SFD Administration Office

The Administration Office serves as the Stillwater Fire Department's headquarters from which primary coordination and oversight of all programs and services occur. The department, which is comprised of Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical, Hazardous Materials and Fire Prevention Division, is overseen by the fire chief.

Chief Terry Essary

Terry started his career with Stillwater Fire Dept. in the fall of 1997.  He promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2006, during that time he became a Nationally Registered Paramedic, and a PEER fitness instructor.  He promoted to the rank of Captain in 2009, and served as a member of the Stillwater Police Department’s Special Operations team.  

Terry has served as Battalion Chief since 2012, and during this time he has completed the first cohort of the Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program, City of Stillwater Leadership Academy, Oklahoma Municipal League’s Citizen Academy for Leadership, and has earned the Chief Fire Officer Designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.  Terry has also attended multiple courses at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg Maryland, the Emergency Management Institute in Anniston Alabama, and New Mexico Tech in Deming New Mexico. 

He is currently a member of the local board of big brothers big sisters, and also serves on Stillwater Public School Districts wellness and nutrition committee. 

He is married to Amber Essary, who is a lead technologist at Stillwater Medical Center, and has a son, Taylor, and two daughters, Aspen and Timber.  

Assistant Chief Brandon Halcomb

Brandon Halcomb started his career at the Stillwater Fire Department in 2005. He has a B.S. in Engineering Technology-Fire Protection and Safety, along with several certifications, including EMT-Intermediate and Infrastructure Protection from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Brandon was promoted to Lieutenant in November 2011 and then to Captain in December 2013.

He is married to Starla Halcomb and father to his son Eli.

Fire Marshall Thomas Tharp

Thomas Tharp is the Fire Marshal for Stillwater Fire Department. Tharp has enjoyed serving the City of Stillwater and the surrounding community as a firefighter since July 2, 1998. Prior to beginning his career with Stillwater Fire, Tharp completed his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University.

Tharp has promoted his way from Firefighter to Driver/Operator, to Fire Lieutenant, to Fire Marshal. Some accomplishments while on the Department include Honor Guard Commander, IFSAC certification in Inspections, Instructor II, and Hazardous Materials Technician.

In 2011, Tharp was awarded the Stillwater Firefighter/EMT of the year. He has attended the National Fire Academy in Maryland multiple times attending classes that include: Public Education, Command/Control, Fire Investigation, Executive Chief Officer, and Training Program Management. Duties with his current position include public education, fire investigation, and code enforcement.

Immediate family members: Wife- Melinda, Daughters- Molly and Macy.

Deputy Fire Marshal Dustan Portman

Dustan began his career at the Stillwater Fire Department in December 2011. He has extensive experience as a Haz-Mat Technician and worked as a Haz-Mat Field Instructor for OSU-Fire Service Training. Dustan is an Advanced EMT, and he is currently pursuing a degree in Public Safety Management from OSU-OKC.

Dustan is married to Erin Portman, and he is the father of two sons, Robert and Ryan.

Chief of Training James Holly

The Training Division is supported by instructors specializing in fire services, EMS services, fitness, handling/storage of hazardous materials, and special operations rescue. 

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