Related Agencies

The Oklahoma Mesonet

The Oklahoma Mesonet consists of 116 automated observing stations that continuously monitor numerous important weather and soil variables. It is administered jointly by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, and operated by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. Data collected are quality assured for scientific research and are valuable for businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions that require accurate environmental observations. Mesonet data makes up a critical and irreplaceable surface dataset used in hundreds of OK-FIRST decision-support points.

Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS)

The DPS helps OK-FIRST meet its public safety mission by providing major funding support to the program. In addition, the DPS operates the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, which provides the critical communications infrastructure for Oklahoma Mesonet data. Without these two crucial levels of support from DPS, Oklahoma’s public safety officials would be without OK-FIRST.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM)

The mission of the OEM is to minimize the effects of attack, technological and natural disasters upon Oklahomans by organizing community preparedness and hazard mitigation plans, and by coordinating emergency response and disaster recovery operations. OEM’s long-running relationship with OK-FIRST has informed many of the decisions made by OK-FIRST leadership. In addition, OEM often provides the use of their emergency operations center as a training venue for OK-FIRST personnel.

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices (WFO)

In addition to providing routine forecasts and outlooks, WFOs provide the public – and public safety officials – with critical information related to imminent or ongoing hazardous weather. Depending on their location, OK-FIRST participants work with one of four WFOs (Norman, Tulsa, Amarillo,Shreveport) during significant weather events. WFOs provide critical weather warnings, support and expertise, while public safety officials offer valuable information from the field. WFO personnel also take a hands-on role in the OK-FIRST training regimen, as guest instructors, and by providing key feedback and points of emphasis for developing new training.

National Weather Service Warning Decision Training Branch(WDTB)

WDTB develops and delivers training on the hazardous weather warning process within a National Weather Service forecast office. Training activities provide basic and advanced radar proficiency, warning methodology, and situation awareness. WDTB often provides training facilities for OK-FIRST’s week-long certification workshop. Much of OK-FIRST’s instructional material is derived from WDTB’s excellent training catalogue.

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech)

Oklahoma's CareerTech system is dedicated to helping Oklahomans succeed in the workplace, in education and in life. It includes dozens of regional Technology Centers which graciously provide facilities and staff support for OK-FIRST's critical training mission. By bringing OK-FIRST instruction out of our Norman offices and into Oklahoma’s regional Technology Centers, we save valuable time and travel expenses for our emergency managers and first responders. OK-FIRST and the state’s regional Technology Centers make strong partners for safer communities.

The National Weather Center (NWC)

The NWC is a unique confederation of federal, state, and University of Oklahoma organizations that work together to improve understanding of events occurring in the Earth's atmosphere. Members of the NWC work with a wide range of federal, state, and local government agencies to help reduce loss of life and property to hazardous weather, insure wise use of water resources, enhance agricultural production, and develop renewable energy sources. OK-FIRST will re-locate, alongside many of the partners listed above, to the NWC building in 2006.

The Innovations in American Government Program

The Innovations Program is sponsored by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and The Council for Excellence in Government. Through a one-time award provided by the Innovations program, OCS works with other states to help them replicate and adapt parts of OK-FIRST for use in their states.