Texas Division of Emergency Management
Department of Emergency Management
Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Office of Homeland Security
Office of Emergency Management
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Don't delay! Every day is an opportunity to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters. If you’ve seen the news recently, you know that emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours, to people like you. We’ve seen tornado outbreaks, river floods and flash floods, historic earthquakes, tsunamis, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities affecting millions of people for days at a time.
Police, fire and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly in an emergency or disaster. The most important step you can take in helping your local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care; the more people who are prepared, the quicker the community will recover.
FEMA recommends citizens prepare and plan in the event they must go for three days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services for several days. Just follow these four steps:
- Be Informed: Learn what protective measures to take before, during, and after and emergency.
- Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. For sample plans, see Ready.gov. Work together with neighbors, colleagues, and others to build community resilience.
- Build a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies - water, nonperishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, and battery-powered radio on hand - for you and those in your care.
- Get Involved: There are many ways to get involved especially before a disaster occurs. The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes and places of worship safer from risks and threats. Community leaders agree that the formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of volunteers, a trained and informed public, and increased support of emergency response agencies during disasters.
National Preparedness
Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness (PPD-8) describes the Nation’s approach to preparing for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States. National Preparedness is the shared responsibility of our whole community. Every member contributes, including individuals, communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and Federal, state, and local governments. We describe our security and resilience posture through core capabilities that are necessary to deal with great risks, and we will use an integrated, layered, and all-of-Nation approach as our foundation.
The first step is to understand the National Preparedness Goal. Once familiar with the Goal, you’re ready to learn more. You’ll find resources and information such as:
- National Preparedness System. This outlines an organized process for the nation’s preparedness efforts.
- National Incident Management System. This provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide organizations in managing all types of incidents.
- National Planning Frameworks. The National Planning Frameworks represent an important step forward in describing how all levels of government, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and the public at-large work together to build and sustain the capabilities we need to prevent, protect, mitigate against, respond to and recover from those threats and hazards.
- National Preparedness Report. Released annually, this report shows our nation’s progress on the Goal—our strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Our national preparedness efforts are ongoing, so visit the sites regularly to see what new information and resources are posted. Together, we will ensure our nation is safe and resilient.
National Preparedness Division Main Telephone: 1-940-898-5209
FEMA Region 6 Operator: 1-800-426-5460
Randy Meshell
Federal Preparedness Coordinator
Lisa Hammond
Deputy Federal Preparedness Coordinator
Law Enforcement Liaison
The Regional Law Enforcement Liaison promotes information sharing and relationship building between emergency management, law enforcement, critical infrastructure operators, and intelligence agencies to increase prevention and protection within the region.
Considerations for Fusion Center and Emergency Operations Center Coordination (CPG-502)
Preparedness and Analysis
Overview
Every community should understand the risks it faces. By understanding its risks, a community can make smart decisions about how to manage risk, including developing needed capabilities. Risk is the potential for an unwanted outcome resulting from an incident, event, or occurrence, as determined by its likelihood and the associated consequences. By considering changes to these elements, a community can understand how to best manage and plan for its greatest risks across the full range of the threats and hazards it faces. The FEMA Region VI National Preparedness Division is responsible for implementing the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process to help partner communities identify capability targets and resource requirements necessary to address anticipated and unanticipated risks.
THIRA Process
This Guide describes a four-step process for developing a THIRA:
1. Identify the Threats and Hazards of Concern. Based on a combination of experience, forecasting, subject matter expertise, and other available resources, identify a list of the threats and hazards of primary concern to the community.
2. Give the Threats and Hazards Context. Describe the threats and hazards of concern, showing how they may affect the community.
3. Establish Capability Targets. Assess each threat and hazard in context to develop a specific capability target for each core capability identified in the National Preparedness Goal. The capability target defines success for the capability.
4. Apply the Results. For each core capability, estimate the resources required to achieve the capability targets through the use of community assets and mutual aid, while also considering preparedness activities, including mitigation opportunities.
For more information, please review the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide-201 (CPG-201) "Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Guide."
Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)
What is EMAP?
