The Perryton Fire Department is starting 2025 on a high note, returning to its original, newly upgraded building after months of operating out of a temporary structure. The department’s facility was destroyed in a devastating tornado in June 2023, followed by the tragic loss of Assistant Fire Chief Scott Glass in the fall.
“This is not a normal job. We really are just a big family, and every family has got to have a house,” said Perryton firefighter Jordan Thomas. The department’s new home is seen as a vital step toward reestablishing normalcy and boosting morale after a challenging year.
Chief Paul Dutcher emphasized the significance of the move: “Getting everybody back to where we’re supposed to be is certainly a great feeling. This is a step in the right direction to get back into a normal routine.”
Another change in 2025 includes the transfer of the department’s EMS operations to the city’s hospital. The shift allows the fire department to focus solely on fire services while the hospital manages emergency medical care.
“That just gives us an opportunity to concentrate and be more on the fire side of things,” said Chief Dutcher, noting that this division of responsibilities will better serve the Perryton community.
