Gov.-elect focused on disaster management

Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt plans to name his public safety appointments over the next week, ensuring his office can respond to crisis as he prepares to become governor of a state known for weather disasters.

The governor appoints the director of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, the commissioner of public safety, the Oklahoma adjutant general and the director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

The governor also names a Secretary of Safety and Security to the cabinet.

“A lot of the advice from other governors has been to really understand how your emergency management structure is set up before you are sworn in,” said Donelle Harder, a spokeswoman for Stitt’s transition office.

“We are trying to make sure we get these issues taken care of so the citizens of Oklahoma know we didn’t skip a beat in terms of public safety and being able to quickly respond to crisis.”

Last Thursday, Stitt toured the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard center, met with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and visited the state’s emergency operations center, an underground office equipped with monitoring and communication equipment.

Stitt also visited the Oklahoma Information Fusion Center, a Homeland Security office that collects terrorism and crime prevention information.

While Stitt’s transition team is conducting interviews for each public safety position, Harder said continuity will be considered.

Earlier this year, Gov. Mary Fallin appointed Michelann Ooten to serve as interim director of the Department of Emergency Management, following the retirement of Albert Ashwood, who had been director for 21 years.

The director works closely with federal agencies following a disaster, along with county leaders and relief agencies in coordinating recovery efforts.

The director also works closely with the governor during an impending weather event that might require additional resources, including an ice storm, tornado, flood or fire.

Oklahoma averages nearly eight disaster declarations a year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Before and after a disaster, the governor can declare of state of emergency, which allows state agencies to make emergency purchases and access federal assistance.

Last week, Fallin declared a state of emergency in preparation for a possible winter storm.