County’s sales tax collection crucial to area fire departments

March 19--Fire departments are like batteries in a kitchen drawer.

They aren't always used, but you are so happy to have them when you need them.

This time of year, area fire departments are quite busy. The temperature continues to get warmer, but it is still early enough in the year that the dead winter grass has yet to gain new life.

Combine those factors with Oklahoma's typically high winds, and that is a perfect mixture of grass fires -- and by extension a heavy workload for area fire departments.

The things these fire departments can manage -- properly equipped personnel, brush trucks, to name a few -- are made possible by the Payne County 1/16 cent sales tax.

The 1/16 cent sales tax is a vital tool for Payne County fire departments in order have the necessary equipment to ensure safety for the county. It is especially important for rural areas such as Yale, Ripley, Cushing, Perkins and Glencoe.

The tax is set to expire March 31, 2018. But the county set up a special election slated for Tuesday, April 4, to give the citizens of Payne County a chance to renew the tax for an additional 10 years. If the extension passes, the tax will be good until March 31, 2028.

That portion of the sales tax is dedicated to Payne County fire departments.

"I am most proud of our electorates giving us the funds and improved ability for all departments to provide a greater level of service and making county a much safer place," said Stillwater Fire Chief Tom Bradley.

The Stillwater Fire Department uses the tax for funding capital items such as protective gear and engines.

And it adds up.

Proper protective pants and coats can cost $1,800. Add another $600-$700 for helmets, boots and breathing apparatuses. If properly maintained, these items can last for about 10 years. But in Stillwater, it's equipment for 73 firefighters that needs to be replaced eventually in addition to upkeep costs.

One of the most recent purchases the Stillwater Fire Department made with sales tax money was ballistic vests for fire personnel incase they are engaged in an area with an active shooter or in a joint operation the the police force.

"A lot of people don't understand the cost of some items just to provide fire service," Bradley said.

In addition to capital purchases, the funding has lowered insurance costs for Stillwater residents.

In Febuary, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) gave the Stillwater Fire Department an upgraded public protection classification ranking for, " in recognition of its excellent preparation for fire response," according to a press release.

Stillwater joined 10 other fire departments in Oklahoma to have a ISO Class 2 ranking.

"ISO conducts an independent review of fire departments and places a value on its ability to deliver fire suppression services to the community. The lower the classification ranking indicates the department's level of preparation to provide these services," according to a press release.

Since 2006, SFD had a Class 3 ranking.

"We will continue to work to maintain our upgraded rating and identify cost-effective methods to advance our rating in the next five years," Bradley said in a press release at the time. "We thank our officers and members for their dedication to training, documentation and improving delivery of fire and emergency services to our community, and to the Stillwater City Council for their support."

Bradley added last week that the 1/16 cent sales tax makes this improvement possible.

"It would be extremely more difficult," Bradley said. "A big concern would be running the risk of ruining insurance rating and the negative impact that raises insurance rates."

The 1/16 cent sales tax is especially big in the towns surrounding Stillwater.

"The tax has been a huge success for mutual aid partners, such as Ripley, Perkins and others," Bradley said. "We rely significantly on those departments when it comes to grass fires. The large one that was west of town (two weeks ago), we had multiple departments that were assisting. These funds have allowed all departments to maintain and upgrade many times over in order to provide fire service to fire service in Payne County."

One example is revenue from the sales tax paying for a new building for the Yale Fire Department. The new building will allow Yale to consolidate its fire operations to one location, as opposed to three like it is currently.

"All of our stuff for rural fire comes out of that sales tax," said John Henckel, retired Cushing Fire Chief and current Yale Captain Volunteer firefighter. "Before that, stuff was good, but overall it wasn't a good deal.

"That sales tax has been a Godsend for fire service in Payne County. We appreciate it. Without it, we would not be where we are today."

Twitter: @Kieran_Steckley

SFD efforts in the past 10 years to get improved ISO ranking:

Worked with Stillwater Police central dispatch and Emergency Management to improve equipment infrastructureBuilt a firefighter training facility to simulate rescue and fire suppression training exercisesWorked with Water Resources to assist with testing and maintenance of hydrant systemDesignated a certified Firewise communityImplemented an active public education and community outreach programRevamped the building inspection program and began annual commercial property inspectionsWorked with Information Technology to integrate a new computer-aided dispatch system and software to improve data and records managementReplaced four fire engines with engines with larger water and pump capacity to support the community's current and future needs.Purchased a water tanker truck for increased water supply to under-serviced areasSource: City of Stillwater

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