The Edmond Sun

Local News

Related Photos

  • MAIKE SABOLICH

    Grant helps Oak Cliff build new station

Discussion

July 9, 2007

Grant helps Oak Cliff build new station

Alice Collinsworth

EDMOND — Oak Cliff Fire District soon will be able to start work on a second fire station, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Oklahoma Legislature.

The money will be used for site preparation for a 5,600-square-foot building to be at Charter Oak Road and Santa Fe Avenue in southern Logan County, said Fire Chief Ken Stoops.

With 20 percent matched by fire district funds, the total amount used for site preparation will be $12,500.

The Oak Cliff Fire Department serves about 36 square miles, roughly bounded by Seward Road, Waterloo Road, Interstate 35 and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Rep. Marian Cooksey, Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Jason Murphey were on hand Friday for the presentation of the check, made by Tom McNally, District 8 rural fire coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Oak Cliff board members Nancy Benedict, Paul Wein and Buford Ford also were present.

“This is an exploding area in growth and population,” Jolley said. “It’s important that we do a better job (with firefighting) statewide.”

Stoops said the money will help attain a lower Insurance Service Offices rating for residents in the north and west sides of the district. Homes near a fire station have lower ISO ratings, which means owners pay lower insurance premiums.

Bids for construction will begin July 10, Stoops said.

The new structure will provide space for four fire trucks and a small meeting room, plus room for possible future full-time employees. The department currently has a staff of 34 volunteer firefighters.

“We would like to have 40,” Stoops said, adding that the district is planning a rookie class later this year.

“Appreciation for the (Oak Cliff) department is really high,” Murphey said. “You have what is essentially a city in southern Logan County.”

Stoops estimated the Oak Cliff Fire Department serves between 9,000 and 10,000 residents. He expressed his thanks for the money that will allow construction to begin.

“We will put it to good use,” he said.



acollinsworth@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 117

Text Only
Local News