McCurtain County Firefighter's Association

03/05/2026

At the March 4th, 2026 regular meeting of the McCurtain County Firefighter’s Association, the members voted to pass a resolution. The resolution (pictured) was to recommend to the McCurtain County Board of Commissioners, that in the in the event that the Hochatown Volunteer Fire Department is closed or operations cease, that all equipment stay in Hochatown for fire protection. The equipment was purchased to protect the citizens and visitors of Hochatown. We believe that is where it should stay if needed.

This is a contingency plan if the VFD is closed and or consolidated with the Hochatown Municipal Fire Department. That matter is still pending. Again, the MCCFFA does not have the authority to make this decision. We are a 501(C).3 organization that consists of representatives from county fire departments. Our membership humbly boasts hundreds of years of experience in the fire service. Together, we are merely stating our opinion that the equipment bought for the protection of the Hochatown area, stay there for the citizens that live there.

Although the decision to pass the resolution was not unanimous, there was only one dissenting vote made against the resolution.

Pictured below is the official copy of the resolution including notations made by our Vice-President that presided over the meeting. The resolution has been submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration.

03/07/2025

Nearly 50 firefighters are in attendance for the opening session at the McCurtain County Firefighter’s Association’s “Last Out” fire training conference. The opening day lecture, “Cruel Intentions” is being presented by Kyle Romagus. Romagus is a 20-year veteran with East Montgomery County (Texas) Fire Department and oversees the training division as a Battalion Chief, and is in love with engine work.

Kyle is the owner of Smoothbore Cartel and founder of Engine Company Resurrection. Kyle teaches engine operations for several well-known fire service instructor groups including FD Tactics, Brothers in Battle, Oathkeepers Engine Cadre, and is also the admin of Engine Company Resurrection. His organization provides sponsorship opportunities for firefighters to attend conferences around the country.

Chief Romagus will be teaching a “hands on” advancing hose lines on Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s afternoon lecture session will be presented by Devin Craig. Devin Craig has been in the fire service for more than 20 years. He is a captain with Montgomery County, TX, Emergency Services District #2/Montgomery Fire Department and spent several years working for the Recruit Division of Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

Craig holds the Instructor 3 and Fire Officer 4 certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as well as numerous others. He is the co-owner of Train or Die LLC, which is a fire service training company, and of Georgia Smoke Diver #987. Captain Craig will also be delivering a “Hands On” search course on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be a water moving/tanker shuttle class on Saturday and Sunday as well. Coming all the way from Tennessee, Andy Soccodato. Andy has served in the fire service for the past 15 years. He spent nine years of his career as a firefighter and driver/operator for the Charlottesville (VA) Fire Department.

He is a full-time fire instructor II at the Tennessee State Fire Academy, where he oversees the driver/pump and aerial programs. Soccodato is the owner of The Water Thieves, LLC, which specializes in delivering street smart driver/pump operator/water shuttle courses. Soccodato is also a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, has presented at FDIC, and is the author of the book Water Thievery: The Art of Water Supply Operations.

Volunteer and paid firefighters from local departments are in attendance as well as departments from across Oklahoma and Texas. One group of firefighters made an 11 hour trip to our county from Nebraska to attend the conference.

01/20/2024

The McCurtain County Firefighter’s Association’s Annual “Last Out” Training Conference kicked off this morning. Firefighter Jeff Luse of The Colony, Texas is presenting on building search techniques. 22 firefighters from McCurtain county and surrounding areas are in attendance. Other instructors presenting during the conference are Matt Wallace of the Ft. Hood, Texas Fire Department, David Pruitt of Hillsboro, Texas DPS, and Steve Robertson of the Columbus, Ohio Fire Department.

03/06/2019

Congratulations to the 2018 MCCurtain County Firefighters of the Year. (L-R) Clay Hattabaugh, Daniel Williams, and Dustin Clardy. Hattabaugh, and Clardy are members of the Garvin Volunteer Fire Department and Williams is a member of the Hochatown Volunteer Fire Department. These men risked life and limb to rescue two individuals that were swept down the Glover river in a pickup truck. We are proud of these MCCurtain county firefighters.

01/04/2018

Have you ever considered volunteering at your local fire department? Did you know that 80% of the firefighters in the United States are volunteer? Fire departments across McCurtain County are looking for volunteers to serve their communities. Several departments offer participation in the Oklahoma Firefighter's Pension and Retirement System for those 45 and younger. Firefighter's over the age of 45 are still able to volunteer and are covered by Worker's Compensation Insurance. There are several benefits to being a volunteer, but the best reason is being able to serve your community. Does this sound interesting? Below is a link to a form you can fill out. You will be contacted by the department(s) that you are interested in joining.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAJjwQrZEj88whT7VVmLOrznqvs3y1wAMgqU8I-5yP3s0W_A/viewform

08/24/2017

Many of our local responders were awarded the Life Saving Award by the Colonel of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

07/04/2017

Storms starting to push into southeast Oklahoma. Gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning possible.

07/03/2017

Scattered showers & storms continued to move E across SE OK & portions of the ARKLATEX. Moderate rainfall & gusty winds may occur.

05/15/2017

Can we buy this for our technical rescue team ? Hahaha

2007 Ford F-550 4x4 Rescue
Walk-Around Horton Box
Turbo diesel
Automatic
12,403 miles
Light Tower
O2 system
Generator
Excellent condition
Asking $50,000
See more on RS-11898
http://www.firetec.com/detail/RS-11898.html