News Release
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Citation honors outstanding public information work in emergency management
Tulsa – Tina Wells, EMSA Vice President for Marketing and Policy Development, was recognized for her dedicated commitment to keeping the public informed with the 2009 Ben Frizzell Memorial Award. The citation was presented by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) during today’s annual emergency management conference. The award recognizes an individual who provides outstanding service in the area of emergency management public information.
Since she was named to the EMSA post seven years ago, Wells has managed a vast array of duties during times of disaster as well as non-disaster. Recent examples of her ability to communicate during disasters occurred during the 2007 ice storm when Wells provided ongoing information to the public about dangerous health issues including the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning. Her emergency public information efforts continued during the summer months and now through Wells’ efforts EMSA is considered a source of heat information through summer “Heat Alerts.” By distributing situation updates with each event, Wells kept not only the public informed but also local and state officials.
In addition to her response work, Wells developed effective communication strategies for preparedness initiatives to include EMSA’s injury prevention program known as “Backseat Buddies.” She is also largely responsible for bringing EMSA into compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
“Ms. Wells is a top notch crisis communicator,” said OEM Director Albert Ashwood. “We commend her efforts as well as EMSA’s commitment to the need for public information during both disaster and non-disaster times.”
Wells is a former television producer. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Texas. Before taking the post at EMSA, she was with St. John Medical Center.
The Ben Frizzell Memorial Award is presented in honor of the late OEM PIO who served the agency from 1995 to 2000.
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