Oklahoma distributes some 'Homeland Security' grant money

With the threat of more terrorist attacks on US soil, Oklahoma is handing out millions of dollars in federal grant money to cities and counties. <br/><br/>Tulsa will get more than a million dollars for

Friday, August 6th 2004, 5:50 am

By: News On 6

With the threat of more terrorist attacks on US soil, Oklahoma is handing out millions of dollars in federal grant money to cities and counties.

Tulsa will get more than a million dollars for various projects. One of the largest is a $300,000 grant to the City of Tulsa for what's known as an Urban Search and Rescue Trailer. That vehicle that will carry special equipment to help save people from collapsed buildings.

The city will also get $191,000 for "target hardening" for key buildings. That's fencing and barriers and other security measures.

The Tulsa Police Department and the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office also got several hundred thousand dollars for the same items. One of the biggest projects for the grant money will be to fill in the gaps in radio coverage for emergency and law enforcement.

Oklahoma Homeland Security Director Major Kerry Pettingill: "Not a lot of people, but a huge amount of infrastructure. This infrastructure, once it's in place, will allow us to communicate a seamless, interoperable communication system from Broken Neck, Texas to north of Tulsa."

The system will also let officials from different agencies communicate with one another. Something they can't always do now.