OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma Task Force 1, the state’s urban search and rescue team, will get $1 million a year in state funding, after Governor Stitt signed House Bill 4043 into law.
The team says it’s the first time they’ve had a stable funding source.
Since they were founded in 2006 with a FEMA grant, Oklahoma Task Force 1 says they’ve had to operate with limited sustained funding and that members have often had to cover expenses for gear, uniforms, and even their K-9 dogs veterinary care, out of their own pockets.
They say the money will be split evenly between the Tulsa-based and Oklahoma City-based teams.
If you’re not familiar, Oklahoma Task Force 1 responds to disasters here in state, and all around the country, on things like building collapse rescues, swift water rescues, and large-area searches.
The Tulsa and Oklahoma City teams combined have 23 certified search K9s, 12 helicopter search and rescue swimmers who work alongside the Air National Guard, advanced robotics capabilities that enhance situational awareness and responder safety, specialized swift water teams, and 120 Tulsa-based technical rescue specialists trained to operate in complex and hazardous environments.
The legislation was authored by Representative Stan May and Senator John Haste.
