OCFD Citizen's Fire Academy Alumni Association
CFAAA Newsletter, April 2015
CFAAA DISPATCH
Published monthly by the Oklahoma City Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association
Rob Anderson-Editor
April, 2015
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APRIL CFAAA MEETING SCHEDULED
Hazmat 5 (Photo By: Rob Anderson)
Seven members were in attendance during the March CFAAA meeting, held March 19, at station five.
During the meeting, station officer Clint Greenwood, explained how far Hazmat 5 and 55 travel to a potential disaster, which is actually statewide for some rigs and citywide for others.
Additional information was about the area the station covers, which is very broad due to Hazmat. The way Greenwood explained it, the station covers about 621 square miles. Other than for Hazmat, the area is much diversified with a variety of cultures and age brackets. Possibly, the most diversified in the city.
To be Hazmat, one must complete an 89 hour Hazmat Technician class and either a semester of college chemistry or successfully pass the 2 week NFA Chemistry of Hazardous Materials class.
The next CFAAA meeting will be April 16 at station 13. Station 13 is located at SE 74 and Air Depot, across from the former GM assembly plant. Time is 6:30. Please bring enough food for yourself and eight firefighters. Plus, guests are always welcome.
We thank Major Greenwood, Justin Spence, Howard Henderson, Brian Wilson, Mike Ralls, Jeremy McKinney, TJ Thomson and Matt Kockos for their hospitality.
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RIDE-A-LONG REPORT STATION 15
OCFD Brush pumpers fight grass fire on March 7 (Photo and Story By: Rob Anderson)
Last time I did a ride along, I had the pleasure of watching the guys present the colors at an Oklahoma City Barons game. This time, I experienced the “trenches” of a working grass fire.
The day for my ride-a-long at station 15, started around 2:00 PM on March 7. They let me “ride the floor,” which means whatever rig gets the ride, I can have it. We decided if it was a structure fire, I would ride the rescue ladder because the American LaFrance engine’s jump seat would make it harder for the guys to catch a hydra nt with a person in the jump seat. That nearly happened.
All total, we had six rides. Three were medical, one assist, a grass fire and one involving an arrest by OCPD. It was an interesting day.
On the grass fire, we were about to return to service when the incident commander saw some hot spots and asked brush pumper 15 to catch them. I was in the rig and he let me stay while he caught them. As we were looking, he told me how to spot the hotspots and showed me how they fight the fires in the field.
The sad part, in more ways than one, was about 30 minutes after I left, the station had a three alarm structure fire.
I thank the guys of station 15 for their hospitality and for what I learned.
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2015 CFAAA MEETINGS
All meetings start at 6:30 PM. Please bring food for enough firefighters on the shift, plus a couple other people.
April 16–Station-13 -7000 SE 74, 733-0180
May 21-Station 32- 12233 N. Mustang Rd-373-1628
June 18- Station 26-7025 SW 119, 745-6607
July 16-Station 18-4016 N. Prospect, 425-3006
August 20-Station 28-7101 S Anderson Rd., 737-4040
September 17- Station 11- 900 NW 50TH, 841-2400
October 15- Station 4-NE-14200 Hogback Rd., 396-8092
November 19-Location to be announced-Annual business meeting
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OCFD PROMOTIONS
The CFAAA congratulates the following members of OCFD and wish them well in their new positions.
District Fire Chief:
Tammy McKinney 3/6/15
Christopher Black 3/20/15
Major:
Tommy Cosgrove 3/24/15
Captain:
Lance Hansen 3/20/15
Sergeant:
Scott Landis 3/2/15
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CFAAA HAPPENINGS
CFAAA hats are on sale for $15.00 each. Contact Keith Sossamon for purchase.
To order shirts, contact Lee Lehner.
Several colors are authorized; however, the main uniform will still be dress whites. CFAAA is also allowed a jacket available in dark blue.
Allow one to two weeks for delivery.
If you are interested in helping and would like to volunteer, please email John Fink at 1jdcfink@sbcglobal.net.
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2015 DUES NOW DUE
2015 CFAAA dues are now $20.00.
Send checks payable to CFAAA to Treasurer Sandy Lookabaugh:
2241 SW 117th St
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73170
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A NOTE TO PASS ALONG
A reminder, if you take pictures of a fire, accident, or other event involving OCFD, before posting, you must submit them to the on duty PIO, for approval. This only includes OCFD. Any pictures taken of departments outside Oklahoma City, or the State of Oklahoma, are not under this policy, unless OCFD is involved. Email brian.stanaland@okc.gov until the PIO position is filled.
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Severe Weather Season Is Here
By: Keith Sossamon
For the last 7-8 years, I have been an independent storm chaser. For the last three years, I have been storm chasing, voluntarily, for Fox 25.
As most Oklahomans know, severe weather can happen anytime of the year and anywhere. If the ingredients are just right, severe weather will occur. If there are even a few important ingredients missing, severe weather will not occur.
Most meteorologists and storm chasers check weather computer “models” frequently, which helps them predict when severe weather will happen. Unfortunately, sometimes these models differ, which makes it hard to forecast severe weather. If there is any risk of severe weather on any given day, it doesn’t necessarily mean severe weather will happen, but it is a possibility. Don’t get complacent. Stay weather aware. Download weather apps on your smart phone and stay alert.
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RIDE-A-LONG
Tess Hague
Have you done a ride-a-long with the Fire Department? We would like to hear about it, especially if there was an exciting ride. Email Rob Anderson with details. If there was more than one, I will publish the most exciting.
Be sure to add the station number, shift color (if you know it), and some of the names of firefighters.
To schedule a ride-a-long, contact Tess Hague at 297-3314, Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM till 2:00 PM and she will get you scheduled.
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IMPORTANT EMAIL ADDRESSES
President: James Augenstein
Vice-President:
Lee Lehner
Secretary:
Carole Anne Koger
carole-ann@sbcglobal.net
Treasurer:
Sandy Lookabaugh
Member-At-Large:
David Dozier
Newsletter Editor, Rob Anderson, roba1955@yahoo.com
Volunteer Coordinator, John Fink, 1jdcfink@sbcglobal.net
949-2373, Cellular 208-1391
Hospitality Chairperson, Bertha Augenstein
bertha1a@ att.net
Retired professional race car driver Mario Andretti sits on OCFD rig during recent visit. (Picture By: OCFD)
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FINAL NOTES
The CFAAA Dispatch is published monthly by the Oklahoma City Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association, and is published with permission from the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
We thank Chief Keith Bryant, and the entire fire department staff for their courtesy and cooperation.
Copyright 2015 CFAAA and Oklahoma City Fire Department
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