MWC Fire Department Working To Improve Response Times

Concerns about response times, and unfavorable insurance ratings drove a wedge between Midwest City firefighters and the city. 

Sheldon Gilbert represents Oregon-based Emergency Services Consulting International. Midwest City paid them $50,000 earlier this year to analyze Midwest City Fire.

At a town hall meeting Thursday, Gilbert said their list of recommendations is 75-percent compete. One of them is to move Fire Station 6 on 15th Street farther east. He said that will help response times.

Firefighters Union President Doug Beabout said the Union remains concerned about staffing at all of the city's fire departments.

"Right now our minimum staffing is 19, so that makes us nervous as firefighters," said Beabout. 

City Manager Guy Henson said the city wants to work with the Union and with the outside consultant.

“They do this for a living, they do this across the country, and they have the resources and experience to do it,” said Henson. 

All parties agree Midwest City’s biggest challenge is the fact city sales tax revenue is not keeping pace with population growth.

“We have to be good partners with the city, and we have to understand what’s realistic with our revenue stream that the city has. And staffing a minimum of 24, 25,26 guys on a daily basis currently right now the revenue would support that,” said Beabout.

Gilbert says they’ll have 100-percent of their findings ready in about a month. Then, it will be up to the city to adopt the recommendations.