Oklahoma City Fire Department

Oklahoma City Fire Department
Name	Oklahoma City Fire Department
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
City	Oklahoma City
Established	1889
Chief	Richard Kelley
Stations	36
Engines	38
Trucks	13
Ambulances	27
Website	https://www.okc.gov/departments/fire

Oklahoma City Fire Department. The Oklahoma City Fire Department is the primary agency responsible for providing fire protection, emergency medical services, and specialized rescue operations to the residents of Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city of Oklahoma. Operating under the leadership of Fire Chief Richard Kelley, the department maintains a fleet of modern apparatus and a network of strategically located fire stations to serve a large metropolitan area. Its personnel are trained to respond to a wide array of emergencies, from structural fires and hazardous materials incidents to medical emergencies and natural disasters like the frequent tornadoes that impact the region.

History

The department traces its origins to 1889, the year of the Oklahoma Land Run, when a volunteer bucket brigade was formed to protect the nascent settlement. The first paid, professional fire company was established in 1894, operating from a station at Harvey Avenue and Grand Boulevard. A significant early apparatus was a horse-drawn steam pumper named "Old Betsy." The department grew alongside the city, facing major challenges such as the devastating fires that swept through early wood-frame business districts. The transition from horse-drawn equipment to motorized apparatus began in the 1910s, with the last horse-drawn unit retired in 1923. Throughout the 20th century, the department expanded its services to include formalized emergency medical services and specialized rescue capabilities, evolving into a comprehensive all-hazards response agency.

Organization and operations

The department is a bureau within the city's public safety structure, led by the Fire Chief who reports to the City Manager of Oklahoma City. Operations are divided into several divisions, including Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention, and Training and Safety. The city is divided into multiple battalions, each commanded by a Battalion Chief who oversees several fire stations and coordinates emergency responses within their district. Core services include fire suppression, Advanced Life Support ambulance transport, hazardous materials mitigation, and technical rescue operations for incidents involving confined spaces, trench collapses, and structural collapses. The department maintains a close operational relationship with other agencies like the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.

Stations and apparatus

The department operates from 36 fire stations strategically located throughout the city's 621 square miles. These facilities house a diverse fleet of apparatus designed for specific functions. The frontline fleet includes over three dozen fire engines (pumpers), more than a dozen aerial ladder trucks, and multiple quint apparatus that combine pumping and aerial capabilities. Specialized units include Hazmat response trucks, wildland firefighting brush trucks, technical rescue squads, and mobile command vehicles. The Emergency Medical Services division operates a fleet of ambulances staffed by firefighter-paramedics, with many engines and trucks also functioning as first responder units equipped with automated external defibrillators and other medical gear.

Notable incidents and responses

The department has responded to numerous significant emergencies throughout its history. Its most defining and tragic response was to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing on April 19, 1995, where firefighters performed heroic rescue and recovery operations for days following the terrorist attack perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. Other major incidents include the 1986 Post Office fire in downtown Oklahoma City, the 2008 collapse of the Chesapeake Energy arena construction crane, and responses to major tornado outbreaks, such as the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado and the 2013 Moore tornado. Firefighters also provided mutual aid during disasters like the 1995 bombing aftermath and regional wildfire campaigns.

Training and special teams

All personnel undergo rigorous training at the department's Oklahoma City Fire Training Center. Recruit training includes firefighter certifications, Emergency Medical Technician training, and instruction in hazardous materials awareness. The department fields several elite special operations teams, including a Hazardous Materials Response Team certified by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, a Technical Rescue Team for complex extrications and collapses, and a Swiftwater Rescue Team for flood responses. Personnel also receive specialized training in incident command system protocols, weapons of mass destruction response, and airport crash firefighting for operations at Will Rogers World Airport.

Community involvement and outreach

Beyond emergency response, the department is actively engaged in community risk reduction and public education. The Fire Prevention Bureau conducts annual school visits, fire station tours, and participates in events like the Oklahoma State Fair. Key programs include the installation of free smoke alarms for residents, CPR and first aid classes for the public, and the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention program. The department also collaborates with the American Red Cross on disaster preparedness campaigns and participates in charitable initiatives supporting organizations like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters' fundraising efforts.

Category:Fire departments in Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma City Category:Emergency medical services in the United States