EMAP, the voluntary standards, assessment, and accreditation process for disaster preparedness programs throughout the country, fosters excellence and accountability in emergency management and homeland security programs, by establishing credible standards applied in a peer review accreditation process. EMAP was created by a group of national organizations to foster continuous improvement in emergency management capabilities. It provides emergency management programs the opportunity to be recognized for compliance with industry standards, to demonstrate accountability, and to focus attention on areas and issues where resources are needed.
Regional Integration Branch
The Regional Integration Branch manages the activities of the Individual and Community Preparedness, Continuity of Operations (COOP), National Incident Management System (NIMS), Exercise, Training, Lessons Learned/Continuous Improvement Program, and Private Sector Liaison programs.
Individual and Community Preparedness
Citizen and Community Preparedness programs to help engage, educate, and train our whole community partners to be prepared for all possible events; (Citizen Corps, Ready.gov).Community Preparedness works to increase the preparedness of individuals and communities through the support and coordination of local, grassroots preparedness programs, which provide the greatest impact on communities across the Nation. Current examples of Community Preparedness support include:
- Increasing youth emergency preparedness education and outreach by promoting existing programs and identifying successful components of education curricula;
- Facilitating Whole Community planning that is inclusive of all sectors of the population including those with access and functional needs;
- Conducting outreach to underserved populations; and
- Enhancing information sharing through social media and robust data collection.
Regional Preparedness Spotlight
Regional Community Preparedness efforts include the facilitation and sustainment of the Region 6 Citizen Corps Program Working Group and Region 6 Youth Preparedness Council.
The Region 6 Citizen Corps Program Working group is a network of community preparedness partners; facilitated by FEMA Region 6 Community Preparedness that shares lessons learned and program strategies. Two representatives from each state are selected by the state manager, usually local Community Emergency Response Team or Medical Reserve Corps members. Citizen Corps Programs include:
Fire Corps – //www.firecorps.org/
Medical Reserve Corps – //www.medicalreservecorps.gov
CERT – //www.citizencorps.gov/cert
Volunteers in Police Service – //www.policevolunteers.org
National Neighborhood Watch – //www.nnw.org
The Region 6 Youth Preparedness Council involves youth in preparedness activities, and provides an avenue to engage the youth population, taking into account their perspectives, feedback and opinions. Council members are selected by State Citizen Corps Program Managers based on their dedication to public service, efforts in making a difference in their community, and their potential to expand their impact as a regional advocate for youth preparedness.
FEMA Region 6 Citizen Corps Program Working Group and Region 6 Youth Preparedness Council Members |
New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps Named Outstanding Citizen Corps Program Partner
The New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps (NOMRC) was honored for its emergency preparedness outreach and education to vulnerable populations in the city by working with the whole community. The innovative outreach program saw successes by working closely with women, families with young children, non-English speaking populations, individuals with mental health needs, and faith-based organizations.
FEMA Region 6 National Preparedness Division Director, Randy Meshell (front right), and R6 Community Preparedness Officer, Bill Bischof (front left), pose with New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps members after presenting them with the Outstanding Citizen Corps Partner Program award in the 2015 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards.
Arkansas Citizen Corps Program
The Arkansas Citizen Corps Program State Advisory Council has laid the groundwork for Arkansas to become the first state in the nation to establish a State Youth Preparedness Council. On May 5, the first members will be notified of their nomination and appointment to the council. The FEMA Region 6 Citizen Corps Program Working Group and R6 Youth Preparedness Council have been working collaboratively to establish a Youth Preparedness Council in each state. FEMA Region 6 Community Preparedness staff had the opportunity to present the Arkansas Citizens Corps Program State Advisory Council members with an overview of the Region 6 Citizen Corps Program Working Group and America’s PrepareAthon!
FEMA Region 6 Youth Preparedness Council Chairperson, Casey Williams, presented regional initiatives and outlined what possible roles and responsibilities the new state council members may experience.
Regional Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in Action
During the quarterly Region 6 Citizen Corps Program Working Group conference call, members shared best practices and lessons learned from recent accomplishments of the Rowlett CERT and Mart ISD Teen CERT.
When tornados ripped through the community of Rowlett, Texas on December 26, 2015, local CERT members responded by administering medical aid, shutting off residential utilities and performing light search and rescue until professional responders arrived.
