FEMA/Oklahoma Launch Tornado Safe Room Program
Release Date: August 28, 2003
Release Number: R6-03-88
Denton, TX -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today a $3 million grant to help the citizens of Oklahoma build tornado safe rooms.
The program will provide a rebate of up to $2,000 to homeowners who construct or install engineered above- or below-ground safe rooms. The May 2003 outbreak of tornadoes in Oklahoma proved again that safe rooms save lives. Since 1999, FEMA has funded 6000 safe rooms in Oklahoma.
"Safe rooms have been tested in laboratories and by real storms, and they save lives," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "I urge Oklahomans to prepare for future tornadoes by building or installing a safe room."
FEMA will fund 75 percent of the safe room program that the State of Oklahoma will manage. The balance of program funds will come from local sources. Information on safe rooms is available at the FEMA website, www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom/.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 08:22:37