Governing Principle
In Texas, we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, and Texans can be assured that no state is more prepared than ours to handle the full spectrum of threats, including man-made and natural disasters.
Our emergency response team in Texas is second to none, an effort that speaks to the dedication and abilities of our emergency planners, the courage of those who willingly head into danger while everyone else flees, and the essential generosity of our citizens.
The strength of Texas' proven ability to prevent, protect, respond and recover from distasters is a result of leveraging local elected officials (mayors and county judges). There are 3 individuals responsible for the safety of the citizens of the State of Texas: the Governor, the county judge and the mayor. The asset of well-equiped, highly trained first responders protect and support their communities.
Highlights
» Under Governor Perry’s leadership, Texas has adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which provides a standard operational picture to manage incidents effectively for local, state and federal governments.
» More than 1,300 multi-agency emergency exercises have been conducted in Texas since 2002 to test emergency plans, procedures, training, equipment and facilities and identify necessary improvements.
» Multi Agency Command Structures have been established in communities across the state to improve communication and coordination during times of disaster.
» Working with local officials and health care associations, Texas has established a system to identify people with and without disabilities who have access or functional needs during evacuations, their categories of medical needs, and the types of transportation and sheltering these individuals require. Using a point-to-point sheltering system, vehicles are assigned to designated host communities, and the state can track critical these vehicles via GPS as they evacuate.
» Based on lessons learned from Hurricane Rita, Governor Perry has fostered greater cooperation between the state and private sector. A Fuel Team comprised of representatives from the refining, supply, terminal and transportation sectors coordinates fueling increases in both evacuation areas and evacuation routes. The state has also leveraged partner distribution systems at Wal-Mart, HEB, Home Depot and others to provide ice, water, prescription medicine, food, clothing and emergency materials.
» Texas does not wait for the storm to hit before evacuation orders are recommended to local officials. Before the 2008 Hurricane Season, contra-flow plans for major highways were examined, and procedures were developed to determine the optimum timing to implement contra-flow in order to improve the success of evacuations. Additionally, comfort stations have been established along evacuation routes to provide assistance to evacuees should their vehicles become disabled.
» The Rapid Response Task Force assists local jurisdictions with continuity of operations, including Immediate Mass Care, Health and Medical, Search and Rescue, and Communications functions.
» The Public Works Strike Team supports an impacted jurisdiction, providing assistance with assessments of critical infrastructure such as water/wastewater facilities, storm drains, bridges, building inspections and generator installations.
Related Content
April 27, 2011 - Governor Rick Perry - Governor's Message on Disaster Preparedness
April 27, 2011 - Major General John Nichols - Texas Military Forces - Texas National Guard
April 28, 2011 - Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Division of Emergency Management
News & Announcements
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Thursday, January 26, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
Gov. Perry Renews Proclamation Extending Wildfire Emergency
Gov. Rick Perry has renewed a proclamation extending wildfire emergency due to extreme fire hazard posing a threat of imminent disaster in 105 specified counties in Texas. The proclamation directs necessary resources be made available to aid response efforts. -
Thursday, January 26, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
Gov. Perry Renews Proclamation Extending Drought Emergency
Gov. Rick Perry has renewed a proclamation extending drought emergency for all 254 counties due to the ongoing exceptional drought conditions across the state. The proclamation directs necessary resources be made available to aid response efforts and notes the ongoing strain on water resources. -
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
Gov. Perry Again Renews Proclamation Extending Wildfire and Drought Emergency
Gov. Rick Perry has again renewed a proclamation extending wildfire and drought emergency for all 254 counties due to the ongoing threat of wildfires across the state. The proclamation directs necessary resources be made available to aid response efforts and notes the ongoing strain on water resources. -
Monday, December 19, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Gov. Perry Activates State Resources as Winter Storm Threatens Texas Communities
Gov. Rick Perry has activated Texas Military Forces (TMF) personnel and equipment as a precautionary measure as a severe winter storm threatens communities in the Texas Panhandle. These resources will be used to provide assistance as necessary on roadways as the storm makes its way through the area. -
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Gov. Perry: Expanded Disaster Declaration Provides Much-Needed Relief for Communities Impacted by Wildfires
Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted the state's repeated request to expand its major disaster declaration to include 119 counties eligible for wildfire assistance, and extend the incident period from April 6, 2011, through August 29, 2011. The original declaration issued by FEMA on July 1, 2011, covered wildfires between April 6, 2011, and May 3, 2011, and only included 45 counties. -
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
State of Texas Again Renews Proclamation Extending Wildfire and Drought Emergency
The State of Texas has again renewed a proclamation extending wildfire and drought emergency for all 254 counties due to the ongoing threat of wildfires across the state. The proclamation directs necessary resources be made available to aid response efforts and notes the ongoing strain on water resources. -
Monday, October 31, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
Gov. Perry Renews Proclamation Extending Wildfire and Drought Emergency
Gov. Rick Perry has renewed a proclamation extending wildfire and drought emergency for all 254 counties due to the ongoing threat of wildfires across the state. The proclamation directs necessary resources be made available to aid response efforts and notes the ongoing strain on water resources. -
Monday, October 03, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Noteworthy
Infographic: Wildfire Impact on Texas
Statistics and photographs can convey some of the tragedy, but the full impact of Texas wildfires can only be truly understood by witnessing the devastation first-hand. As the threat of wildfires continues unabated across our state, it’s vital that all Texans continue to heed all warnings, respect burn bans and refrain from any outdoor activities that can result in fire. Even routine activities can result in tragedy with the speed these fires can spread.
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Saturday, October 01, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
Gov. Perry Issues Proclamation Extending Wildfire and Drought Emergency
Gov. Rick Perry issues proclamation extending wildfire and drought emergency for all 254 counties due to the ongoing threat of wildfires across the state. The proclamation directs necessary resources be made available to aid response efforts and notes the ongoing strain on water resources. -
Saturday, September 17, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Executive Order
RP76 - Relating to the suspension of a waiting period for certain state unemployment insurance claims