Relationship of Trust Enhances Life-Saving Capabilities on the Osage Nation
Key Highlights
- ➤MPL grant funded two swiftwater rescue boats, trailer, and utility terrain vehicle
- ➤Ozark pipeline crosses approximately 29 miles of the Osage Nation
- ➤Four police officers are completing training, bringing qualified responders to six
- ➤MPL and Osage Nation Emergency Management will conduct simulated incident-response training
Expert Statements
Bobby Tallchief, Director of Osage Nation Emergency Management
“Osage County has multiple areas of concern during heavy rainfall with more than 30 low water crossings and multiple lakes and creeks, and our western border is the Arkansas River”
Bobby Tallchief, Director of Osage Nation Emergency Management
“Swiftwater rescue is a much needed but often unfilled niche in the rescue world”
Bobby Tallchief, Director of Osage Nation Emergency Management
“The boats' maneuverability and small size are their key benefits. The UTV has heat and air conditioning to provide a place for individuals to recover after rescue, and it will help with shuttling equipment and personnel to targeted areas.”
Bobby Tallchief, Director of Osage Nation Emergency Management
“We have received requests for assistance multiple times in the past from our neighboring tribes. We now have a unique set of skills and equipment available.”
Wyatt Kintner, Lead Emergency Preparedness Professional at MPLX
“The relationship we have in place with ONEM is one of trust and mutual respect”
Wyatt Kintner, Lead Emergency Preparedness Professional at MPLX
“The swiftwater resources will help ensure that local first responders can quickly support the public and also assist MPLX in a time-critical emergency. The ONEM team will save lives with this equipment.”
Bobby Tallchief, Director of Osage Nation Emergency Management
“Without the substantial contribution from Marathon Pipe Line, this endeavor would not have been possible. We look forward to assisting our communities in need.”
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 9, 2026 / Deadly flooding in central Texas during the summer of 2025 prompted assistance from other states, including emergency responders that serve the Osage Nation in northeastern Oklahoma. This experience focused their attention on the need for swiftwater rescue equipment for flood-prone areas of the Osage Nation, which forms Oklahoma's largest county with roughly 2,300 square miles.
"Osage County has multiple areas of concern during heavy rainfall with more than 30 low water crossings and multiple lakes and creeks, and our western border is the Arkansas River," said Osage Nation Emergency Management (ONEM) Director Bobby Tallchief. Alphabetic characters from the Osage language that form the phrase, rescuing them from the water, representing the Osage Nation Swiftwater Rescue Team.
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