Texas Hurricane Response Plan

STATE OF TEXAS
HURRICANE
RESPONSE PLAN
APRIL 30, 2010
STATE OF TEXAS
HURRICANE RESPONSE PLAN
APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION
This plan is hereby accepted for implementation and supersedes the State of Texas Hurricane
Evacuation and Mass Care Plan dated June 5, 2007.
Date
Jack Colley
Assistant Director/Chief
Texas Division of Emergency Management
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RECORD OF CHANGES
CHANGE NUMBER
DATE OF CHANGE
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INITIALS AND DATE ENTERED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
AUTHORITY AND REFERENCES .......................................................................................... 1

A. STATE ................................................................................................................................. 1
B. FEDERAL ............................................................................................................................ 1
C. MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS AND CONTINGENCY PLANS ............................................. 2
D. EVACUATION AUTHORITY ................................................................................................ 2
II. PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................... 3
A. PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN .................................................................................................. 3
B. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANNING DOCUMENTS .................................................... 3
III. EXPLANATION OF TERMS .................................................................................................... 4
A. ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................ 4
B. DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................................... 6
IV. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS ........................................................................................ 10
A.SITUATION ........................................................................................................................ 10
B.ASSUMPTIONS ................................................................................................................. 10
V. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS ............................................................................................... 13
A. HURRICANE RESPONSE STRATEGY AND POLICY ...................................................... 13
B. HURRICANE RESPONSE PHASES ................................................................................. 13
VI. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................... 24
A ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................................... 24
B. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES............................................................................ 25
VII. COORDINATION AND CONTROL........................................................................................ 38
A.STATE LEVEL PROCEDURES .......................................................................................... 38
B.LOCAL LEVEL PROCEDURES .......................................................................................... 39
VIII. EMERGENCY RESPONSE LEVELS/ACTION GUIDES ....................................................... 39
IX. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT......................................................................................... 39
A. LINES OF SUCCESSION .................................................................................................. 39
B. TRAINING ......................................................................................................................... 39
C. RECORD KEEPING .......................................................................................................... 39
X. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT ..................................................................................... 40
A. SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................... 40
B. AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDING ......................................................................... 40
C. STATUS REPORTS .......................................................................................................... 40
D. EXPENDITURES AND RECORD KEEPING ..................................................................... 40
E. CRITIQUES ....................................................................................................................... 40
XI. DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE ................................................................................ 41
A. DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................... 41
B. MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................. 41
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ATTACHMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Hurricane Response Organization

Hurricane Response Action Guide
Texas Hurricane Preparedness Program
Mass Care
Tab A Press Release Information
Tab B Catastrophic Sheltering
Tab C State Hurricane Evacuation Shelter Hub Map
Medical Special Needs Evacuation and Sheltering
Tab A Ground and Air Ambulances Utilization Criteria for Statewide Disaster Response
Tab B Medical Special-Needs Shelters
Tab C DSHS medical Special Needs Toolkit
Animal Care
Regional Traffic Management and Contraflow Plans
Evacuation Comfort Stations
Hurricane Response Resource Summary
Texas Special Needs Evacuation Tracking System
Texas Fuel Emergency Operations Center
Rapid Response Task Force
Disaster Area Re-Entry
Commodity Distribution Plan
STATE OF TEXAS
HURRICANE RESPONSE PLAN
I.
AUTHORITY AND REFERENCES

This plan applies to emergency management operations during hurricane response.
Strategic planning guidance and authorities governing its enactment and implementation
include:
A. STATE
1.
Constitution of the State of Texas.
2.
Chapter 418 (Emergency Management), Texas Government Code.
3.
Chapter 421 (Homeland Security), Texas Government Code.
4.
Chapter 433 (State of Emergency), Texas Government Code.
5.
Chapter 778 (Emergency Management Assistance Compact), Texas Health and

Safety Code.
6.
Respective State Agency, Department, and Commission enabling legislation.
7.
The Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan, Part III, State of Texas Emergency
Management Plan, November 2000.
8.
State of Texas Hazard Analysis, September 2000.
B. FEDERAL
1.
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93288, as amended.
2.
The National Strategy for Homeland Security, July 2002.
3.
Emergency Management and Assistance, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 44.
4.
Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 1988, Public Law 100-408, as amended.
5.
Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Public Law 104-321.
6.
National Response Framework, March 2008.
7.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5: Management of Domestic Incidents.
8.
Executive Order 13347,

Emergency Preparedness.
Federal
RegisterIndividuals
with
Disabilities
in
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9.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
10. ADA Guide for Local Governments, U. S. Department of Justice, July 2005.
11. ADA Best Practices Tool kit for State and Local Governments.
12. Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006.
13. FEMA Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101.
14. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996.
15. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 2008.
C. MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS AND CONTINGENCY PLANS
1.
Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
2.
Interstate Emergency Response Support Plan (IERSP), October 2009
D. EVACUATION AUTHORITY
1.
The Governor, County Judges, and Mayors are vested with certain emergency
management powers by Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code and by
Executive Order of the Governor. These authorities are delineated in Section V of
the State of
Texas Emergency Management Plan.
2.
The County Judge or the Mayor of a municipality may order the evacuation of all or
part of the population from a stricken or threatened area under their authority if they
consider the action necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation,
response, or recovery.
3.
The Governor may recommend the evacuation of all or part of a population from a
stricken or threatened area in the State if the Governor considers the action
necessary for the preservation of life, or other disaster mitigation, response or
recovery. By executive order or proclamation the Governor may declare a state of
disaster if a disaster has occurred or the occurrence or threat of disaster is
imminent.
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II. PURPOSE
A. PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN
1.
The purpose of this plan is to define the organization, operational concepts,

responsibilities, and procedures to adequately prepare for and respond to a
catastrophic hurricane landfall on or near the Texas Gulf Coast and subsequent
operations. The plan outlines state, regional, and local government responsibilities
for the effective movement of people and resources to an area of safety. This
includes post-move reception and care. It also outlines the responsibilities of
governments in the re-entry process that occurs immediately after storm conditions
have ended.
2.
This plan is applicable to all locations and to all agencies, organizations, and
personnel with hurricane response responsibilities.
B. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANNING DOCUMENTS

1.
Relationship to Other State Plans.

This plan is intended to supplement the State of Texas Emergency Management
Plan. It does not replace the State Emergency Management Plan. This document
includes detailed incident-specific planning information on response to all hurricanes
and tropical storms that may affect the State. This plan addresses a catastrophic
evacuation and activation of the State shelter hub system and therefore may be
applicable to other large scale disaster responses. There are several other
specialized plans that address complex large-scale hazards, such as the Drought
Contingency Plan, and other plans developed to address special emergency
situations. This document is not intended to replace any of those documents.
2.
Relationship to Local Emergency Management Plans.

