History was made this month by the Quapaw Nation Fire/EMS Department when it officially became the first tribal department to be accepted into the Oklahoma State Firefighters' Association that represents thousands of state and volunteer firefighters.
Formed in 1894, the OSFA is the longest standing national association in the state of Oklahoma, according to Administrative Director Sheri Nickel. The group serves about 11,000 firefighters and more than 600 fire departments. The Quapaw Nation officially became a member of the organization on Thursday.
“Firefighting is like a brotherhood, and this (membership) includes us officially in this brotherhood,” said Jeff Reeves, tribal fire chief and public safety director.
As members, the Quapaw team will have access to a variety of assistance including in-line-of-duty death benefits, accidental death and dismemberment benefits, as well as voting rights at all OSFA conventions and meetings. The association does lobby for the benefits affiliated with the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, however, the tribe isn’t eligible for the plan under current statutes.