Fire Department · Career
Lawton Fire Department
Lawton, OK · Comanche County
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Department careers page ↗The Lawton Fire Department traces its roots to the city's founding on August 6, 1901, when Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas — a former deputy U.S. marshal — became Lawton's first paid fire chief, a role he held jointly with the police chief's job for seven years. The department grew through the 20th century, adding motorized apparatus in 1913, new stations through the 1940s-1980s, and reorganizing into a three-platoon shift system as the city expanded across southwest Oklahoma.
Today the department protects more than 93,000 residents across roughly 81 square miles of Lawton from 8 fire stations, staffed by 145 budgeted members working rotating 24-hour shifts under three shift commanders (A, B, and C). In 2021 the department retired its original Central Fire Station, built in 1930, after 90 years of continuous service and consolidated headquarters operations into a new Station #1 at the city's Public Safety Facility.
Beyond structural and wildland fire suppression, Lawton firefighters respond to medical emergencies at the EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic levels and staff technical rescue teams trained in high-angle, confined-space, structural-collapse, trench, and swift/static water rescue, along with hazardous materials response and ARFF (aircraft rescue firefighting) capability. The department earned a Class 1 ISO Public Protection Classification in 2018, placing it among the top tier of fire agencies nationwide for fire suppression capability.
MissionThe mission of the Lawton Fire Department is to serve our community with compassion, loyalty, and utmost integrity by providing rapid and professional incident mitigation, promoting public safety education, and striving for constant improvement through quality training.
Firefighter hiring for the Lawton Fire Department is handled centrally through the City of Lawton's Human Resources department rather than a dedicated fire-department portal. Openings, when available, are posted on the city's employment opportunities site alongside other municipal jobs.
How do I become a firefighter with the Lawton Fire Department?
Firefighter hiring is managed by the City of Lawton's Human Resources department rather than the fire department directly. Openings are posted on the city's centralized employment opportunities portal when available, alongside other municipal job listings.
How big is the area the Lawton Fire Department covers?
The department protects more than 93,000 residents across approximately 81 square miles of Lawton, Oklahoma, from 8 fire stations.
Does the Lawton Fire Department have a Class 1 ISO rating?
Yes. The department achieved a Class 1 Public Protection Classification (ISO rating) on May 1, 2018, placing it in the top tier of U.S. fire departments for fire suppression capability.
What kind of specialized rescue services does Lawton Fire provide?
In addition to structural and wildland firefighting and EMS response at the EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic levels, Lawton firefighters are trained in high-angle, confined-space, structural-collapse, trench, and swift/static water rescue, hazardous materials response, and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF).