Department News

Norman Fire Department Sponsored Events and Activities

 

Annual Retiree Pancake Breakfast

July 14, 2010 - Each year the brothers of Local 2067 who comprise the Norman Fire Department take the time to honor all of those who have blazed the way for those of us currently in the middle of our careers as professional firefighters. Since "eating" and "breakfast" have withstood the test of time in creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and brotherhood in firehouses worldwide, it has always been the obvious choice in providing a comfortable setting for those in which we pay tribute.

This year's breakfast will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at Fire Station #7 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please take the time to stop in and welcome back our retired brothers with some good food, fun, and fellowship. (From 2009 Breakfast: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4, Photo 5, Photo 6...)

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NFD Begins Newest Recruit Training Academy

May 31, 2010 - Beginning tomorrow, June 1, 2010, the Norman Fire Department will begin the first of two in the largest recruit academy's of Norman Fire Departments history. Thanks in general to a voters mandate by our citizens at an earlier city-wide election, these recruits will help field Station #8, currently under construction on 36th Ave. & Tecumseh Road West.

It is estimated the academy will conclude in tandem with the opening of this new station. The time frame in which the construction is set to be completed will be toward later this fall.

In the interim, the newest recruits will take part in an ever expanding training program. In addition to learning basic firefighting skills, the newest members of our ranks will take part in training to become car-seat technicians, hazardous materials technicians, and maintain current or even new EMT Basic certification training.

Good luck boys, we'll see you "on duty" later this year!

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Fire Department Call Volumes Taper Off in 2009

February 4, 2010 - The Norman Fire Department saw a slight tapering off in call volume from that which occurred in 2008. (2009 Run Totals by Incident Type...) (2009 Run Totals by District...)

 

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Annual Fire & Police 'All You Can Eat' Chili Supper

February 3, 2010 - The totals are in from the Annual Fire & Police Chili Supper held on January 7, 2010. We raised $7,231 .00 for the Christmas Store this year through our fund our raising efforts at the Chili Supper!

Huge thanks to all of you that pitched in and helped make this yet another successful year. We would especially like to thank those on "C" Shift for all of their hard work the day of the Chili Supper.

Also, we could not have pulled this off if it had not been for the help we received from Zena and her kids in the Career Exploration Education program at Moore Norman Technology Center. Zena and about 12 of her students came out in support of the fire departments efforts to raise money for the Christmas Store; providing staff for the dine-in serving line, distributing cookies & crackers, serving drinks, and busing tables, not to mention the help they provided in cleaning up after all was said and done. So the next time you see Zena or any of her students please take moment to thank them for all of their time spent volunteering to help with this event.

Our Local 2067 members, who make up the bulk of the Norman Fire Department, along with the FOP, have raised money with this Fundraiser to benefit the Christmas Store for years.

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25 Year Presentation Awards to Members of the NFD

January 22, 2010 - PRESENTATION OF AWARDS FROM THE OKLAHOMA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE TO CITY OF NORMAN EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE COMPLETED 25 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE, RICK BACON, K.C. DAY, BRENT HOPKINS, TIM MCDERMOTT, KIM MITCHELL, AND JOE SMITH will be held during the City Council Meeting of Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

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Public Safety Awards Banquet

January 15, 2010 - The 13th annual Public Safety Awards Banquet, hosted by the Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Crime Stoppers Committee, was held on January 21, 2010 at Journey Church, Tecumseh Road and Interstate 35.

Awards were presented to employees of the Cleveland County district attorney’s and sheriff’s offices, EMSStat-Norman Regional Health System, Norman Fire Department, and Norman and University of Oklahoma police departments.

In addition, Mary Abbott Children’s House presented the Wayne Martin Memorial Award. "The Public Safety Awards Banquet began 13 years ago as a means for the business community to recognize outstanding law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel,” said Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten. "What began with a relatively small crowd of around 50 people has grown to become an anticipated annual event in Norman.”

