Emergency Managers celebrate third year for McReady Oklahoma Program

Ponca City Emergency Management Director Paula Cain, left, and
McDonald’s owner Clement Collogan, right, congratulate the four
winners of the Eskimo Joe storm chaser t-shirts contest, which was
part of the city’s local McReady Oklahoma program.

This marked the third year for Oklahoma emergency managers to participate in the McReady Oklahoma program. Throughout the month of April, McReady display racks with posters and brochures along with tray liners, bag stuffers and table tents – all delivering important severe weather preparedness information – were available at McDonald’s restaurants across the state.

Gov. Brad Henry proclaimed April as Family Preparedness Month and the work of a host of McReady Partners ensured another successful year for the program. A news conference kicked off the statewide campaign at Ralph Downs Elementary School in Oklahoma City. OG&E’s Larry the Lineman and Ronald McDonald delivered safety messages as the students and faculty rallied behind the program.

The theme of severe weather preparedness continued when more than 160 individuals were able to get their weather radios programmed during a special event at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City. Television and radio stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa provided promotional spots and news coverage. In many of the communities, city and county emergency managers also held special events throughout the month of April to recognize the program locally.

In addition to OEM, the 2006 McReady Partners are the American Red Cross, MOROCH, National Weather Service, OG&E Electric Services, Oklahoma Citizen Corps, Oklahoma Emergency Management Association, Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association, The Oklahoman, News 9, The News on 6, R.D. Flanagan & Associates, The Salvation Army and the Tulsa Mayor’s Citizen Corps/Tulsa Partners, Inc.

For more information regarding McReady Oklahoma, contact Michelann Ooten, OEM Public Information Officer at michelann.ooten@oem.ok.gov