LATIMER COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
The Latimer County Firefighters Association hold a one hour re-organization
meeting at the City Hall at Wilburton.
The meeting was called to order by Neal Wood from West End Fire Department.
Wood explained why the meeting was called, which was to organize the LCFA and place it back Into existence. Some main points that were expressed at the meeting wore possible money and equipment assistance. This could possibly be gained through having a Firefighters Association and In the future, training could be received at meetings.
Mr. Robert Bain from KEDDO discussed the Governor's plans to stop ..all REAP grants. Reap grants are one source in which local fire departments have received money to purchase equipment and vehicles that would possibly cost too much otherwise.
Also possibly being lost because of this, in improvements around the county and the Keddo office here in Wilburton. Keddo is the service that helps area fire departments write their grants.
One of the main points that was touched, in that Rural fire departments do not have the tax base as such city government such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa. We receive operational checks but they are too little to run a department. Bain also stated that surplus equipment from the forestry will be going through fire associations possibly in the future.
He expressed to the group how important the need for each firefighter to call
or write their State Representatives and Senators, and the Governor Office. The
letters need to be hand written.
Agenda for next meeting to try to have Jim Minx or Pate Stavros to talk about
the Pension and Retirement system. Also, the meeting will be an the first
Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm.
Future training sessions will be brought to the attention of
the association to organize and inform the firefighters of place and time of
training.
Those present at the March 2nd meeting were:
Try to convince other firemen in your department to be present at the next
meeting.
