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June 30, 1999
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact Jennifer Grover or Bruce McIntosh at PCA (847) 966-6200.
FEMA, Local Homebuilder & Others Announce Initiative to Provide Safe Rooms to Oklahomans
Government officials and homebuilders announced at a press conference on June 30, in Oklahoma City, a joint effort to make safe rooms and tornado-safe homes available to the residents of Oklahoma. Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM), the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and Oklahoma City homebuilder Heartland Homes explained how homeowners can include a concrete safe room in their home to protect their families from tornadoes.
In response to tornadoes that caused damage to more than 7,000 homes in early May, a public-private partnership has been formed to make safe rooms economical and readily available. The partnership is made up of state and federal government agencies, local homebuilders and contractors, and national associations. While FEMA currently offers a booklet with plans for various safe rooms, the latest plans were developed in conjunction with the Skokie, Ill.-based Portland Cement Association (PCA). The safe room design uses a new wall system called insulating concrete forms (ICFs). ICFs are forms made of polystyrene that are stacked like blocks and then filled with concrete to create a solid structure. A safe room is a small, windowless room that is completely enclosed in concrete; safe rooms can be built as part of a new home or can be added to existing homes.
"With a safe room, you have a concrete space within your home that will resist tornado forces, 250 mph winds and wind-blown debris," said Lionel Lemay, director of residential programs for PCA. James Lee Witt, Director of FEMA, said: "The safe rooms built in the home… are much more accessible. I would encourage people to look at these very closely. Safe rooms save a life and save your family."
Heartland Homes, Oklahoma's second-largest homebuilder and part of the concrete safe room initiative, announced that it has incorporated safe rooms into several model homes currently under construction, and will offer concrete safe rooms in every home it builds. The safe rooms were designed by Polysteel of Oklahoma, an ICF distributor.
Representatives of FEMA, ODCEM, PCA, ORMCA, Heartland Homes, Polysteel of Oklahoma, and numerous other ICF distributors and contractors were available for interviews at the press conference. A safe room model was constructed for viewing.
Contacts
Bob James, ORMCA: (405) 524-6762 or (877) 596-7622
Jenni Grover, PCA: (847) 966-6200; mobile (773) 368-3074
Lionel Lemay, PCA: (847) 966-6200; mobile (847) 922-7995
Dave Osborn, Heartland Homes: (405) 840-0434
Mike Garrett, Polysteel of Oklahoma: (800) 765-9785
FEMA Safe Room Hotline: (800) 996-OKLA
Ben Frizzell, ODCEM: (405) 590-0112
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