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 disasters 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.

Action Items

»  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.

News & Announcements

• Friday, April 19, 2013 • West, Texas • Press Release
  Governor Perry Visits Community of West; Tours Disaster Zone and Meets with Local Officials
  
  
  Gov. Rick Perry today toured the disaster zone in West, Texas and met with local officials and state and local emergency responders about relief and recovery efforts underway.
• Thursday, April 18, 2013 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
  Governor Perry Issues Disaster Proclamation for Explosion in McLennan County
  Gov. Perry issued a disaster proclamation for McLennan County after an explosion occurred Wednesday night in West, Texas.
• Thursday, April 18, 2013 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Provides Update on State Response to Tragedy in West
  
  Gov. Rick Perry today met with state officials to discuss Texas' response to last night's explosion and fires at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas. State officials worked through the night and this morning to assist local emergency management and law enforcement with health and medical resources, incident management, search and rescue and environmental quality monitoring, which are ongoing.
  » Read the Speech: Gov. Perry Provides Update on State Response to Tragedy in West
• Wednesday, April 17, 2013 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Statement by Gov. Perry on Incident in West
  Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding the incident in West, Texas: We are monitoring developments and gathering information as details continue to emerge about this incident. We have also mobilized state resources to help local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of West, and the first responders on the scene.
• Tuesday, April 16, 2013 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Bastrop County Awarded Disaster Recovery Grant
  
  
  Gov. Rick Perry announced the Governor’s Office has authorized a short-term grant of up to $1,612,500 for Bastrop County for the purpose of wildfire recovery and securing additional funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This grant is being awarded from state funds appropriated for disaster relief, and contingent upon reimbursement from the Texas Legislature through supplemental appropriations.
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