In addition, two Crime Stoppers Memorial Scholarships named in honor of the late Norman Fire Chief John Dutch and retired Norman Police Capt. Steve W. Cain were awarded to dependents of public safety personnel employed in Cleveland County.

The banquet is open to all community members. Tickets are $12.50 each and may be purchased from Devra at the Fire Administration office, and come out and support your Firefighter of the Year whom Chief Fullingim will be announcing soon.

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Firefighter(s) of the Year

January 15, 2010 - The Fire Chief is pleased to announce that the Firefighter of the Year Selection Committee has made their selection(s) for 2009. This year our military personnel that have been recently deployed will be honored. These firefighters include:

• Jason Rogers
• Scott Jones
• David Randolph
• Steve Roberts
• Chris Atteberry
• Mario Palumbo

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Norman Fire Department Accepting Applications for Fire Academy
(City of Norman, OK)

December 31, 2009 - The Norman Fire Department is seeking community oriented men and women for the upcoming Norman Fire Academy scheduled to begin June 1, 2010. Applications will be available from January 4 through January 15, 2010.

Qualified applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum of 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must have the ability to obtain an Oklahoma Driver's License, have no felony convictions and be able to perform the essential duties of a Firefighter Recruit.
Applicants must pass a written examination, physical agility test, extensive background investigation and physical examination. 

Successful applicants will begin their service as a Norman Firefighter with extensive instruction at the Norman Fire Department's academy where they will draw full salary and benefits. The 24 week academy training includes classroom instruction and practical field exercises in a number of disciplines to include firefighting techniques and practices, emergency response and rescue as well as equipment maintenance. Applicants will be required to obtain EMT-Basic certification, Firefighter I, CPR, and Hazardous Materials Responder certifications during initial one year probationary period. The academy’s graduation is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the City's 8th fire station. 

The approved Public Safety Sales Tax will fund 15 of the (17 & possibly more) vacant positions in the Norman Fire Academy.

Anyone interested in applying for the position of Firefighter should visit www.normanok.gov/content/fd-recruiting-forms to download an application. If you are interested in applying but do not have internet access, visit our office at 201-C W. Gray or request an application be mailed to you by calling 405-366-5482.

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Norman Fire Department Looses Long Time Friend & Supporter
(The Norman Transcript)

December 23, 2009 - J.D. Davis, 86, a longtime resident of Norman, passed away on December 20 after a long illness. Davis was born in Coalgate, Oklahoma in 1923 and his family moved to Norman one year later. After serving in the Army during World War II, he returned to Norman and was employed at a downtown firm, Norman Paint -- Wallpaper. He was instrumental in building the business and eventually acquired the company. It thrived under his ownership, serving as a supplier to the home-building industry during a period of dramatic growth in Norman.

Davis was a very active within the community for many years as a member of Kiwanis Club, Cleveland County 4H, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, and IOOF. In his later years he was particularly active with the Norman Chamber of Commerce, and he was a lifetime member of Oklahoma Wildlife. He was also a strong supporter of the Norman Fire Department and was given the unusual appointment of honorary fireman.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Alma, in 2004, as well as a brother Robert, and a grandson, Chance. He is survived by a daughter Terry Glenn of Norman, son Mike of Evanston, IL, a sister Clarice of Dallas, numerous nieces and nephews in various parts of the country, and his beloved dog, Penny.

Family visitation was held at Havenbrook Funeral Home on Tuesday December 22. Services will be held at Bethel Baptist Church of Norman on Wednesday December 23 at 11 a.m.

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Interested in Becoming a Member of the Norman Fire Department?

September 27, 2009 - Many interested pre-candidates who are contemplating the decision to apply for membership in the Norman Fire Department are encouraged to read these quick FAQ's on the hiring prerequisites and requirements for application acceptance. If you would like additional information, you may also contact the City of Norman for additional information. However, reading the FAQ's first, might help to answer your initial questions.

