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Tahlequah fire chief presents 2024 annual report: 1,208 emergency calls, upgrades and personnel additions
Summary
Fire Chief Christie Heckler reported the department responded to 1,208 emergency calls in 2024, including 206 fire incidents and 562 medical emergencies; the department logged over 3,000 hours of training, added four firefighters and received a ladder truck through assistance from the Cherokee Nation.
Fire Chief Christie Heckler presented the Tahlequah Fire Department’s 2024 annual report to the City Council on Feb. 3, summarizing response activity, training and equipment upgrades.
Heckler told the council the department responded to 1,208 emergency calls in 2024, including 206 fire‑related incidents and 562 medical emergencies, and conducted 363 inspections. She said department personnel completed more than 3,000 hours of continuing training, hosted more than a dozen classes including Firefighter I and II academies, welcomed four new firefighters and promoted key leadership roles.
Heckler also said the department upgraded self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), cascade and radio systems, and — with help from the Cherokee Nation — received a new ladder truck intended to serve the community for “the next 25 years plus.” She said staff are working on an updated central station and other modernization efforts to improve response times.
The report concluded with the chief thanking the mayor, council and community for their continued support and said the department will continue public‑safety initiatives aimed at enhancing response performance.
