision to take time out and spend quality time with family and friends. Time is one commodity that none of us will never get back and we are never guaranteed.

I truly love the fire service and the nobility in which it represents. I find it very humbling to call myself a member of the fire service.

In every level of the fire service in which I have had the privilege to serve, it has been no less than an honor. I do not believe there is another profession that

provides the same level of gratification and pride.

Making a positive difference in ourselves, in those around us, and in those we serve is the driving force behind what we do.

As Fire Chiefs, we are tasked with short-term and long-term planning in order to bring about positive change and to provide a higher quality of life for those we serve.

So, while we are reviewing our statistical data of the closing year and planning our budgets for the year ahead, let us consciously look for trending in areas where we can make a difference in CRR programs and overall department performance initiatives.

This is the time of year which lends itself to the ability to identify areas of improvement, so let’s take advantage of it and plan for better service delivery in

2024.

Moving on, I know Chief Baker is working on our behalf to put on a wonderful Winter Workshop. The quality of education and networking available at this event is something you won’t want to miss.

As Oklahoma Fire Chiefs, let’s take advantage of every opportunity to lead the way. That being said, please mark your calendars as a new Fire Chiefs course is currently going through a pilot program and looks to be ready for presentation at the Winter Workshop.

This course looks to be filled with current information and tools to help every Fire Chief navigate the rigors of organizational leadership in today’s society.

Make plans now to attend and elevate your professionalism and education.

Stay Safe!

OFCA Board Members -- past and present -- enjoying the day at the 2023 David Bain Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament

Michael Baker: OFCA 2nd Vice President’s Report

Tulsa FD

Cooler temperatures, shorter days, and changing leaves are here, and I am already thinking about winter.

The Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association’s Winter Workshop will be here quickly, and it is already time to make your plans to attend the 2024 event. The workshop is Jan. 24-26 and will return to the Oklahoma State University campus

in Stillwater.

The theme of the 2024 workshop will be “Leading through the Leading Fire Service Challenges.”

I attended the United States Fire Administrators Summit on Fire Prevention and Control just a few weeks ago. The topics discussed at that event were a firm reminder about the increasing complexity that we are facing across volunteer and career fire service organizations.

The risks associated with electric vehicles (EV), Lithium-Ion Batteries, energy storage systems, recruiting, retention, and the mental health of our members, are just a few of the challenges that our members and department leaders are attempting to not only understand, but also finding a need to formulate a plan to tackle them effectively.

Data collection and review are even more important as we work to ensure funding at all levels and show value to our

48Nov./Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024Oklahoma Firefighter

community stakeholders. No department is immune from being asked to prove their work.

One important area of discussion will be around the USFA’s new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) that will be replacing the antiquated National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

This one topic alone could consume the entire workshop.

That in mind, we will do our best to provide an overview of NERIS and how it will impact your organization as the implementation period begins.

We have a great Education Committee for workshop planning with members from almost every corner of the state.

Another priority for the workshop is for this group to create take-away content that will help to pass the information along to department members and assist in creating understanding of important topics, along with action steps to improve response and the well-being of department members.

This event is possible through the support of our sponsors, and we hope to have a great selection of products for your review.

We hope that you will make plans to attend the 2024 OFCA Winter Workshop in January. The opportunity to network with Oklahoma fire service leaders, sponsors, and our supporting organization is a unique opportunity and shouldn’t be missed!

Terry Essary: OFCA 3rd Vice President’s Report Hi everyone! I hope you are having an amazing fall season. The smell of campfires, tailgates and barbeque is in the air, and it’s a great time to be in the fire service.

I want to thank the OSFA staff for carrying out another amazing Statewide Memorial Service, and Stillwater FD bringing to life the inaugural No One Fights Alone Gala.

It takes a tremendous amount of planning, creativity, and hard work to successfully pull these events off, and I want them to know how much we appreciate all of their hard work.

Also, we have a lot of amazing OFCA events to look forward to this coming year. Chief Baker is preparing a top-shelf Winter Workshop in January, and Chief Kelley is working on putting together a great conference in the spring.

I want to talk about the importance of honoring the good traditions of the fire service.

Please don’t get me wrong, there are some so-called traditions that are toxic and have no place in our profession. But what I’m talking about are things that add value and bring pride to our departments. Traditions can foster a sense of unity and camaraderie via shared rituals and practices that strengthen bonds among our team members.

Since traditions are often deeply rooted in history and culture, they help us maintain a sense of identity and pride. They also pay tribute to those who came before us and made tremendous sacrifices in the line of duty. It serves as a reminder of the bravery and dedication of the amazing men and women who helped pave the way for us and allow us to stand on the shoulders of giants.

