September 3, 2009
Six donations of $1000.00 each were awarded to six different First Responder Agencies who supported the Oklahoma Public Awareness Liaison program in 2009. The first award went to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Department. This department is greatly appreciated for attending the OPAL training in their area during 2009.  In the picture Brenda Hoefar, manager of Oklahoma Public Awareness Liaison presents $1000.00 to representatives of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Department. OPAL plans to continue these drawings at the end of the 2010 training year.

September 11, 2009
Valerie Tubbs, Program Manager for Oklahoma Public Awareness Liaison, presents a $1000 check to the Fountainhead Area Improvement Council Fire Department. This department was one of 6 Emergency Responder Agencies that were entered into a drawing for attending the OPAL Pipeline Safety Incident Response Training that was held in their area during 2009.

September 15, 2009
The Del City Police Department was one of 6 First Responder Agencies who won $1000.00 that attended the Pipeline Safety Training  conducted by Oklahoma Public Awareness Liaison  in 2009.  John Smith Assistant Chief and Phil Taylor Chief of Police for Del City accepted the check from Brenda Hoefar, Manager Oklahoma Public Awareness Liaison. OPAL member Oklahoma Natural Gas was represented by Jim Zmek during the check presentation.

September 21, 2009
Dale Graves of The Madill Fire Department, accompanied by Marvin Carpenter and Mike Edelen, receives a $1000 check from Brenda Hoefar, manager of Oklahoma Public Awarenss Liaison. The department was entered into the drawing for attending OPAL's Pipeline Safety Incident Response Training class. Each attendee was elgible to win and Mr. Graves' name was chosen.

September 25, 2009
Wichita Mountains Estates Fire Department: The check was presented to James Noyes, who was the firefighter who’s name was drawn in the drawing.  The Fire Chief’s name is Bob Martineaux.  Representatives were present from CenterPoint Energy Oklahoma Gas and Enogex Inc.

OPAL MISSION STATEMENT
In support of their commitment to damage prevention, Oklahoma Pipeline Operators joined together with Oklahoma One Call System (CALL OKIE) in early 2004 to form the Oklahoma Public Awareness Liaison (OPAL).

Our mission is to provide quality public awareness programs and compliance program management and documentation services to assist pipeline operators in the State of Oklahoma in meeting Federal and State pipeline regulatory compliance requirements concerning affected public, local and state emergency response and planning agencies, local public officials and governing councils, and excavators.

• The program is designed to educate everyone in the community about pipelines.
• OPAL introduces emergency responders, public officials, excavators and the affected public to the basics of pipeline recognition and encourages everyone to use the state one-call underground damage prevention program, Call Okie.
• The OPAL program also focuses on providing Oklahoma emergency responders and public officials with the information they need to protect our nation's critical assets and ensure the safety of the communities they serve.