February 2024 Newsletter

Greetings emergency managers and partners, 

In my first three weeks on the job as State Director of Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, I’ve tried to make it to as many meetings as possible and I’ve talked with many of you either in person or over the phone. I appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received and I look forward to getting to know each of you over the coming months.

If we've talked recently, you’ve likely heard me say how strongly I believe in enhancing communications between OEM and the emergency management community. This includes more frequent updates about agency programs, staffing changes, and FEMA news that may affect emergency managers. It also includes our increased social media presence and active participation in local meetings, training sessions, and conferences to provide more opportunities for our staff to interact with all of you.

Additionally, I’m excited to launch this newsletter as a new method to deliver monthly news and updates to our stakeholders.

Regarding recovery programs, one of my initial priorities is to get more recovery funds out to applicants as quickly as possible. I hope you saw our recent announcement that OEM has begun administering the FEMA Public Assistance Program Simplified Procedures Policy which is intended to expedite funding and reduce administrative burden for applicants. As part of the simplified procedures policy, the FEMA Large Project Threshold increased to $1,000,000 for 2023 and to $1,037,000 for 2024. Read more from FEMA and on the OEM website.

As I continue to make my way around the state, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime if you have questions or would like to connect. I’ll also be attending the conference in March from Tuesday to Friday and I hope to see many of you there.

If you would like to make a suggestion for content for the next newsletter, visit our website to submit an idea.

Have a safe February and thank you for all you do!

Annie Mack Vest

FEMA Reforms Disaster Assistance Program to Help Survivors Recover Faster

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell recently announced that FEMA is reforming its federal assistance policies and expanding benefits for disaster survivors to cut red tape, provide funds faster and give people more flexibility.

With the increased frequency of extreme weather events fueled by climate change, these updates will provide survivors with faster and easier access to resources they need after disasters. FEMA developed these new forms of assistance based on direct feedback from survivors and in response to the threats the nation faces due to our changing climate; they will create more equitable outcomes for all communities by increasing accessibility and eligibility for post-disaster support.

Read more

FEMA Opens Applications for $324 Million in Assistance To Firefighter Grants

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the opening of the latest application period for the Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which will award $324 million to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters nationwide against fire-related deaths and hazards.

The AFG application period opened on Monday, Jan. 29, and will close on Friday, March 8, at 5 p.m. ET.

Read more

FEMA Emergency Manager Exchange Program Application Period Open

FEMA invites state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers to apply for the Emergency Manager Exchange (EMX) program. During the exchange, non-federal emergency managers will work for 6 months in FEMA offices engaging with decision makers to help shape policies and programs. FEMA staff will be sent to the emergency manager’s home office to help fill in gaps and learn about the participant’s work. Experienced emergency managers are encouraged to apply by the deadline, Feb. 9. Emergency managers apply for EMX by submitting their resume and a nomination letter from their home office.

Read more and submit an application

Open Disasters: PA Federal Share Totals Paid to Date

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

More than $64 million has been paid to applicants through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) from disasters that occurred since 2015.

Disaster State Share Update

From October through January 2023, OEM paid out $14.7 million in state funds for 12.5% payments. This included payments for 1,851 projects to 297 applicants in 74 counties.

OEM submitted a request in January to process additional 12.5% payments this year for public sector applicants and electric coops. More information will be provided as available. 

The Readiness Branch focuses on the “before” to make your “during” and “after” a disaster easier. 

"Our purpose is to collaborate and create plans and processes that support efficient and safe preparedness and response,” explained Readiness Branch Manager Kristal Kuhn. “We do that by developing internal plans that follow National Preparedness Guidelines, Emergency Management Accreditation Program standards, and cultivate the "Oklahoma Standard" of neighbor helping neighbor."

The Readiness Branch is housed under OEM’s Preparedness and Response division and also includes two Readiness Planners (Steve Mattax and Breanna Baker), the State Training Officer (Amy DeVore), a Resource Planning Liaison (Lynn Turrell), and Technology Coordinator (Zakary Legarda). 

