History
The Tulsa Fire Department was organized as a volunteer department on June 6, 1900 and became a four-man paid department on December 6, 1905, two years before statehood. In 1913 Tulsa became the first completely motorized department west of the Mississippi River.
One of Fire Department's first pumper turcks (1939)
In 1900 the population was 1,390; by 1907 it had increased to 7,298. The Departments coverage area in 1905 was four square miles and currently provides service for a population of 379,271 with a coverage area of 192 square miles.
Tulsa's paid department began with a continuous duty system and implemented a twenty-four on twenty-four off (72-hour workweek) in 1919. A 56-hour workweek was implemented in 1950 when a third shift was hired. The workweek was reduced in 1979 to 54 hours, and the current 52 hours workweek began in 1982.
The Tulsa Fire Department has an authorized strength of 724 employees, 694 uniformed and 26 civilian personnel. The Department has 30 Fire Stations housing 30 Engines, 12 Ladder Trucks, a HazMat Unit, provides Technical Rescue and Airport Firefighting capabilities. The operating budget for 1995 was $38.6 million.
In the early 1970's recognizing the importance of improved firefighter safety and health standards the Department began purchasing five man cab apparatus to get firefighters off the tailboard. In 1978 personnel safety policies required firefighters utilize (ride in) the apparatus cab rear seats, wear full protective clothing, and mandated the use of self contained breathing apparatus. The Department is moving toward full implementation of N.F.P.A. 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health (Bulletin #49). The department's physical fitness program became mandatory in February 1985.
Other history pages
- View a list of the Fire Department's major achievements from 1987 - 1999
- View historical fire stations in Tulsa and a brief summary about their history
