Emergency Preparedness On Display At Governor's Mansion

Michael Konopasek, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- With the possibility of terrorist attacks putting the nation on high alert, Governor Mary Fallin got a first-hand look Saturday at Oklahoma's emergency response readiness.

Just like the rest of the country, Oklahoma is staying extra vigilant on the weekend marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. On the eve of the anniversary, the state showed off some of its terror-fighting capabilities just outside the Governor's Mansion.

From a bomb-disabling robot to a rescue dog and all of the people and equipment in between, Governor Fallin had quite a bit to evaluate, and she seemed quite pleased.

"We have tremendous capacity in our state to respond regionally," the governor said.

A number of state agencies, making up a state-wide regional response network, were available for the public to visit during the annual September Fest near the State Capitol. Some of the teams on hand included the OHP Bomb Squad, EMSA, and the state's Office of Homeland Security

The event had the governor reminding Oklahomans to stay alert this weekend.

"Be mindful of things that might look unusual, if you should see things," said Fallin.

The state's director of Homeland Security says there has been no direction from the national level as far as how or if Oklahoma should respond to the newest terror threat against the United States.

"Right now we have no credible threats for Oklahoma," said Kim Edd Carter, Oklahoma's director of the Office of Homeland Security. "Of course, that could change at any moment now, but it hasn't."

The state says it will continue take precautions and fill any security gaps to prevent future attacks.

"Oklahoma understands tragedy," said Fallin. "[Oklahoma] understands when a disaster occurs how important it is to have a coordinated, prepared response, and that is what I've seen today."

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security says it has been working to develop the statewide regional response network for the past eight years.

Fallin says she plans on spending Sunday at church with her family, remembering all of those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001.