‘Slap in the face': Firefighters react to Gov. Stitt firing state forester
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Firefighters are speaking out following Governor Kevin Stitt's controversial decision to remove the state's top forestry official.
Mark Goeller was appointed as the state forester and director of the Oklahoma Forestry Service in 2018 and has over 40 years of experience leading from the front lines.
Governor Kevin Stitt says he was not happy with the state's wildfire response.
'He's the head of the forestry department, and we had a horrible, horrible wildfire in the state of Oklahoma and, you know, didn't think they did a really good job,' said Stitt.
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Firefighters are in shock over those remarks.
'It's like a knee-jerk reaction, you know, politics pointing the finger and blame game,' said Todd Beesley, Fire Chief with the Wellston Fire Department.
'It was like a slap in the face to all of us because if the forestry service didn't do a good enough job, then us as the fire department didn't do a good enough job,' said Jason Dobson, Fire Chief with the Olive Fire Department.
Firefighters say the preparation was there. The forestry service started educating the public, pre-positioning equipment, and bringing in extra resources well in advance.
With such a historic weather day, firefighters say there was only so much that could be done.
'Unfortunately, the one that we have to blame is Mother Nature. That's the only one we have to blame for this event,' said Dobson.
Firefighters say they have many questions for the governor about his decision.
'Does his decision have something to do with his home burning down?' said Dobson.
Dobson also asked why the governor's office did not issue a statewide burn ban.
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News 4 reached out to Gov. Stitt and was sent the following statement Friday afternoon:
Oklahoma just faced the worst wildfire in our state's history. Over 515 families lost their homes. When lives are on the line, every resource must be deployed without hesitation.
It became clear that didn't happen. At the forestry director's direction, firefighting resources were delayed, unused, or even called back during critical moments. That's unacceptable.
For this reason, he has been relieved of duty.
We are committed to rebuilding stronger and that starts with rebuilding trust in the agencies that are meant to protect us.
Gov. Kevin Stitt
Attorney General Getner Drummond is also speaking out against the decision.
It should be inconceivable to think that the courage, skill and herculean work of firefighters across the state would be rewarded with the sudden and inexplicable ouster of Director Goeller. Honestly, the Governor's action is baffling. While the wildfires that swept through our state this month exacted a heavy toll, the death and devastation would have been far, far worse without the strong coordinated effort of firefighters and Oklahoma Forestry Services. Director Goeller is a seasoned professional who is highly regarded in his field. He – and all those who battled the fires – have earned the gratitude and respect of Oklahomans. It is outrageous that the Governor's response to their bravery would be to push out the director mere weeks after that deadly firestorm.
Attorney General Getner Drummond
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