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2009 Norman Fire Department Recruit Academy to Begin

January 9, 2009 - It’s time once again a recruit academy will begin March 2, 2009 with four (4) new rookies. Chief Rick Bacon is seeking volunteer instructors to mold these guys into Norman Fire Fighters. So, if you are interested and meet the one requirement of 'Instructor 1' please contact Chief Bacon via email so he can keep a list and get back to you about what class or classes you may be interested in instructing.

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Fire Department Sees Another Rise in Call Volumes in 2008

January 10, 2009 - The Norman Fire Department again this past year experienced a slight increase in call volume from that which occurred in 2007. (2008 Run Totals by Incident Type...) (2008 Run Totals by District...)

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Norman Fire Department - Firefighter of the Year

UPDATE: Firefighters Rick Bacon and Keith Nelson both were recognized by the Norman Fire Department. The men are in charge of safety and training at the fire department. "It's their attitude and commitment to excellence that sets them apart," Chief James Fullingim said. Bacon said his job is to make sure all the firefighters return home to their families every night. "It's just our job we hired on to do, and we don't expect this recognition," he said. (Read Norman Transcript article...)

UPDATE: The NFD Firefighter of the Year Selection Committee has submitted its choice for the 2008 Norman Firefighter(s) of the year to the Fire Chief. The Chief will be announcing this choice soon.

November 24, 2008 - The Norman Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards Banquet is quickly approaching on January 15, 2009. Any member of the department who would like to nominate a fellow member for this award can do so. Please send the nomination, in addition to your reasons why, to Deputy Chief Jim Bailey's office and he will give them to the selection committee for consideration. Nominations are needed by December 15, 2008.

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Annual Christmas Chili Supper Planned for 2009

UPDATE: The total is in; we raised $7,335.00 for the Christmas Store this year through our fund raising efforts at the Chili Supper! Huge thanks to all of you that pitched in and helped make this yet another successful year.

October 9, 2008 - January 22, 2009, is the established date for our annual Firefighter/Police Chili Supper this year. The good news is we will have more time to prepare, gather donations, and to sell tickets, which should be ready in a couple of weeks. It appears as “B” Shift will be the on-duty shift this year, but ALL personnel are invited and encouraged to participate in anyway they're willing. More details will be provided as they develop. The IAFF has contributed $500.00 toward the success of this years fundraiser!

In the mean time, it would be most helpful if we could SELL some TICKETS! In addition, if any members have any connections/contacts with businesses in Cleveland County that you think might give a cash or "ground beef donation" please ask them to help out as all proceeds benefit the Cleveland County Christmas Store which extends beyond the City of Norman. Contact Asst. Chief Bob Bledsoe for questions or comments about this years supper.

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NFD to Offer Department-wide EMT Training

September 16, 2008 - The Norman Fire Department intends to offer an EMT-Basic class this fall. The dates for the class are currently scheduled from November 12, 2008 - April 3, 2009. Class and clinical times will range from one to two shifts per week, Monday thru Friday. Members will not be charged personal leave-time for these classes.

Attendance will be set by the school, but they have told the department that students can only miss two days of class. Students will be able to attend the other two crew’s class days if you miss a scheduled day as long as the other class is on the same lesson-plan-day as the class missed.

NFD employees should wear appropriate uniform attire at all classes and clinical’s. The prerequisites are:

1. A complete OSBI background check
2. A drug screening
3. Hep ‘B’ immunization records
4. 2 doses of MMR immunization records
5. 2 negative TB test records

There is a maximum of 30 students that will be able to take the class. If there are more than 30 members who sign up for the course, attendance will be chosen by seniority, as per the Fire Chief. Please call or e-mail me if you would like to attend this class or have any questions. The deadline for signup has been set for 15:00 on September 26, 2008. Contact Keith Nelson at 501-1951 or Keith.Nelson@NormanOK.gov for further information.

