SALLISAW - Volunteer firefighters defended the job they do before Sequoyah County commissioners this morning. They fear a recent newspaper article leads residents to believe the rural departments may not be up to speed.
Homeland Security has said that 55% of Oklahoma's rural fire departments are not in compliance with federal training standards. But dozens of Sequoyah County's volunteer firefighters showed up to say they are either trained or well on their way. Monday's county commissioners' meeting was packed with hotheaded firemen.
"All 21 fire departments are working on their certifications we have several like Marble City that's completed their this weekend," Marble City firefighter Hilton Hixon told 5NEWS.
An e-mail from Homeland Security to the county's emergency management director reads that volunteer departments that receive funds from the feds must meet certain training requirements. However, no specific department was named as not being in compliance. The ruckus erupted from a newspaper article that some firefighters fear misled residents to think they weren't taking care of business.
"I want the public to know we are out there for them," Hixon said. "We're there to take care of them."
Under law, the Title 19 volunteer departments (those with federal retirement funding) should answer to the county, but they've always been allowed to manage their own training and Monday, the commissioners made it plain that will continue. The emergency management director told 5NEWS that he's willing to work with the firefighters.
"I'm more than happy to give a class, but you have to tell me what you need so I can get that class," Chris Keathley explained.
The Marble City Community Center is a local watering hole where Harry Breese told us he's thankful for the volunteer department that protects his property.
"The local fire departments volunteer fire departments have come into being I've seen a lot less property destroyed and forestry and grasslands because of those people."
In the end, these men and women don't do it for the money or the fame.
"We do it cause we love helping people and what happens if nobody shows up and my house is on fire?"
The meeting was actually very civil. Emergency management director Chris Keathley attempted to clear up the misunderstanding, several firemen spoke, and the commissioners simply listened.
Keathley says the departments will likely report their training this fall.
Homeland Security has said that 55% of Oklahoma's rural fire departments are not in compliance with federal training standards. But dozens of Sequoyah County's volunteer firefighters showed up to say they are either trained or well on their way. Monday's county commissioners' meeting was packed with hotheaded firemen.
"All 21 fire departments are working on their certifications we have several like Marble City that's completed their this weekend," Marble City firefighter Hilton Hixon told 5NEWS.
An e-mail from Homeland Security to the county's emergency management director reads that volunteer departments that receive funds from the feds must meet certain training requirements. However, no specific department was named as not being in compliance. The ruckus erupted from a newspaper article that some firefighters fear misled residents to think they weren't taking care of business.
"I want the public to know we are out there for them," Hixon said. "We're there to take care of them."
Under law, the Title 19 volunteer departments (those with federal retirement funding) should answer to the county, but they've always been allowed to manage their own training and Monday, the commissioners made it plain that will continue. The emergency management director told 5NEWS that he's willing to work with the firefighters.
"I'm more than happy to give a class, but you have to tell me what you need so I can get that class," Chris Keathley explained.
The Marble City Community Center is a local watering hole where Harry Breese told us he's thankful for the volunteer department that protects his property.
"The local fire departments volunteer fire departments have come into being I've seen a lot less property destroyed and forestry and grasslands because of those people."
In the end, these men and women don't do it for the money or the fame.
"We do it cause we love helping people and what happens if nobody shows up and my house is on fire?"
The meeting was actually very civil. Emergency management director Chris Keathley attempted to clear up the misunderstanding, several firemen spoke, and the commissioners simply listened.
Keathley says the departments will likely report their training this fall.
