| Collection |
Governor's Collection--Blue Room |
| Date |
1995 |
| Description |
The front of this cap reads "GARLAND R.A.T.S. FIRE DEPT." On back crown in gold lettering is written "Bickel, Click, Gott." According to Jerry Click of the Garland, Texas, Fire Department, the names on the back refer to Frank Bickel, Jerry Click and David Gott. These three men were in the process of forming a Rescue and Technical Specialists (RATS) Team in their department in Garland when the Murrah Building was bombed. They were sent to Oklahoma City on day one, stayed at the Central Fire Station (Fire Station #1) and worked for 4 days. Although they were sent by their home Fire Department, Garland was not listed on the official rosters as a responding assistance agency. These three men worked with the Oklahoma City Fire Department personnel. After their return to Garland, they had the caps produced and sent one to a member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (a personal friend). The Oklahoma Highway Patrol alerted the Governor to the fact that a team had responded but was not on the roster. The Governor sent a letter and certificate thanking the team some 6-8 months after the Murrah incident. The team responded by sending the cap to the Governor.
The Garland Fire Department now has fully trained teams, called "Rescue Teams." There are no more "Rescue and Technical Specialists."
At the First Anniversary, the team returned to Oklahoma City and put another of these caps on the fence. |
| Object ID |
4142 |
| Object Name |
Cap, BB |
|
