Cherokee County has a wide range of first responders who are prepared to take action in times of emergency , crisis or disaster . There are two ambulance services , close to a dozen fire departments , and several law enforcement agencies that can be on the scene when urgent situations arise . Several law enforcement agencies are also on patrol 24 / 7 . |
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Cherokee County 911 |
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The Cherokee County 911 emergency response system was approved by voters and formed in 1994 . The county ’ s 911 nine-member trust authority was chosen by county commissioners in 1995 , and in 1996 , mapping and readdressing of the county began . The county ’ s 911 office also gives addressing information , so if new to the area , or moving from one location to another , call the 911 office at 918-458-6513 , or visit 914 S . College Avenue . Alisha Felts is the county ’ s 911 coordinator .
Ambulance Services
Northeastern Health System and the Cherokee Nation have ambulance services that respond to emergency and nonemergency calls in Cherokee County . Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Service became the first tribal in the U . S . to achieve accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services .
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Fire Departments
Cherokee County has several rural fire departments , and many are operated by volunteer firefighters who perform fire suppression and
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other related emergency services . The City of Tahlequah has two fire stations : one downtown , and another in the Southridge community . The Tahlequah department is led by Chief Casey Baker .
Law Enforcement
There are several law enforcement agencies patrolling Cherokee County and its communities , such as the Tahlequah and Hulbert Police Departments , Northeastern State University campus police , Cherokee County Sheriff ’ s Office , the Grand River Dam Authority , and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service . State and federal agencies include the Oklahoma Highway Patrol ; Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation ; the Federal Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives ; the U . S . Marshals Service ; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation , which also assist with local investigations .
Emergency Operations Center
Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management officials keep watch
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over Oklahoma ’ s weather – a fierce ice storm , or strong thunderstorms that might spawn tornadoes . Tahlequah and Hulbert have severe weather sirens . Mike Underwood is the Tahlequah-Cherokee County EM |
director , and volunteers act as storm spotters for the EM office . The University Center basement at NSU is the only public shelter in Tahlequah .
PAGE 23 COMPILED BY KERI THORNTON
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