This plan provides for coordination with local officials concerning hurricane threats
and the effective integration of state support for local emergency operations when
local officials request state assistance. Local emergency management plans provide
guidance for the employment of local emergency resources, mutual aid resources,
and specialized local response resources under a local incident commander, who
may be supported by a local Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Local emergency
plans include specific provisions for requesting and employing state resources to aid
in managing and resolving emergency situations for which local resources are
inadequate.
3.
Relationship to Regional Emergency Management Plans.

This plan provides for coordination with regional officials concerning hurricane
threats and the effective integration of state support for regional emergency
operations. Regional emergency management plans provide guidance for the
employment of regional emergency resources, mutual aid resources, and
catastrophic regional response under the regional incident commander, who may be
supported by a regional coordination center.
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4.
Relationship to Federal Contingency Plans.

Relationship to Federal plans is provided for in the State of Texas Emergency
Management Plan.
5.
Relationship to Interstate Agreements.

Relationship to the interstate agreements is provided for in the State of Texas
Emergency Management Plan. FEMA Region VI states, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana entered into an Interstate Emergency Response
Support Plan in October 2009 to expedite the provision of assistance during a
disaster or catastrophic event such as a hurricane.
III. EXPLANATION OF TERMS

A. ACRONYMS
AARC
ARC
CIKR
COG
CSA
BCFS
DADS
DARS
DDC
DFPS
DHS
DOE
DPS
DRC
DSHS
EAS
EMAC
EMC
EOC
ESF
FCO
FEMA
GLO
HHSC
ICS
IMAT
IMT
JFO
JIC
LSA
MACC
MSN
MOA
Alamo Regional Command Center

American Red Cross
Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources
Councils of Government
County Staging Area
Baptist Child & Family Services
Department of Aging and Disability Services
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Disaster District Committee
Department of Family and Protective Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Energy
Department of Public Safety
Disaster Recovery Center
Department of State Health Services
Emergency Alert System
Emergency Management Assistance Compact
Emergency Management Coordinator
Emergency Operations Center
Emergency Support Function
Federal Coordinating Officer
Federal Emergency Management Agency
General Land Office
Health and Human Services Commission
Incident Command System
Incident Management Assistance Teams
Incident Management Team
Joint Field Office
Joint Information Center
Logistics Staging Area
Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Medical Special Needs
Memorandum of Agreement
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MOU
NERRTC
NHC
NIMS
NIPP
NRF
NWS
PIO
PFO
POD
PUC
PWRT
RACES
RLO
RRT
RRTF
RSA
SAR
SEMC
SITREP
SLOSH
SOC
SOP
TAHC
TCEQ
TDA
TDCJ
TDEM
TEA
TEEX
TFS
THCA
THP
TPASS
TPWD
TRRN
TSA
TxDOT
TXMF
TXSART
TXWARN
UCGS
USACE
USGS
Memorandum of Understanding
National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center
National Hurricane Center
National Incident Management System
National Infrastructure Protection Plan
National Response Framework
National Weather Service
Public Information Officer
Principal Federal Official
Point of Distribution
Public Utility Commission
Public Works Response Team
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
Regional Liaison Officer
Regional Response Team
Rapid response Task Force
Resource Staging Area
Search and Rescue
State Emergency Management Council
Situation Report
Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes
State Operations Center
Standard Operating Procedures
Texas Animal Health Commission
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Education Agency
Texas Engineering Extension Service
Texas Forest Service
Texas Health Care Association
Texas Highway Patrol
Texas Procurement & Support Services
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Regional Response Network
The Salvation Army
Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Military Forces
Texas State Animal Resource Team
Texas Water/Wastewater Response Network
Unified Coordination Group and Staff
United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Geological Survey
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B. DEFINITIONS
1.
Catastrophic Hurricane: A hurricane defined by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind

Scale as producing catastrophic damage equal to a Category 4 or 5 storm.
2.
Catastrophic Incident: Any natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, which

results in occurrence that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties,
damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment,
economy, national morale, and/or government functions.
3.
Comfort Station: A designated rest area on a hurricane emergency evacuation route

that offers water and ice to evacuees. Some may offer additional portable rest room
facilities and additional services, depending upon volunteer capabilities. No fuel
services are offered at comfort stations.
4.
Congregate Household Pet Shelter: Any private or public facility that provides
shelter to rescued household pets and/or the household pets of evacuees in
response to a declared major disaster or emergency.
5.
Disaster: An occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury,

loss of life or property that is beyond the capability of the governments within the
affected area(s) to resolve with their resources.
6.
Emergency: Absent a Presidential declaration, any incident(s), natural or manmade, that requires responsive action to protect life or property. Under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, an emergency means any
occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, federal
assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save
lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the
threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
7.
Emergency Evacuation Traffic Management Plans: Plans issued by the Texas

