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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.

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