Firefighters, First Responders On High Alert As Severe Weather Threatens Oklahoma

First responders across Oklahoma, including rural volunteer firefighters, are on standby as severe weather approaches the area.

Those departments often run on a shoestring budget and their volunteers have full-time jobs, but whenever there's a need, they respond. They've told everyone to be ready to come to work as they watch weather channels, monitor the emergency operation center, and keep in contact with emergency management.

At Rolling Hills Fire Station in Catoosa, Assistant Chief James Baker reports that 95 percent of his crew consists of volunteers, all of whom have been put on alert. Baker says he has been closely monitoring news channels, and emergency operation centers, and staying in touch with emergency management as part of the station's severe weather preparedness.

"We have members that are technical rescue trained in ropes, swift water rescue. We do have swift water rescue equipment, boats, whatever we have to do take care of that emergency and mitigate that threat, we have that capability," said Baker.

While they try to meet the needs of their citizens it's not always easy because it's tough to get good people and keep those workers and they're always needing more resources.

"It's hard to retain and keep help," said Todd Lansdown. "It seems like our economy and situations keep young people from being able to join."

Lansdown says they have to rely on grants, fundraising, and donations to keep the station running, but it takes a lot of work and time to get grants.

"A lot of times those grants are hard to get, and that's what we find, but you just keep trying and eventually you see through it," said Lansdown. 

They have a lot of expenses and a lot of needs, like new structure gear that costs about $6,000 a suit. Lansdown says every dollar counts, and even when people donate something as small as a case of water, it makes a difference. 

At Osage Hills Volunteer Fire Department, the youngest volunteer is 27, and the next youngest is 55. Their oldest is 77, so they're desperate to find young people who will eventually be able to take over the department. As far as finding good volunteers, Todd Lansdown does it the old-fashioned way.

"You go ask them," he said. "You see somebody that's out and about, and they're interested in the trucks you're doing or something you're doing, and you start checking."

A volunteer firefighter will get free education and training that will help make them marketable to bigger departments.

Even though many rural volunteer fire departments are short-staffed, older, and working on a tight budget, they still answer the call to help.

"If they need us in town to Bartlesville or to Pawhuska, we'll be there," said Lansdown. "Doesn't matter if it's medical or a tornado. In Barnsdall, our trucks went over there; we go where we're needed."

If you want to donate to the Osage Hills Rural Firefighter Association, you can send a check to PO Box 1201, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 74005.

Baker also reminded residents to heed the "turn around, don't drown" warning, urging people to avoid driving through flooded areas and to find alternative routes when necessary. They say nothing good ever comes from driving tinto high water.