Oklahoma Fire Departments Get Creative To Raise Funds

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

MIDWEST CITY, Oklahoma -- For the Midwest City fire department and extra $10,000 would mean everything, since the department, like other fire departments around the country, is strapped for crash.

"Ten thousand is the difference between helping a program stay alive or let it expand," said Midwest City Chief Fire Marshal Jerry Lojka.

It's that reason the department chose to take part in a competition against other fire department in similar size cities around the country in an effort to win $10,000. For some time the fire department has wanted to build on their dwindling education programs both publicly and in the school systems, unfortunately lack of funds has made that impossible.

"At some point in time you have to step up and provide for those type of programs or they are going to go away," Lojka said.

Of course, the financial troubles in Midwest City aren't uncommon. It's why the Midwest City Fire Department is one of a growing number of fire departments in the state looking to creative ways to fill holes in their budget. The Luther Fire Department recently entered a competition for a new pumper truck. The department, which finished second went as far as to put together a dance routine in hopes of drawing support.

Those two departments aren't alone. Even the Village Fire Department has had to reach out for help. Due to lack of funds, the department has been unable to repair the lift on their fire truck. It's why surrounding businesses came together to raise money for the department.

"We don't have a lot of tall buildings in the Village, but we have enough that if there was a fire that required the use of a ladder truck then at that moment we would be dead in the water," said longtime Village business owner Valerie Naifeh.

Now while Midwest City doesn't face the same dire situation as other departments in the state, they said the idea of losing their education programs is concern enough, especially at a time when every dollar counts.

"Honestly if tax projections don't come in the way we anticipate then a phone call from the city manager and the fire department status changes so we are concerned," Lojka said.

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