Tulsa Fire Dept. Launching Effort To Recruit More Spanish Speakers

Tulsa Fire Department held an open house at Station 33 Tuesday to let Hispanic residents know they're here to help.

Chief of Community Risk Reduction Ricky Powell says the department is using community events to build relations with the community.

“One of the things that we are offering today is that we will have our Tulsa Fire Department recruiter here present in an effort to recruit more Spanish-speaking members to the fire department,” Powell said.

Station 33 will take over some calls originally covered by Station 27, which is the busiest station in Oklahoma.

Firefighter Abraham Montes is one of about 20 firefighters with the Tulsa Fire Department who speaks Spanish.

“I was stationed here at station 27, which is 31st and Garnett, and almost every call was a Spanish-speaking call,” Montes said.

Montes says if a firefighter who speaks Spanish isn’t already on the scene, they have to call one who can translate. That could mean losing valuable time in a life-threatening emergency.

“When they see me, or someone like me that comes on scene, that barrier is lifted,” Montes said.

Residents like Angel Vides hope for improved communication from all government agencies.

"I think there may be some groups that feel distant from those agencies, police fire department and any other. They have to reach out to the Hispanic community,” Vides said.

Tulsa Fire Department intends to continue its community outreach. They have an event scheduled for Saturday at Plaza Santa Cecilia at 21st and Garnett where recruiters will be available.