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MIRANDA GILBERT Staff Writer Guymon Daily Herald
MIRANDA GILBERT/Guymon Daily Herald
Rural firefighters in Texas County met with legislators recently to receive $5,100 operational grant checks. Pictured front and center are Charlie Enlow, rural firefighter coordinator for OEDA, Rep. Gus Blackwell and Sen. Owen Laughlin with rural firefighters Jim Lackey of Optima, Monty Stump of Texhoma, Alan Sherrill of Tyrone, Cody Pickering of Tyrone, Terry Mulbery and Jim Wiggin, both of Yarbrough, Robbie Wayman of Hooker, Allen Mendenhall of Baker and Levi Bickford of Goodwell.
Rural firefighters operate on a tight budget. In fact, rural fire departments are dependent upon volunteers to donate their time and efforts to the cause, or the fire departments simply would not exist. Small grants are important to maintaining and updating equipment used by the firefighters and such a grant was awarded last week when legislators and Charlie Enlow, rural fire defense coordinator for OEDA, awarded the annual Operational Grant. The money is passed down through the state legislature to ensure that rural fire departments are able to remain functional. “The amount appropriated by the legislature for fiscal year 2008 is $4.5 million statewide, or $5,100 per department,” Enlow said. “Since there are 49 departments in the OEDA district certified to receive these funds, the total for OEDA is $249,900.” State Rep. Gus Blackwell and State Sen. Owen Laughlin attended the check presentation. “I’d like to thank you for all you do,” Laughlin said, adding that the rural firefighters are very appreciated. Firefighters from Baker, Goodwell, Hooker, Optima, Texhoma, Tyrone and Yarbrough were in attendance. Adams and Hardesty also received the grant this year.
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