Here’s How To Support Volunteer Firefighters In Oklahoma

Oklahoma firefighters have been battling wildfires across the state since March 14. Elevated to near critical fire weather remains in the seven day forecast for Oklahoma, so the threat for wildfires remains persistent. A majority of first responders working to put out the wildfires have been volunteer firefighters and Oklahomans are looking for ways to give back.

Oklahoma has over 900 fire departments in Oklahoma there serve communities of 10,000 or fewer. But since Oklahoma's historic wildfire outbreak on March 14, several volunteer firefighter departments have been responding and assisting outside their service areas to help neighboring volunteer fire departments and protect residents.

About 80 percent of Oklahoma's firefighters are volunteers, and they have been the main first responders fighting Oklahoma's current wildfire outbreak. Other responders assisting with the wildfire outbreak includes the Oklahoma Forestry Services and super scoopers from Bridger Aerospace.

Here's how to support volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma.

Volunteer fire departments in Oklahoma are made up of just that: volunteers. Volunteer firefighters typically have different day jobs and they sign up to fight fires to help protect their communities whenever needed.

Often, volunteer fire departments are underfunded and rely on donations and grants to support their stations. So the best way to support local volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma is to make a direct monetary donation to the volunteer fire department. Donations to volunteer fire departments goes towards essential needs for fire trucks, necessary supplies and advance equipment that keeps firefighters and residents safe.

The best way to make a donation to volunteer fire departments in Oklahoma is to contact the local volunteer department directly. A full list of Oklahoma's volunteer fire departments can be found on the State of Oklahoma's Fire Department Directory. Residents wanting to make a donation can also contact their local county emergency management office for information about their local volunteer fire departments.

Items that can be donated to Oklahoma volunteer fire departments.

Residents who may not be able to make a monetary donation can also donate items to volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association shared a graphic on its official Facebook page outlining items firefighters need to aid them during the wildfire outbreak.

The generic donation request list includes:

• Bottled water/Gatorade
• Liquid IV
• Packaged nonperishable snacks (peanut butter crackers, packaged nuts, protein bars, beef jerky, etc.)
• Eye drops
• Chapstick
• Baby wipes

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association also encourages residents to reach out to their local fire department to what specific needs the department and the firefighters have.