Civil Emergency Message

[SCPD]

Squirrel - you should know that that's because most other county EMA's are clueless.

How true how true

 

[StormCrusader]

Squirrel - you should know that that's because most other county EMA's are clueless.

Asset-less is probably closer. The vast majority of EM's are volunteers, part-timers, or wear a bunch of hats as full-timers. Even most of the larger places are WAY understaffed (OKC has a total of 3 persons). Even though there has been a lot of "homeland security" money flying around, virtually none has gone towards staffing or funding of programs in general.

The Mayes County EM falls in this category (I think he has a "real" job in addition to his EM duties), but he's highly motivated and probably doesn't have a personal life.

 

[KD5WLX]

Lloyd is a VERY dedicated amateur radio op, in addition to being the Mayes County EM - I have no idea if that's a paid position or if he has another job.

My other experience is with Creek County (non-existent), Okmulgee County (they have a job posted trying to hire ONE person as county EM - no staff) and Tulsa County. TAEMA is pretty big, but the head honcho is an "administrator" with little real experience. A couple of people on his staff are pretty good, though. Their problem is no money, and what money they have comes from grants that are earmarked for "toys". IE, lots of cool gear they'll never use but lacking in the essentials.

 

[StormCrusader]

Lloyd is a VERY dedicated amateur radio op, in addition to being the Mayes County EM - I have no idea if that's a paid position or if he has another job.

I *think* I remember Lloyd working at the local Health Dept, but was getting ready to (leave?)(retire?), and was looking for something else.

My other experience is with Creek County (non-existent), Okmulgee County (they have a job posted trying to hire ONE person as county EM - no staff) and Tulsa County. TAEMA is pretty big, but the head honcho is an "administrator" with little real experience. A couple of people on his staff are pretty good, though. [\QUOTE]
Creek County is another that had a very dedicated EM in B.J. Pope, but I understand they've not really replaced him since his passing. Don't know the status at Okmulgee Co. Tulsa's director is a retired cop, and he is blessed with some staff.

Their problem is no money, and what money they have comes from grants that are earmarked for "toys". IE, lots of cool gear they'll never use but lacking in the essentials.

Yes and no, yes the grants are earmarked for equipment, but I don't know about the "never use" part. Probably some of that depends on the program and the director.

 

[pheezer]

I *think* I remember Lloyd working at the local Health Dept, but was getting ready to (leave?)(retire?), and was looking for something else..

I've known Lloyd quite well for about 25 years. He is highly motivated, very persistant and has his priorities figured out. When Mayes Co. got him to direct their EM, they got a real good man for the job, and all appearances are that he's doing a great job for them. I don't know what else he's doing these days, as I haven't talked to him for awhile, but he has a habit of keeping his hands in a number of different things at once, so I'm sure he's working at doing something. He has alot of interest in working with kids, so I'm sure he's still involved in helping kids out.

TAEMA is pretty big, but the head honcho is an "administrator" with little real experience. A couple of people on his staff are pretty good, though.

Mike has been on the job long enough to get alot of real experience now. He does have some great staff too. John Campbell and I have been friends for years and he knows his stuff, and I think that Jamie Ott is still working with them as well, or was last I talked with him. He knows alot about EM stuff as well. TAEMA has a great staff working on things in my opinion. Much better than many area EMAs.