Emergency Management Day, Week Fast Approaching

02/25/2005
Emergency Management Week is March 6-12. As part of the weeklong celebration, the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association will host a Day at the Capitol and Legislative Reception for Oklahoma State Senators and Representatives on Monday, March 7. In addition to the events planned at the state level, emergency managers have planned activities locally to honor Emergency Management Week.

Day at the Capitol
Plan now to join emergency managers from across Oklahoma at the State Capitol on Monday, March 7. Our Day at the Capitol will begin with a legislative briefing at 10 a.m. at the state Emergency Operations Center. Then with talking points in hand that afternoon we’ll take our issues to lawmakers at the State Capitol. Don’t worry. Absolutely no legislative experience is necessary. As an emergency manager, you are the one your legislators need to hear from and this event makes it easy for you to participate in the legislative process.

Now is a good time to contact your representative and senator. Let them know you’ll be at the State Capitol on March 7 and invite them to attend the OEMA Reception that afternoon.
It’s also a good time to brush up on the issues facing the emergency management community. A list of proposed bills that promise to impact emergency managers along with OEMA’s legislative position will soon be available on the association’s website, www.okem.us
 
Following is a schedule of events for the Day at the Capitol.

10 a.m.                         Emergency Managers arrive at State EOC
10:15 a.m.                    Legislative Briefings
11 a.m.                         Break
11:15 a.m.                    Emergency Management Updates
                                    Albert Ashwood, OEM Director
                                    Kary Cox, OEMA President
                                    Update on OEM Programs, Activities
11:45 a.m.                    Lunch - EOC
1 p.m.                         Meet at the State Capitol
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.            Legislative Reception - 4th Floor Rotunda, State Capitol

Please let us know if you plan to attend Day at the Capitol by calling the state office at 405-521-2481 no later than March 2.

Local Events

Local activities recognizing Oklahoma Emergency Management Week are also important for the success of the event. We urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to shine the spotlight on emergency management efforts in your community. Having your governing body adopt a proclamation establishing Emergency Management Week locally is a great first step. This would be a good time to show off your EOC with an open house and recognize your emergency management employees and volunteers. Taking your emergency preparedness message to local radio talk shows and schools is also a good idea.

For more information, contact OEM Public Information Manager Michelann Ooten, at the office 405-521-2481 or by pager 405-636-8577. Also call her if you plan an event. That way she can help spread the word about what you and other emergency managers will be doing during Oklahoma Emergency Management Week.