First responders in Owasso
By Atalie Sherman
Often the first to assist in our greatest time of need, first responders are a lifeline in the Owasso community. By putting themselves in harm's way, they provide daily help and assurance in times of crisis to those around them. In Owasso, first responders—both new and retired—work to take care of their community, prioritizing the people they serve above all else.
Photo of Owasso firetruck taken by Tyler Silvest
Zachary Parker, paramedic and firefighter
For Zachary Parker, a 2011 graduate of Owasso High School, a career as a public servant didn’t cross his mind until he spent a few years in the private sector.
After working a few entry-level jobs following graduation, a friend talked Parker into taking a three month EMT course.
“He told me, ‘It’s only three months. Worst case scenario, you go through it and find out you can’t do it’,” recalls Parker
Parker completed his training and earned his EMT certification, but was pushed further to become a paramedic after a tragic family loss.
“My grandpa passed away, and afterwards, I was like ‘I’m going to get my paramedic [license]. There's no way I’m just going to sit here in case something like this happens again’.”
Parker then applied to a paramedic program at Tulsa Community College (TCC), getting a job as an EMT in Owasso as he studied. Just as he finished the program, he was accepted to work at Owasso and has been able to work as both a paramedic and a firefighter since. Currently, as a paramedic, Parker practices pre-hospital medicine, treating trauma patients with his team of one or two, as well as administering medicine and diagnosing patients.
Parker appreciates his team at Station 2, saying, “It's nice, because [as] I am trying to concentrate on what's going on, my partner is also a paramedic, so I can trust that they will pick up the slack.”
As an Owasso paramedic of five years and a firefighter of three, Parker loves the opportunity to play an active role in the community, explaining, “It's kind of an honor because I grew up in Owasso. It's pretty surreal to get to come home and serve the community.”
More than anything, though, Parker enjoys “being able to be that person who gets to help people on their worst day.”
Steve Irby, former Owasso firefighter
Steve Irby, a former Owasso firefighter, served in the Owasso community for over 25 years, beginning his career in 1983 and continuing until December 2005.
Mr. Irby was somewhat sure of his decision to become a fireman, saying, “you get the excitement, the adrenaline and you get to do something different every day.”
While Mr. Irby served in Owasso, he lived just outside the town in Verdigris.
For his work-life balance, it was a “benefit” for him to not always know the person who he was treating, while still being close enough to be active in the community.
When Mr. Irby began as a fireman, he worked at the only station in Owasso, which expanded to two stations by the time he retired in 2005. Upon retiring, he had served as acting chief of the second station for a few months, having worked up from the ranks of lieutenant and deputy chief.
Through the 25 years, Mr. Irby worked as a firefighter, he enjoyed “getting the opportunity to help people” in the Owasso community most.
“That’s the biggest thing— you’re present at their worst time, whether it's a car wreck, house fire or medical emergency. You are there, and you have the opportunity to help them,” he explains.
For first responders, the hard work they put into their jobs every day directly impacts the state of our community. Trusting them to be dependable in our time of need, and knowing their desire to help only makes our city stronger. Making sure they know how appreciated they are for their constant service and how thankful we are for the work they do is integral to the safety and wellbeing of the Owasso community.