Guthrie accepts application for $928,418 emergency-management training grant, council OKs city match plan

The Guthrie City Council on Feb. 25 unanimously approved acceptance of an Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) grant application that would provide up to $928,418 to build a multi‑jurisdictional disciplinary training center that could double as an off‑site dispatch center.

Anthony Gibbs, presenting on behalf of public safety staff, said the grant is a 50% matching award and that the city’s immediate match would be about $315,000 in the current fiscal year with additional matching dollars required in later years if the city draws the full award. Gibbs said the city currently anticipates contributing roughly $630,000 toward the project if future budget allocations permit; anything beyond the amounts budgeted for the current fiscal year would require separate council approval.

Gibbs said the facility would allow training for 30 to 50 students — including space for defensive‑tactics mats and audiovisual systems — and would provide redundancy for dispatching if city hall or primary systems are compromised. Gibbs and other staff discussed alternatives such as renovating the existing armory but said retrofitting that structure would be cost‑prohibitive because of interior structural walls, plumbing and ADA upgrades.

Council members asked about where the facility might be built. Gibbs said the city has identified several potential city‑owned sites; staff favor a location closer to town for accessibility and for ISO (insurance‑service‑office) rating considerations but said the firing‑range property’s infrastructure (roads, water) is not sufficient without upgrades. Councilmembers also discussed whether the training center could be integrated with the planned second fire station; staff said the grant cannot be used for fire‑station construction but that combining functions might be considered once the new fire station’s site and design are further developed.

Gibbs read the grant total aloud to the council: $928,418.20. He said Chief Swager (police chief) and Chief Lawson (fire) are in discussions about possible departmental participation and about applying unused funds from a prior fire training project toward this facility.

Staff told the council the grant application requests the maximum award; if the city cannot provide the full match in future years staff will either amend the award or not draw remaining funds. The council voted to accept the grant award application and to allow staff to proceed with matching‑fund plans subject to future budget approvals.