LAWTON — Wichita Mountain Estates Volunteer Fire Department recently appointed Tom Belase as its new fire chief.
Starting with the department in August 2021, Belase became assistant fire chief April 2022. On Sept. 16, the department named him chief after former chief, Brandon Wagner, resigned.
Belase brings more than 20 years of experience to the department, including two years with Meers VFD.
Belase is EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) certified and is also certified with Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology’s Fire Service Training department in Fire Service Instructor 1, Introduction to Technical Rescue, Pipeline Safety and Incident Response Training, and Vehicle Extrication. He also received Firefighter 1, and Wildland Arson Investigation certifications from Texas A&M University.
While at Meers VFD in February 2020, Belase wrote a $138,000 FEMA grant to upgrade the department’s communications with new Motorola APX 8000 All-Band P 25 Portable radios for each firefighter.
“These handhelds are unique because they eliminate the need to carry two radios as do every department in the county, Belase said. “Meers was the first volunteer department in the county to replace all members’ radios to my knowledge.”
The grant was awarded in 2021.
The chief has also written a $243,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to upgrade the WMEVFD’s communications with the Motorola APX 8000s as well.
“The current radios are more than 25 years old,” he said.
WMEVFD is comprised of 16 firefighters, two junior firefighters (ages 16-17) and a very supportive auxiliary, Belase said. “We have three EMT basics, and all have CPR basic life support training.”
The department currently has two fire engines, two brush trucks, two command vehicles, one tanker and a rescue vehicle for medical calls. The department is one of only two volunteer departments in northwestern Comanche County equipped with the Jaws of Life.
With an estimated coverage area of 52 square miles that includes Interstate 44 as well as state highways 49 and 58, WMEVFD responds to car wrecks, medical calls, grass and structure fires. For 2022, the department has already responded to 393 calls, many of which were medical calls.
In November, the department is working with Heartland Medical Direction to become an Emergency Medical Response Agency.