Maryetta students visit Fire Department
They meet mascot Sparky, and learn fire safety
by Renee Fite r
City of Stilwell Director of Public Relations and Media
Fire safety education helps children know what to do in an emergency. It especially helps them to be less fearful of a firefighter wearing gear, so they will run toward instead of away from them in a fire.
In September 2025, Maryetta pre-kindergarten students from Patty Fredricks’ classroom visited the Stilwell Fire Department's station #1, and met mascot Sparky the Dog.
The children sat down in a row, chatting and looking around at firetrucks. Livi Scott, firefighter EMS, greeted the group and welcomed them to the fire station.
“Do you have a plan where to go if there’s a fire at your house, a meeting place,” Scott said.
Several answered at once, “outside” and “on the playground” and “to my parents room.”
Showing her gear, Scott said, “When there’s a fire, we put on this big suit. I don’t want you to be afraid.”
“Do you know what this is?” said Scott, holding a fire alarm.
Fire alarm, many said.
"It’s very loud," said Scott. “I’m going to demonstrate. When you hear that, it’s a fire. Go to your meeting place,” she said.
Next she showed her boots. What are these?
“Boots,” kids said.
And what are they for?
“Walking” someone said, and Scott laughed. “Yes and for protecting feet in a fire.”
Putting on her gear, she said, “gloves protect my hands. This jacket has my name on it so they will know it’s me in a fire. This cap is to protect my neck and ears.”
Livi Scott, firefighter EMT, entertains and educates Patty Fredricks' pre-K class from Maryetta at a recent trip to Stilwell Fire Department.
photo: Renee Fite
Maryetta pre-kindergarten student Mia Kester smiles at mascot Sparky the Dog as she touches his ear.
photo: Renee Fite
What color is this jacket?
Yellow, kids said.
“Yes, so they can see me in a fire,” said Scott.
Lifting her air tank and putting it on, she explained it was to help her breathe in a fire. It looks like a backpack one child said. Scott agreed, that it is put on like a backpack and secured tightly.
“Can you breathe smoke?” Scott said.
No, everyone seemed to say.
“What do you know about fire trucks?” said Scott.
They have water in them.
As the next visitor came out, mascot Sparky the Dog, the children clapped and giggled in excitement. They began to approach Sparky and Mrs. Fredricks told them to sit and wait for their turn. And they did.
Each had a picture taken with Sparky. Next they were able to climb into a firetruck and have a picture taken.
Since it rained, no ride was taken on a fire truck. But they left all smiles for the fun they had.
Cherokee Nation Family Advocates Valerie Robertson, Shelly Hummingbird and Terri Fourkiller work at Maryetta School and were on hand to help with the kids.
“This is such a good opportunity for the kids to learn safety and get used to firefighters in case they’re ever in a fire, so they won’t be so scared if ever they’re in that situation,” said Robertson.
In between taking pictures of the kids on the fire truck, Fredricks said she likes to bring the kids to the fire station.
“We learn about fire safety at school, and this gives them more of a visual, more hands-on activities. And they get to see the firemen,” said Fredricks.
Retired Stilwell Fireman
Hall of Fame plaque
Top left, across and down: Doss Stilwell, B.O. Brown, D.C. (Tobe) O’Neal, Irvin Clevenger, Herman Casteel, G.K. Rains, Bob Johnson, Julius Thomas, Virgil Vanderheiden, William Duvall, Gerald Malcolm, Johnson Fourkiller, Mack Hill, Larry O’Neal, Leon Colin, W.H Langley Jr., Ronnie Trentham, TomJohnson, Buffalo Sellers, Bill Roenedbeck, Ray Dobbins, Ed Gass, Kevin Stumher and David Bruner.
Certificate of Continuous
membership since 1894
In 2019, the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association presented this plaque to the Stilwell Volunteer Fire Department to certify 100 years of continuous membership.
