PrintOklahoma is OK
In one of the few instances where county and city planners have done their homework in planning for homeland security expenditures, Tulsa, Oklahoma stands as a great example in obtaining equipment that would be critical in the event of a terrorist attack. KOTV News reports that Tulsa will get more than $1 million dollars in federal homeland security grants. The money will be spent on a search and rescue trailer to help save people from collapsed buildings, and funds will also be spent for 'target hardening' of critical buildings and other infrastructure.
And, showing the planners have accurately assessed the city's and county's needs, a new communications system will be set up to ensure emergency crews and law enforcement can talk throughout their assigned area of operations. Oklahoma Homeland Security Director Major Kerry Pettingill said the new system involves
Not a lot of people, but a huge amount of infrastructure. This infrastructure, once it's in place, will allow us to communicate a seamless, interoperable communication system from Broken Neck, Texas to north of Tulsa.
Great work, Oklahoma. Perhaps your leaders can give some tips to other community planners whose sole concern is milking the grant system, rather than protecting their citizens.
