(Houston, TX) – The Texas Division of Emergency Management recognized the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) with the 2019 Texas Emergency Management Partnership Award for their continuous collaboration to keep area residents informed during severe weather events. The presentation was held at the Texas Emergency Management Conference taking place in San Antonio, Texas, April 15-18.
“We are honored to share this recognition with the Harris County Flood Control District,” said Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan. “We strive do our best to keep our residents informed when disaster strikes, and this partnership helps us streamline the process.”
HCOHSEM works closely with the HCFCD year-round to keep the region informed. Data and information provided by HCFCD helps emergency management officials make critical decisions that can reduce the loss of life, injuries and property damage.
In 2017, HCOHSEM and HCFCD worked together to keep residents informed before, during and after Hurricane Harvey. This devastating flooding event dropped more than 50 inches of rain over a four-day period. HCOHSEM logged 698 media inquiries, 650 media interviews, 259 news releases, 2,418 social media posts, 45 Harris County Alerts and 25 news conferences during the Harvey activation.
“The ability to communicate information about what is happening is key for a successful disaster response,” added Sloan. “The public needs to know where the danger is occurring and what to do to stay safe.”
Through custom Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds and automated social media posts, HCOHSEM and HCFCD are able to provide rainfall information, roadway conditions and safety recommendations. Both offices are active on social media (@ReadyHarris and @HCFCD) and on the onset of severe weather coordinate on public messaging.
For more information about the HCFCD go to www.hcfcd.org. To sign up for Harris County emergency alerts go to www.ReadyHarris.org.