Tulsa Fire Museum Becoming Reality

The dream of building a place to honor Tulsa firefighters is becoming reality.

It’s happening thanks to a generous donor who bought the property on behalf of the department.

Fire officials said they've had their eye on this specific building for the past 10 years because it's part of the department's history. 

The Tulsa Fire Alarm Building east of downtown was the department's dispatch center for 50 years. After they moved out it was vandalized and damaged in a flood.

The American lung Association bought the building years later and restored it to its original state.

Once the department learned the Tulsa Fire Alarm Building was going up for sale six months ago they immediately took action. Leaders created a nonprofit to raise funds for the museum.

The department plans to display artifacts and photos, showcase fallen and retired firefighters and create an area for kids. 

“The downstairs will be interactive kids areas with things to play on. Old hose that are a climbing wall and a full fire truck cab the can sit in. It will provide a teachable moment for us that we can educate kids not only about fire safety but injury prevention in general,” said Deborah Bailey, Board Chair, Tulsa Fire Museum Inc.

They still need to raise $500,000 to open the museum by the end of the year or the beginning of 2016.

If you would like to donate to the Tulsa Fire Museum, there’s an account set up at the Tulsa Community Foundation and the Firefighters Credit Union