Norman Oklahoma Professional Firefighters
Represented by the International Association of Firefighters along with 334 Thousand Firefighters and Paramedics across the United States & Canada for more than 100 Years
The International Association of Fire Fighters is the driving force behind nearly every 21st century advancement in fire service. IAFF members protect more than 85% of the population throughout the U.S.
Members Only Login pages in which to find previous or current business related topics of interest; member-meeting notices, agendas, minutes, contract negotiation updates, grievance updates, etc.
The NFD provides fire, rescue, medical, HAZ-MAT, and technical rescue services for Norman, OK. City limits encompass 195 square miles of Cleveland County, serving a population of approximately 133,000.
NFD Member recognized by The Committee of One Hundred
With great pride, we share the news that one of our own, Driver/Engineer Levi Mulder, has been recognized by The Committee of One Hundred in Oklahoma City with the William Hulsey Award. The Committee gives the William Hulsey Award for a "Display of Heroism Above and Beyond the Call of Duty in a Life-Threatening Situation."
While deployed with Oklahoma Task Force One (OKTF-1) in response to Hurricane Helene, Levi and his team were en route to North Carolina on September 26th when they were flagged down by law enforcement in Erwin, TN. They sprang into action without hesitation, conducting multiple swift water rescues on the flooded Nolichucky River. The following is an excerpt from Levi's award nomination:
"Using the eddy created by the house, Mulder approached on the downstream side of the structure. As they got close, they could hear the victim cry for help from within the house but could not pinpoint her exact location. As they struggled to find the victim, one of the large trees supporting the house began to fail and the house began to break apart. Mulder immediately moved the boat out of the house's path into the more dangerous and faster moving water, further away from dry ground. His thought was that if the victim left the house, she would most likely end up in that area. Despite the extreme danger, Mulder and Koeninger placed themselves in harm's way to give the victim the best chance to be rescued. He was right. As the house continued to disintegrate before their eyes, the victim surfaced beside them and Koeninger pulled her into the boat."
Thanks to the expertise and courage of Levi and his OKTF-1 team, four people and their pets were rescued from the dangerous, swift waters. This video features News Coverage from the rescue. Firefighter Mulder's actions that day exemplify the dedication, skill, and bravery that define our profession. His willingness to risk his own life for the safety of others is a testament to the values we uphold as members of The Norman Fire Department.
This recognition is well-deserved, and we could not be prouder to have him among us. Driver/Engineer Mulder was honored at The Committee of One Hundred in Oklahoma City's Annual Banquet, where the other three boat crew members received the OKC Fire Medal of Valor. Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Mulder on this honor and celebrating the excellence he brings to our department and community.
NFD Unveils New Knox Box Program
A new Knox Box program in the City aims to make fire response faster, more effective and less damaging to property in the city.
Engines at each of the Norman's nine fire stations will have a mounted piece of equipment that holds the key securely. It is only accessible to firefighters through a special code. The electronic key will open a Knox Box at the business, providing firefighters access to keys that will allow them to enter the building without causing damage.
The program requires that new commercial construction include a locking, tamper-proof box that holds keys to a building that would only be accessible by Norman Fire Department responders in case of an emergency. Similar value programs have already been adopted by other cities, including Moore, Midwest City and Oklahoma City. Emergency responders from throughout the U.S. and Canada, rely on the program, which has become an industry standard.
Engines at each of the Norman's nine fire stations will have a mounted piece of equipment that holds the key securely. It is only accessible to firefighters through a special code. The electronic key will open a Knox Box at the business, providing firefighters access to keys that will allow them to enter the building without causing damage.
The requirement is a component of the International Fire Code, released in 2018, and to which most fire departments, including Norman, adhere. It will allow fire crews entry to a building where there may not be any visible sign of a fire. Instead of just being able to walk the perimeter outside the building and try to assess the situation, or needing to call the building owner or store manager and wait for someone with a key to arrive, entry to the building can be quick in order to evaluate the situation; all without causing any damage to the structure itself.
A number of protective features and failsafe's prevent unauthorized usage. Each key is computerized and can only be used by entering a passcode. A computerized log records each time a fire department key was used and by whom. Should one of the electronic keys be lost or stolen, it will cease working after a designated period of time, rendering the key useless, and keys will be equipped with trackers so they can be easily located.
