DUNCAN —
Stephens County fire departments joined forces Friday to help bring a fire at Fort Cobb under control.
The Stephens County Fire Task Force, which included help from Duncan, Marlow, Comanche, Velma, Empire, Bray, Central High and Meridian fire departments, responded to a mutual aid call in Fort Cobb. Fort Cobb and the surrounding town are located in Caddo County.
Ryan Hall with the Marlow Fire Department headed the task force, which took off from the Lawton-Duncan Y about 4 p.m. Friday. Hall said the task force is activated whenever a county emergency manager calls for help to get a fire under control. By Saturday morning, firefighters were still working on the blaze.
This was the fourth time this year the task force has been activated. They’ve responded to calls in Elgin, Indiahoma and Hastings. Indiahoma and Hastings took place less than a week prior to the fire at Fort Cobb and around the same time the Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved a burn ban.
Friday morning, Governor Mary Fallin announced a state wide burn ban for all 77 Oklahoma counties.
Hall said the idea behind the task force is it allows the county to help other area, while maintaining the coverage Stephens County needs in case of a fire at home. Each department sends only two or three firefighters and fire unit to help in other areas.
In addition to the firefighters and seven brush trucks and water tanker being sent, Stephens County District 1 sent a water tanker and a fuel tanker, and Duncan sent a communication unit.
“Even when we do get activated, our county is still covered,” Hall said.
By having all of the fire departments in the county as part of the task force, each department can send firefighters if needed. Hall said the fire departments that help depend on where the fires are and how many firefighters the departments have available at the time.
Larry Martin, Meridian Volunteer Fire Department, said the task force does alleviate the stress off any one department by having all departments share the burden of the mutual aid call.
“It does not diminish any one department,” Martin said.
He said the idea of the task force has worked well because of the cooperation among the departments and the support of the Stephens County communities.
Martin said the task force has become an asset to Stephens County. He said the county commissioners helped to bring the task force together.
“We’re appreciative of the support of the county commissioners,” Martin said.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Marlow firefighter Ryan Hall and Velma firefighter Monty Tadlock discuss the actions of the Stephens County Fire Task Force on Friday. Derrick Miller/The Duncan Banner
Stephens County Fire Task Force responds to Fort Cobb fire
- Local News
-
-
Burum presented with plaque for years on CTAC board
Members of the Chisholm Trail Arts Council board met Monday for its annual open meeting and were excited about all they accomplished during the last year. They also are looking forward to the new year.
After a few challenging fiscal years, CTAC treasurer Michele Johnson said this year they will not only break even but have a little left in the bank. - Youth Services breaks ground for future shelter
- Barely crossing paths
- Tornado warning at DIA delays Duncan resident's flight home
- Duncan resident takes tornado precautions at DIA
-
Burum presented with plaque for years on CTAC board
- Features
-
-
Chisholm Trail Municipal Band to warm up for summer season
Keeping the music going for summer, the Chisholm Trail Municipal Band is looking for participants for its performance season.
- Katrina Elam shares background on AI’s Kree’s new single 'All Cried Out'
- Heartbeat Studio concludes season with princess theme
-
Chisholm Trail Municipal Band to warm up for summer season
- Sports
-
-
Outlaws slide past Ardmore
Just one night after falling victims to a collapsed lead late, the Marlow Outlaws decided to turn the tables Tuesday night against Ardmore.
- Owens excited to give back at golf tournament
- Velma-Alma will host weekend golf scramble
-
- Education
-
-
DTV-10 Programming of School Events
Duncan TV Channel 10 will be running several events from the end of the school year. Each program will begin at 9 a.m. and will re-play every odd hour up to 9 p.m. except for programs more than two hours in length.
- Labyer among 2013 District Superintendents of the Year
- Empire students visit Capulin Volcano
-
DTV-10 Programming of School Events
- Opinion
-
-
Monkeypox must be a joke from above
It’s been over 10 years since I moved out of sporting writing and began writing a column for the editorial page. Every so often this year, I’m rerunning a piece from the first year of the transition. This column first appeared in The Duncan Banner in June 2003.
-
A special day for memories
Father’s Day is a special occasion in my life. Thoughts of my dad surface easily. And lessons he taught seem to be entrenched in the lives of our three sons even though he died before their births.
-
Monkeypox must be a joke from above
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