Fire service traditions also help preserve the heritage of firefighting, ensuring that important knowledge and values are passed down to future generations.

Last but definitely not least, is that traditions can help build public trust and confidence. When our community members see us respecting our history and heritage, it enhances the public’s perception of us living up to the standards that have been established for our profession.

It’s a great way to get our community leaders, community members, and family members involved, which will help develop stronger bonds with the people we serve and advance our overall mission.

So if you’re department isn’t currently embracing the good traditions of the fire service -- such as wet down ceremonies, promotional ceremonies, oath ceremonies for new recruits, and these are a few examples -- it’s never too late to start. The benefits are far reaching and will touch more people than you will ever know.

Thank you for all that you do for the Oklahoma Fire Service!

Kent Lagaly: OFCA Executive Director’s Report Greetings!

We live in an ever-changing society.

Ret. El Reno FD I know that that does not come as a surprise to anyone reading this. All you have to do is turn on the news or watch a little social media on your phone.

Now, depending on your beliefs, some of the changes are good and some are not so good. The bottom line is change is inevitable.

As leaders in the Oklahoma Fire Service, it is our responsibility to find ways to improve the service we provide to the citizens.

More important, when we see a problem that needs fixing, we should do everything in our power to fix it.

We don’t “sweep it under the rug” or continue to pretend the problem does not exist.

With all of that said, I am sure you are all aware of the efforts of many key stakeholders to develop minimum standards for fire chiefs in Oklahoma.

I refer you to Chief Heap’s article on Page 50 for more detailed information on these efforts.

When all is said and done, this will be one of the most significant and positive improvements the Oklahoma Fire Service has ever seen.

It is human nature to resist change. We as firefighters are “traditionalists” by nature which makes us even more resistant to change.

The only way that the Oklahoma Fire Service is going to lower the number of fire-related injuries and fatalities is to change. And change takes all of us working together.

Communication is the key to fixing any problem, and communication is more than just talking. Author Roy Bennett put it best when he wrote: “Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”

Until next time.

Stillwater FD’s Wet Down Ceremony held Oct. 13.

O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

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James Heap: OFCA Past President’s Report O K L A H O M A F I R E C H I E F S A S S O C I A T I O N

Greetings Oklahoma Fire Service!

I want to take this opportunity to discuss the Fire Chief Standard and New Chief Frederick FD Training.

As I have stated in other articles, a group of fire service stakeholders has been brought together to work collectively on a skeleton draft of minimum Fire Chief standards, as well as a new chief training curriculum for Fire Chiefs in Oklahoma.

Now that we have the rough draft put together, we are starting to reach out to additional key stakeholders to get feedback to help foster this change in the Oklahoma Fire Service.

As with all change, there is resistance because it places us outside of our comfort zone.

To this point most people with concerns, who have contacted those directly working on the standards, seem to be more accepting of the standards once they hear the whole plan and the reasons behind it.

This is a slow process and if all the stakeholders were to be gathered around a table at one time, nothing would be accomplished due to the number of opinions being shared.

So, we have started trying to meet with different stakeholders to get their feedback, which will be taken into consideration, as we revise and build from the initial skeleton draft.

There are many more stakeholders we need to meet with to get their feedback, and I look forward to working with each of them.

I want to clear up a couple of the myths floating around about this effort.

First, we are NOT looking to mandate something that is not funded.

We estimate that the annual cost of this project to be around $3 million.

This would take care of the training and accountability costs.

I know $3 million is a lot of money, but in terms of the state’s revenue, it isn’t that big of an amount. The state claims to have $1 billion -- yes, billion -- in excess revenue.

So $3 million of $1 billion is not much. To put it in layman terms, that would be like asking for $3 from an excess of $1,000 or 30 cents from $100.

Secondly, I have heard that “the training will be too hard to get.”

Most of the classes are or will be

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hybrid classes and will be available online with a few in-person sessions.

However, with the additional funding for this training, we are hoping to bring the in-person sessions closer to you, possibly by region or by county.

A few of the positives that can be achieved by implementing this standard are: 1) Fire chiefs will be trained better for handling administrative and hazardous situations.

2) Fire chiefs will be equipped with information to make their job easier.

3) Increased knowledge to make better on-scene decisions to hopefully reduce life and property loss.

4) Increased training which may result

in a lower ISO rating which could save your citizens money by reducing insurance premiums.

5) The greatest positive of all is this could reduce the number of fire-related injuries and deaths.

At the end of the day, if this effort saves one life, then it will be worth the hassles and inconvenience of implementing change that in a few short years most firefighters won’t realize this standard wasn’t already here.

We are interested in feedback on this plan, and if you have any feedback and/ or questions, please contact me via email at jrheap@pldi.net.

As always, stay safe!

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