Tulsa, Broken Arrow Mutual Aid Agreement Will Lower Fire Response Time

Firefighters from Tulsa and Broken Arrow are crossing the lines to respond to calls. Each city will respond to fire calls - with whatever department is closest.

03/02/2012 Related Story: Source: Tulsa, Broken Arrow Fire Departments Sign New Mutual Aid Agreement

This means that you could report a fire in Tulsa - and get a response from Broken Arrow, or the other way around.

When a large grass fire started in Broken Arrow Sunday, their own firefighters responded and put it out. But while they were working, Tulsa firefighters waited to answer calls inside Broken Arrow. It was a first for the two departments, using a new agreement on mutual aid.

"We've entered into an agreement where both fire departments will no longer have to seek permission to go into the other city to respond to a request for help," said Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett.

The agreement between Tulsa and Broken Arrow means mutual aid will be automatic. That will speed up the response times and lower the cost of fire insurance, especially for areas in far east Tulsa where the closest firefighters might be just inside Broken Arrow.

"When your life is on the line, or your property is on fire, a couple of minutes can be a big deal," said Tulsa City Councilor Skip Steele.

Broken Arrow's station #6 is in a growing area with lots of calls. When firefighters from this station are busy, Tulsa will respond to any other calls that come in. And the agreement works both ways.

"It's an equal split. Tulsa will be able to help Broken Arrow just as much as we help them," said Broken Arrow Fire Chief Jeff VanDolah.

For the Tulsa Fire Department, which is stretched thin on the eastern side of town, the agreement might not only speed up response, but save money on a new building.

"We no longer will have to put a fire station out in that area where there are minimal calls. It will save us as a city about $1 million a year it would cost running a station," said Tulsa Fire Chief Alan LaCroix.

The agreement is only between the two fire departments, not police or ambulance service. Both of those already have agreements that allow some overlap.