Department of Public Safety that designate specific evacuation routes, describe law
enforcement assignments and incorporate Texas Department of Transportation
contraflow procedures and controls to ensure the efficient movement of traffic
during hurricane evacuations.
8.
Emergency Public Information: Information that is disseminated primarily in

anticipation of an emergency or during an emergency. In addition to providing
situational information to the public, it also frequently provides directive actions
required to be taken by the general public.
9.
Evacuation: Organized, phased, and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or removal

of civilians from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas, and their reception and
care in safe areas.
10. Evacuation Area: Geographic coastal areas identified by officials as at risk from
coastal winds and storm surge associated with hurricanes. In some areas, these are
called Risk Areas; in others Evacuation Zones.
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11. Evacuation Zone: Hurricane evacuation area defined by either geographic or

governmental features (e.g., roads, railroads, rivers, city/county jurisdictional lines)
or ZIP code. As of 2008, the Coastal Bend Area (Aransas, Refugio, San Patricio,
Nueces, Kleberg, and Kenedy Counties) are using the former and the Houston area
(Brazoria, Harris, Galveston, and Chambers Counties) the latter. The remainder of
Texas evacuating counties use risk areas.
12. Fuel Coordination Team: A group of private sector partners from the fuel industry
that ensures the availability and distribution of fuel during emergency events.
13. H- Hour or Day: H- (H minus) is a term used to designate the amount of time
remaining before the predicted arrival of tropical storm force winds (sustained winds
of 34 KTS/39 MPH) somewhere on the Texas coast. It is used as a benchmark for
the timing of pre-landfall response activities.
14. H+ Hour or Day: H+ (H plus) is a term used to designate the amount of time that
has elapsed since the hurricane or hurricane force winds made landfall on the
Texas coast. It is used as a benchmark for the timing of post-landfall response, reentry and recovery activities.
15. HAZUS: A computer program that calculates potential damage estimates for
hurricane wind, coastal flooding, river flooding and earthquakes.
16. Host Counties: Designated inland counties offering coordinated mass care and
shelter support to evacuating coastal communities.
17. Household Pet: A domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, rodent, or
turtle that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial
purposes, can travel in commercial carriers, and be housed in temporary facilities.
Household pets do not include reptiles (except turtles), amphibians, fish,
insects/arachnids, farm animals (including horses), and animals kept for racing
purposes.
18. HURREVAC: A computer program that displays the projected hurricane track and
provides wind and evacuation timing information for decision-makers.
19. Hurricane Warning: An announcement issued by the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) for specific areas of the coast when hurricane force winds (sustained winds
of 64 KTS/74 MPH or higher) are anticipated within 24 hours.
20. Hurricane Watch: An announcement issued by the NHC for specific areas of the
coast when hurricane force winds are anticipated within 36 hours.
21. Immediate Care Strike Team: A group of responders who manage a distribution site
for life-sustaining resources (food, ice, water) in areas where these items are not
available immediately after a storm.
22. Incident Action Plan (IAP): An oral or written plan containing general objectives
reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident. It may include the
identification of operational resources and assignments. It may also include
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attachments that provide direction and important information for management of the
incident during one or more operational periods.
23. Major Disaster: As defined under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) as amended, means any natural
catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind driven water,
tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm,
or drought) or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the
United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of
sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this
Chapter to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, tribes, local
governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss,
hardship, or suffering caused thereby.
24. Mass Care: Meeting basic human needs for people who have been impacted by the
occurrence of a disaster or emergency event. It includes the capability to provide
immediate shelter, feeding operations, emergency basic first-aid. It can also include
resources including crisis counseling, emotional and spiritual care and/or
distribution of disaster related supplies donations and other essential life supporting
requirements necessary to meet the immediate needs of disaster survivors and
emergency response workers.
25. Medical Special Needs Population: Individuals who need assistance during
evacuation and sheltering because they have physical or mental disabilities or who
are minors under the age of 18, and/or who require a level of care and resources
that is beyond the basic first aid level of care available in general population
shelters.
26. Multi-Agency Coordination Center: A coordination and control element responsible
for preparing for and responding to catastrophic events on a regional basis. The
MACC is established by the County Judge(s) and Mayors from a multi-jurisdictional
area who also appoint a Coordinator to mange MACC operations. Some State
agencies and other organizations also have MACCs. In this document, the term
MACC refers to the center established by the County Judges and Mayors, unless
there is an agency/organization name associated with it.
27. Point-to-Point Shelters: A component of the Shelter Hub system consists of predesignated sites, identified by local jurisdictions, and coordinated and documented
by agreements between evacuating coastal areas and receiving inland jurisdictions
to ensure unpublicized shelter accommodations for evacuees involved in mass
transportation operations.
28. Public Works Assessment Team: A team of technical experts in one or more Public
Works disciplines that will deploy to a disaster stricken area to assist local
jurisdictions with critical infrastructure assessment and essential functions of
government.
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29. Public Works Resource Team: A team of specialized personnel, tools, and
equipment required to build a specific response capability in one of several Public
Works disciplines such as certified water/wastewater personnel, inspectors, or road
maintenance crews.
30. Public Works Response Team: A team of public works personnel with the resources
and expertise to support assessment and damage repair in the planning for, and
recovery from, a catastrophic event. This includes liaison and planning support in
the State Operations Center and on-scene assessment and operational support.
31. Re-entry: A phased process of allowing appropriate agencies and vendors access
to damaged areas affected by hurricane-related hazards. Re-entry marks the
transition from the response phase into the recovery phase of the disaster. It
includes efforts to restore continuity of government and critical infrastructure/key
resources to support the community.
32. Reception Center: Pre-designated facility within a shelter hub to process evacuees
entering a city or county. Evacuees will be registered, triaged, and directed to an
appropriate shelter.
33. Resource Staging Area: Central location where equipment, food, water, and ice are
received and distributed in support and shelter operations.
34. Risk Area: Hurricane evacuation areas whose boundaries are tied directly to
anticipated surge and wind penetration depth of a tropical storm or hurricane. As of
2009, Texas coastal areas using the risk area approach are Lake Sabine (Orange,
Jefferson, Hardin, Jasper, and Newton Counties), Matagorda (Calhoun, Victoria,
and Jackson Counties) and the Valley (Cameron and Willacy Counties). There are
five risk areas corresponding to the five categories of hurricanes defined by the
Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale and the Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from
Hurricanes (SLOSH) model.
35. Service Animal: Any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to
provide assistance to an individual with a disability including, but not limited to,
guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to
intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a
wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
36. Shelter: Short-term lodging facilities opened for evacuees prior to, during, and after
an incident. Shelters are typically places where mass care operations are
conducted and are generally located away from known hazards.
37. Shelter Hub: A pre-identified, inland city possessing sufficient infrastructure and
resources to logistically support and deploy resources for large-scale evacuations
and mass care operations. Generally, a shelter hub would be located along a
coastal evacuation route and away from known hazards.
38. Special Needs Population: Individuals who cannot self-evacuate for whatever
reason.
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39. State Transportation Assistance Registry: A local registry of people who request
State evacuation assistance via the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network.
IV. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
A. SITUATION
1.
The State of Texas Hazard Analysis, published by TDEM, provides detailed

