Claremore Daily Progress

Top Stories

Related Photos

  • PHOTO PROVIDED

    images_sizedimage_098113422
April 8, 2009

<b><font color= red>UPDATED — </b></font color> Fire destroys OTEMS ambulance

By Krystal J. Carman

April 7, 2009 — A fire that is being ruled accidental destroyed one ambulance and damaged a second ambulance and a command vehicle early Sunday at the administrative headquarters of Oologah-Talala Emergency Medical Services.

The fire was discovered at 12:22 a.m. when an ambulance crew from Station 1 brought its unit to Station 2, which also houses the administrative offices. But thanks to a dousing from a water pipe which burst as a result of the fire, the flames were contained and the fire was out by the time firefighters from Northwest Fire Department arrived.

“It was bad but it could have been much worse,” said OTEMS board member Bob Sweet.

Fire damage was limited to the bay area, but the entire 5,000 square foot facility suffered smoke damage with soot heavily covering nearly everything in the building.

Two ambulances were available for service Sunday and Monday, which officials said was sufficient to cover a routine day shift.

A plan was implemented that would allow OTEMS Maintenance Chief Justin Woodworth to fly to Dallas to pick up a leased ambulance while the destroyed ambulance was being replaced and the damaged unit was being restored. However, the trip did not take place because, “even if the ambulance was picked up, all the equipment and items stocked on Unit 11 was destroyed so there would be nothing to stock the new unit,” officials said.

On Monday afternoon, OTEMS Public Information Officer John Wylie said the damaged unit would be fully operational by Tuesday morning, leaving the ambulance service down only one unit.

A verbal report from an insurance investigator indicates the fire began in the engine block of the ambulance and will be ruled an accident.

Even though the damage is substantial, Wylie said there will be no cost to taxpayers to restore the facility and replace the destroyed ambulance because the insurance policy will cover the cost.

Following the fire Sunday, the facility was left without phone service or electricity. But that didn’t interrupt any dispatching services for OTEMS because the Chelsea Police Department conducts dispatching for the ambulance service.

On Monday afternoon, Wylie said there was temporary phone service in the building as well as partial electricity.

Text Only
Top Stories
  • Courthouse-Sec-Cmmtee-Postweb.jpg SECURITY CONCERNS: Commissioners form committee to study issue

    Rogers County Commissioners informally approved the formation of a Courthouse Security Committee during it’s Monday meeting.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Runaways found in Coffeyville

    Rogers County Sheriff’s deputies are reporting the finding of two juveniles from the Oologah area who went missing for two hours Monday night.

    February 7, 2012

  • Fallin proposes new tax brackets

    Gov. Mary Fallin outlined a budget plan Monday to deeply reduce Oklahoma’s personal income tax rate by eliminating dozens of tax exemptions, including many claimed by poor and working-class Oklahomans.

    February 7, 2012

  • 3-30fallin-waving-hands.jpg Tax plans likely to be focus of 2012 session

    While nearly 3,000 bills await Oklahoma lawmakers when they return to the state Capitol Monday for the start of the 2012 legislative session, none are expected to receive as much attention as those designed to overhaul the state's tax code and slash Oklahoma's individual income tax.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • FBI secretly investigated Oklahoma legislature

    The FBI created a fake Georgia company in 2008 so an agent could go undercover to secretly investigate the Oklahoma Legislature for corruption.

    February 6, 2012

  • Former Miss. Medicaid official promoted by VA

    Rica Lewis-Payton, a former director of Mississippi’s Medicaid program, will oversee 10 Veterans Affairs medical centers in eight states, including the Veteran Center in Claremore.

    February 6, 2012

  • Police remind Super Bowl partiers to have a designated driver

    Whether you’re a Patriots or a Giants fan, Claremore Police Chief Stan Brown wants everyone to have a game plan this weekend that involves the selection of a designated driver for their Super Bowl party.
    “Everyone loves the Super Bowl, and many people plan to party on the day of the big game,” Brown said. “If you’re planning on hosting or attending a party where alcohol is going to be served, it’s important to take the time to make arrangements for everyone’s safe travel, and this includes a designated driver.”

    February 5, 2012

  • Barnes-group-snowbabyweb.jpg Saving ‘Snow Baby’

    Perhaps more than most, Ashlee Millison will never forget the winter of 2011.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • claremorecityplug.jpg City proposes $32.6M 5-year plan

    Claremore City Manager Daryl Golbek presented the five-year capital improvement plan to city councilors last week. The proposal includes $32.6 million in project funding for the next five years.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • NTC-Roy-Clark-Cweb.jpg NTC’s opens Roy Clark Music School

    Claremore is no stranger to country music talent.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo