Tulsa Fire Department

08/13/2026

This morning, we joined Tulsa Police and others at Que Buena Tulsa for our weekly safety show. We covered a variety of safety topics, with a special focus on Back to School safety.

Remember SAFER:

S — School bus: Stop for the stop arm.
A — Around schools: Slow down.
F — Foot & bike: Look both ways. Wear a helmet.
E — Emergency: Know your address, 911 & your plan.
R — Residential: Test smoke alarms. Practice your escape plan.

Also, remember that it’s extremely hot outside. Never leave a child or pet in a hot vehicle. Check the back seat before you walk away.

Lastly: Slow down. Put the phone down. Pay attention.

Listen here:
https://quebuenatulsa.com/?powerpress_pinw=5017-podcast

08/13/2026

This week, our CARES team teamed up with Ladder 27 at Happy Landing Early Learning Center for a little community fun, and a lot of learning!

We talked fire safety, handed out temporary tattoos and bracelets, and, because it’s HOT out there, gave the kids a chance to cool off with a little firehouse-style spray-down!

Building relationships, teaching safety and making some memories along the way.

08/13/2026

Station 15!

Fire Station #15, 4162 East Admiral, was built in 1947 and is considered in the Deco Moderne style.

08/13/2026

Back-to-school means more school buses on our roads - and that means it’s time for all of us to slow down and pay attention.

When a school bus stops and extends its stop arm with flashing red lights, drivers from both directions must stop and remain stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn and the bus begins moving again.

Children may cross the street unexpectedly to get on or off the bus, and they can be difficult to see, especially during busy morning and afternoon commutes.

A few extra seconds of patience can help keep our students safe as they head back to school. Slow down, stay alert, and stop for school buses.

08/12/2026

Back to school means community, connection and staying cool!

Captain Danny Kaiser and the Ladder 26 B Platoon crew joined the Tulsa Dream Center West’s Back to School Resource Event Saturday.

Our crew raised the aerial and helped kids cool down during a hot weekend. We’re proud to be part of events that support Tulsa families as they get ready for a new school year!

08/12/2026

Station 66 is now equipped with a new NRS rescue raft, putting an important water rescue resource in service for the area.

All three Station 66 shifts recently trained together at the Tulsa Wave Park, brushing up on essential water rescue skills. Crews practiced paddling, rescue techniques for bringing victims into the raft, two-point and four-point tethering, and how to safely right the raft if it overturns.

The training was led by OK-TF1-Tulsa Rescue Manager Captain Matt Bell.

The new raft officially went into service yesterday and is ready to respond when our community needs it.

08/11/2026

This morning, TFD joined LeAnne Taylor at KOTV - News On 6 to talk about back-to-school safety, hot cars and the recent landfill fire.

As kids head back to school, remember SAFER:

S- School bus safety — Stop for the stop arm. Every time.

A- Around school zones — Slow down and put the phone down.

F- Foot & bike safety — Use crosswalks, make eye contact and wear a helmet.

E- Emergency preparedness — Know your address, 911 and your family’s emergency plan.

R- Residential fire safety — Test smoke alarms and practice your escape plan.

And never leave a child or pet in a hot vehicle. Temperatures can become dangerous in minutes. Put something you need in the back seat to remind you to check before you walk away.

Slow down. Put the phone down. Pay attention. Let’s get our kids safely to and from school!

Tulsa Fire Department's Andy Little breaks down the SAFER approach to keeping students, drivers and families safe as school starts.

08/10/2026

**Update: Firefighters continue to monitor the landfill. There are no dangers to the public and it will take some time to get the fire extinguished. Also, the Sperry firefighter was not transported to the hospital but was evaluated on scene and released.**

Landfill Fire Response

Tulsa firefighters responded Monday afternoon to a large fire at a landfill near 5600 N. Harvard Ave.

The fire was burning in a difficult-to-access area, creating challenges for crews reaching the fire and establishing a water supply. Firefighters deployed hose lines and used UTVs and a bulldozer to improve access and assist with containment.

Multiple TFD companies responded, along with mutual-aid assistance from Turley Fire Department, Rolling Hills Fire Department, Sperry Fire Department and the Oklahoma National Guard.

Most fire resources have now returned to service, while crews remain on scene working to contain and fully extinguish the fire.

A Sperry firefighter was transported by EMSA to a local hospital for evaluation and monitoring of a heat-related illness.

We appreciate the work of all the firefighters and agencies who responded to this challenging fire.

08/10/2026

Always Training. Always Improving.

This morning marked the final session of our latest round of company drills. A Platoon crews from Engine 10, Engine 15, Engine 16, Engine 24 and the District 4 Chief, sharpened their thermal imaging camera skills, practiced rapid gear removal techniques to assist a firefighter in distress, and put those skills to the test inside our burn building.

Today wrapped up this training block, but the work never stops. Our training staff is already building the next class with new topics and skills designed to make our firefighters better, safer and more prepared.

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08/05/2026

The Tulsa Fire Department is saddened to announce the passing of retired Firefighter Billy Don “Bill” Gibbens, who passed away on July 28, 2026, at the age of 84.

Firefighter Gibbens joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1967 and faithfully served the citizens of Tulsa for 27 years. During his career, he worked at several stations, including Stations 18, 28, and 32, before retiring in 1994.

Bill’s commitment to the fire service became a lasting family legacy. His sons also served with the Tulsa Fire Department and have since retired, while his grandson continues that tradition of service as a current Tulsa firefighter. Together, they represent three generations of dedication to protecting the Tulsa community.

Bill’s life was defined by faith, family, humility, and service. He leaves behind a lasting legacy that will be remembered by his loved ones, friends, and generations of firefighters.

We encourage Bill’s friends, former coworkers, and members of the Tulsa Fire Department family to join us in honoring his life and legacy.

Celebration of Life
Thursday, August 6, 2026
11:00 a.m.
First Assembly of God Church
Beggs, Oklahoma

Burial will follow later that evening with a 6:00 p.m. interment on the Gibbens Family Farm.

Please keep the Gibbens family in your thoughts and prayers.

Obituary

Billy Don Gibbens, age 84, passed away at his home in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on July 28, 2026, surrounded by the family he dearly loved.

Bill was born on September 12, 1941, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Russell Harry Gibbens and Hazel Viola (Cline) Gibbens. He was the youngest of ten children and grew up with a strong sense of family that remained with him throughout his life. After graduating from Edison High School in Tulsa, he married the love of his life, Linda May (Dempsey) Gibbens, on June 8, 1963, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together they built a loving home and shared more than 63 years of marriage.

Before beginning his lifelong career, Bill worked a variety of jobs until answering the call to serve his community. He joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1967; over the next 27 years, Bill faithfully served the citizens of Tulsa, working at several stations, including Stations 18, 28, and 32, where he retired in 1994.

He also enjoyed rodeoing, especially calf roping, along with farming and raising cattle.

Bill was a selfless man with a true servant’s heart. His dedication to helping others extended far beyond his career and became a lasting legacy within his family, helping establish a proud third-generation firefighting family. His quiet strength, unwavering faith, and commitment to serving others left an enduring impact on everyone who knew him.

Following retirement, Bill devoted more time to the hobbies he loved. He was an accomplished golfer and cherished the friendships he made through the Men’s Christian Golf Association. Bill was a member of Firefighters Local Union 176, served faithfully as a deacon at First Assembly of God Church in Beggs, Oklahoma, was an active member of the Okmulgee County Cattleman’s Association, and remained deeply involved in the Morris farming community.

Throughout life’s many challenges and milestones, Bill remained steadfast in his faith, always trusting God and leading by example. His kindness, humility, generosity, and unwavering devotion to his family will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Harry Gibbens and Hazel Viola (Cline) Gibbens; his brothers, Russell Gibbens, John Gibbens, Tom Gibbens, Bob Gibbens, and Jim Gibbens; and his sisters, Ida Mae Dooley, Louise Owens and Lorene Tribbey.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda May (Dempsey) Gibbens; his sons Kenneth Gibbens and wife Jami, Jerald Gibbens and wife Kimberly; his sister, Delores (Gibbens) Webster; his grandchildren, Faith Gibbens, Caylinn Young, Dakota Young and wife Chauntel, Cheyanne Markes and husband Dalton, Billy Gibbens and wife Faith, and Autumn Gibbens; his great-grandchildren, Savanna Velez and husband Nacho, Aiden Bales, Shaylinn Young, Arabella Young, Jack Gibbens, Magnolia Gibbens, Henry Gibbens, Daycen Markes, and Deuce Markes; along with many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Bill’s life was defined by faith, family, and service. Whether protecting his community as a firefighter, serving his church, working the land, or spending time with those he loved, he lived with integrity, compassion, and purpose. His legacy of love and service will continue through the generations that follow, and he will be deeply missed until the day they meet again.

Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the First Assembly of God Church in Beggs with Pastor Robert Yandell officiating. Burial will follow later that evening with a 6:00 PM interment on the Gibbens Family Farm.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Bill’s Tribute Page of their website. https://www.mcclendon-winters.com