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

• Wednesday, April 18, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Announces SBA Assistance for North Texas Counties Affected by Severe Weather
  Gov. Rick Perry announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted his request to provide federal disaster assistance to Dallas, Kaufman and Tarrant counties, which were devastated by multiple tornadoes earlier this month. This decision automatically makes the neighboring Texas counties of Collin, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hunt, Johnson, Parker, Rockwall, Van Zandt and Wise eligible for the same federal assistance.
• Friday, April 13, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Noteworthy
  Rapid Response Critical in Texas Emergencies
  Texas has developed one of the most effective and efficient emergency response teams in the nation, and recently, the team was put to the test again when a severe storm system, hailing 17 tornados, ripped through North Texas and damaged more than 650 homes. Ironically, it all took place when emergency management officials and state leaders were in the midst of the 2012 Texas Emergency Management Conference in San Antonio to focus on how to improve the state’s disaster response and to reflect on what’s worked well in the past. The Texas State Operations Center immediately activated remotely, and thanks to the swift response by local officials, no lives were lost.
  + Watch Interview of Chief Nim Kidd, Emergency Management, Assistant Director, Texas Department of Public Safety
  + Watch Interview of Pastor Glenn Young, Cedar Valley Christian Center
  + Watch Interview of Kay Granger, U.S. Congresswoman, Texas, District 12
• Wednesday, April 11, 2012 • Fort Worth, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry: Keep Critical Disaster Recovery Air Assets in Texas
  
  Gov. Rick Perry, along with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation and Texas Legislature, continued urging the Department of Defense to overturn a decision by the U.S. Air Force to relocate eight C-130 aircraft, currently based with the 136th Airlift Wing in Fort Worth, to Montana. These are the only Air National Guard C-130s currently located in Texas, and play a critical role in disaster response efforts in Texas and along the entire Gulf Coast.
  » Read the Speech: Gov. Perry: Keep Critical Disaster Recovery Air Assets in Texas
  + Watch Interview of Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Emergency Management, Assistant Director, Texas Department of Public Safety
  + Watch Interview of Major General John Nichols, Texas Adjutant General and Commander, Texas Military Forces
  + Watch Interview of Kay Granger, U.S. Congresswoman, Texas, District 12
• Thursday, April 05, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
  Gov. Perry Issues Disaster Declaration for Three Counties in North Texas
  Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for Dallas, Tarrant and Kaufman counties, which incurred widespread damage from multiple tornados that ripped through North Texas.
• Thursday, April 05, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Issues Disaster Declaration for Three Counties in North Texas
  Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for Dallas, Tarrant and Kaufman counties, which incurred widespread damage from multiple tornados that ripped through North Texas on Tuesday. The governor is reminding homeowners in impacted areas of important new consumer protections signed into law last year to prevent dishonest contractors from taking advantage of families trying to repair their homes.
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