TULSA'S newest firefighters begin work

Monday, August 27th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa firefighters have been very busy lately, first it was the salvage yard fire last week, and then on Wednesday, the building fire at St. John Medical Center. So, the department is no doubt glad to have a couple dozen new firefighters on the force.

The News on Six's Heather Brooker went to work with one of those new firefighters on Sunday, on his first day on the job. The rush of a new call is especially exciting for Lee Murphy, even if it is just a test. That's because it's his first day on the job. "Are you nervous, very. But the guys here are great. Theyâ€™re making me fit in and they're making me get in tune on how they actually do things around here."

Murphy went through 5 months of intensive firefighter training before getting his first assignment. He says recent fires like the one at St. John Medical Center; really bring out the importance of good hands on training. "A lot of the things they're actually doing in the field are things you do in the academy. You can see how it is applied." Murphy spent his first day at work doing typical duties. Checking his equipment, testing the trucks, and waiting for a call. A call for help he says he's ready to answer. But his first day, was a slow one. "Not much activity other than washing the dishes, and meeting his new co-workers."

Acting Captain Kenneth Pfleeger says when the calls come in; Murphy should be prepared for just about anything. "Quite a variety. Car wrecks, medicals, house fires, building fires." Murphy, "The city of Tulsa actually does do a really good job as far as preparing you what to expect." And preparation is the key. Know your job before you actually have to do it."

26 new Tulsa firefighters graduated last week. Several of them started this past weekend.