Rowlett CERT Response Video Testimonial
On December 3-4, 2015, Mart High School Teen CERT was asked to assist the City of Marlin in responding to a local disaster resulting from the lack of availability of water within the city. CERT members staffed local points of distribution to provide clean and safe drinking water to citizens of the community.
Mart ISD Teen CERT Response Video Testimonial
FEMA Region 6 Individual and Community Preparedness Partners offer a variety of Individual Preparedness information, including:
Red Cross – //www.redcross.org/prepare
America’s PrepareAthon! – //www.ready.gov/prepare
FEMA Financial Planning – /plan-prepare
Ready – //www.ready.gov
Follow us on twitter @femaregion6cpo
Bill Bischof
Community Preparedness Officer
Bill.Bischof@fema.gov
Continuity of Operations (COOP) Program
The Regional Continuity Manager is responsible for COOP program delivery, working closely with Federal, state, and local partners to ensure compliance with Federal Continuity Directive-1 (FCD-1).
National Incident Management System
NIMS establishes standarized incident management processes, protocols, and procedures that all responders are to use to coordinate and conduct response activities. The FEMA Region VI NIMS Coordinator works closely with Regional partners to ensure communities are properly engaged in the interoperability effort.
National Incident Management System, December 2008
Exercise
The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) provides a set of guiding principles for exercise programs, as well as a common approach to planning and conducting individual exercises. The FEMA Region VI Exercise section follows HSEEP methodology to assist Regional and state partners in all phases of development and execution for tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises.
Homeland Security Exercise Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Policy and Guidance Home
Training
The training program seeks to improve FEMA employee capabilities and FEMA field operations through a variety of internal and external training opportunities. The training program also coordinates with state, National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and other external partners to ensure appropriate training is available.
National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Training Calendars
Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium Training Calendar
All Inclusive - //www.ruraltraining.org/training
- For a full listing of courses and course descriptions sponsored by FEMA, please see the online catalog available at //training.fema.gov/.
- Individual DHS catalogs are available below:
- National Training and Education Division – https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/catalog.do?a=nted
- Federal-Sponsored – https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/catalog.do?a=federal
- State-Sponsored – https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/catalog.do?a=state
Emergency Management Institute – //training.fema.gov/emicourses/schedules.aspx
FEMA provides on-line Independent Study courses open to the general public.
Lessons Learned/Continuous Improvement Program
FEMA Region VI Regional Integration Branch engages in after-action reporting for real-world and exercise events to determine areas for improvement, strengths, and best practices as well as analyzing trends to determine recurring themes that may impede future operations.
Private Sector Liaison
The private sector is a vital part of the emergency management team. We see the nation's vast network of business, industry, academia, trade associations, and other non-governmental organizations as equal - and equally responsible - partners in every phase from preparedness to response and recovery to mitigation.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has worked steadily to increase the level of private sector collaboration at all levels. The agency has broken new ground in areas that will have profound and long-term benefits to the nation, such as the Private Sector Representative position, online training, and downloadable exercises.
FEMA offers a variety of tools to help organizations interested in starting public-private partnerships, including:
- Introductory Course on Building Public-Private Partnerships (free, web based)
- Public-Private Partnership Models
- Share Your Public-Private Partnership Story
We've also developed a business case and sample position description to help jumpstart partnerships in your state or territory. Contact us at FEMA-Private-Sector@dhs.gov, we would be happy to share.
For more information on Public-Private Partnerships, please check out the Fact Sheet in our What We Do section of the website.
Technological Hazards Branch
The Technological Hazards Branch coordinates efforts to enhance the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of communities adjacent to commercial nuclear power plants as well as to provide for a Regional Law Enforcement Liaison.
Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program
The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (REPP) reviews emergency plans, evaluates radiological emergency response exercises and conducts Disaster Intiated Reviews (DIRs) for commercial nuclear generating stations within the FEMA Region VI area of responsibility. The commercial nuclear plants in the FEMA Region VI REPP program include River Bend Station, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, South Texas Project, Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Arkansas Nuclear One, and Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station. REPP staff also participate with partner regions nationwide to assist with exercise evaluation and conduct DIRs.
REP Reference Library.