Sand Springs Fire Department

The Sand Springs Fire Department is located in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. The Sand Springs Fire Department was founded in 1913. Town Marshal Robert Fleenor was elected fire chief of the Sand Springs Volunteer Fire Department. In March 1913, the Bucket Brigade was replaced with the 500 feet of fire hose purchased by the city. Charles Page donated another 500 feet of hose. Chief Fleenor had a team of horses to pull a fire wagon.[1][2] The horses were used to pull the fire wagon until their stable caught fire in 1915. There are currently 32 full-time, unionized Sand Springs firefighters that are at the stations. They are always reportedly "on the line".[3][4][5]

Sand Springs Fire Department
Operational area
CountryUnited States
Address602 W Morrow Rd, Sand Springs, Oklahoma, 74063
Agency overview
Established1913
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefMike Wood
IAFF2173
Facilities and equipment
Stations2
Website
Official website
Sand Springs Fire Department Station #1

Early Fire Fighters

In 1921, the Sand Springs Fire Department had one paid firefighter Chief C.G. Stricklen and 9 volunteer firefighters who were paid for a response. In 1928, the fire department had 3 paid firefighters. This firefighter was lost in 1936 when staffing was cut to 2 firefighters. In 1950 they had 5 full-time firefighters, and in 1957 they added 2 more bringing the number up to 7 full-time and 15 volunteers. The Sand Springs Fire Department employees climbed to 28 paid firefighters. In 1985, the last 2 volunteers Roy Morrison and William Forsythe retired.[6][7]

Modernization

In 1970, station #2 was built in Prattville. In 1981, a new station #1 was built with the old station being torn down. From 2017-2019 Two new fire stations were built, one in Prattville and the other one is located on Morrow Rd. in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. The fire department also maintains a separate physical fitness building and an administrative headquarters. The new fire station costed $1.5 million, and was funded as part of the voter-approved Vision 2025 tax renewal.[8] The city says "the old fire station #2 will be demolished". The place has since found recent success in the fires that accumulated around Berryhill.[9]

Youth program

The Sand Springs Fire Department recently entered a partnership with Charles Page High School. The partnership lets students practice and go to training like other firefighters would do.[10] The school district had a partnership with Tulsa Fire Department but with the new partnership, the students can transfer to their local department. The new partnership lets students in the program go on a ride-along and experience the life of a firefighter. The students will go to calls and go to training and go to class. They will run the same drills as other rookies, they will also attend emergency medical service training and learn how to handle gear such as ladders and learn how to use a self-contained breathing apparatus.[11]

References
  1. "History - Then and Now | Sand Springs, OK - Official Website". www.sandspringsok.org. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  2. Reports, From Leader. "History of the Sand Springs Fire Department". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  3. http://wearesandsprings.com/sandites-service-fire-department/
  4. "History - Then and Now | Sand Springs, OK - Official Website". www.sandspringsok.org.
  5. "Sand Springs Fire Department - Sand Springs, OK". FireDepartment.net.
  6. "History - Then and Now | Sand Springs, OK - Official Website". www.sandspringsok.org. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  7. Reports, From Leader. "History of the Sand Springs Fire Department". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  8. Griffin, David. "Sand Springs Firefighters Move Into New Fire Station". www.newson6.com. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  9. "Berryhill House Fire Investigated For Possible Arson". www.newson6.com.
  10. Editor, Kirk McCracken Managing. "Sand Springs fire, school partner for internship program". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-10-01.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  11. staff, Gustavo Olguin, KTUL (February 3, 2020). "Charles Page High partners with Sand Springs Fire Department for student internships". KTUL.
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