Regional Working Group To Meet for First Time 

Release Date: January 9, 2008
Release Number: R6-08-001

DENTON, TEXAS -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 Regional Administrator William Peterson has announced the first meeting of the newly formed Regional Emergency Communications Coordination (RECC) Working Group. That meeting is set for January 23, at the FEMA Region 6 office in Denton, Texas.

The members of the RECC Working group will work to make sure that, no matter what the conditions, information flows before, during and after a disaster or crisis. This is critical in order to address immediate and critical human needs in response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other manmade disasters.

The RECC Working Group will coordinate with diverse communicators, ranging from state interoperable communications councils/committees to ham radio operators, local broadcasters and cable operators. They will also work with hospitals and emergency health care providers, wireless carriers, satellite communications services, public utility services, ambulance services - both public and private, emergency evacuation transit services and other entities as necessary.

"The RECC Working Group consists of experts from every state in this region. They’re experienced in law enforcement, emergency management, technology and communications," said Regional Administrator William Peterson. "We welcome their emergency communication ideas and contributions, and look forward to working with them."

Members initially will serve staggered term lengths. One third will serve for one year, one third will serve for two years and one third will serve for three years. Eventually, all terms will be three years long.

The development of the RECC Working Group was set into motion by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act

RECC WORKING GROUP MEMBERS

Subject Matter Expert Member Organization Title
State Official Jack Colley Governor's Division of Emergency Management Chief
Local Government Gary Surad Bernalillo County Emergency Mgmt Emergency Manager
Local Government Glenn 'Sonny' Cox Arkansas County, AR County Judge
Local Government Donald Lynch Shawnee/Pottawatomie County Emergency Manager
State Police Dale Saffold Arkansas State Police Captain
State Police Todd Early DPS Communications Chief
State Police Will Borden Oklahoma DPS 800MHz Expansion Manager
Public Health Rick Bays DSHS, Emergency Preparedness & Response Branch Manager
Emergency Medical Service Wynn Brannin New Mexico Dept. of Health-EMS IT/COMM Lead
Local Police/Sheriffs Joe Peters Texas Sheriff's Association Chief
Local Police/Sheriffs Keith Jackson Greenwood Police Department, AR Chief of Police
Local Police/Sheriffs Ricky Edwards Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office Sheriff, Emergency Manager
Fire Alfred Lujan Las Cruces Fire Department Battalion Chief, OPS
Fire Brian Crawford Shreveport Fire Department Exec Assistant to the Chief
Fire Dannie Smith Sugar Land Fire & Rescue Chief
9-1-1 Services Mike Simpson City of Austin Wireless Comm Manager
9-1-1 Services Matt Stillwell Edmond, OK EOC
9-1-1 Services Don Cooper San Juan County, NM Emergency Manager
State EM/HSA/TAG Danny Ormand Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director
State EM/HSA/TAG David Abernathy Texas Forestry Service State EM/HSA/TAG
State EM/HSA/TAG Putnam Reiter Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Information Technology
Local Emergency Management Kenny Shaw City of Dallas, TX Emergency Manager
Local Emergency Management Eric Deroche LEPA Emergency Manager
Local Emergency Management Bill Swan ARRL-North Texas Emergency Coordinator

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jan-2008 12:55:20