information concerning the occurrences and impact of hurricanes in Texas.
2.
The State of Texas has periodically experienced hurricanes so widespread or

severe that local and State resources were insufficient to meet response and
recovery needs. In such instances, the State sought assistance from other states
and the federal government.
3.
The hurricane threat facing the State has the potential to cause catastrophic
damage, mass casualties, and mass fatalities. The occurrence of a catastrophic
hurricane could quickly overwhelm affected local governments and rapidly deplete
State resources. It is essential all levels of government remain prepared to continue
to operate effectively during crisis and continue to ensure public safety, essential
services, and uninterrupted coordination and control capabilities.
4.
The Constitution of the State of Texas and state statutes require state and local
governments to implement certain continuity of government programs, to include
providing emergency succession of government officials, identification of alternate
operations facilities, preservation of vital records, and protection of government
personnel, materials, equipment and facilities. Measures shall be in place before
hurricane threats materialize to ensure continuity of government is maintained
following emergencies or disasters.
5.
Effective prevention and preparedness operations, early warning and evacuation,

and well-trained and equipped response forces can reduce the number of deaths
and injuries caused by a hurricane. Effective pre-disaster prevention and mitigation
initiatives can also reduce the amount of damage to private and public property and
facilities resulting from a disaster. Successful re-entry operations are critical to the
rapid restoration of infrastructure and services in the impacted area.
6.
The ability of the State and local governments to respond to and provide for the
safety and welfare of the public during an emergency or disaster is directly
influenced by the effectiveness of preparedness, response, and continuity of
government operations. The ability of state and local governments to recover and
resume normal operations following a disaster is directly influenced by the
effectiveness of continuity of government, continuity of operations, and recovery
planning.
7.
The availability of critical emergency response and recovery capabilities and

resources can be expanded through employment of intrastate and interstate mutual
aid. Local governments will enter into local and regional mutual aid agreements to
supplement their capabilities.
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8.
Although the State and local governments have a wide variety of emergency
response assets, and staging areas, emergency contracts are available to provide
certain specialized emergency response equipment, supplies, and services to
supplement organic resources.
9. Chapter 418, Government Code, provides that state or local government employees
or volunteers acting at the direction of an Officer or Employee of the State or local
agency who are carrying out sheltering or housing of disaster survivors, due to an
evacuation are considered to be members of the state military forces for purposes of
civil liability.
B. ASSUMPTIONS
1.
The State and its political subdivisions will continue to experience emergency
situations and disasters that may cause injury, damage and death, or may
necessitate emergency evacuation, search and rescue, sheltering, and mass care
for at risk citizens.
2.
Local governments will develop, maintain, and implement comprehensive all

hazards emergency management plans, pursuant with NIMS, contain prevention,
preparedness, response, and recovery elements and procedures in accordance
with State Planning Standards.
3.
Emergency response and recovery capabilities will be enhanced by employment of

supplemental resources through intrastate and interstate mutual aid agreements
and actions.
4.
Local emergency operations, including mutual aid, will be directed by officials of the
local government, except in those situations where State law requires a state
agency to exercise lead responsibility or where local government personnel require
special expertise to cope with the problem(s) at hand.
5.
State resources will be committed when local and regional resources are
inadequate to cope with an emergency situation or threat, and a valid request for
supplemental state assistance is received from the Mayor, County Judge or their
designee(s) pursuant to procedures established in the State of Texas Emergency
Management Plan.
6.
A number of hazards threaten Texas capable of causing a catastrophic incident or

major disaster. The most probable is a Category 3 or greater hurricane, with
sustained winds in excess of 110 miles per hour.
7.
The occurrence of a catastrophic event may cause widespread damage to the

infrastructure and curtail emergency response capabilities of state and local
governments. Such an event could result in government being unable to adequately
provide for the safety and welfare of the general public.
8.
It is expected state-owned facilities and resources in a catastrophic disaster area

