ADA, Okla. - Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby highlighted the tribe's commitment to the safety of the entire community at the opening of the new Chickasaw Nation Search and Rescue Firehouse in Ada, Okla.
"In this great state, we look out for each other - our neighbors, friends and family." Gov. Anoatubby said at the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, April 25. "We owe a great debt of gratitude to all those men and women who fearlessly put their own safety on the line to protect us in times of emergency."
The 6,000 square foot facility located at 1930 Lonnie Abbott Industrial Blvd. houses training and equipment space for the tribal search and rescue team and wild land firefighters as well as office space for use in emergencies. The facility will also be the permanent home of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Chickasaw Agency Annual Basic Firefighter School, where dozens of fire fighters receive training each year.
The search and rescue team and firefighters participate in a variety of activities, working with many law enforcement and other agencies locally and nationwide.
"These brave men and women fight fires, pick up the pieces of a tornado's destruction and are many times first on the scene after an accident," Gov. Anoatubby said.
The Chickasaw Nation Search and Rescue team have been involved in several rescue efforts nationwide including in the aftermath of the tornado that struck Lone Grove, Okla. in 2009.
In 2005, the team traveled to New Orleans just four days after the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The team worked among the chaos and devastation and accounted for 67 live rescues there.
Wild land firefighters fight numerous fires within the state, and have traveled as far as California to protect lives and property endangered by wild fires.
