Our Mission

The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is to minimize the effects of attack, technological and natural disasters upon the people of Oklahoma by preparing, implementing and exercising preparedness plans, assisting local government subdivisions with training for and mitigation of disasters, and by coordinating actual disaster response/recovery operations.

In addition to the preparation and implementation of disaster response/recovery plans, the Department is responsible for supervising and administering the annual Cooperative Agreement, a joint federal, state and local government disaster aid and preparedness program. Each annual agreement is consistent with goals and objectives outlined in the five-year Performance Partnership Agreement, developed by OEM and negotiated and approved by the state and federal government. OEM also provides professional assistance and information for, and maintains liaison with all state agencies, federal agencies, American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations, Civil Air Patrol, local governments, industry and the general public. The primary purpose of these liaisons is to more efficiently and expediently provide protection and relief of pain and suffering for the people of Oklahoma in the event of a disaster.