Emergency Response

As the 2007 hurricane season approaches its mid-point, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) remind Texans to continue their emergency preparations now. The FEMA publication "Are You Ready?" offers free assistance in planning and preparing for hurricane season, … [Read more...] about Disaster Officials Ask,

During June heavy storms and rains soaked a large part of the state, leaving much of Central, North and East Texas vulnerable to severe and sustained flooding. Roads were shut down, entire playgrounds were buried, homes and businesses were destroyed, and lives were lost. As of press time, Gov. Perry had issued a state disaster declaration for 44 counties including: Archer, … [Read more...] about Under WaterSaturating Rains Devastate Texas Communities

Before Sept. 11, 2001, when I thought about things in life that were worth protecting, I thought first about my grandchildren, my children, family, friends and citizens, then my home and other valuable resources. I thought about the advances of technology and the easy access to information. I worried about identify theft and the intrusion of others in my personal space. I … [Read more...] about Protecting the Homeland

This month marks not only the peak of the 2006 hurricane season, but the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Rita, a Category 3 storm that plowed into the Gulf Coast early Sept. 24, 2005, spreading wreckage across some 22 Texas counties. Take Jasper County, for instance. Before Rita, the county had 641 miles of passable county roadways. After Rita, each and every road was cut … [Read more...] about Preventative Measures2005 Hurricanes Prompt Evacuation Study, Recommendations

Chances are you've never heard of Granger County in the state of Columbia, or its two primary cities, Pleasant Grove and Needland. For three and a half years, the county has been a target of not only biological and radiological hazards, but explosive and chemical hits as well. At times there are dozens of fire trucks on the scene, along with hundreds of emergency workers … [Read more...] about Welcome to Granger CountyTrainees Hone, Enhance Response Skills