Multiple TFD firetrucks are operating without AC, Tulsa Fire Union says

TULSA, Okla. — As Oklahomans continue to make their way through the hot summer months, Tulsa Fire Union said many of the trucks Tulsa firefighters are riding around in have broken air conditioners.

“The cabs, in some cases, are 110, 120 degrees in this heat,” President of Tulsa Fire Union Matt Lay said.

He said out of the 42 fire trucks, 15 have no air conditioning at all.

For three other trucks, the air condition comes and goes.

Tulsa Fire Department (TFD) Chief Michael Baker told FOX23 it’s a situation the department is working on non-stop, but he added it’s not an easy fix.

“There was a period of time when we didn’t buy fire trucks,” Baker said. “I’m not saying, ‘we’ as in ‘me.’ The city and the department didn’t purchase any firetrucks, so we have gotten behind.”

Baker said currently, 12 engines and four ladders are on order. However, turnaround time right now to get trucks built, in Tulsa and operational is about two years.

Due to the crisis, Baker said the department is having to make “emergency purchases,” buying stock trucks, which have already been produced by manufacturers.

He explained the department recently bought four engines and three ladders earlier this week.

“We understand that mistakes were made 15, even 20, years ago when it comes to fleet replacement, but we’ve only continued to compound the issue,” Lay said. “Many times, what we are doing when do order these trucks, is delaying the replacement of another truck.”

So, the question remains: Is there any temporary fix as the heat continues?

FOX23 Evening Anchor Sara Whaley received a couple of pictures from firefighters showing the “creative” ways they are improvising.

She showed those pictures, one of which is a make-shift window AC unit inside a fire truck, to Chief Baker.

“Looks like an option to me! That is an impressive group of firefighters that are solving a problem,” he said. “The thing is, that is one truck that has had the problem solved. If we have multiple trucks that have the problem solved, well, let’s figure out a way to do that.”

It’s a short-term solution Lay said he’s on board with.

“We would look for any gesture or investment for the city and the administration to fund right now, so for the next 60 to 90 days when we can expect 100 degree plus days, that we are going to take care of our firefighters.”

FOX23 reached out to Mayor GT Bynum’s office for a statement.

Director of Communications Michelle Brooks said, “Mayor Bynum and Chief Baker talk about this regularly and he has told Chief Baker to let him know about any needs of the Tulsa Fire Department. During Mayor Bynum’s Administration, $26 million has been provided to the Tulsa Fire Department for fire truck replacement alone.”

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