Cherokee Nation Thanks Eastern Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Departments

The Cherokee Nation honored and thanked 129 volunteer fire departments across eastern Oklahoma Monday night and gave each department a check for $3,500.

Tribal leaders hosted a dinner and awards ceremony at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa.

Cherokee Nation Chief Bill John Baker says they handed out a total of $451,000 to volunteer fire departments in the tribe's 14 Oklahoma counties. He says it was the Cherokee Nation's way of saying thanks. 

The nation also honored five firefighters as Firefighter of the Year:

• Ronnie Smith, of Hulbert
• Lester Crittenden, of Stilwell
• Sheldon Caughman, of Sallisaw
• Cody Kackley, of Bunch
• Bryce Millikan, of Vinita

The Cherokee Nation also named two departments as Volunteer Fire Department of the Year. In the northern region, the honor went to the Cabin Creek Fire Department in Mayes County and in the southern region, the Welling Volunteer Fire Department in Cherokee County was honored.