The city of Tulsa has made large steps in getting ready for and mitigating disaster. In many ways, Tulsa is already a model disaster-resistant community.  Groups and organizations in the city of Tulsa have been creating a synchronized, coordinated, and comprehensive plan and program for reducing vulnerability of city buildings and occupants to losses and disruption from natural, technological, or manmade disasters.  

Main concern hazards believed in the assessments contain, but are not essentially limited to, terrorism (bombings and criminal armed aggression), crime and vandalism; extreme winds and tornadoes, hail, lightning, and flood; fire and hazardous chemical incidents; power / utility outages and disruption of lifelines and communication; and other natural or manmade hazards.

There are many objectives in this program, but the major goal is to create a complete plan for safety and security in city-owned and -operated buildings that will focus on these aspects:

· Decreasing loss of essential City services and reduce loss or damage to the city’s assets;
· Improving safety and well being of City employees, citizens, and visitors;
· Promoting a safe and secure environment at all City of Tulsa public facilities, whether they are buildings or open spaces; 
· Diminishing both the incidence and probability of loss of life, physical or emotional injury, community disruption, or other losses; 
· Facilitating the city to recuperate from disasters, emergencies, and other critical incidents and reinstate to regular operations.

It is very important to take into consideration that this Phase 1 of the project was carried out soon after the nation underwent terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, leading in a new period when it is even more significant to categorize hazards, from no matter what level, and take action determinedly to toughen the city’s security against potential disaster.

This plan forms a part of Tulsa’s multi-hazard mitigation planning process and the Tulsa Project Impact program in order to create a disaster-resistant community.   The funding for this program for external support with the Phase 1 vulnerability assessments and plan preparation was allocated from Tulsa Project Impact’s FEMA grant to the City of Tulsa, with approval by FEMA, the Mayor, and local planning committees.  The Task Force is responsible for developing implementation or additional budget and funding recommendations as the program evolves.  

Tulsa enjoys a high level of preparedness and security, thanks in part to diligent work by civic leaders and building and emergency managers over many years.  Emergency management and disaster mitigation are highly valued and practiced in this community. 
This culture of management and mitigation exists because disaster is no stranger to Tulsa, which is prone to floods, tornadoes, and other natural hazards.  Manmade disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing also affect the high value Tulsans place on preparedness, management, and mitigation.  

Tulsa’s public and private sectors have strong, long-term partnerships. Healthy partnerships also exist among nonprofit, state, and federal agencies. Tulsa Project Impact is building on and expanding those partnerships to create a disaster-resistant community.  

Source: Strengthening Essential City Buildings For Secure City Services - Phase 1 Report February 2002
Mayor M. Susan Savage
Tulsa Public Works Department
Tulsa Project Impact Program
City of Tulsa, OK