Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) provided vital support to public schools within the Choctaw Nation Reservation to enhance their emergency response capabilities, particularly in the event of fuel and oil spills. The initiative focused on ensuring schools can handle spill-related emergencies by meeting environmental safety regulations.
“We were interested in serving a community with grant funds we had acquired, and schools on the reservation were a natural choice,” said Jeremy Noah, Environmental Specialist for CNO.
CNO conducted a comprehensive audit across 75 schools to determine emergency response needs within the reservation and evaluated their preparedness for such incidents. The audit specifically focused on the presence of aboveground fuel storage tanks and used oil drums while also assessing compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. Ensuring compliance with these regulations helps schools take the necessary precautions to prevent and mitigate environmental damage in the event of a spill.
Based on the findings of the audit, 52 schools received a variety of spill response equipment tailored to the specific needs of each school. These items included 5- and 95-gallon spill kits, dry absorbent, and spill containment pallets. Additionally, spill response guides have been created for each school to ensure staff and students know the proper procedures in case of an emergency.
“It is a relief for us, knowing we have the capacity to respond to spills,” said Sammy Drinkard, District Safety Coordinator and High School Principal for Hugo Schools. “With a response unit like this, it will be a relief to the school district, as spills can be a daunting task to mitigate.”
“We want to ensure that Choctaw Nation schools are well-prepared to handle fuel spill-related emergencies, protecting both the environment and the safety of students and staff,” said Noah. “Individuals in our office like Ryan Page, Environmental Coordinator for CNO, were a key component when conducting the audit and delivering supplies to schools. Our office truly understands the importance of servant leadership in our communities.”
If tribal members have any questions or concerns about environmental safety, including environmental regulations, best practices, and sustainability, they can email Environmental Compliance at [email protected].