How OKCFD leveraged technology to transform operations
How OKCFD leveraged technology to transform operations
Publish Date: 2026-02-23 12:11:00
Source Domain: www.firerescue1.com
By Derrick Kiel, Deputy Chief of Logistics, City of Oklahoma City Fire
The Oklahoma City Fire Department (OKCFD) once faced many challenges common across the fire service: disconnected workflows, manual reporting and time‑consuming compliance tasks. These issues had become friction points at every level, from frontline crews to command staff, slowing decisions and obscuring accountability.
We were managing processes like recording fuel, keeping company logs, submitting training requests, recording overtime, and documenting personnel matters like discipline — all on paper. Records lived in binders and boxes, scattered across facilities, without a consistent way to gather, store or retrieve data when needed.
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Our inventory system was to send the least senior member of the crew to count the number of widgets we had. If the number they returned with was insufficient, we submitted an order for more — again, on paper. This approach introduced delays and guesswork, often resulting in either over‑ordering or shortages.
Paperwork often got damaged, forgotten or even lost. A firefighter who submitted a request never knew where it was or its status. Although these processes were necessary, these inefficiencies pulled firefighters away from their core mission — Meeting The Need. The net effect was apparent: more time on forms, less time on response readiness and community service.
Similar‑sized departments face these same pain points, and modernization is increasingly critical for meeting NFPA standards and maintaining strong ISO ratings. By aligning with industry best practices, OKCFD ensured its approach not only solved local problems but also positioned the department as a leader in compliance and operational excellence. Modern tools, thoughtfully deployed, connect daily work to measurable outcomes that strengthen preparedness and public trust.
The tipping point came…