Beyond the day-to-day work of communicating among the state agencies slated to fulfill various roles in disaster scenarios outlined in the State Emergency Operations Plan to identify agency capabilities and resource gaps, Kristal said Readiness Branch is also diving into digital growth with an update to WebEOC and expansion into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 

Members of the Readiness Branch continue to work with stakeholders by holding working groups throughout the regions to make WebEOC efficient and user-friendly. Kristal stressed that the only way WebEOC is successful is if emergency managers and other state agencies are using it as well. If everyone participates, WebEOC serves as a common operating picture and helps maintain situational awareness statewide.

“People are really visual,” Kristal said. “So, it’s really, really great when somebody can walk into a room and look at a map and see this is where the impact was, this is where we have resources.”  

Readiness Branch staff also step in to help in the State EOC or in the field as needed during and after activations.

Gina Minson is a familiar face or voice to many who interact with our office. She has been with OEM for more than 23 years and most of that time has been spent at the front desk as a Secretary II. She also previously worked in OEM's finance division as the Acquisitions/Purchasing Officer for 3 years, but she missed the front desk and interacting with guests and callers. Staff and callers appreciate Gina's attention to detail, thoroughness, and her willingness to help people get the information they need. Get to know more about Gina below.

Tell us a bit about what you actually do? I used to answer and route calls through a 16-line PBX system. Now we have an automated system so I don’t answer as many calls. When the Legislature is in session I monitor and report on bills as they move through the legislative process. I ensure the agency has adequate office supplies and prepare purchase requests as needed. I proof all documents submitted for the Director’s signature. I process and distribute all agency mail. I keep the answering service apprised of the agency’s monthly schedule including Duty Officer assignments and closures. I provide whatever type of additional clerical support may be needed.

What brought you to OEM? I grew up in South Oklahoma City, but relocated my family to Southwestern Oklahoma in 1996. My husband was injured in 1998 and had to learn a new trade. When he found employment, it was in Oklahoma City, so we moved back to the McLoud area (where he had attended school with my cousins and where I had always wanted to live). Not to brag but my State Employment Test Scores placed me in the Top 10 and I was just lucky that the front desk position at OEM became available during that time. Quite honestly, I had never heard of OEM but my first tornado season, followed by 9/11 were a baptism by fire. You kind of get "hooked." Within a few years I was also volunteering as a storm spotter in my community (Pottawatomie County /Shawnee).

What do you enjoy most about your job? I just enjoy what I do. I’m a talker so that’s really helpful in this position. I’ve had so many great conversations with Emergency Managers and Oklahomans seeking help over the years. I like feeling that what I do is worthwhile and matters even if it’s just to one person on a particular day. I like that it doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for 23 years. And we may not spend a lot of time outside the office together but I feel we really are a work family who support one another through difficult times.

What would you like to be doing 5 years from now? I would like to be enjoying retirement in an RV part-time, visiting National Parks and other points of interest when I am not fishing. I also have some thoughts about disaster white debris (appliances) and community gardens that I may try to get off the ground.

How have you used emergency management skills outside of work? As I mentioned earlier, I served as a storm spotter in my community for 12 years until we started having grandchildren and my mother’s health failed. I’ve informed family and friends about programs such as SoonerSafe. I took CERT training back in 2004 but I’m glad I’ve never had to use it.

What’s an interesting fact your colleagues and emergency managers don’t know about you? As a “talker” there probably isn’t much about me that my coworkers don’t know. I had ambitions to be a stand up comic or a novelist but I lack the self-discipline. I’m passionate about music (Americana, blues, classic rock, and country music in particular). I love to fish.

*Responses may be edited for clarity and length

OEMA Conference & Training Days - March 4-8, Durant

Public Assistance Training (FKA PA Bootcamp) - March 26, Grove

Solar Eclipse - April 8

OFMA Spring Technical Workshop - April 9, Tulsa

Emergency Management Day at the Capitol - April 23, Oklahoma City

• OEMA Conference Registration and Agenda are now available. 
• Download the new ProtectOK Mobile App and share with your area school districts. The app allows users to report suspicious activity without giving a name, making anonymous reporting easy.
• Check out our updated #ReadyOK preparedness materials. 
• Have a story idea or or upcoming event for the OEM Newsletter? Submit your idea through our online form.