Rural firefighters train in record numbers

Friday, January 28, 2011

Rural firefighters from across the state of Oklahoma receive vehicle extrication training from OSU Fire Services at a recent two-day training event held in Atoka.

While dry conditions continue to heighten fire danger in the state, a record number of firefighters from 97 departments recently completed what officials are calling “the largest single training event in the history of the rural fire service in Oklahoma.”

“We had about 500 firefighters participate in our rural fire training course, and we believe that is the largest single rural training event in state history,” said Ed Kirtley, director of OSU Fire Services Training. “That says a lot about the level of commitment among our rural and small company fire departments.”

Kirtley pointed to the team of volunteer firefighters from Velma as an example. “The Velma team has been in attendance at every regional fire school we have offered since the program began in 2007—logging in more than 3,000 training hours with OSU Fire Services Training last year alone,” he said.

The firefighters from around the state participated in classes that included wildlife firefighting, hazardous materials awareness, fire tanker safety, vehicle extrication, responding to May Day alerts and more during the two day event, held Jan. 21-23 in Atoka.

“Most of the classes we offered were full and we credit the cooperative effort with the Kiamichi Technology Center in Atoka, the community itself and numerous civic groups as well as rural fire coordinators for helping us get the word out. This really was a tremendous cooperative accomplishment,” said Kirtley

“It was one of the greatest training events Southeastern Oklahoma ever hosted,” said Donnie Allen, Atoka fire chief and a driving force in organizing the event. “The classes taught our firefighters how to be more effective when they respond to emergencies. They came from all over the state and received the best possible training. Their visit also had a tremendous impact on our local economy,” he added.

OSU Fire Services Training sponsors regional fire schools throughout the state, thanks to a $1 million appropriation from the Oklahoma Legislature. This is the third year for the appropriation, according to Kirtley. Participants receive Oklahoma tax credits for successful completion of approved programming.