will suffer widespread damage and destruction. This may severely limit or eliminate
immediate response capabilities of state agencies within the disaster area.
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9.
Federal response and recovery assistance will be necessary to provide for public
safety before, during, and after a catastrophic incident in Texas. It is expected
federal assistance provided to Texas will be based upon specific requests and
priorities provided by the State.
10. Although this plan outlines procedures for coordinating the provision of
supplemental emergency assistance, it is essential for all levels of government to be
prepared to carry out emergency response and short-term recovery actions on an
independent basis.
11. Under all conditions, actions will be taken to maintain a representative form of
government in the State.
12. A consequence of an emergency or disaster could be the death or injury of key
elected, or appointed officials. Should this occur, emergency response operations
will be more effective if lines of succession clearly identify who is in charge, where
those persons are located, how to contact them, and what emergency powers are
authorized and may be duly executed.
13. Day-to-day operations or work centers may be destroyed or become inoperable
during a disaster. Emergency response operations will be more effective if the State
Operations Center (SOC) is protected and if personnel know where pre-selected
and prepared alternate sites for all government operations are located. Additional
effectiveness may be possible through use of a mobile coordination and control
capability.
14. Normal communications systems may be destroyed, degraded, or rendered
inoperable in a disaster. Emergency response operations will be more effective if
compatible, alternate, and/or mobile communications capabilities are available and
operational. Comprehensive planning will be necessary to ensure effective
communications during crisis situations.
15. The destruction of critical infrastructure and key facilities as well as essential
equipment and supplies located in hazard vulnerable areas can be greatly reduced
through pre-planned protection and relocation actions.
16. The identification and continued protection of vital records is essential to the
continuity of government and the effective return to normal operations of an area
affected by a disaster.
17. Proper implementation of this plan by all levels of government in Texas will save
lives, reduce human suffering, and reduce or prevent disaster-related losses.
18. Flooding and loss of power can cause critical public works infrastructure
components to be out of service for days or weeks. These include commercial
electric power, water, wastewater, storm water drainage, and roads/bridges. This
impacts the ability of key businesses to re-open and citizens to return. Alternative
and redundant power services may limit outages and should be considered in
assessing the criticality of these services.
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V. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
A. HURRICANE RESPONSE STRATEGY AND POLICY
1.
Hurricane response activities are conducted pursuant to the National Incident

Management System (NIMS) and certain requirements of the National Response
Framework (NRF). Evacuation operations will include work in an Incident Command
System (ICS) environment.
2.
Hurricane response consists of seven (7) distinct and mutually supporting phases
applicable to all hurricane response operations and to all levels of government:
a. Early Warning
b. Coordination and control
c. Evacuation and Care of Citizens during Evacuation
d. Search and Rescue
e. Mass care and Sheltering Operations
f. Rapid Response Immediately after Impact
g. Disaster Area Re-Entry Operations
B. HURRICANE RESPONSE PHASES

1.
Early Warning
a. The National Hurricane Center will monitor and provide the Texas SOC periodic
updates on any storm system development that could potentially enter the Gulf
of Mexico and threaten the State of Texas.
b. The Southern Region National Weather Service will also track and report to the
SOC any development in the Gulf and evaluate potential impact on the State of
Texas.
c. If a storm develops with the potential to enter the Gulf, the SOC will initiate a
conference call schedule and invite local, state, and federal partners to
participate in the calls. The calls provide information on the current situation and
proposed preparation activities, as warranted.
d. Evacuation decision tools (HURREVAC, HAZUS, etc.) are available to assist
state and local officials in determining potential storm impact. Previous
evacuation studies along with Storm data is required to determine appropriate
evacuations times. These are addressed further in Attachment 3.
e. Public Information dissemination is a critical component of the warning. Many
traditional emergency notification methods are not accessible to or usable by
some people in the special needs population. Warning methods must ensure all
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citizens receive the information necessary to make sound decisions and take
appropriate, responsible action. Using a combination of warning methods will be
more effective than relying on one method alone. This will include the use of
traditional as well as social/new media outlets, press release, and door-to-door
communications.
f.
2.
The SOC publishes a daily Situation Report as soon as a potential threat is

known to the State. The Situation Reports capture the current threat(s),
resources committed or staged, and mission priorities. The Situation Reports will
be available on the TDEM website.
Coordination and Control

a. The size and complexity of response operations require coordination and control
capability that is both extensive and redundant. During pre-storm operations, the
State must be ready to assemble the resources and personnel to assist in large
scale evacuations, possibly from more than one area of the coast. The State may
be required to assist local jurisdictions with resources and personnel to open and
staff sufficient public shelters for evacuees. The state hurricane evacuation
matrix consists of over 1,000 activities necessary to execute an evacuation along
the coast.
b. The hub of the coordination and control system is the State Operations Center
(SOC). State agencies and the public and private organizations that have a
response role provide representatives to this organization. The SOC seeks to
maintain the most current picture of the response effort. Information flows into the
SOC from the impact area and other areas of the State where response
resources are located or response operations are planned or on-going. The
information comes from the Disaster District Committee(s) (DDCs) and Regional
Liaison Officers (RLOs). It may also from response teams, and/or elected
officials. The SOC, in turn, publishes a daily situation report that summarizes the
overall situation, actions taken in the last reporting, and the objectives for the
next circumstance reporting period. The SOC also hosts daily conference calls
that provide the current situation and offers impacted jurisdictions the opportunity
to report directly on their situation and to ask questions as necessary.
c. The Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) is a key coordination and control
node for allocating resources in the impact area. Jurisdictions identify resource
needs to the MACC which then attempts to locate the resource at another
jurisdiction within the same COG or another MACC. If successful, the MACC
coordinates the temporary transfer of the resource to the requesting jurisdiction.
d. If the MACC cannot meet resource requests, jurisdictions turn to the DDC, which
manages all state assets in that DPS region. If the DDC is not able to fill the
request, it is forwarded to the SOC for response. The DDC maintains
communications with all the jurisdictions in its region and provides daily situation
reports to the SOC.
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e. At the request of the DDC, MACC, and/or individual local jurisdictions, the Texas
Forest Service deploys full Incident Management Teams (IMT) or smaller
elements to assist with response efforts and resource tracking. This support is
available prior to storm landfall, if requested.
f. Two Regional Command Centers and two State Disaster Resource Support and
Staging Sites have been established to support hurricane response operations:
the Alamo Area Regional Command and Disaster Resource Support and Staging
Site in San Antonio and East Texas Regional Command and Disaster Resource
Support and Staging Site in Lufkin. These centers and sites function as logistic
hubs for resources and in some cases personnel, destined for the impact area in
the aftermath of the storm.
g. A final coordination and control capability is provided by the Rapid Response
Task Force (RRFT) set up to enter after the storm has passed in the initial rapid
response phase. In addition to having resources and personnel to assist in area
security, search and rescue, initial assessment, restoration of infrastructure and
other post storm response operations, the task force will also have mobile
command posts equipped with robust communications capability to provide
communications internally as well as with the DDC, local jurisdictions and the
SOC.
h. Communications
1) The State has made many advances in interoperable communications and
continues to enhance these capabilities. The Texas Radio Communications
Interoperability Plan employs a network approach using the demonstrated
leadership at the regional level through Texas Councils of Government
(COGs) and adherence to the DHS national technical requirements for
wireless public safety communications and interoperability. This plan
leverages existing radio systems rather than the costly replacement of the
existing public safety radio infrastructure in Texas.
2) Procedures should address standardized emergency data reporting to ensure
a clear, concise, and common operating picture. A common operating picture
will allow incident managers at all levels to make effective, consistent, and
timely decisions.
3) Communications Coordination Group will facilitate interagency planning and
execution of communications support for joint, interagency, and
intergovernmental task forces.
3.
Evacuation and care during evacuation

