According to the Cherokee Nation, Sequoyah County will receive the most money, with nearly $66,000 to be distributed among 19 rural fire stations in the county. Those departments include Blackgum, Brent, Brushy, Central, Gans, Gore, Lee Creek, Liberty, Maple, Marble City, McKey, Muldrow, Nicut, Redland, Rocky Point, Roland, Rural Fire District 1, Vian and West Tenkiller.
Sequoyah County is one of the counties in the tribe's 14-county jurisdiction to receive funds. Other counties receiving money include Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Mukogee, McIntosh, Wagoner, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Washington, and Tulsa.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith presented the check Wednesday to the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) and the Grand Gateway Economic Development Association. Grand Gateway and EODD will in turn give the $250,000 to the rural county fire departments, based on their need.
According to the Cherokee Nation, over 360,000 acres and 220 homes have been destroyed by recent wildfires plaguing the state, most being within the lands of the Cherokee Nation.
"Most of the devastating grass fires we have had recently in the state have been in the lands of the Cherokee Nation," Smith said. "We are pleased to be a partner with the fire departments located here in this area and help them in their important work."
"This season has taken a lot of funds from the departments," John Mahaffey, EODD executive director, said. "Many firefighters have started paying for items from their own pockets to cover expenses. By working together, we are able to get a lot more done."
Tribal Councilors David Thornton and Phyllis Yargee, representing Sequoyah County, both noted the importance of this donation to the departments, saying that the Cherokee Nation wants to be a good partner with the people of the communities. In addition, they said that it was because of the firefighters of Sequoyah County that the donation occurred.
Thornton said he is glad the Cherokee Nation has this opportunity to help the departments not only fight fires, but to help save lives through training efforts.
