The Durant Fire Department is hosting a fire school administered through the Oklahoma State Fire Service Training Program. This school will take place today through Sunday. Approximately 300 -400 firefighters from across the state will be in Durant to participate in this school.

A variety of classes will be offered to firefighters, including classroom and hands-on skills training. This school is made possible thanks to legislators who have appropriated the monies for tuition, enabling the Departments and/or the individual firefighter to attend at no cost.

The school will be held at the Kiamichi Technology Center and instructors will be from the Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training.

Special thanks for making this school possible is expressed to the Durant City Council, City Manager Jim Dunegan, Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, State Representatives John Carey and Paul Roan, Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training, The Kiamichi Technology Center, Tommy Sheppard Rural Fire Coordinator for the SODA District and Calera Fire Department for supplying equipment and support.

This is the best opportunity firefighters in this area have had to achieve this level of training in such a short period of time, according to Durant Fire Chief Steve Dow.