Tri County Tech Names City of Bartlesville 2025 Partner in Progress
Tri County Tech is proud to recognize the City of Bartlesville as its 2025 Partner in Progress, celebrating a strong and evolving partnership dedicated to enhancing public safety training and fostering community engagement across the region. This milestone marks years of strategic collaboration, including the establishment of a Bartlesville Police Department substation located on Tri County Tech’s campus. Just east of the main building, the substation features offices, classrooms, a workout facility, and specialized training spaces including a MILO simulator and a defensive tactics area. This state-of-the-art facility supports the training of both new recruits and current law enforcement personnel while strengthening public safety services on the east side of Bartlesville. In 2024, this partnership led to the launch of Tri County Tech’s first-ever Basic Peace Officer Certification Academy, made possible through the leadership and instructional support of Bartlesville Police Department staff.
“Our partnership with Tri County Tech has vastly expanded the training capabilities for the Bartlesville Police Department and the Bartlesville Fire Department. We can now offer vital training to our public safety personnel, including prospective law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel in our surrounding communities and the state. With Tri County Tech, we are able to offer high-quality learning opportunities close to home.”
Mike Bailey, City Manager
Another impactful partnership component is Tri County Tech’s Rescue Training Tower, a valuable resource for local and regional first responder training. “TCT has given us an avenue to provide firefighter training locally instead of sending firefighters across the state to obtain training; this allows us to train more firefighters in advanced firefighting or rescue techniques,” said H.C. Hall, Fire Chief. The Bartlesville Fire Department plays an active role in the tower’s success, serving on advisory boards, teaching as adjunct faculty, and helping coordinate advanced rescue training.
Beyond emergency services, the City of Bartlesville has also used Tri County Tech’s facilities to host stakeholder meetings focused on the development of Endeavor 2045, the city’s comprehensive strategic plan aimed at shaping the future of Bartlesville.
“Congratulations to the City of Bartlesville on being honored with the Partner in Progress award! Your dedication to education and your unwavering support of Tri County Tech exemplify what a true community partnership looks like. We are proud to work together to expand training for emergency responders, firefighters, and law enforcement officers, and we sincerely appreciate your continued commitment to campus safety through our School Resource Officer collaboration. Thank you for helping our students thrive and being an outstanding Partner in Progress.”
Dr. Tammie Strobel, superintendent and CEO of Tri County Tech
The relationship between Tri County Tech and the City of Bartlesville continues to set a high standard for what’s possible when education and municipal leadership unite. Their joint efforts not only support current professionals but also inspire and prepare the next generation of public safety leaders. To learn more about the Training offered at Tri County Tech, visit TriCountyTech.edu/Training.
About Tri County Tech
We’re one of Oklahoma’s first CareerTech schools and have a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development since 1967. Our devotion to each other, our students, and the life-changing learning we provide fuels our pursuit of excellence. We call this the “Tri County Way.” We have locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, Oklahoma. Tri County Tech is part of the Oklahoma CareerTech system, which offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts and operates on 59 campuses across the state. CareerTech plays a vital role in developing a world-class workforce for Oklahoma employers and prepares Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace, in education, and in life.
*Tri County Tech Superintendent & CEO, Dr. Tammie Strobel presents Mike Bailey, Bartlesville City Manager with the OKACTE Partners in Progress 2025 award. Photo provided by Nikki LeGrand, Tri County Tech. Pictured left to right: Mike Moore, Vice President of TCT Board; Mike Bailey, Bartlesville City Manager; Dr. Tammie Strobel, TCT Superintendent & CEO; Laura Sanders, Bartlesville Assistant City Manager.