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Get Oklahoma Red Dirt Ready!

"The safety of Oklahomans is always our top priority, whether it's during a natural disaster or a man-made tragedy," said Kerry Pettingill, Oklahoma Homeland Security Director. "That's why we're asking everyone to take a few minutes and visit RedDirtReady.com. Our goal is to make sure everyone, young and old, is educated on how to prepare for and respond appropriately in an emergency."

Oklahomans are encouraged to assemble an emergency supply kit, have a safety plan and stay informed.

According to Pettingill, the phrase 'Red Dirt Ready' is a tribute to the enduring spirit of Oklahomans to pull together and face adversity head on.

"Red dirt is a geographic icon for our state and serves as a symbol of our resilience and willingness to support each other in challenging times," said Pettingill. "We're not afraid to get our hands dirty and reach out to those in need."

Visitors to RedDirtReady.com will find a user-friendly website featuring helpful information in the areas of personal preparedness, volunteerism, youth education and neighborhood security. Questionnaires help assess how prepared you currently are and help guide you toward opportunities to volunteer and assist emergency personnel through programs including:

• Citizen Corps
• Community Emergency Response Teams
• Volunteers in Police Service
• Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps
• Fire Corps
• Other volunteer organizations including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the United Way

"We want people to learn about the great programs that help keep our communities safe," adds Pettingill. "It's vital for schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and households to plan ahead and be prepared. It's going to take everyone's involvement to get Oklahoma Red Dirt Ready."

About OKOHS

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) is the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. To date, the State of Oklahoma has been awarded more than $171 million in DHS grant funding.

for The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security
Rebecca Fast, 405-507-6288
rfast@jordanet.com