TERLTON — As widespread power outages impacted several communities over the weekend, the North 48 Fire Department and Terlton Community Volunteer Fire Department once again stepped in to help residents by offering charging stations and shower facilities. Although power has since been restored, the departments' willingness to open their stations highlighted the role volunteer firefighters often play beyond emergency response — providing practical support to neighboring communities in difficult times.
This past Monday on July 6, North 48 Fire Department members announced they were coordinating with the Terlton Community Volunteer Fire Department to provide a place for families without electricity to charge electronic devices. The department also reopened its shower facilities for residents whose homes rely on electric hot water heaters. Fire Chief Keith Buntin said the decision was made after learning many area families were expected to be without power for an extended period.
'We saw it and thought, 'Might as well offer it again,'' Buntin said.
According to Buntin, communities including Jennings, Hallett, Terlton and Maramec were all experiencing power issues.
According to OG&E Public Relations Manager Sheradee Hurst, approximately 180 customers in the Terlton and Jennings areas lost power for about six and a half hours after severe winds had damaged electrical equipment and felled trees onto power lines. The outages were part of a larger storm system that left thousands of customers without electricity across Oklahoma as utility crews worked around the clock to restore service.
Buntin said initial estimates indicated some residents could remain without electricity until the following day, prompting the departments to prepare assistance for anyone in need. Fortunately, restoration efforts moved much faster than anticipated.
'I think they got power back at about five this morning,' Buntin said on Monday. 'That was the best thing.'
North 48's station maintained electricity throughout the outage, allowing firefighters to make the facility available to neighboring communities. Buntin said the departments simply wanted to help those without power, especially as temperatures climbed toward 100 degrees.
'We just wanted to lend a hand to our neighbors,' the department said in its social media announcement.
Across its service area, OG&E reported restoring power to the majority of customers experiencing power issues due to Saturday night's storms while crews continuedrepairingdamaged power lines, poles, and other equipment. The utility said fallen trees and wind damage were the primary causes of the outages and reminded residents to stay away from any downed power lines and report them immediately.