By Paris Rain, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA COUNTY, Okla. — The Berryhill Fire District has proposed the annexation of the Turley Fire District.
The proposal comes after Turley’s fire chief announced he’ll be stepping down from his position to care for his wife who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
He said the department is in urgent need of help, citing shortages in equipment and training.
Berryhill’s fire chief said this isn’t the first attempt to annex Turley and create a fire district. Instead, this actually marks the fourth attempt in about 20 years.
Previous efforts failed due to a lack of signatures, but leaders said the need is now critical.
“This is the time to show whether two communities can operate similarly with very little geographic separation, just 7.2 miles between each district,” said Chief Michael Hall of the Berryhill Fire Protection District.
People living in the Turley and Berryhill Fire Districts gathered together at a meeting on Wednesday night to ask questions and learn more about a possible merger between Berryhill Fire and Turley Fire and Rescue.
Officials shared a map showing what the proposed annexation would look like.
During the meeting, residents shared concerns about tax rates, jurisdiction, governance, resources and property taxes.
Berryhill operates as a Title 19 fire department, meaning it receives funding through property taxes.
Turley Fire leaders said annexation would provide much needed stability.
“What they want to do is annex us as a fire district and help us convert from Title 18 to Title 19,” explained Jeffrey Wilson, the Chairman of the Turley Fire Department Board. “They would act as the parent organization and we would essentially be a subdivision. We would still have autonomy, our own board and control over our financial decisions. This would expand our area slightly to the east and allow for a larger tax base, helping move this department into the future.”
Officials said the annexation would help Turley Fire provide more organized, professional fire and emergency medical services, improve emergency response capacity and establish a stable, locally governed public safety framework.
Hall said, “The fastest way to build a more career-oriented staff and a professional organization operating at a higher level by the end of the year is through annexation with another fire district.”
One firefighter addressed the broader challenges facing volunteer fire departments.
“There is not enough sales tax in Turley, Sperry, Black Dog or Country Corner to support a fire department,” said Scot Smith with the Sperry Fire Department. “There’s no other revenue source available. It’s a terrible position to be in, but it’s the reality.”
Fire officials said they need 450 signatures on a petition by Feb. 10 to place the annexation on the June ballot.
Chief Nelson Sager of Turley Fire and Rescue said, “We’ve talked about this before. At the time, I didn’t feel like it was right, but I do now. I still live here. I still love this community and I’m going to make sure this moves forward.”
Fire officials said they will regularly post locations where residents can sign the annexation petition and said signatures can also be collected at the fire department.
Officials added they are willing to meet residents in person if needed.
Leaders said the goal is to ensure all residents are protected and communities remain safe.
Additional town halls are planned with the future meeting dates set to be announced on the department’s Facebook page so residents can stay informed before making a decision.
To view the Turley Fire and Rescue’s Facebook page, click here.
