Tulsa Fire Announces New Emblem For Vehicles

The Tulsa Fire Department unveiled Friday a new emblem on all department vehicles showing support for military and public safety personnel.

The emblem displays unity between all public safety workers, and represents firefighters who deliver services to the Tulsa community, according to a news release from Captain Stan May.

The emblem displays blue, green, yellow and white which represents 911 Public Safety Communications, Emergency Medical Services, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, the Tulsa Police Department and the United States Armed Forces

The emblem will be displayed on more than 100 vehicles operated by the fire department and replaces a former symbol that was placed on vehicles in July 2016.

The emblems were not paid for by the city. Private donations contributed to design and print costs, according to the release.

Tulsa Fire Chief Ray Driskell said in the release, “On July 8, 2016, one day after the Dallas, Texas police shootings where five police officers lost their lives, the Tulsa Fire Department placed the 'Thin Blue Line' on fire apparatuses showing support and solidarity for the Tulsa Police Department, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and other first responders. We wanted to show our fellow first responders that when the chips are down, the Tulsa Fire Department has your back. We have never felt any different about any first response agency and we never will.”

Driskell added, “Between July 2016 and June 2017, variations of perceptions developed about the blue line that was placed on our vehicles and information I received from citizens was troubling enough to prompt me to call for the removal of the symbol. This decision was done at no direction by the Mayor or by anyone else, but only from my personal conversations with concerned members of the community.

“In place of the original symbol, the Tulsa Fire Department now has a new emblem of support for our partners who serve the citizens of Tulsa. Mayor G.T. Bynum, Police Chief Chuck Jordan, Sheriff Vic Regalado, Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Secrist and IAFF President Jim Nance all support the Tulsa Fire Department’s new symbol of unity. Each Tulsa Fire Department apparatus and vehicle will display the new emblem effective immediately and we hope others in the community will join us.”