Tulsa Public Schools Seeks FEMA Funds To Build More Safe Rooms

Schools in Dallas went on lockdown when Tuesday's tornadoes hit. Tulsa Public Schools wants to build more safe rooms in its school buildings and those storms justify their concern.

Robertson Elementary has the only storm shelter in Tulsa Public Schools. But the district is working on a plan for other schools involving safe rooms.

Robertson Elementary students are schooled in tornado safety.

"We do our drills three times a year - September, March and April," Jessica Haight said, Robertson Principal.

Principal Haight says this storm shelter helps calm students' anxiety when it storms, especially after something like Tuesday's tornadoes in Texas.

"Our number one priority is our children's safety. I can't instruct them, they cannot learn, if they are concerned about safety," Haight said.

The school district would love to have more storm shelters, which are usually underground and aren't held to FEMA standards, but it's not feasible.

"Basements are very uncommon in Oklahoma. We have other schools that have basements, but a lot of them have things like boilers in them and that's just not going to be a safe environment," said Bob Roberts with TPS Emergency Management. 

That's why TPS is working on a FEMA multi-hazard mitigation plan, which aims to prevent damage and injuries.

The finished plan will allow the district to apply for FEMA funds and build school safe rooms, which are usually above ground and must be FEMA certified.

"We've actually got very very safe areas. Are there two or three schools where we might think a safe room would be more appropriate? Yeah. Are there any schools where I think the kids aren't safe? No, there aren't," Roberts said.

It takes a lot of money to build a safe room that fits hundreds of people, but TPS is going after those grants because leaders know it's worth it.

"Joplin was nasty and you see the one in Atlanta, you see the one in Greenburg, Kansas, now two schools were hit yesterday outside of Dallas. It's always a reality," Roberts said.

The district hopes to finalize its FEMA Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan in a month or so, then forward it on to the state and federal level for approval.