a. General
1) The authority to order an evacuation rests with County Judges and City
Mayors. Chapter 418, Government Code, provides that a county judge or
mayor may order and evacuation.
2) To successfully implement a large-scale, multi-jurisdictional evacuation, it is
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essential all affected local communities, regions, and the State work closely
together prior to and during the evacuation process. An effective evacuation
is closely dependent upon the provision and coordination of evacuation
information and instructions as well as the expeditious flow of traffic out of the
threatened area.
3) TDEM, DSHS, health care facilities, county officials and other entities will
work in coordination with the State Planning Regions, subject to Texas
Government Code; Section 418.1882 will develop required plans for
personnel surge capacity during disasters, including provisions for lodging
and meals for disaster relief workers and volunteers. The MACS will provide
basic guidance for this task and facilitate the planning initiatives in each
region. Local officials should be prepared to advise the public how, when, and
where to evacuate from the existing or anticipated risk areas. Additionally,
jurisdictions must implement contingency plans to provide warning and
evacuation assistance to special needs and medical special needs
populations.
4) Once the decision to evacuate is made, local government officials should
advise the appropriate DDC(s) and adjacent/inland jurisdictions. During a
large-scale evacuation, the DDC will normally assist in coordinating
evacuation flow with other jurisdictions and regions. The notification will assist
other jurisdictions in deciding if and when to recommend or direct an
evacuation of their citizens. Local governments must also execute
responsibilities in accordance with DPS-developed traffic management plans.
5) The evacuation population can be divided into two groups: (a) citizens who
can self-evacuate and need no assistance (general population) and (b)
citizens who require some level of assistance to evacuate (special needs
population). The special needs population has been further divided into: (a)
citizens who are otherwise able-bodied and only need transportation
assistance and (b) citizens who require transportation and some level of
medical or supervisory assistance to evacuate (medical special needs). The
Medical Special Needs has been subdivided based on the type and level of
assistance required. These groupings are detailed in Attachment 5.
6) A phased approach to evacuation will be necessary in most storms with
special needs evacuees departing first followed by the general population.
Special needs evacuees will start the evacuation process as early as 72
hours prior to landfall of 34 KT winds in the coastal area. The general
population will evacuate after special needs evacuees are en route inland,
normally around 48 hours prior to landfall. At 24 hours prior to landfall,
evacuation operations transition to search and rescue operations. The
objective is to get both groups out of the immediate danger area before the
arrival of tropical storm force winds.
b. Special Needs Evacuations
1) The State has established a voluntary confidential registry for individuals who
may need evacuation assistance. These special needs individuals living in
hurricane evacuation zones are encouraged to register with the 2-1-1
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Transportation Assistance Registry if transportation is required during an

evacuation. Local officials will use the registry information to develop local
transportation plans and arrangements. Registration with 2-1-1 does not
ensure a person a ride; it does alert local officials to their need for
transportation. As a storm and evacuation draw near, 2-1-1 may transition, or
refer these calls to emergency 911 for assistance.
2) Local governments must coordinate with public health professionals and
other resources to compile and maintain a list of individuals within their
jurisdictions requiring special notification, evacuation, and shelter during
emergency events. All licensed special needs facilities are required by state
law to maintain emergency evacuation and transportation plans. Local
governments should review for viability evacuation plans maintained by
licensed special needs facilities.
3) People with disabilities may face a variety of challenges during a hurricane
evacuation. The evacuation may require lengthy travel on transportation
assets not equipped to accommodate special needs individuals. Evacuation
plans should ensure people with disabilities can either safely self-evacuate or
be evacuated by responsible parties via appropriate transportation assets.
Care during evacuation is an essential planning component of transportation.
4) Special needs evacuees, who travel on state-contracted buses, including
school district and/or contracted commercial buses, will be registered in the
Texas Special Needs Tracking System (TxSNETS). Additional information
concerning the tracking system is addressed in Attachment 10.
5) Planning at all levels of government shall also address mass care support
requirements for the special needs population.
a) Local officials should pre-identify shelters and survey the facilities to
identify barriers to access. Barriers should be removed, when feasible. If
barriers cannot be eliminated, the shelter may not be appropriate for
persons with disabilities.
b) All emergency shelters should have accessible parking, exterior routes,
entrances, interior routes, and restrooms serving the shelter area.
c) People with disabilities should not be segregated; they should use the
same shelters as their neighbors and coworkers except when medically
necessary.
d) Plans must address household pets and service animals traveling with
the special needs population. Service animals will be allowed to stay with
their owners in general population shelters. Consideration should also be
made for the evacuation and sheltering of household pets and livestock.
e) Local officials should invite representatives of group homes and others
from the disability community to meet with planner during routine shelter
planning. Representatives may be helpful in identifying disability-related
concerns with the proposed shelters. It may also be possible to develop
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site-specific instructions for volunteers and staff to address these

concerns.
f)
A reasonable number of emergency shelters should have back-up

generators and a means to keep medications cool. Shelters with
electricity and refrigeration should be made available on a priority basis to
people whose disabilities require these services.
g) Special consideration should be given to identifying and segregating

