STATE OF OKLAHOMA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

J. KEVIN STITT GOVERNOR
 
TIM TIPTON COMMISSIONER
 
TO: Mark Gower, Director Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEM)

FROM: Tim Tipton, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Tim Rhodes, Director of Administration, Oklahoma Corporation Commission

DATE:    Monday, February 27, 2023

SUBJECT:    Response to OEM Request regarding Emergency Preparedness and Response for Severe Weather Event

As DPS Commissioner, I am in receipt of your request regarding the severe weather event beginning on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Specifically, by the power vested in the Director of OEM pursuant to 63 O.S. § 683.8, you request the following: 

1. The decision by the DPS Commissioner to declare an emergency and grant relief from the maximum driving time within a work period for rural electric cooperatives, public utilities, public service corporations or municipal employees for providing service to restore facilities that are necessary to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public.
2. Exemption of the federal requirements under Parts 390 through 399 pursuant to Part 390.23 of Title 49 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations.

Pursuant to 47 O.S. § 230.15, for the severe weather beginning Sunday, February 26, 2023, I am declaring an emergency and granting relief from the maximum driving time allowed within a work period for the entities specifically set forth in your request.

Furthermore, as contemplated in Title 49 CFR Part 390.23, the Director of OEM, pursuant to the power vested by the Governor of Oklahoma, is a state government official having authority to declare an emergency and waive Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49. As DPS Commissioner, I concur with this waiver and the limitations of the waiver as set forth in your request.

These actions will remain in effect from February 26, 2023, 6:00 a.m., until 11:59 p.m. CST on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

Tim Tipton
Commissioner