Red Ribbon Week Community Safety Programs – Temple and Big Pasture Public Schools

By Lori Hedges

Cotton County Emergency Management, in cooperation with the Cotton County Sheriff’s Office, conducted two successful Red Ribbon Week programs at Temple Public School and Big Pasture Public School on October 28 and 29, 2025.

These events combined drug-free awareness, personal safety, and emergency preparedness education for students and staff. Cotton County Emergency Management distributed and discussed weather and fire safety flyers, emphasizing severe weather preparedness, local emergency operations procedures, and what actions students should take during a severe weather event.

The program also incorporated the D.A.R.E. initiative, reinforcing the importance of healthy choices and safety awareness.

We were honored to have a number of agencies participate as guest speakers, including:

• Cotton County Emergency Management
• Cotton County Sheriff’s Office
• Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
• Air Evac Lifeteam EMS
• Kirk’s EMS

Each partner provided valuable safety insights to students, faculty, and staff. The overarching message throughout both events was simple yet vital: Safety First.

Cotton County Emergency Management extends sincere appreciation to Temple Public School, Big Pasture Public School, and our partner agencies for their continued commitment to community education and public safety. Together, we are building a safer, more resilient Cotton County.