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Norman Fire Department Hosts Healthy Community Road-Show
(City of Norman, Oklahoma)

August 19, 2008 - Friday, August 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Healthy Community Road-Show will be at the Norman Fire Department Fire Station #3, 500 E. Constitution, Norman. 
 
“The City of Norman is involved in many activities to promote a healthier community,” said Lindy Beswick, coordinator community health and wellness for Norman Regional Health System. “The Road-Show is a great way to promote health and wellness to their employees and the community. We are proud to have them as an active part of the Healthy Community Coalition.”
 
The Road-Show is part of the Norman Healthy Community Coalition. The Road-Show booths offer free educational resources to community members revolving around the Coalition’s four health initiatives: hypertension, obesity/overweight, smoking and lack of physical exercise. The Coalition is a team of businesses, organizations, healthcare professionals and community members who have united to improve the health of Norman’s citizens.  Although these are all national issues of concern, the coalition has set goals for our local community and is implementing action steps to improve overall health and well-being.

Businesses and individuals interested in learning more about these and other efforts to make Norman a healthier community are encouraged to visit myhealthycommunity.com.

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New Recruits Making Move to Shift-work

July 8, 2008 - The newest members of the Norman Fire Department, and subsequently new members into the IAFF Local 2067, will take their place as on-duty firefighters. The new recruit class will be celebrating the achievement with a graduation ceremony on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sarkeys Foundation located at 530 East Main Street.

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Fire Department Fills Positions
(The Norman Transcript)

May 1, 2008 - It takes hard work and dedication to be promoted in the Norman Fire Department, according to fire officials. "The driver-engineer position is the most competitive in the department," said Fire Chief James Fullingim. "It's the hardest job to get, and takes a lot of hard work and determination."

The fire chief's comments came during promotion ceremonies Tuesday at Fire Station Seven in north Norman.
With parents, wife and son in attendance, Jason Bradford was promoted from firefighter to driver/engineer.
"It's easy to stay motivated with this group of guys," Bradford said, referring to the fellow firefighters who filled Station Seven's training room to witness the event.

Bradford also credited his wife, Cordy, who worked full-time while pursuing a degree at Oklahoma City Community College, he said. The couple's son, Holden, 3, proudly carried his father's helmet while also keeping clutch on a cookie at the event.

Other recent promotions within the department include: Travis King, driver to captain (last Friday); Mark Castell, driver to captain (last Saturday); and Brian Edwards, firefighter to driver-engineer (last Saturday).

Chad Roney will be promoted from firefighter to driver-engineer today. Jason Rogers will be promoted from Driver/Engineer to Captain Friday, the fire chief said.

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Department Retires Damaged Fire Truck
(The Norman Transcript)

April 18, 2008 - With repair estimates greater than the value of the vehicle, Norman fire officials have decided to retire a fire engine that tipped over on 156th Avenue March 18. "We just received a new fire engine in the past month," said Fire Chief James Fullingim. "The fire engine that was scheduled to be removed from the fleet will stay in the fleet, and we'll retire the damaged truck."

Fullingim said repair estimates ranged from $97,000 to $107,000. "The estimated value of that engine in good condition is $89,000," Fullingim said.

Two firefighters were responding to a single-vehicle rollover accident on Nelson Road in east Norman when the fire engine turned on its side. Gerald Croslin and Neal Reese were treated at Norman Regional Hospital and released. Croslin, acting in the capacity of relief driver, and Reese were the only occupants of the fire engine at the time of the accident.

The fire engine tipped over on 156th Avenue, about one-half mile north of Highway 9, during a heavy downpour. The fire truck's right side tires left the roadway and went into the mud. While Croslin was trying to bring the truck back on the roadway, the engine tipped over on its passenger side. The two men extricated themselves by removing the fire engine's windshield. The engine had "extensive body damage," Fullingim said.

