Explainer: How Tulsa Fire Works With Volunteer Fire Departments To Protect Smaller Communities

The Turley Fire Department is made up of volunteers, so when fires happen inside the city limits, a mutual aid agreement with Tulsa Fire ensures the community is in good hands during an emergency.

Andy Little, with the Tulsa Fire Department, says mutual aid agreements have been around for a long time, allowing larger departments to help meet the need of smaller communities, that might not have the same resources.

"Their resources are taxed or maybe they're working a big fire and other calls come," Little said.

Little says TFD responds to fire calls in Turley to assist the Turley Fire Department.

"It's nice to be able to have the resources to respond to these communities and ensure that those communities get quick responses and professional life-saving measures in a timely manner," Little said.

Turley Fire responds to emergencies in its 13-mile radius, but if the call is for a fire, Tulsa firefighters must also respond to fight the flames.

"We've got eight firefighters on the roster who are able to respond to fires and assist other agencies as well as the community itself," said Turley FD Lieutenant Cameron Kleine.

Kleine says they are all volunteers and while they can't fight the fire themselves, they have four trucks that can be used on scenes. They can also provide tips for fire education and fire suppression.

"We are going to be another company battalion under their command unit operating under their guidelines and procedures," Kleine said.

Kleine says they are looking forward to more growth within the department, but Tulsa Fire says they'll be around to help for however long it's needed.

"Until they have more staffing we're going to respond and we're going to do our best to keep that community safe, “Little said.