History Highlights

Highlights of the Michael 4 Safety From the time that Michael died in 1993, which traumatically showcased the dangers of oil and gas equipment to Bill & Ellen Jenkins, there have been: • 5 children injured (ranging in ages from 9-16 years old), and • 24 deaths (ranging in ages from 9-19 years old).

These are the deaths that Bill and Ellen have learned through newspaper articles and library research. If you have a loved one whose death or injury is not listed in this document, please contact Ellen Jenkins via email at ejen531482@sbcglobal.net.

From the time Michael died, Bill & Ellen Jenkins have put their energy into educating children on the dangers of oil and gas equipment and advocating the importance of safety through State regulatory agencies and non-profit organizations with mission aligning with safety.

In 2004, Michael’s parents applied and were granted a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization status for the Michael 4 Safety program.

Michael’s parents lobbied for a bill that would heighten awareness of safety issues around oil and gas equipment and found willing representatives in Congressman Frank Davis and Senator Helen Cole who ensured House Bill #2571 passed and Governor David Walter signed.

Oklahoma House Bill 2571 became effective requiring owner/operators of crude oil storage tanks to utilize one of three safety options, and then became the “Michael Allen Jenkins” Law on May 16, 2005.

From a Farm Safety 4 Just Kids seminar that Bill & Ellen Jenkins attended in Plainview Texas in 1994, they advocated a similar program in Oklahoma. With the help of the State Firefighters Association, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, the Farm Bureau, & Phil Blackburn with Texaco, they began teaching Farm Safety Camps in 1998. They have reached thousands of youth through Farm Safety Camps in many Oklahoma towns: Enid: 182 Farm Safety Camps, 2 assemblies and a TV Program called “For Your Own Safety” Alva: 46 Blanchard: 8 Cordell: 2 assemblies Fairview: 48 Guthrie: 7 Hillsdale: 8 & 2 assemblies Kellyville: 16 Maud: 8 Oklahoma City: 15 Stillwater: 16 Stilwell: 16 Taloga: 8 Tulsa: 5 Yukon: 8 Watonga: 1 training program They also participated in Safety exhibits at Community Fairs and safety events throughout the state over many years.

They developed a Coloring book for children to teach safety in a fun way. Since development, the coloring book has been converted into an interactive web-based activity listed on websites that include: Oklahoma Safe Kids, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Farm Safety Just 4 Kids, and of course Michael 4 Safety.

Michael’s parents encouraged the Oklahoma Safe Kids Coalition to write letters to all the Oklahoma schools encouraging them to obtain a safety video produced and distributed by the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB). The first year, 33% of the 1800 letters resulted in schools requesting videos…the second year over 300 of the 1100 schools responded.