State Emergency Management Director Appointed to National Homeland Security Group

Oklahoma City -- Governor Brad Henry announced today that Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood has been appointed to a new U.S. Homeland Security oversight team.

Ashwood was selected by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to serve on the National Response Plan/National Incident Management System (NRP/NIMS) State and Local Working Group. In February, the Office of Homeland Security was directed to develop the NRP/NIMS to enhance the nation’s ability to manage domestic incidents and emergencies. Ashwood will represent emergency management during two rounds of meetings in Washington, D.C., in August and September.

"I’m honored to be a part of this critical project," Ashwood said. "The State of Oklahoma has been supported so greatly by this nation. We welcome this opportunity to give back by sharing our experience with other local and state leaders."

A 15-year veteran of the state agency, Ashwood has been director of the Department of Emergency Management since August, 1997. During his tenure he spearheaded many of the state’s response/recovery efforts, including the May 3, 1999, tornadoes; December, 2001, and January, 2002, ice storms and the I-40 Bridge Collapse. Because of his experience with the Oklahoma City bombing, Ashwood also assisted New York officials in their recovery work following the World Trade Center attack.

Most recently, Ashwood served as the state’s top emergency manager during the May 8-9 tornado outbreak.