March 4, 2023 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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Community 8 - The Elk City News March 4, 2023 Severe Weather’s Siren Song LI z Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka Oklahoma Department of Career and Technical Education Director, Brent Haken; WTC Assistant Superintendent, Penny By Landry Brewer the fire station’s downstairs communications center who Berry; Oklahoma State Representative, Nick Archer; WTC Business and Industry Services Director, Danny Britton; WTC With input from his team, the were also monitoring the Safety Instructor, Aaron Donaldson; WTC Safety Administrative Assistant, Cathy Carter; Oklahoma State Representa- man in charge at the fire sta- storm on a bank of computer tive, Anthony Moore; OneOK Plant Operations, Ethan Lough; OneOK Field Operations, Kyle Geheb; WTC Weatherford tion decides when the storm screens. Campus Director, Audie Corning; WTC Superintendent, Kathe Corning; and OkACTE Executive Director, Skye McNeil. sirens sound. ‘The Sayre storm included cir- Following Elk City Fire De- culation and was scheduled to EDMOND - At the annual Partners in more excited about future careers, better Chisholm Trail Milling partment guidelines and in arrive in Elk City quickly. So, Progress celebration on Tuesday, the Okla- equipped for the workforce, better em- Cleveland County Wellness Square, a.k.a. consultation with the ECFD after getting storm informa- homa Association of Career and Technol- ployees for future employers, and better “The Well” Storm Watch Team, Fire tion from Stone and the guys ogy Education (OkACTE) and Oklahoma contributors as citizens and taxpayers for Comanche County Memorial Hospital Chief Kyle Chervenka deter- downstairs, Chervenka blast- Association of Technology Centers (OATC) our communities and state,” said Oklaho- Council on Law Enforcement Education mines when to activate the ed the sirens. presented awards to some of Oklahoma ma Department of Career and Technology and Training (CLEET) City’s storm sirens to warn When the storm sirens are ac- CareerTech’s most valued industry part- Education director Brent Haken. the public of dangerously se- tivated, they sound for three Flogistix vere weather. minutes. Then, they're usu- ners. The 27 businesses were recognized For over 100 years, Oklahoma CareerTech Freymiller Chervenka can activate all ally re-activated at least once for making outstanding contributions to has connected students and businesses Halliburton - Duncan Manufacturing & 25 of the City’s sirens from more for another three min- the improvement, promotion, develop- with training opportunities that help Maintenance Center his cell phone, or they can be utes. ment and progress of career and technol- Oklahomans find rewarding careers and Hughes County Commissioner District 2 activated from one of three According to ECED policy, no ogy centers in Oklahoma. support Oklahoma industries. In 2023, INTEGRIS Health locations inside the Elk City “all-clear” siren blast is given “Workforce is the number one issue right 446,940 students were enrolled, and 6,671 K&C Manufacturing Inc Fire Station—the chief's of- when tornadic storms have companies were served by CareerTech. Madewell & Madewell, Inc now for businesses across the nation, and fice, the dispatch room, and passed. Oklahoma is no exception. Each of the Oklahoma's CareerTech system is known Midwest City Chamber of Commerce the basement. “The storm sirens are built for companies and organizations we recog- for being nimble and flexible in order to If he's off duty and unavail- outside warning, so people in- National Standard able, the responsibility falls side their homes should mon- nized as Partners in Progress has worked serve local business and is often used as a Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College closely with their technology center to model at the national level to demonstrate to the next in command at itor severe weather on televi- Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association the fire station. sion, local radio, or weather solve a local workforce problem,” said how CareerTechs should partner with in- and Oklahoma Restaurant Association When the sirens sound, that apps,” Chervenka said. OKACTE executive director Skye McNiel. dustry. OneOk means a high potential for an -More- “These partnerships are prime examples “The 2023 Partners in Progress award imminent tornado exists. Chervenka encourages locals of how our CareerTech system helps fuel recipients represent the many diverse Polyvision Sometimes the decision to ac- to continue monitoring se- Oklahoma's economy, working hand in industries across our state, including Sheriff Tommie Johnson III and the Okla~ tivate the sirens is clear cut. vere weather conditions on hand with industry to ensure the tech cen- manufacturing, law enforcement, health- homa County Sheriff’s Office “When the National Weather their ters are providing the right training solu- care, energy, transportation and trucking, South Central Industries Service in Norman issues a phones or other electronic de- tions to help Oklahomans get hired and to food processing, higher education, and T.H. Rogers Lumber Company tornado warning for Elk City, vices from inside their storm help local businesses find the skilled work- municipal and tribal governments. The Trucks For You we sound the sirens,” Cher- shelter so they know when force they need to be successful.” companies recognized today range from Vantage Associates venka said. the tornado threat has ended, Among attendees were Oklahoma legisla- smaller