Firefighters Upset over PIKEPASS Tickets

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY - Turner Turnpike Authority recently issued several violations to the City of Oklahoma City Fire Department for vehicles that failed to pay toll fees while using a turnpike during a non-emergency.

Oklahoma City firefighters argue a decades-old law is wasting valuable time for emergency responses.

OKC Fire Department vehicles are not equipped with Pikepasses, but they are allowed to use the turnpikes free of charge if, and only if, they are responding to an emergency.

"They can also use the turnpikes for free if they are returning from an emergency call that was related to the turnpike," said Turnpike Authority spokesman Jack Damrill. "If they are returning from an emergency that isn't related to the turnpike, or for any other non-emergency reason, they have to pay just like everyone else."

Several firefighters, who wish to remain anonymous, claim the rules are not fair because the turnpike is sometimes the quickest way to get back to their fire station and district.

"We shouldn't have to pay to use the turnpike because it allows us to get back to where we need to be for the next call for help," said one firefighter.

The fire department is working with Pikepass for ways to resolve the current tickets issued.