The fire engine that was damaged was purchased in 1997 for $185,000. The fleet's newest fire engine cost $352,000, Fullingim said. The new engine will be kept at Station No. 1. It is the second red fire engine to be purchased by the fire department. The first was purchased in September and is housed at Fire Station No. 3 on East Constitution Street, Fullingim said.

The color of Norman fire trucks went from red to yellow in the 1970s. Last fall, firefighters voted overwhelmingly in favor of returning to red. Going red saves the Norman Fire Department $1,500 per truck, officials said.

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Library Lot is Site for Story Time by Firefighters & Police Officers for Kids
 
April 18, 2008 - Representatives from the Norman Police and Fire Departments will be present during a Community Helpers Story Time in the north parking lot of the Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster in downtown Norman, at 11:45 a.m. immediately following the 89er Day Parade on Saturday, April 19.
 
Children and their families are invited to gather around a 1949 vintage fire truck  for stories about community helpers told by Norman children’s librarians Ms Kim and Ms Susan.
 
Representatives of Norman’s Fraternal Order of Police led by Steve Lucas and representatives from Norman’s International Association of Fire Fighters led by Butch Crawford will join the children in listening to the stories. “Police officers and fire fighters are real-life heroes in the eyes of our children, and in my eyes, too, for that matter,” says Norman children’s librarian Basha Hartley. “Getting to be with them for an outdoor story time is a real treat for the little ones and an honor for the rest of us.”
 
According to Hartley, the library will provide carpet squares, or sit-upons, for the little ones to use in the parking lot. “We may even have a few police officer or fire fighter laps available, too,” Hartley says.
 
Following the 20-minute story time, families are invited into the library where they can be the first in town to get a copy of the 2008 Summer Reading Program calendar of events for the Norman Public Library.
 
For more information about this event or any of the programs and services for children, teens, and adults offered at the Norman Public Library, call 701-2600, visit, or log on to www.justsoyouknow.us.
 
The Norman Public Library is one of nine hometown public libraries operated by the Pioneer Library System in Cleveland, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties.

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Annual Christmas Store Chili Supper

February 9, 2008 - The members of the Norman Fire Department & Norman Police Department were able to raise $6225 for the Christmas Store this year through our fund raising efforts at the Chili Supper! A huge thanks to all of you that pitched in and helped make this yet another successful year. We would especially like to thank "A" Crew " for all of their hard work the day of the Chili Supper, although not all stations were able to participate due to geographical location and needed response coverage, I know they were willing to "step up" if asked. Also, we could not have pulled this off if it had not been for the help we received from Zena and her kids in the Career Exploration Education program at Moore Norman Technology Center. Zena and about 12 of her students came out in support of the fire departments efforts to raise money for the Christmas Store; providing staff for the dine-in serving line, distributing cookies & crackers, serving drinks, and busing tables, not to mention the help they provided in cleaning up after all was said and done. So the next time you see Zena or any of her students please take moment to thank them for all of their time spent volunteering to help with this event.

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New Recruits to Begin the Academy

January 24, 2008 - On March 3, 2008 eight new recruits will begin their first day in the Norman Fire Department Training Academy.

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Public Safety Awards Banquet

January 11, 2008 - The Public Safety Awards Banquet will be held on January 17, 2008 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. The location of the banquet this year is at the Journey Church, 3801 Journey Parkway at I-35 & Tecumseh Rd. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased from Chief Fullingim at the Admin building at $12.50 per person. The Fire Departments selection committee as met to select this year’s “Firefighter of the Year” recipient.

Chief Fullingim was therefore pleased to announce that Eric Spor has been selected as the 2007 Firefighter of the Year. The committee struggled with the decision as there were other worthy nominations submitted. The Fire Chief has expressed pride in our Department and will use this opportunity to thank each member for the work accomplished as it takes the contributions of everyone to enjoy our level of success.

