Haste Advances Measure to Strengthen Oklahoma’s Emergency Response Infrastructure

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, is advancing House Bill 3831, a measure to formally establish Oklahoma Task Force 1 as the state’s official urban search and rescue team, ensuring long-term support and readiness as the legislation now moves to the next stage of the legislative process.

House Bill 3831 places Oklahoma Task Force 1 in statute as the state’s primary deployable search and rescue asset, creating a clear operational framework to support coordination, funding, and sustained preparedness for large-scale emergencies.

Haste, the Senate author of the measure, said the legislation reflects a proactive approach to protecting Oklahoma communities as the state continues to grow.

“Effective emergency response doesn’t start when disaster strikes — it starts long before,” Haste said. “This measure ensures Oklahoma Task Force 1 has the structure, support, and recognition necessary to respond quickly, operate effectively, and protect lives when it matters most.”

Oklahoma Task Force 1 is a highly trained, multi-agency team that responds to natural disasters and complex emergency situations both in Oklahoma and across the country. The team plays a critical role in search and rescue operations, disaster response coordination, and recovery efforts.

Haste said formally establishing the task force in state law strengthens Oklahoma’s overall emergency response system and reinforces the state’s commitment to preparedness.

“As Oklahoma continues to expand, so does the responsibility to ensure our emergency response capabilities keep pace,” he stated. “This is about building a system that is coordinated, reliable, and ready to respond at the highest level — no matter the circumstance.”

House Bill 3831 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

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