'Thanks, but no Thanks,' Rural OK Fire Chief Says to $250K Google Donation

The overwhelming support of the community has always been something that made members of Rock Volunteer Fire Department proud. 

And, they recently showed just how much they cherish the relationship. It's something you can't put a price tag on. 

"We have 28 people on our fire department. We have two stations. We have ten trucks. So we’re quite large for a volunteer fire department," Rock Fire Chief Charley Pearson told KTUL. 

He and other residents moved to the area for the peace and quiet. The slow pace of life suits them just fine.

That's why a planned data center won't fit.

"It’s going to jeopardize the people that live out here. As a volunteer firefighter I’ve stood in the middle of that road and I’ve heard a mother cry and shout because her son, her daughter got killed in a car wreck," he told town council members during a packed hearing recently.

Pearson added that the department itself was not issuing an opinion. 

"Whatever comes down the pike, we’re servants to the public. We will serve this, whatever happens."

The fire chief of 35 years went on to say it was all about the bottom dollar: "Money is the root of all evil."

He was challenged by Kate Franko, a Google representative, who said: "I really think that data centers are a golden ticket for communities across America."

Not long after, Franko called him with the offer to donate $250,000 to the fire department, likely the golden ticket she spoke about. 

Pearson said while the department could certainly have used the money, there was somthing else more important -- their relationship with the community, the ones who are there day in and day out.

"So for me to take their money, I felt like I was jeopardizing the public’s support. And at the end of the day,  they mean more to me than that does."

They told Google, thanks, but no thanks!