Library: News Releases
PAULS VALLEY --- Two days after massive grassfires forced the evacuation of the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center (SORC) in Pauls Valley, firefighters were called once again to battle small fires threatening the campus.
In a pasture located directly south of the SORC administration building, a pile of smoldering logs and underbrush continued to burn. Jeff Livingston, SORC administrator, wasn’t taking any chances. With a warm, south wind blowing, Livingston called the fire department before the fire could get out of control and spread to the campus.
On Tuesday the entire campus was threatened by grassfires that spread across parts of southeastern Oklahoma and Texas. The fire jumped the highway from the land owned by country-music singer, Toby Keith, and set the north end of the SORC campus ablaze.
“As soon as I got the call from staff in the buildings on the north end, I made the call to evacuate,” said Livingston. “I’ve never felt heat like that. There was so much smoke that you couldn’t even see between the buildings out here. I think the smoke was our biggest concern because of the people we serve here.”
In less than an hour, staff had loaded the 190 residents of the center into buses, vans and their own personal vehicles. Staff grabbed emergency medications, supplies, and snacks and quickly readied the residents for evacuation.
“It was just amazing how everyone worked together so quickly,” said Livingston. “Many of the people we care for have very involved disabilities, including respiratory problems. We had to get them out fast.”
Livingston said the evacuation was temporarily hindered by the road blocks in every direction surrounding the campus. He had to convince law enforcement officers manning the blocks to open a route they could use to get the residents out.
Staff took the residents to the Bosa Community Center and the Pauls Valley High School gymnasium where they stayed late into the evening. The local McDonalds restaurant generously provided dinner for everyone.
“I was so impressed with the way our professional staff worked along side direct care staff in keeping everyone calm and caring for the residents needs,” said Livingston. Staff members were able to return everyone back to the center by 8 p.m., that evening.
On Thursday, O.G.&E. personnel worked to replace burnt electric poles and restore complete power to the facility. Despite some of the buildings on campus having been surrounded by flames, they only sustained minor damage to the exteriors.
“We were very lucky,” said Livingston. “You can see where the fires came up to the edges of these buildings and you wonder how they survived.
“The thing I think is most impressive is that no one who lives here sustained any injuries from any of this. And that credit goes to our staff.”
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**NOTE TO EDITOR: High-resolution photos of the recipients are available upon request.
