Warner Firefighters Detained In Nation’s Capitol After Parking Violation

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

WARNER, OK -- A parking violation leads to all sorts of trouble for a pair of Green Country firefighters.

They traveled east last week to pick up a donated fire truck, then decided to visit the nation's capital.

That's when their visit took a detour.

Ladder trucks are a luxury item for the all-volunteer Warner Fire Department.

"A small-town department like ourself, we would never have the resources to purchase or buy equipment like this," Mike Shamblin, Warner Volunteer Firefighter, said.

So when the opportunity came to acquire one for free, the department jumped at it. It was offered by a foundation that refurbishes and donates used fire trucks and equipment.

So Mike Shamblin and another firefighter took off from Tulsa and picked up the truck on Long Island in New York. They began to drive home, but decided to do some sightseeing in Washington DC. Parking proved difficult, but they say Capitol Police directed them to a spot. They saw the sights, but returned to find the truck surrounded by cops.

"There were several units were there," Shamblin said. "The Secret Service was there. They definitely had a different impression of what was going on than us."

"My lunch was interrupted by a frantic call that two of our firefighters were being detained in Washington DC," Gene Wallace, Muskogee County Commissioner, said.

County Commissioner Gene Wallace was told the Warner Firefighters did not have a proper tag or license to drive the truck, and it would be impounded.

"It was probably much more humorous to us because we were here and they were there," Wallace said. They were very worried about what their future was going to be."

It didn't take an act of Congress, but rather the acts of Congressmen to get them out of trouble. Dan Boren and Tom Coburn's office stepped in, the firefighters were deemed not a threat, and they were soon on their way back to Oklahoma.

And surprisingly, Shamblin would like to return as a tourist.

"Didn't get to see as much as I wanted to. It's a beautiful place," he said. "Lots of history. Just being there in awe. It was great."

Congressman Dan Boren even issued a statement about the incident, saying "I am pleased that the truck was delivered, and we always want to help Oklahomans while they are visiting Washington D.C. in any way we can."

The ladder truck was donated by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund. It's named in honor of a volunteer firefighter killed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.