Voluntary firefighters in Oklahoma are preparing for a high risk of fire

Firefighters all over the state prepare their equipment and volunteers, while the risk of fire intensifies. About 80% of Oklahoma firefighters are volunteers.

Firefighters ensure extreme conditions

The Silver City Fire Department in Rural Creek County consists of around 14 volunteers who can answer at any time. Fire chief Brett Whitten says that tomorrow's conditions are reminiscent of the devastating Mannford fires from 2012.

“At the moment I have so many things through my head, but above all how I can bring all of our firefighters home safely tomorrow evening and protect the residents,” said Whitten.

Volunteers train for quick reaction

Nikolos Kimbrough, a volunteer fireman with nine months of experience, had a busy week with a running fire in Terlton.

“Every time you can sit at home, and then in the next second you rush to the train station to look at somewhere – actually to everything,” said Kimbrough.

“A little nervous, but I think we have it. We trained a lot for things like that.”

Even experienced firefighters like Whitten say that the risk is high. To combat it, the departments work together to ensure quick answers.

“We will explain a war day tomorrow morning, which means that one of us gets a fire in our district, we all go at the same time, only to get so many workers and so much water on the fires, as quickly as we can,” said Whitten.

The crews prepare for the fast use

Silver City covers a large area around the Keystone Lake. Every fire could quickly get out of control, so that the volunteers are positioned over the area to be ready.

According to Whitten, evacuation orders could be granted if fires become uncontrollable. He asks the residents to immediately follow the evacuation orders when they are given.

Firefighters also place hoses near hydrants in rural parts of the Creek County, so that tankers can refill faster.