The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is a state agency that coordinates Texas's emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters.
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2019 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Texas |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
| Employees | 200+ |
| Annual budget | $6.6 billion |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Texas A&M University System |
TDEM implements programs to increase public awareness about threats and hazards, coordinates emergency planning, provides an extensive array of specialized training for emergency responders and local officials, and administers disaster recovery and hazard mitigation programs in the State of Texas. It has been used on immigrants[1] and during tropical storms.[2] It also works on safety outreach.[3][4]
Organization
editThe Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) had a total budget of $6.6 billion for 2022–2023.[5]
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) currently operates and manages 8 Statewide Regions and 21 individual Disaster Districts across the State of Texas in support of disaster response.[6] These Districts also align with Councils of Governments (COGs) that are composed of city, county and special district governments.
Regions
editTDEM is broken up into 8 main individual regions to support statewide disaster response. Regional Assistant Chiefs, Regional Section Chiefs, District Chiefs, and County Liaison Officers are TDEM’s field response personnel stationed throughout the state. They have multiple roles, as they carry out emergency preparedness activities, coordinate emergency response operations, support recovery efforts and aid in mitigation measures. In their preparedness role, they assist local officials in carrying out emergency planning, training, and exercises, and developing emergency teams and facilities. They also teach a wide variety of emergency management training courses. In their response role, they deploy to incident sites to assess damages, identify urgent needs, advise local officials regarding state assistance, and coordinate deployment of state emergency resources to assist local emergency responders. Each individual region is lead by an Assistant Chief, and 2 Section Chiefs.[6]
Districts
editTexas is broken up into 21 individual districts within the main 8 regions, with each individual district having an assigned District Chief.[6]
Leadership
editThe Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is currently lead by the Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Nim Kidd.[7]
Nim Kidd has served as the Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management since 2010. Kidd is also the vice chancellor for Disaster and Emergency Services. Kidd is a Certified Emergency Manager, Texas Master Firefighter, and holds Hazardous Materials and Emergency Medical Technician Certifications.[8]
Disasters
editThe Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates the state emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters.[9] TDEM has supported statewide emergency response for over 341 Disasters.[10]
History
editThe TDEM was founded in August 1981 as a division under the Texas Department of Public Safety.[11]
In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature transferred TDEM from Texas Department of Public Safety to Texas A&M University as a stand alone state agency.[12]
In April 2022, the TDEM was used to transport processed immigrants. It was used again in September 2023.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Governor sends resources to border". The Bowie News. Austin, Texas. 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Gov. Greg Abbott deploys emergency resources during Tropical Storm Harold". Spectrum News 1. Austin, Texas. 2023-08-22. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ^ "Texas Department of Emergency Management - Texas Floodplain Management Association". Texas Floodplain Management Association. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair This Friday | AustinTexas.gov". austintexas.gov. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ Kidd, Nim; Floren, Casey (2023-01-24). "Texas Division of Emergency Management Summary of Budget Recommendations - Senate" (PDF). Legislative Budget Board. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ^ a b c "Regions". tdem.texas.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Leadership". tdem.texas.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Texas Division of Emergency Management – The Texas A&M University System Network". www.tamus.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Disasters". tdem.texas.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Disaster Declarations for States and Counties | FEMA.gov". www.fema.gov (in Tagalog). Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Marten, James A. "Emergency Management". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "About". Texas Division of Emergency Management. Retrieved 2023-09-28.