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Fire Department Sees Another Rise in Call Volumes in 2007

December 24, 2007 - The Norman Fire Department again this past year will have experienced another marketable increase in call volume for 2007. The the addition of new business, shopping, and residential building construction, along with a continued population growth in the 196 square miles making up the City of Norman, there is little in anticipation of this rise in call volume to level out.

 

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2007 NFD Retiree Breakfast a Great Success

October 28, 2007 - Once again, the annual 'Retiree Pancake Breakfast' to honor all retired members of the Norman Fire Department was held with great success yesterday. This year’s breakfast was held at the new Fire Station #3. The retirees got a great opportunity to view the new station & catch up with one another all while being served an often missed, typical firefighters breakfast. We're sure they have been greatly burdened with the misfortune of having been instructed to each more than their share of oat-bran recently. The food was good, the coffee hot, and the company pleasant! (Breakfast Photo Gallery...)

Every autumn since 1992, the Norman Fire Department hosts a pancake breakfast to honor all of its retired members. Along with reuniting with fellow firefighters, retired members can catch up with current NFD activities and receive updates from the Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

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NFD WINS AWARD - "Jim Clark Memorial Emergency Response Agency award for 2007"
Special Rescue Recognized

August 8, 2007 - Norman Fire Department received recognition as a premier Emergency Medical Response Agency during Medic Update, the annual Oklahoma EMS Educational Conference, which occurred in Enid July 19-21.

The Oklahoma Emergency Medical Technicians’ Association (OEMTA) presents the annual conference, where Emergency Medical Responders, EMTs, Paramedics, EMS educators and Administrators gather to learn the newest in best practices and view new vehicles, equipment and training aids on display via the more than 30 vendors who participate in the conference. This year was a special one for the OEMTA, as the organization celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing education and service to Oklahoma’s EMS providers.

Throughout the year, OEMTA accepts a number of nominations for individuals and services that have demonstrated outstanding performance, and awards are presented to those agencies and individuals during Medic Update. Representatives from Norman Fire Department attended the Awards Luncheon on Friday, July 20, where they were presented with the Jim Clark Memorial Emergency Response Agency award for 2007.

Multiple nominations for Norman Fire Department were received, including one from Dr. Robert Franz, Director of Norman Regional Health System’s Emergency Department. All nominations described a special rescue situation that occurred on September 12, 2006, involving a victim trapped beneath the bed of an unstable dump truck. Although the victim was conscious, his arm was crushed between the bed of the truck and the frame, and was positioned in such a way that ANY untoward movement of the truck or its dump bed could easily have severed the individual’s arm or wounded him fatally. Norman Fire Department, responding along with EMSStat (and ultimately Dr. Frantz and a crew from NRHS Emergency Department), weighed carefully all options…..and at one point were told there was a possibility that the victim’s arm would be amputated ON SITE (while the victim remained beneath the truck.) In the words of Dr. Frantz, the NFD incident commander, Mike Wilson, “was calm and cool and possessed an amazing grasp of the difficulties and potential complications at every step of the rescue”. Wilson’s leadership, combined with deliberate and careful actions by all NFD employees on scene, allowed the dump truck to be completely stabilized and eventually lifted from the patient without further damage. The patient is alive today due to the skill and professionalism of the Norman Fire Department, and the OEMTA was proud to recognize the department as the Emergency Medical Response Agency of 2007!

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2006 Firefighter of the Year Announced

January 8, 2006 - Fire Chief James Fullingim is pleased to announce that Jason Brown as been selected as Norman Fire Department 2006 Firefighter of the year. Jason will be honored at the 2007 Crime Stoppers Public Safety Awards Banquet on January 17, 2007. Please contact Jim bailey for tickets if you plan to attend the banquet.

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January 1, 2007 - The Norman Fire Department has estimated 9,326 calls were made by the Department in 2006. An increase in 9.4% over last year.