oklahoma association of regional councils
Strengthening Oklahoma’s Rural Fire Protection
Supporting 900+ mostly volunteer fire departments with training, equipment, and resources to protect communities statewide.
OARC Programs & Services
Rural Fire Coordination
Oklahoma’s Rural Fire program helps local governments respond quickly and effectively to fires and emergencies. The state is divided into 11 Rural Fire Protection Districts, with each district supported by a Rural Fire Coordinator.
Fires are costly—suppression efforts in Oklahoma have topped $1 billion annually in recent years, and thousands of rural fires have damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes. That’s why OARC works to build strong fire departments equipped with skilled volunteers and reliable equipment.
How the Program Works
-
Funded annually by the Oklahoma Legislature through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry
-
Managed regionally by Councils of Governments (COGs)
-
Rural Fire Coordinators provide hands-on support for 900+ departments
Coordinators Assist Rural Fire Departments By:
-
Conducting equipment inventories and helping secure new gear
-
Guiding departments in applying for state and federal grants
-
Coordinating training and certification programs
-
Supporting pumper service testing, hydrant programs, and insurance rating improvements
-
Helping establish new fire departments where needed
History of the Program
Established in the early 1980s, the Rural Fire program was created to ensure consistent fire protection across rural Oklahoma. Today, it continues to strengthen public safety by expanding resources and helping local fire departments meet modern standards.
FIND YOUR RURAL FIRE COORDINATOR
OKLAHOMA RURAL FIRE COORDINATORS
| DISTRICT # / COG | RURAL FIRE COORDINATOR | PHONE | AREAS SERVED |
| District 1 Grand Gateway Economic Development Association (GGEDA) |
Melvin Mashburn | Big Cabin 918.276.2501 |
Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers and Washington counties |
| District 2 Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) |
Ed Barton | Muskogee 918.682.7891 |
Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties |
| District 3 Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO) |
Luke Underwood | Wilburton 918.456.2367 |
Choctaw, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha counties |
| District 4 Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA) |
Phil Powell | Durant 580.920.1388 |
Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray and Pontotoc counties |
| District 5 Central Oklahoma Economic Development District (COEDD) |
Brandon Morgan | Shawnee 405.273.6410 |
Pawnee, Payne, Lincoln, Seminole, Okfuskee, Pottawatomie and Hughes counties |
| District 6 Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) |
Steve Pitts | Tulsa 918.584.7526 |
Creek, Osage, Rogers, and Tulsa counties |
| District 7 Northern Oklahoma Development Authority (NODA) |
Cecil Michael | Enid 580.237.4810 |
Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Major and Noble counties |
| District 8 Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) |
Jeff Choate | Oklahoma City 405.234.2264 |
Canadian, Cleveland, Logan and Oklahoma counties |
| District 9 Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) |
Perry Brinegar | Duncan 580.252.0595 |
Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, McClain, Stephens and Tillman counties |
| District 10 South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) |
Mark Gardner | Burns Flat 580.562.5040 |
Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita counties |
| District 11 Oklahoma Economic Development Authority (OEDA) |
Cecil Michael | Enid 580.237.4810 |
Beaver, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Texas, Woods and Woodward counties |