Message from the Director
Greetings emergency managers and partners,
The last two months have been a whirlwind, with multiple EOC activations and various federal program updates.
When wildfire activity began to increase in February, OEM, Oklahoma Forestry Services, Department of Public Safety, and Oklahoma National Guard began holding regular coordination calls to discuss fire weather conditions as well as resource needs and availability. Having an opportunity to engage Oklahoma National Guard assets, including helicopters and hand crews, has been a valuable addition over the past several weeks.
Since February 17, 2026, nine Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) have been approved to help reimburse eligible fire response costs. OEM staff have already begun hosting applicant briefings, so please watch for updates on how your fire departments can seek reimbursement if they responded to any of these incidents.
I'm also encouraged by several positive developments within FEMA in recent weeks, including the return of the BRIC program. FEMA released the FY2024-2025 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Wednesday, March 25.
OEM will be reaching out to jurisdictions with unfunded hazard mitigation assistance applications from the past 12-24 months to see if any projects would be good candidates for BRIC. to identify projects that may be strong candidates for BRIC. If you have a project you’d like to submit, please reach out now to begin working with our Hazard Mitigation team at HM@oem.ok.gov.
Read more info about BRIC below and watch our website for additional updates.
As we enter April, we anticipate the return of severe weather across the state. The State EOC stands ready to respond to resource requests and provide support as needed.
Thank you for all you do to serve your communities. Your preparedness today is critical as we head into the spring severe weather season.
Annie Mack Vest, CFM
Executive Director
BRIC Returns with New FY24-25 NOFO
FEMA released the FY2024-2025 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Total available funding under the program is $1 billion. Oklahoma's State/Territory Allocation is capped at $2 million, and the State/Territory Building Code Plus-Up is capped at $1 million. The National Competition pool totals $757 million.
The application period runs from March 25 through July 23, 2026. However, Oklahoma applicants will need to submit their applications by June 12 to give OEM plenty of time to review and submit the applications by the deadline.
Find more information and read the NOFO on our website.
About BRIC:
BRIC provides federal funds for pre-disaster hazard mitigation activities that reduce future disaster costs, protect public infrastructure, and increase community resilience against natural hazards. This cycle prioritizes investment in construction-ready infrastructure projects and the adoption and enforcement of modern building codes, while limiting capability- and capacity-building activities to those directly tied to infrastructure.
BRIC Webinar Scheduled:
OEM will host a BRIC Webinar on April 17, which will include an overview of the NOFO, application tips, how to apply, and more information. Register for the webinar online.
EMPG FY25 Update
EMPG FY2025 funding is still on hold, but it's expected to be released soon. OEM continues to prepare for the EMPG FY2025 subrecipient program and plans to release the application Monday, April 6.
Applications will be due June 1 and the subrecipient program will run from August 1, 2026 through July 30, 2027.
Key Details:
- Subrecipients should submit applications to fund projects that will build emergency management program capacity. Find a list of recommended activities on our website.
- Funding amounts for subrecipients will be based on the project application and may not be in line with previous year's funding awards. We encourage programs that haven't received EMPG funding in the past to apply.
- Subrecipients will need to spend all funds from August 1, 2026 to July 30, 2027, so only projects that can be completed during that time will be approved.
- Emergency managers who rely on EMPG funding for salaries will be able to apply for EMPG funds this year, but will need to work with city or county leadership to plan for local funding moving forward.
Keep an eye out for the application notification and find updates about the EMPG FY2025 subrecipient program on our website.
OEM Staff Changes
Melissa Moore Moved to Public Assistance!
Melissa Moore has worked in OEM's resilience division since 2008 as OEM's residential safe room guru, but we're pleased to announce that Melissa is moving to the the public assistance division!
Melissa will still be assisting with closing out remaining residential safe room projects like SoonerSafe AND filling in on the duty officer desk when needed, but she will now be helping with recovery projects as well. She's learning the ropes now and we're confident she'll be up to speed in no time and ready to support applicants with their PA project troubles.
