The Community Turned Out for Scrub and Shine Event at the Luther Fire Station

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luther Fire Department Captain Fawn Tibbits said she applies that scripture to her volunteer service. She was interviewed by Oklahoma City television reporters Sunday during the Scrub and Shine event, where the community came together to clean the Luther Fire Station and its fleet of fire-fighting vehicles.

After seven straight days battling wildfires, the department’s engines, brush pumpers, and other vehicles were caked in grime. Volunteers grabbed power washers, scrub brushes, and rags, working to restore windshields and windows to a spotless shine. Inside the station, others swept floors, organized equipment, scrubbed the bathroom, and even tackled the refrigerator. Shelves overflowing with donated snacks—jerky, granola bars, chips—and cases of Gatorade and water were neatly arranged, ensuring firefighters had easy access to grab and go.

Captain Tibbits explained that since she was on call last weekend, she planned the Sunday event and invited the community after receiving countless offers of help. Her sister-in-law, Chasity Shepley, recalled that when they lived in Maui, cleaning the fire station was just what the community did—so she put her four kids to work carrying on the tradition. Meanwhile, her husband, Cody, a firefighter with the Edmond Fire Department, was on duty elsewhere.

Tibbits had hoped the extra hands would give Luther’s volunteer firefighters a chance to catch up on much-needed sleep, spend time with their families, or attend church. But many still showed up, bringing their families along to help, including Tibbit’s 18-year-old son, who is taking firefighting classes at Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center and fought fires all week.

At least 22 homes were damaged or destroyed in the wildfires that began on March 14. “We did the best we could in defending a lot of structures. I saved one and lost three. It hit pretty hard,” Tibbits shared. “I own property, and I still have a bed to sleep in; several of my neighbors do not.”

She emphasized the importance of community involvement. “When people come to the fire station, they see what we have to work with. A couple of guys on the department fix every truck for free. Zero pay. We are here because we care about our neighbors and keeping it close.”

When asked why they volunteer and how they’ve bonded as a team, Tibbits didn’t hesitate: “This is our ministry. This is our community. It’s awesome that people want to be here on a Sunday morning. That’s church to me. There’s still a lot of needs to be met. If you’re a good mechanic or can sweep, we’ll put you to work.”

Thanks to a little extra support, the day had the spirit of a community block party. Luther’s favorite entertainment guru, Opus Entertainment, helped organize the event, while Kona Ice of Shawnee rolled up with snow cones, donating proceeds and tips to wildfire recovery efforts. Big R Coffee brought airpots full of freshly brewed coffee, donated several bags of coffee for future brews, and brought boxes of donuts and sausage rolls from Daylight Donuts in Edmond. The Luther Comunity Service Center lent their parking lot, electricity and water to the cause. Live music from Jacob Fuqua and Michael Richards provided the perfect soundtrack for a day of giving back. Thanks also to Jena Vega for sharing her photos with us.

With the fire station spotless and fire danger still high, Luther’s firefighters remain ready for whatever comes next. That readiness was tested overnight Monday when the department was called to help battle a semi-trailer fire on the Turner Turnpike.

Because in Luther, the work is never done—but no one has to do it alone.

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