startups in our business incuba- Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Other times, like during the and they may safely emerge. tors, technology center superintendents tor programs to companies that have been at round of severe thunder- He also encourages the public storms that brought torna- to follow the Elk City Fire & and leaders and representatives from About OkACTE established for more than 50 years,” said does to several western Okla~ EMS Facebook page and Twit- the recognized companies. Each award McNiel. “To me, this list demonstrates OKACTE jis the professional association homa locations on February ter account. The ECFD shares recipient has demonstrated their com- why CareerTech truly is the number one for the state's CareerTech administra- 26, Chervenka must use his other storm-related informa- mitment to progressing career technical workforce solution for any company or or- tors, teachers and staff members. ODCTE judgment. tion on those social media education through their partnerships with ganization in our state.” provides leadership and resources to the ‘The fire chief communicated sites, like local hail size. CareerTech and through commendable ‘The 2023 honorees at CareerTech System of nearly 4300 public during those storms with Elk City's storm sirens are obligation to workforce excellence and Altus Air Force Base Fire and Emergency school districts, 29 technology centers storm spotter Terry Stone— tested every Saturday at education in their community. Services with 59 campus sites, 13 skills centers in who was west of town moni- noon, except during severe “The support that these businesses show Ascension St. John Jane Phillips correctional facilities and 28 adult learn- toring a tornadic storm near weather, all year. Saturday our technology centers allows our stu- Automotive Industries ing centers with 52 sites. For more infor- Sayre that was moving this di- siren testing will continue dents to be more successful in school, Carter County Sheriff's Office mation about OkACTE, visit OkKACTE.org. rection extremely fast—and throughout storm season, the radar-trained firemen in weather permitting. Washita DAR Washita Chapter NSDAR met pleting the Leadership Train-the morale and courage of the February 3, 2023 at the Café ing courses and reminded men. They would march in Clinton. The meeting was chapters of the deadline for front of formations as they en- opened by the Regent Kay applications to the new -DAR tered battle. Today, bands are Hagerman, assisted by the American Revolution Legacy no longer involved in armed Chaplain. ‘The group partici- Grant Program. These grants conflict, but do continue to pated in The Pledge of Alle- offer PreK-16 teachers and ad- inspire troops through son or hymn that represents the indi- giance, The American's Creed, ministrators funds to support vidual histories and traditions a Patriotic song, The Preamble educational initiatives or stu- of American's Armed Forces.” to the Constitution, and Salute dent programs. Looking back in the history of to the Flag of Oklahoma. The National Defense Report Daughter of the American Rev- The President General's mes- given by Hagerman on mili- olution we find Dr. Anita New- tary songs. Each branch of the sage, given by Ellena Wom- US. Armed Forces maintains comb McGee, who was an orga- ack, thanked the chapters for it own military marching band nizing member of the National their response in submitting Society. She was educated in to inspire troops and preserve yearly reports and their ac- Washington, D.C, took courses tradition. “ At one time bands complishments for 2022. She were an integral element on in colleges overseas, and grad- encouraged members in com- the battlefield—to encourage uated from what is now George G RMC-%e ~~ Care Clinic Washita Chapter NSDAR members at the George Washington Luncheon on February 18,2023. The luncheon was held at the Oklahoma Christian University. Attending left to right Marci Grant, Lu Eisler, Linda Stewart, Ellena Womack, Carol Ann Batterton, Nancy Lisle and Besty. Washington University in had to be graduates of a recog- and delegates to the State and onveniently Washington, D.C. with a degree nized training school and be National Conferences were in medicine. When the United between the ages of 30 and 50. chosen. States declared war on Spain, ‘The were required to provide ‘The meeting was closed with in 1898, she discussed a roster character recommendations the group participation in The Located, Open 7 of approved nurses with the and take an oath of allegiance Daughter's Pledge. Surgeon General of the Army, to the United States. The DAR Those attending were: Kay General George M. Sternberg. Hospital Corps certified 1,081 Hagerman, Doris Minor, Deb- Dr. McGee was appointed the thoroughly trained women director of the DAR Hospital for service at the front”. “ The ra Lippencott, Marci Grant, Corps. It was the only organi- Army Nurse Corps is the living Linda Stewart, Phyliss Steven- Days a Week zation providing Army nurses at that time. DAR screened applications and along with assistant directors examined legacy of this non-nurse pio- son, Ellena Womack, Deborah neer of Army nursing,” Lu Eisler gave the Patriot Re- cords Report and told the story Whinery, Carol Ann Batter- ton, Marilyn Wilson, April Miller, Robetha Fariss, Kath- more than 5,000 applications of the story from one of the ryn Harrison, Evelyn Hart, Lu (580) 303-5890 - 404 S. Eastern, Elk City sent in by nurses from across the nation. To qualify, “nurses records.... Committee Reports were given Eisler and Prospective Member Betty Schumacher