Tulsa Fire Chief discusses ambush shooting amid growing threats

Tulsa firefighters were shot at while responding to a medical emergency near 61st Street and Harvard Avenue on June 1, underscoring a growing threat of violence toward first responders.

Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker sat down with News On 6 and said crews arrived alongside Tulsa police and EMSA after reports of a shooting in the area. While treating a gunshot victim, someone began firing at them.

“Firefighters and other emergency personnel began receiving shots at them,” Baker said. “They took cover behind vehicles that were on the scene and then ultimately, as we know, the driver fled the scene and was later, you know, stopped by police farther down in the neighborhood.”

RELATED STORY: Tulsa Police identify man killed by officers following 'ambush' shooting at 61st and Harvard

Rising Danger For First Responders

Baker said attacks like this are becoming more common nationwide.

“Violence against responders has been on the increase,” he said. “We’ve had cases, you know, it kind of escalates at different levels.”

He pointed to recent incidents, including the death of a Kansas City, Missouri, paramedic who was fatally stabbed by a patient in the back of an ambulance.

“We see shots being fired at responders. We’re not immune from the violence,” Baker said.

Tulsa firefighters are trained in de-escalation, and more are taking advanced classes to handle volatile situations more safely.

“We teach our firefighters de-escalation techniques on a regular, recurring basis,” Baker said. “Obviously, if there’s not a weapon involved yet, that’s better, but always on alert.”

Coordinated Response Is Key

Situational awareness and coordination with other agencies are critical during dangerous emergencies.

“The situational awareness is a great term I love to use,” Baker said. “It works with EMSA and police and fire all together.”

Baker said the recent shooting incident illustrated how vital teamwork is.

“We were all on scene together working together to treat someone who had been the victim of this violent attack,” he said. “Having that situational awareness to tell somebody to get to cover, making sure we’re safe—that’s where the partnership of law, fire, helping EMSA... we have to do it together.”

Celebrating 125 Years Of Service

The Tulsa Fire Department is also marking a major milestone; 125 years of serving the city. The department was officially founded on June 6.

“We are proud to celebrate,” Baker said. “Formed as a small volunteer fire department... they started off with a well and a hose that reached every building in downtown, about 300 feet.”

That small operation grew rapidly with the city. The department became a national leader in innovation early on.

Tulsa Fire Department Celebrates 125 Years

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

Tulsa Fire Department 125th Anniversary

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“We were the first department west of the Mississippi to be fully motorized in 1913,” Baker said. “All the horse-drawn fire apparatus was removed, and we became fully motorized.”

Today, the department continues to adopt cutting-edge tools, including drones for situational awareness at emergency scenes.

“It’s been a very innovative department,” Baker said. “Incredible amount of history on our department.”

Safety Reminder About Zinc Lake And Kayak Course

As summer temperatures rise, Baker also urged caution around Tulsa’s new water features.

“The kayak course is not for recreational use in the sense of swimming,” Baker said. “It’s for folks that are wakeboarding and kayaking and really have some professional training.”

The fast-moving water at Zinc Lake poses serious risks to untrained swimmers and emergency crews alike.

“It’s a risk to responders, and we want to make sure people are safe,” Baker said. “The temptation in the summer months is to just jump on it and ride down. That’s not how it works there.”