Oklahoma typically experiences bad weather in the spring and this year was no exception, especially since it was particularly challenging. During the late afternoon hours of April 19, 2023, thunderstorms formed along a dryline in southwestern and central Oklahoma where they quickly reached severe levels. These supercell thunderstorms eventually produced large hail of 1 to 3 inches in diameter and at least 18 tornadoes formed in the area. One strong and damaging tornado killed 3 people in McClain County near the town of Cole, and there were at least 188 injuries state-wide. More tornadoes occurred near Tinker Air Force Base, Etowah, Pink, Bethel Acres, and Shawnee, Oklahoma.
A few days later, on Sunday April 23, 2023, Governor Kevin Stitt requested an expedited major disaster declaration from the federal government for McClain and Pottawatomie Counties because of damage from the tornadoes and severe storms. On Monday April 24, 2023, President Joe Biden approved Oklahoma’s request by declaring that a major disaster existed in Oklahoma due to the severe storms that produced the 18 tornadoes. President Biden declared the area a major disaster and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the severe storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. The FEMA Region VI Office in Denton, Texas knew that it was just a matter of time before they would receive the orders to deploy to Oklahoma.
On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, the Mike Moroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC), received its first call from FEMA. FEMA explained that due to the "State of Emergency" they were working out of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Office; however, space was limited and they needed to bring in more resources. FEMA asked if there was any available space at the MMAC for a temporary Initial Operating Facility (IOF) that could accommodate 25 to 50 FEMA personnel (to initiate emergency measures and conduct disaster operations).
On May 1, 2023, Corey Black, Program Director for the Office of Facilities Management (AMP), signed a License of Use - Memorandum of Agreement between MMAC and FEMA, allowing 25+ FEMA team members to utilize the Emergency Operations Facility (EOF) located in the Aviation Records Building (ARB). The team was provided access to the adjacent overflow parking lot, accommodating up to 40 parking spots where they could park several FEMA assets.
During an emergency, effective decision-making relies on the ability to collect emergency-related information, which requires close coordination between key officials from a variety of departments, agencies, and organizations. Having a coordination location such as this IOF at the MMAC, from which FEMA and other government leaders can coordinate and direct emergency efforts, is instrumental for effective emergency response and recovery.
Members of the MMAC quickly worked with FEMA to create an interior space for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. The Team identified requirements to ensure that successful IT and communication systems were available, security controls were in place, and that the EOF had interoperability and redundancy between FAA networks and FEMA’s communication systems.
By Friday, May 5, 2023, FEMA had successfully moved into the EOF in the basement of the ARB. The Office of Facility Management (AMP) continued to work with FEMA on the logistics and arrivals of their Mobile Communication Office Vehicles (MCOV) and storage trailers.
Over the next 2 weeks, FEMA began working toward setting up a Joint Field Office (JFO) in Oklahoma City. They also assessed damage and determined staffing and resource needs to help the victims in Oklahoma. By June 14, 2023, FEMA established their Joint Field Office (JFO) in Oklahoma City and vacated the IOF at the MMAC. Although FEMA personnel are not located at the MMAC currently, they are still utilizing a staging area for supply trailers.
By supporting this emergency request and collaborating with FEMA, the staff at the MMAC had opportunities to learn about FEMA’s mission and processes, making this a "win-win" for both agencies. This partnership between FEMA and MMAC strengthens our drive to build positive relations across a diverse group of government agencies and provides the Center with another way to support the American people in our own community.
