EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

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Known as Oklahoma County Civil Defense until the name was changed in 1994 by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, the organization today has three full time employees and more than 20 trained volunteers.

Staff & Volunteers

The organization's staff and volunteers are trained in damage assessment, severe storm spotting, public relations and other specialized skills useful during major emergencies and disasters not otherwise readily available to Oklahoma County jurisdictions.

Public Relations

The Public Relations Section provides speakers for talks with groups in Oklahoma County. They talk about how to protect you and your family from the threat of severe weather, hazardous materials, floods, earthquake, terrorism, nuclear attack, etc. If you have a scanner, you can listen to the Oklahoma County Storm Spotters network by programming VHF frequency 151.445.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to set a standard of excellence in providing progressive and professional planning, and cooperative and efficient service to the citizens of Oklahoma County, before, during and after a major emergency or disaster. - Oklahoma County Emergency Management

Useful Documents

Title 63 May 2003 (PDF)

Message from the Director

The functions of emergency management have been performed for decades by government and private organizations; it was only recently that the broader ideas about managing emergencies were discussed. The Civil Defense Act of 1950 provided for a joint responsibility to carry out civil defense that rested with the federal government, the states, and all local jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

Each level of government had specific responsibilities. However, all had a responsibility of preparedness for nuclear attack. The formation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979 and ultimate name change to Emergency Management was an indication of a change away from specialized preparedness for single hazards and a move toward an all hazards approach; attack, natural, and technological to potential threats to life and property.

Merging of Agencies

This reflects not a reduction in security, but an increased emphasis on making the nation's emergency management capability responsible for any major emergency or disaster. A merger of 20 federal agencies took place in March 2003 forming the Department of Homeland Security. Today's Emergency Management is an intricate part of Homeland Security forming the Preparedness and Recovery Directorate. As an agency not aligned with law enforcement, fire protection or medical services, it provides a strong association with all three while mitigation, preparedness response and recovery remain major responsibilities.