City officials discuss long-term recovery efforts for residents impacted by wildfires

Yahoo

27-03-2025

As Stillwater transitions from short-term recovery to long-term recovery, Stillwater Development Services Director David Barth said the department is ready to help homeowners with demolition and rebuilding.
If a home is within City limits or within a half-mile of City limits, the department will be available to help with the rebuilding process, Barth said at Monday's City Council meeting.
The department has streamlined a process of three steps to demolish a structure affected by the fires and to follow City codes in rebuilding.
Barth said the team also met with two communities across the U.S. who have been similarly affected by wildfires to learn how to 'facilitate rebuilding our community.'
A dedicated webpage for future emergencies, created by Chief Public Affairs Officer Dawn Dodson and her team can be found at stillwaterok.gov/wildfires. The website will be updated in case of other emergencies, such as flooding or tornadoes, said Stillwater Emergency Management Agency Director Rob Hill.
Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski said she hung out with helpers in the community last week.
'They've showed up in such huge ways,' Dzialowski said. 'I'm always so proud to be a part of the Stillwater community, and this week even more.'
Supplies were donated at the Stillwater Amory, The American Red Cross, the Multi-Agency Resource Center and through the community network.
Approximately 200 people affected by the wildfires visited the Stillwater Armory, including those living in trailers, campers, family homes and single family homes.
The American Red Cross shelter officially closed 4 p.m. Monday, and all residents staying there had assistance from a shelter resident transition specialist to move to their next living option, Dzialowski said.
The Stillwater Armory will remain open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Specific donations needed include new pillows and pillowcases, cell phone chargers and phone charging blocks, gallon-sized Ziplock bags, canned food, plastic tubs and gift cards.
Those in need may continue to email [e-mail] and note NEED in the subject line.
Dzialowski said 42 families had found help by emailing the City, along with 24 families through the Stillwater Public Schools survey. More than 600 emails were received from people wanting to volunteer or donate.
Monetary donations will be accepted at www.unitedwaypaynecounty.org. A disaster allocation committee will oversee the equal allocation of funds.
'This committee will consist of 11 to 13 members that are representative across the community, with different organizations and those impacted by the fires,' Dzialowski said. 'We want the community and donors to know that every effort is being made in the process to ensure due diligence and to honor the donor's intent.
'I have seen deep grief and sadness in our community this last week met with overwhelming love and support. Families that we have met with feel you wrapped around them big, Stillwater. Thank you.'
Dzialowski thanked Stillwater Area Sports Association Director Carolyn Walstad, City staff, Our Daily Bread Executive Director Rachael Condley, Alliance for Therapy Dogs and Grand Mental Health, United Way of Payne County Director Ruth Cavins and Becky Taylor for their assistance in recovery efforts and donations.
'From the bottom of our hearts, (we're grateful) for the City employees,' City Councilor Christie Hawkins said, ticking off a list of departments. '...The task that was before our city that Friday and how we responded, and how we have responded since then ... I've never been so proud to live in Stillwater.'
Councilor Kevin Clark said the response from residents is 'who our community is.'
'It's a giving and caring community who step up when we need to,' Clark said. 'The staff have been exemplary in every possible way.'
Councilor Tim Hardin said driving around Stillwater the next day after the fires revealed the difference between a fire and a tornado.
'After a tornado, your stuff gets thrown around, but you might find it again,' Hardin said. 'With a fire, there's nothing left. I mean, it's absolutely gone. And that was just a total new realization to me what a disaster really looks like. Again, thank you to all City staff, all the responders.'
Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce said he's keeping a running list of people who stepped up whom he wants to thank in a meaningful way.
'It's a huge list,' he said.
Joyce said the City will be in discussions about the event and what they can do to better prepare the community for disasters like this.
'I think we as a community will be talking about a lot over the coming months and years,' Joyce said. '(It's) a long way to go from here. There's a lot of work still to be done.'