Fire Services
Stilwell Fire Department Station #1
located at 14 West Walnut Street
The Stilwell community was generous with donations when the Stilwell Volunteer Firefighters held the annual Fill the Boot Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser the weekend of September 12 and 13.
The MDA fundraiser brought in $5,130 in cash and a bucket full of change, said interim Fire Chief Charley Coombes.
“We beat last year,” said Coombes.
Nine firefighters were on hand to help with the event. They volunteered about 3 1/2 hours each day, so a pretty good return for seven hours.
“It’s a firefighter tradition,” Coombes said.
It’s usually held over Labor Day weekend, but that weekend did not work for the department.
“You can do it anytime, as long as MDA is notified,” he said.
The event is to help kids with muscle diseases.
Kaleb Vann was helping at Fill the Boot.
photo: Charley Coombes
Jose Sam, front, and Eric Wilson stand on the highway so people can drop cash and change in a boot for the annual Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser.
photo: Charley Coombes
“We like to help, and get out in the community,” said Coombes.
Also some unusual items were discovered in the change bucket.
“Odd ball stuff is sometimes found because people will dump their change container into the bucket. We have some keys, so if you’re missing keys call the fire department,” Coombes.
Some businesses also donated this year and the firefighters collected donations at the gates at the football game Friday night.
“We go to set off the siren when they score,” he said.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association site said MDA began in 1950 when Paul Cohen, a New York business leader living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), began forming a community to raise funds for the first research grant. MDA has been the leading philanthropic organization in advancing understanding and treatment of neuromuscular diseases, driving breakthroughs in genetics, diagnostics, and therapies.
“This event started before my time and hopefully will continue long after me. Kids will need help,” Coombes said.
The only year the volunteer firefighters missed was 2020 during COVID, he said.
“We do pretty well for a small town,” said Coombes.
“That’s what I like about our town. Our small community is always very caring and willing to give generously.”
Tyler Rinehart and Olivia Scott stop for a photo during the MDA fundraiser.
photo: Charley Coombes
Dustin Wolfe, left and Isaiah Castro, keep up with donations as vehicles move on.
photo : Charley Coombes
J.J. Coombes headed to the street.
photo: Charley Coombes
Tony Worley provides educational tours of the fire department to school children and goes to city schools for fire safety presentations.
Call Tony to make an appointment at 918 696-7412.
Currently there are 21 firefighters on the roster. They respond to all fire related call and motor vehicle accidents within the city limits, and out in the county as needed. They cover from the bottom of Baron Hill to the top of Brushy Mountain on Highway 59 South; West on Highway 100 and Highway 51 from the city limits to the county line; and Highway 100 and 51 east to the state line of Arkansas.
Tony Worley receiving an award from Mayor Jean Anne Wright.
photo by Renee Fite
“We cover a broad area,” said Worley. “We assist at car wrecks,
which can catch fire or may require jaws of life, and fires out to that area. We also respond to search and rescue with the City Police Department and county Sheriff’s Department. We’ve had a possible lost hunter, an older person who wandered from their house and drowning, to help with.”
Worley noted they are not a medical service, but are called out to assist EMS.
“Our guys are CPR trained but we’re not an EMS service, we provide lift assist,” he said.
They also assist rural fire departments with fire calls.
The volunteer firefighters have monthly in house training that includes search and rescue, auto extrication, all things house fire related and running pumps on the trucks.
“We’re here to supply a service and help out,” said Worley.
In 2023 the Stilwell Fire Department fire and
rescue runs:
16 City house fires
31 County house fires
30 City grass fires
46 County house fires
24 City motor vehicle accidents
57 County motor vehicle
accidents
39 City lift assist with EMS
8 County lift assist with EMS
2 City vehicle fires
5 County vehicle fires
18 City fire/smoke alarms
4 County fire/smoke alarms
6 Dumpster fires
3 Storm watch
6 City gas leaks
0 County gas leaks
2 City general rescue/landing zone
2 County general rescue/landing zone
19 Community duty
Total 307 year end runs from January 1 - December 31
How to get a Burn Permit
Burn permits are $10, no charge for citizens 65 and older
- Trash can not be burned in the city limits
- There is no burning after dark
- There is no burning on windy days
- The fire must be at least 25 feet away from any structure or vehicle
- The burn pile must be no bigger than 15 feet in diameter
- A responsible adult must be present at all times during the burning
- You must always have a connected water hose and a hoe, rake or shovel
- Nothing can be brought from other sites to be burned
Stilwell's fire station #2
photo: Renee Fite
Physical Address:
14 W Walnut Street Stilwell, OK 74960
Apply to join Stilwell Fire Department
