In this installment of Meet Your Officers, we get to know Captain Greg Carmack from the Okmulgee Fire Department (OFD), a man who has spent over two decades answering the call to serve. With 24 years in fire service and 16 of those dedicated to Okmulgee, Captain Car- mack has seen it all, bringing both experience and heart to every shift. And while his position is serious, Captain Carmack’s humor and warmth make him a natural leader.
— A Firefighter’s Beginnings
Captain Carmack’s journey to becoming a firefighter didn’t begin in the usual way. Back in his mid-twenties, he was busy running his own business, never expecting that firefighting would become his true calling. Firefighting was something he did in his spare time, “I started volunteering when I was probably 24 or 25,” he says. His time as a volunteer with the Checotah Fire Department sparked something in him, a sense of purpose that he couldn’t ignore. When he received an email from Checotah’s City Hall about an opening in Okmulgee, he decided to make a leap of faith. “I decided to put in,” he recalls, and soon found himself officially on the OFD team.
— A Day in the Life of a Captain For Captain Carmack, a typical day at OFD is all about being prepared. “Eighty to eighty-five percent of our job is preparation, and the rest is execution,” he explains. The day begins with thorough equipment checks. There’s a rhythm to it all – a systematic approach that turns routine checks into a team ritual, one that brings everyone together before the day officially kicks off.. But for him, being prepared isn’t just about trucks and hoses; it’s about his team’s mental and physical readiness too. “If I have one of my firemen come in and say, ‘Hey, I’m not 100 percent today,’ either mentally or physically, that’s something we deal with. If they need to go home, I’ll get someone to fill the position,” he says, emphasizing the importance of looking out for one another.
— Passing on Knowledge: A Teacher at Heart One of Captain Carmack’s greatest joys is being a fire instructor with Oklahoma State University, where he teaches firefighters from all over Oklahoma. Whether students are new recruits or seasoned firefighters looking to hone their skills, “I enjoy it,” he says with a warm smile. “The best experience I have is going around the state, teaching other firefighters.” His love for teaching earned him a nomination for Oklahoma Fire Instructor of the Year in 2022, an honor that’s close to his heart. “It just makes it all worthwhile,” he reflects, knowing that he’s contributing to the growth of firefighters across the state.
Captain Carmack manages to balance his teaching role with his duties at OFD and his position as Fire Chief in Checotah, where he handles administrative tasks and organizes training. His role as a teacher and mentor to other firefighters adds a special dimension to his work, one that he clearly values deeply.
— Life Outside the Station
Outside the fire station, Captain Carmack is all about family. Married for 28 years, he laughs that his three daughters are “why I don’t have any hair,” but it’s clear they mean the world to him. He and his family, which includes five grandchildren, spend much of their time at the lake. Recently, his grandson caught his first fish there – a moment so memorable it even made the local news. “It was actually on Channel Six,” he says, beaming with pride.
— More Than a Job: The Calling to Serve Captain Carmack doesn’t see firefighting as just a career – it’s a calling. “It’s about being able to help people,” he explains. He believes that those who thrive in this line of work are those who have “a servant’s heart.” For him, firefighting is about helping others through some of their most challenging moments, and that desire to help drives him every day. “Everybody thinks they want to be a fireman, but not everybody can be a fireman,” he says, reflecting on the grit and heart the job requires.
— Serving the Community
Captain Carmack has a deep appreciation for community, both Okmulgee and Checotah, and his focus on community safety goes beyond the fire station. In addition to fire safety education and participating in local fundraisers, he’s active with the Chamber of Commerce, helping out wherever he can. His advice to the community? “Look out for each other. We’d be a whole lot better place if everybody did.” It’s a simple yet powerful message that he hopes can resonate with everyone.
When asked about the three things he holds closest to his heart, Captain Carmack doesn’t hesitate: “God, family, and friends.” These values guide him, both on and off duty, giving him the strength to face whatever comes his way.
Captain Carmack is more than just a firefighter – he’s a mentor, a leader, and a friend to those who know him. Through his work, he provides not only safety but also a sense of unity and strength to his communities, and we’re honored to share his story.