registered sex offenders from the shelter population. Shelter SOPs and
staff training shall address how this is done and who is responsible.
h) Texas Government Code Section 418 provides that entities responsible
for care of individuals with medical special needs shall develop
information on volunteering. DSHS is the lead state agency responsible
for coordinating medical volunteers and assignments.
c. General Population Evacuation
1) When the special needs phase of the evacuation is complete or nearly
complete, local officials will notify the general population that it is time for
departure. If traffic management plans have not been activated by this time,
they will go into effect for the general population evacuation. The objective is
to complete this phase of the evacuation prior to the arrival of 34 knot winds
in the local area.
2) Unless it conflicts with the established traffic management plan for the area,
the general population evacuation will be self-directed and evacuees will be
allowed to use any route out of the coastal area.
d. Transportation
1) While transportation responsibility primarily rests with local jurisdictions, the
State anticipates and deliberately plans to support transportation
augmentation during a catastrophic hurricane evacuation. All available modes
of transportation, to include independent school district and contract buses,
local public transportation systems, aircraft, helicopters, rail and emergency
service resources, will be employed during evacuation operations, where
practical. Transportation resources will be prioritized to best support
movement of the special needs population. Texas is also a party to the multistate Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The compact
includes provisions for requesting transportation assistance during disasters
from other states. TDEM has also entered into an agreement titled, the
Interstate Emergency Response Support Plan (IERSP) with FEMA Region VI
states to provide an immediate response and support capability when
requested in preparation for, during, or after a catastrophic event.
2) The State of Texas has contracted for commercial buses to assist the
movement of persons with medical special needs and those that do not have
transportation to evacuate. These buses will be provided to areas that have
the highest threat of impact. Generally, commercial bus companies will be
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alerted at H-120 hours and activated for deployment at some point between
H-94 and H-48 hours.
3) The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will contact, Independent School
Districts across the State, through Regional Education Service Centers to
provide buses to assist with transporting individuals in the impact area(s) to
areas of safety. Generally, these districts will be alerted at H-120 hours and
the buses will be activated for deployment at some point between H-94 and
H-48 hours.
4) Buses will be tracked through a component of the evacuee tracking system.
Manifests will be maintained to cross reference buses and passengers. In
addition, buses will be tracked via GPS. This is spelled out in Attachment 10
of this plan.
5) The State contracted for a limited number of aircraft for evacuation support.
This resource will be deployed based on priority of need.
6) DSHS has also contracted for ambulance support for large scale evacuations
requiring augmentation.
7) Military air support will be requested during a catastrophic event. It may not
be available in sufficient capabilities to effect the evacuation. Therefore, all
jurisdictions should maintain a effective evacuation plan.
e. Logistics
1) Resource Support will work with state agencies, local, government and
voluntary agencies, as appropriate, to establish a state-to-local resource
distribution system to ensure goods and services can be obtained, stored,
secured, and distributed to agencies or people in need after a disaster.
2) The Resource Support group will locate, obtain, equip, and operate State
LSAs. These facilities will serve as permanent storage areas for supplies and
materials introduced into disaster areas for response and recovery operations
and distribution to disaster victims.
3) Materials and supplies stored in the LSAs acquired by the state, federal,
and/or local governments will remain under the control of the government
entities that requested or procured them. Similarly, supplies and donations
given to or procured by individual voluntary agencies, with space set aside for
their operations in the RSAs, will remain under the management and control
of those individual voluntary agencies.
4) The Resource Support group will locate, obtain, equip, and operate State
RSAs. These facilities will serve as temporary storage areas for supplies and
materials introduced into the disaster areas for response and recovery
operations and for distribution to disaster victims. The RSAs will provide
resources to County Staging Areas (CSAs) and Points of Distribution (PODs).
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5) Local jurisdictions are responsible for establishing, managing, equipping,

operating, and staffing all PODs within their jurisdictions. The State will assist
local jurisdictions in the operation of POD(s) in affected areas when the local
jurisdiction is not capable of providing the resources to manage and/or
operate POD(s) within their jurisdiction.
6) A County may also elect to open additional PODs but they will be responsible
for securing, managing, equipping, operating, and staffing any County
Staging Area(s) (CSA) located within their jurisdiction.
f. Evacuation Comfort Stations
TxDOT will manage designated comfort stations along the route to primarily
support the use of school buses during. Contract long-haul buses are capable of
travelling greater distances without services. Evacuation comfort stations are
addressed further in Attachment 8.
g. Emergency Fuel Operations
1) A group of private sector partners from the fuel industry serve as a Fuel
Coordination Team in the State Operations Center during activations for a
hurricane or other catastrophic disaster. The Fuel Coordination Team will
ensure availability and distribution of fuel during the emergency event. Team
members include representatives from the Texas Oil and Gas Association,
the Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, supply
terminals, distributors, retailers, and third party Common Carrier transporters.
The team can allow for non-traditional supply arrangements among carriers
and retailers in order to meet the demand for fuel, while observing safety
considerations. The Texas Fuel Emergency Operations Center, Operations
plan is located in Attachment 11.
2) Beginning at least five days (H-120) before the onset of tropical storm winds,
the public will be encouraged to fuel their vehicles to capacity through a
series of public service announcements. These announcements are intended
to stimulate demand for fuel while there is still time to replenish the fuel
system and avoid sudden depletion of fuel during evacuation and/or other
emergency operations.
3) DPS will provide law enforcement officers with GPS equipment to escort fuel
vehicles and expedite the delivery of fuel.
4) As conditions warrant, fuel vehicles will be diverted around areas with high
traffic congestion by the Fuel Coordination Team.
5) Incremental fuel storage at identified locations is possible through the
deployment of temporary fuel storage tanks.
6) The Fuel Coordination Team will assess the need for extra equipment to
meet shortfalls and can request waivers as needed. Actions will also be taken
to prepare resources for fuel availability in potentially impacted areas for postlandfall use.
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7) The Fuel Coordination Team will continue operations in the SOC to expedite
fuel re-supply through re-entry operations.
4.
Search and Rescue

