Oklahoma Getting Less Federal Funding for Terrorism Prevention
After receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in homeland security funds since Sept. 11, 2001, Oklahoma has experienced a steep drop in homeland security funding in the past two years, records show.
Tulsa firefighters spent three days providing relief and support to Joplin-area residents, Ellis said.
"The equipment worked great and the experience we gained during the multi-day deployment to Joplin, you couldn't get that anywhere else," Ellis said.
Meanwhile, the 800 megahertz system provides a seamless frequency that connects first-responders along the I-44 corridor. The system brings additional, emergency coverage for 70 percent of the state's population from Lawton to Vinita, said Lacey Callahan, spokeswoman for Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.
Known as the Oklahoma Wireless Information Network, the radio channel allows emergency workers to respond faster and to communicate with other jurisdictions during a multi-jurisdiction response.
Installing and maintaining the 800 meghertz system has cost about $61.7 million, Callahan said.
Homeland Security
Do you think the Department of Homeland Security has made America safer from terrorism?
Yes ...................60%
No .................... 36%
Don't know/refused .................4%
(Numbers have been rounded)
About the poll
SoonerPoll.com conducted the scientific poll July 25-Aug. 11. Likely Oklahoma voters were selected at random and given the opportunity to participate in the poll by phone or online. Of the 587 respondents who participated, 17 took the survey online and 570 responded via telephone interview. The margin of error is 4.04 plus or minus percentage points.
