Firefighters From Across Oklahoma Gather In Green Country For Training

Firefighters from all over Oklahoma are in Green Country for three days of annual statewide training.

The Tulsa Fire Safety Training Center has been the host location the last few years, but because of the pandemic, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Owasso, Tulsa Community College and Tulsa Tech are also loaning their spaces so firefighters could spread out to train.

It takes courage to go into a burning building, but for firefighters like Sara Wofford, it is a calling.

"It's something that I've fallen in love with, and it's something I plan to do forever," said Wofford.

Wofford is a volunteer with the Oak Grove Fire Protection District and among the 200 firefighters at the Oklahoma State Fire School.

The training is open to all firefighters, along with 20 instructors volunteering their time.

"It's a great training opportunity that, as a small department, we don't have these facilities, and to be able to come and train and bring all of this knowledge back to my department is kind of what drove me to come here," said Wofford.

The training, which has been going on for 40 years, is hosted by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association.

Capt. Jim Nimmo with the Tulsa Fire Department is on the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association board and said members pick the training topics, such as concerns about marijuana processing facilities.

“So, we're able to offer a class on things, whether it's code enforcement if their fire department does that or just actually responding to an incident at one of those facilities," explained Nimmo.

Nimmo said these trainings help firefighters safely do their job.

"Another thing that this really is about is the fellowship and bringing all members of the fire service together to train on one thing, to pass knowledge and to share experiences,” said Nimmo.

Oklahoma State Fire School continues Friday and Saturday. Nimmo said the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, grants and sponsors paid for the trainings.