Alva Fire Department History Page 2
1988 - 1999
Dennis Bushman served as Fire Chief for 8 years from 1987 to 1995.

In 1989 Woods county purchased a 1975 f-750 louisville style cab and chassis to replace the old tanker cab and chassis still using existing tank.

In 1990 we got on loan to us from the Oklahoma Economic Development Association, an 1977 W20 Dodge 4X4 ex military pickup, the full time firefighters went to work on it and transformed it into our first Rescue.

In 1992 we took the 1975 pumper out of service when we received delivery of an E-ONE 4 door 1992 International Model 4900 with an International DTA- 466 Diesel Engine, this piece of apparatus is now known as Engine 1.

In 1993 we took delivery of a new Brush-Rig. This is a 1993 F-350 4x4 W/7.3 Diesel Engine, automatic transmission, built by Mertz Inc. This replaces the 1973 model brush rig that was purchased in 1973. Here is a current Picture of the members, their names starting on the back row starting from the left and going right are, Todd Finley, Ben Valdez, Clint Strawn, Merle Ridgway, Darin Moser, Kevin Dixon, J.C. Dixon, Max Mcdermott, Kirk Trekell, Dwight Keltner, Bill Beeler, Darrell Kline, Bill Marshall, Tom Stroud, Bryce Benson, Harold Cushenbery, Randy Stelling. On the front row ledt to right are, Assistant Fire Chief John Farris, Driver Allen Schwerdtfeger, Driver Fred Miller, Driver Craig Johnson, Driver Phil Burrow, Driver Len Haight and Fire Chief Dennis Bushman.

On April 19, 1995 the bombing of the Murrah Building occurred, the Alva Fire Department had rescuers there. Pictured from left to right in the back is Darin Moser, Kevin Corr, Bryce Benson, John Farris, and Randy Stelling. On the front row from left to right is Tim Starbuck, Len Haight, Joel Fogelstrom, Kirk Trekell and Phil Burrow.

On April 22, 1995 rescuers were required to have a letter from the F.B.I. to gain entry to the Murrah building, this is a picture of the letter that Phil Burrow used to gain entry.

John Farris took over as Fire Chief in the summer of 1995 and is still currently the Chief of the Alva Fire Department, Chief Farris has been on the department for 21 years.

On February 22, 1996 A utility truck owned by O&M power line construction was working on a power line 8 miles north of Camp Houston when the truck caught the grass on fire, the wind was blowing 35 to 40 MPH. This fire burned 110,000 acres, took 4 days to extinguish, The following agencies assisted us in extinguishing the fire, Freedom, Mooreland, Beaver, Buffalo, Vici, Sieling, O.H.P. Plane (Mike Jones), Waynoka, Carmen, Dacoma, Nescatunga, Capron, Byron/Amorita, Burlington, Cherokee, Pond Creek, Laverne, Kremlin, Nash, Medford, Jet, Salt Plains Refuge, Okeene, Sharon, Deer Creek, Union Chapel KS, Dear Head KS, Barber County KS, Kiowa KS, Medicine Lodge KS, Sharon KS, Pratt KS, Lake City KS, Sun City KS, Commanche County KS, Anthony KS, Harper County KS, Wellington KS, Butler County KS, Elwood KS, Hazelton KS, Cunningham KS, Magnolia KS.

In December 1997 we received delivery of a another tanker to replace the 1975 tanker. this truck is housed in the Alva Fire Department, The information on this piece of apparatus is on our Apparatus and Equipment page.

In 1998 the construction of our Skills house was completed, It was built by The Career-Tech (Northwest Technology Center) here in Alva, they provided the labor through their Construction Technology class. As of the summer of 1999 we have used this house for many types of training, two of which were the Academy A and Rope Rescue one class. Thanks to all who helped with the skills help. We could not have built it without your help and support.