Although the program is only required in new commercial construction, existing businesses and homes would be a welcomed addition for consideration in the future.
Additionally, the minimal one-time expense of installing the secure boxes can be far cheaper than replacing a door or window, should firefighters need to force their way into the structure to battle a blaze.
The Knox company also offers a range of products designed for residential settings, making it possible for Norman Fire Department personnel to enter a home in the event of an emergency without having to force entry. If residents desire for responders to have quick access during an emergency, Knox products can be purchased by the resident directly from the website. This saves time when it matters most.
When individuals and businesses go on the Knox website and select Norman Fire department, they will see the products that are available. When they purchase a box, the company will send notification to the NFD so that contact with the homeowner or business owner can be made in which to go out and program the box. Whereby, the only time it can be opened is when the Norman Fire Department responds to a call and needs to gain access to the building.
The first buildings constructed in Norman with the new system should be opening within the next six months and general contractors have already started asking Norman Fire Department about the specifications for box placement. The Norman Fire Department will maintain records of locations that have the Knox system and can include pertinent information about the address or the resident.
More information on the Knox products can be found on the company’s website at www.knoxbox.com and selecting Norman Fire Department from the “Choose your local fire department agency” dropdown menu.
Norman Fire Department Achieves Highest Possible ISO Public Protection Classification
"I'm incredibly proud of our Fire Department for joining this elite group of fire departments in the U.S.," said City Manager Darrel Pyle. "Our firefighters and city staff work tirelessly to keep our residents, businesses, and visitors safe."
The City of Norman Fire Department joins the ranks of only 388 fire departments across the nation with a Class 1 Public Protection Classification. The City of Norman is proud to announce that its Fire Department has received a Class 1 Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). ISO ratings assess local fire departments' readiness by classifying a community's ability to suppress a fire.
An ISO fire score rating is determined based on how well a local fire department can protect their community. Some Insurance companies use the score to help set property insurance rates, as a home or business that is less likely to be severely damaged or destroyed by fire costs less to insure. The Class 1 rating, which is the highest possible rating, validates that the City of Norman Fire Department provides residents, visitors, and businesses with industry-leading fire protection services.
"I'm incredibly proud of our Fire Department for joining this elite group of fire departments in the U.S.," said City Manager Darrel Pyle. "Our firefighters and city staff work tirelessly to keep our residents, businesses, and visitors safe."
This accomplishment was a team effort that included the City of Norman Fire Department, Dispatch Center, Public Works Department, and Utilities Department, and with community support through Public Safety Sales Tax funding for fire equipment and apparatus.
"The Norman Fire Department staff has worked tirelessly over the last four years on this project, which was made possible by the Public Safety Sales Tax. Our apparatus replacement program over the last three years made a big impact in this audit. It is truly incredible that we were able to significantly better our rating without adding any new fire stations since the last audit, and I believe this is one of the biggest accomplishments in NFD history," said Fire Chief Travis King. "We are hopeful this will have a substantial positive impact on insurance rates for the residents and business owners of Norman. I want to thank the Council and the Community for supporting the PSST. City Manager Pyle supported our efforts and was a big help getting us across the finish line. PSST is not just a tax. It's an investment that will be paying dividends to the community."
ISO is an independent organization that evaluates fire-protection efforts in communities across the country. The organization collects information on communities and analyzes the data using its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. This Fire Suppression Rating Schedule evaluates four primary categories of fire suppression – fire department, emergency communications, water supply, and community risk reduction. Fire services are ranked between 1 and 10.
The Class 1 ISO rating will rank the City of Norman Fire Department as one of only 388 Fire Departments in the U.S. that are both accredited and have an ISO Class 1 rating.
The City of Norman Fire Department joins the ranks of only 388 fire departments across the nation with a Class 1 Public Protection Classification.
Proceeds from this fundraiser go directly towards the nonprofit 'Christmas Store' offering Christmas shopping opportunities for low-income families for their children.
The NFD's medical first responders are now certified for advanced level of emergency care, in addition to the basic level medical care currently provided. The new increased level of emergency care will begins.