Vinita Fire Department

08/24/2026

ATTENTION CRAIG COUNTY RESIDENTS: A county-wide burn ban is now in effect as of 9:00 a.m. today.

The burn ban was issued by the Craig County Commissioners and will be revisited weekly every Monday morning.

Please do not conduct any outdoor burning while the ban is in place. Dry conditions can cause fires to spread quickly and create dangerous conditions for firefighters, property owners, and the public.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to keep Craig County safe.

08/19/2026

Today, we gathered to honor and remember one of our own, Firefighter Zac Rinehart, on the one-year anniversary of his tragic passing.

To mark this day, Danni coordinated a beautiful balloon release earlier today. Watching those balloons rise into the sky was a powerful reminder of Zac’s lasting impact on our department and this community. He is deeply missed every single day, but his spirit and legacy live on in everything we do.

Please keep Zac’s family, friends, and our fellow firefighters in your thoughts today as we continue to honor his memory.

We love you and miss you, Zac. You will never be forgotten.

08/10/2026

🚒 Now Hiring: Full-Time Firefighter 🚒
The Vinita Fire Department is looking for dedicated individuals ready to serve their community and build a rewarding career.
Position: Full-Time Firefighter

Starting Pay:
• $41,496.16 (Probationary Firefighter)
• $42,272.42 (With EMT-B)

Benefits:
• 100% employer-paid health and dental insurance
• Holiday and paid time off
• 24/48 schedule, with potential transition to 48/96
• Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System

Requirements:
• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license
• Firefighter I and EMT (or ability to obtain within 1 year)

Apply at:
Pick up applications at Vinita City Hall — 104 E. Illinois Ave, Vinita, OK Or Online at cityofvinita.com
Deadline: August 14th 2026 at 5 pm

Testing:
• Physical and written tests: August 22nd at 8 am (Vinita High School football field)

• Interviews: Date and Time TBD at Vinita City Hall

📧 Questions: [email protected]
Come protect and serve your community — join the Vinita Fire Department family! 🚒🔥

08/03/2026

Reminder: Vinita's 1st Annual Rodeo Parade Water Fight is just 2 days away! 🚨🚒💦

Get ready, Vinita! The Vinita Fire Department and neighboring departments are excited to carry on this brand-new annual tradition immediately following the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo parade.

When: Wednesday, August 5th, immediately following the final parade entry
Where: 100 and 200 blocks of South Wilson

As soon as the very last parade float passes by, the hoses turn on. Vinita Fire Department, along with several surrounding area fire departments, will be driving down South Wilson and spraying the sidewalks to help everyone cool off safely.

Kids vs. The Firefighters! 💦
Kids - and brave adults - bring your water guns, water balloons, and other water gear to fight back. We want to see who can soak the firefighters the most.

Come cool off, celebrate the rodeo, and help us kick off this exciting new tradition safely.

Important: If you do not want to be part of the water fight, you may want to steer clear of the 100 and 200 blocks of South Wilson immediately following the parade.

Please share to help spread the word!

07/14/2026

🚒🚨 1st Annual Rodeo Parade Water Fight! 🚨🚒

Get ready, Vinita! We are kicking off a brand-new annual tradition right after the Rodeo Day Parade on Wednesday, August 5th!

Join the Vinita Fire Department and neighboring departments on August 5th for our 1st Annual Water Fight! Immediately following the final Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo parade entry, we will be on the 100 and 200 blocks of South Wilson to cool you down safely.

When the very last parade float passes by, the hoses turn on! Your local Vinita Fire Department, alongside several surrounding area fire departments, will be driving down to spray down the sidewalks along South Wilson.

💦 Kids vs. The Firefighters! 💦

Kids (and brave adults!), bring your best water guns, water balloons, and water gear to fight back! We want to see who can soak the firefighters the most.

Where: 100 and 200 blocks of South Wilson🗓

When: Immediately following the last entry of the Rodeo Parade (Wednesday, August 5th)

Come cool off, celebrate the rodeo, and help us kick off this exciting new tradition safely. See you there!

Please share this to help spread the word!

