Cash-strapped rural fire departments get some relief, still struggling

CREEK COUNTY, Okla. - The state is sending nearly $4 million in grants to hundreds of rural fire departments across the state.

It amounts to about $4,400 per fire department. The money can be used for a range of needs.

While it will provide some relief, for some departments, especially those who have been fighting wildfires, it's just a drop in the bucket.

"That helps a little bit. I wish there was more but we understand that you can only gather up so much and give out so much," said Drumright fire chief Wade Guyer.

Guyer said the recent Creek County firefighters have left his department with a "couple of black eyes" financially.

"We've had a couple of blown tires, starters, batteries, stuff like that," said Guyer.

Drumright's city manager, Danny Cooper, said the city is trying to keep the fire department within budget.

"When you lose vehicles, you've got to do what you've got to do to get them back up," said Cooper. "We've already spent more on maintenance than we've anticipated."

Still, the $300,000 Drumright spends on its fire department is much more than what nearby, smaller departments get, which is why Drumright firefighters are more concerned about their colleagues in neighboring districts.

Smaller departments also have older vehicles and equipment and often breaks down.

"They have pretty much shot their whole budget for the year on the last month of worth of fires," said Brett Lunsford, Drumright's assistant fire chief.

Fire departments across Creek County said they have received overwhelming support from the public through donations.

Drumright resident, Kristin Temple, wrote a check to the fire department on Friday.

Temple said firefighters saved her home twice this past week and she's appreciative.

"I hope anybody that has any extra funds will certainly support their fire departments," said Temple.