Oklahoma City and Tulsa Metropolitan Medical Response System

The tragic loss of lives on September 11 followed by the Anthrax contaminations reinforced the need for work already underway through the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS). Through leadership from the Medical Director for the Medical Control Board and EMSA, Oklahoma City and Tulsa have been the beneficiaries of nearly $1.5 million dollars in funding to prepare for nuclear, chemical or bioterrorism. The two Oklahoma cities were among the second wave of cities invited in 1999 to participate in the federally funded program for Metropolitan Medical Response. Many of the requirements of the contract have already been met under the capable guidance of Michael Murphy, a 23 year paramedic with 12 years of management experience with EMSA. Among the plans completed or underway are a Development Plan, MMRS System Plan, Forward Movement of Patients Plan, Pre-hospital Response Plan, a Biological Incident Plan, a Hospital Response Plan, a Training Plan and an Equipment and Pharmaceutical Plan. Coordinated planning between the two cities bring the added benefit of seamless sharing of personnel between both ends of the turnpike should a disaster impact one rather than both communities.