Melissa told us she decided to move to PA for a change of pace. "As I grow older, and especially as a grandmother now, I watch my grandchildren grow and learn something new each week. Now it’s my turn," she shared. "It’s time to get out of my same routine and learn something new as well. How can I grow as an OEM team member if I don’t ever get out of my comfort zone and learn something new?"
Please reach out to Melissa at melissa.moore@oem.ok.gov and wish her the best in her new role!
Andrei Novikov Promoted to Finance Officer!
Andrei Novikov joined the OEM finance and grants team as an accounting compliance analyst in August 2024 and has been an incredible asset to his team and the agency. Earlier this month, Andrei was promoted to Finance Officer, so he will now be responsible for batch payments, quarterly reports, P-card administration, and agency budget tracking.
When asked what he likes about working in OEM finance division, Andrei said he enjoys the people he works with and he likes solving complex problems in creative ways. We think that makes him a perfect fit for emergency management!
Andrei holds a degree in Business Administration from UCO and a degree in Law from the Moscow Law Institute. He also brings valuable knowledge and experience in accounts payable and receivable, financial reconciliations, and automation.
Congrats Andrei!
New Resilience Staff Starting Soon!
Keep an eye out for updates on our two new staff members joining the Resilience Division in April!
New Emergency Managers
Welcome new emergency management directors! Since December 11, 2025, the following emergency managers have submitted new director paperwork.
- Daniel Nixon, Marshall County Emergency Management Director
- Julie Louthan, Major County Emergency Management Director
- Todd Mayes, Nichols Hills Emergency Management Director
- Colter Sanders, Sayre Emergency Management Director
- Wesley Rhoses, Nicoma Park Emergency Management Director
- Chuck Kerns, Creek County Emergency Management Director
- Jason Junkens, Ponca City Emergency Management Director
- Heath Underwood, Muscogee Creek Nation Emergency Management Director
- Randy Poindexter, Kingfisher County Emergency Management Director
If we missed any newly appointed emergency managers from the last two months, please contact your regional coordinator to ensure they have your new director paperwork.
Find emergency management program contact information and more in the Community Profile Board on WebEOC.
Oklahoma Disaster Update
State EOC Activations
The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated for 55 days so far in 2026 for winter storms, severe weather, and most frequently, for wildfires. That includes eight days at Level 2, Partial Activation, and 46 days at Level 3, Increased Situational Awareness and Monitoring.
February & March Wildfires
In February and March, Oklahoma has been approved for nine Fire Management Assistance Grants. FMAGs may help reimburse local governments, volunteer fire departments and other first responders for costs associated with responding to the fires. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of state, local and tribal government eligible firefighting costs for the designated fires.
See the full list below.
March Severe Weather Events
Additionally, Oklahoma experienced severe weather on March 5, 6, and 10, which left more than 30 homes with some level of damage. Beggs, Tulsa, and Sayre public schools also experienced damages along with Tulsa Tech Peoria Campus. Damage assessment information collection is ongoing.
PA Payments for All Open Disasters by Month
OEM has paid out $9.7 million in FEMA Public Assistance dollars to applicants since January 2025. Additionally, OEM has paid more than $275,000 in state funds for 12.5 percent payments in 2025.
In 2025, OEM paid a total of $83 million in FEMA Public Assistance dollars and more than $1.4 million in state funds for 12.5 percent payments.
Upcoming Events
OFMA Spring Technical Workshop - April 7, 2026 in Tulsa
Oklahoma National Guard - Lightning Strike Exercise - April 13-15, 2026
BRIC Webinar - 10 a.m. April 17, 2026
FEMA National Emergency Management Basic Academy - Upcoming Courses
- L0105 Public Information Basics - April 28-30, 2026
- L0101 Foundations of Emergency Management - May 4-8, 2026
- L0105 Public Information Basics - June 22-24, 2026
- L0110 FEMA Basic Academy Train the Trainer - July 20-24, 2026
Stormwater Quality Technical Workshop - July 15, 2026 in Oklahoma City
