Council Members
COFT addresses issues for the entire fire service community for the state. The council is composed of wide representation, including:
- Cliff Mueggenborg , Okarche Volunteer Fire Dept representing the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association. Term Expires - 2010
- Richard Kelley, Chairman, Team Leader of OK-TF1 representing the Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma. Term Expires - 2010
- Rick Challis, Clinton Fire Dept representing the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association. Term Expires - 2010
along with appointees from the existing state agencies which work with the fire service:
- James Suddath, Broken Arrow Fire Dept for the State Fire Marshal's Commission. Term Expires - 2012
- Donnie Allen, Atoka Volunteer Fire Dept representing the Rural Fire Coordinators. Term Expires - 2012
plus appointees from the following related agencies:
- Tony Wittmann, Shawnee Fire Dept representing the Emergency Medical Services Division at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Term Expires - 2011
- Mike Bower, Vice Chair, Midwest City's Emergency Manager representing the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. Term Expires - 2011
The last two council member positions involve training providers which serve as ex-officio members:
- the Director of Oklahoma State University - Fire Service Training or designee
- the Director of International Fire Service Training Association at OSU or designee
NOTE: While the statute does not currently encompass the Oklahoma Career Technology Centers who also provide training:
- the Director of Economic Development from the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology or designee
regularly attends COFT meetings to participate in a non-voting capacity like the other training providers. He has served as a Co-Chair on the COFT Training Task Force.
According to the original legislation, the council members serve three-year staggered terms of office at the pleasure of their appointing authorities.