07/05/2026

🚨 WELCOME OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER! 🚨

Please join the Vinita Fire Department in giving a warm welcome to our newest firefighter, Shane Knoll!

Shane is a familiar face to many in our community. He is a proud Vinita resident and previously served our town as a dedicated teacher at Vinita Public Schools. We are thrilled to have his continued passion for service now keeping our community safe in a different uniform.

Shane officially started his first day on the job this past Thursday, July 2nd.

Welcome to the team, Shane! Thank you for your continued dedication to Vinita. Drop a comment below to welcome him to the VFD family! 🚒👨‍🚒🔥

06/26/2026

With more heavy rainfall forecasted for our area, the Vinita Fire Department urges you to never attempt to drive through high water.

As you can see in this recent photo in the Vinita Daily Journal, floodwaters can be deadly.

Protect yourself and our crews by choosing to Turn Around, Don't Drown.We have responded to multiple water rescues across Craig County over the past several days when drivers became stranded in heavily flooded areas.

It is crucial to remember a few key flood safety rules:

Water wins: It only takes 12 inches of moving water to sweep away most cars, and just 6 inches can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Never drive into standing or moving water. Water can easily hide deep potholes, debris, or washed-out sections of the road.

Please share this post with friends and family to help keep our local county roads safe.If you find yourself facing an emergency situation, do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1 immediately! Stay safe and weather-aware!

VFD photo
Firefighters with the Craig County Technical Rescue Task Force transport a man to safety on Wednesday after his vehicle stalled out while crossing standing water on E. 266 Road, about a quarter-mile east of S. 4420 Road. Three motorists were retrieved from stranded vehicles during this week’s rainy weather.
See this and related article in the Weekender in print and online at reidnewspapers.com/vinitadailyjournal

06/23/2026

🚨 WATER RESCUE UPDATE 🚨
Yesterday, Vinita Fire Department responded to multiple swift water rescues. We assisted in safely removing drivers from two separate small SUVs that stalled out while attempting to cross heavily flooded county roads. While it’s easy to overestimate a vehicle's capabilities or underestimate the water's depth, the consequences can be deadly. Even shallow, moving water can sweep a car—even a truck or an SUV—off the road.

🛑 PLEASE REMEMBER: NEVER attempt to drive around barricades or cross a flooded roadway. If you encounter high water on the road, Turn Around, Don't Drown! It is never worth the risk to yourself, your passengers, or our emergency responders who are put in harm's way.

Please share this message to help keep our community and county roads safe. If you find yourself in an emergency, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 immediately! Stay safe out there! 🚒💦

06/13/2026

Today, we celebrate two incredible milestones and two very familiar faces!

🚒Please join us in wishing congratulations to Deputy Chief Rusty Hanes and Captain Kevin Grimes on their well-deserved retirements.

Between the two of them, Chief Hanes and Captain Grimes have spent decades answering the call, running toward danger, and serving the citizens of Vinita with unmatched bravery, dedication, and heart.

Chief Hanes, thank you for your steadfast leadership, wisdom, and the countless hours you’ve given to guiding our department and keeping our community safe.

Captain Grimes, thank you for your hard work, your tactical expertise, and for being a mentor and a brother to so many of us at the station.

Both of you have left a legacy that won't be forgotten, and you are going to be deeply missed at the firehouse. We hope you both enjoy your next chapters, spend some much-needed time with your families, and actually get to relax for a change!

Drop your favorite memories, congratulations, or best wishes for Rusty and Kevin in the comments below! 👇💬

06/10/2026

🚒 Vinita Fire Department Annual Membership Dues 🚒

If you live outside the city limits but within the Vinita Fire Department jurisdiction, you can purchase your annual membership for just $75.

This membership helps protect you from out-of-pocket costs for fire, medical, and other emergency services. Rural service billing starts at a minimum of $500, so this coverage can save you money if you ever need assistance.

Your membership covers your home and also includes outbuildings such as sheds and detached garages.

Coverage period: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027

Mail or drop off dues at:
Vinita Fire Department
203 W Canadian Ave
Vinita, OK 74301

Protect your home and property for the year with one affordable membership.

Please feel free to share this post so everyone is able to take advantage of this program.