Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 2004 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Headquarters | P.O. Box 11415 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73136 |
| Employees | 20 (FY15) |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | www.homelandsecurity.ok.gov/ |
The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) is an agency of State of Oklahoma that is responsible for reducing the State's vulnerability to acts of terrorism and for minimizing and recovering the damage caused by terrorist attacks. OKOHS is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
The Office is headed by a Director of Homeland Security who is appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma. The inaugural Director, Kerry Pettingill, was appointed by Governor Brad Henry in January 2004. On February 10, 2011, Governor Mary Fallin appointed Kim Edd Carter as the second Director of OKOHS.
Recognizing the need for coordinated preparedness and security efforts after September 11, 2001, Governor Frank Keating issued an executive order calling for the creation of the Interim Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. In February, 2002, the Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 42 and the Oklahoma Interim Office of Homeland Security was formally created. In January 2004, Governor Brad Henry sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designating the Office as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) - the single state agency responsible for the delivery of federal homeland security training, equipment funding and technical assistance. In April, 2004, the Legislature passed House Bill 2280 - the Oklahoma Homeland Security Act. Governor Brad Henry signed the bill and formally created the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.
The strategic objectives of the Office, as established in state statute, are:
Followings its creation, Governor Brad Henry designated the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security as the State Administrative Agency of all United States Department of Homeland Security grant programs funds.
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