a. Some citizens will choose not to or unable to evacuate and may request
evacuation assistance as the storm approaches and conditions worsen. The
State plans to pre-position Search and Rescue (SAR) assets in the potential
impact area prior to the arrival of the storm assist with this mission. The objective
of State SAR efforts is to rescue individuals and move them to a safer location in
the immediate area before the storm makes landfall. The State SAR team is
made up of Texas Task Force 1 and 2 and the United States Coast Guard. SAR
Operations will terminate when it is no longer safe to fly.
b. SAR efforts will begin again during rapid response operations as soon as
conditions permit after storm landfall.
5.
Mass Care and Sheltering

a. General
1) The ultimate responsibility for mass care support for persons located within a
jurisdiction rests with the local government. Local governments are
responsible for developing a plan to coordinate and provide mass care
support for persons affected by a disaster, either at the disaster location or at
a point of refuge away from the disaster area.
2) The requirements for mass care support may vary depending upon the
nature, type, and level of the emergency. Mass care support may include
providing temporary shelter, water, food, ice, short-term medical care,
clothing, identification of disaster victims, crisis counseling, pastoral care, and
other essential life support assistance to people who have been displaced
from their homes because of a disaster or a disaster threat situation.
3) The high demand for mass care support during a catastrophic hurricane
event necessitates a partnership between voluntary agencies and local and
state government. Voluntary Agencies provide the majority of mass care
assets, expertise, and operations for shelters. However, the scope of
operations during a catastrophic disaster may prompt some local
governments to establish and operate shelters. In either case, these
partnerships ensure gaps in service are identified and resolved in the most
efficient manner.
4) The State receives, prioritizes, and tracks requests for mass care assistance
that cannot be resolved at the local level. Throughout the emergency,
agencies working in tandem at the DDCs and the SOC, collect and analyze
local information, monitor the status of mass care activities, prioritize need,
and provide additional resources as necessary.
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5) The Shelter Hub System concept was developed to address substantial

demands of a catastrophic hurricane evacuation. The system is supported by
pre-designated inland cities possessing sufficient infrastructure and
resources to support large-scale mass care operations. Within each hub,
shelters are pre-identified by geographic clusters to best facilitate efficient
mass care support. Shelter Hub System operations are detailed in
Attachment 4.
6) Point-to-Point Shelters are a component of the Shelter Hub System and
support the efficient movement and sheltering of mass transportation
evacuations. Point-to-Point shelters are pre-coordinated and documented by
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between evacuating coastal cities and
receiving inland cities. These shelters are strictly reserved for evacuees in
transit and are not announced to the general public.
7) Reception Centers are a key component of the Shelter Hub System, which
provide pre-designated locations where evacuees are received. Upon
arrival, evacuees are triaged, registered, and assigned a shelter within the
hub to match their immediate needs.
8) Each shelter hub is also supported by a pre-identified Resource Staging
Area, which provides the capability to receive, store, and distribute essential
mass care resources.
9) Provisions are made at the host area to permit evacuees to shelter their
household pet and service animals at specific locations. Attachment 6
outlines evacuation procedures for household pets and service and large
animals.
b. Evacuation Hubs
1) Due to the large number of individuals that need assistance to evacuate
during a catastrophic event evacuation, the State will provide various means
of transportation to local governments. These consist of buses, and possibly
air assets to evacuate the most medically-challenged individuals.
2) The TXMF will manage evacuation hubs pre-identified by local governments.
3) Local governments are responsible for transporting their special needs
citizens to the pre-identified evacuation hubs in their jurisdictions.
4) Evacuation hubs will generally establish operations between H-72 and H-48
hours.
5) Individuals requesting transportation assistance will be provided with a
tracking device when available to ensure positive identification of evacuees
during evacuation and upon arrival at the shelters. The information obtained
will be provided to local governments at the evacuation points and to
organizations that specialize in locating family members, such as the
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American Red Cross. It will also be provided to sheltering jurisdictions to

assist in ensure sufficient shelters are opened to house evacuees.
c. Rapid Response Task Force operations
1) If it appears a catastrophic hurricane will impact the Texas Coast, the State
will pre-stage specialized teams with a capability to rapidly respond and
provide immediate assistance as soon as it is safe to enter the disaster area.
2) The State formed four deployable RRTF to provide immediate response and
assistance. The mission of the teams will be to enter and secure the impact
area after impact, coordinate search and rescue, support continuity of
government, initiate immediate mass care, and assess damages to begin
recovery operations. At the request of area jurisdictions, no later than 60
hours prior to landfall, teams will establish and implement a preparedness
and readiness posture by pre-positioning fully mission-capable forces forward
in the area.
3) The teams will operate under the Unified Command ICS structure and
interface with the DDC and local Emergency Management Directors. Forward
Coordinating Elements (FCE) will deploy to the impact area DDC in advance
of the teams to coordinate deployment. An essential function of Incident
Command will be to synchronize the local, state, and federal response.
4) The task force will consist of one heavy team (Task Force Texas) and three
light teams (Dallas, Waco, and Austin). The heavy team will stand up at H96 and stage at the ARCC. The teams will deploy based upon storm impact.
The heavy team will deploy to the area of greatest impact. The number of
teams deployed is situational. One may used or all four it there is a need. The
three light teams will stand up at H-72 and deploy after the storm, as directed.
All teams are expected to be self-sustaining for 72 hours without re-supply.
This includes food, water, fuel, and shelter.
5) Attachment 12 to this plan addresses procedures for team mobilization,
deployment, conduction of operations and demobilization.
d. Disaster Area Re-Entry Operations
1) After the initial entry of emergency response teams and elimination of major
health and safety hazards, provisions are made for residents, business
owners, insurance adjusters, industry repair crews, and business suppliers,
and other interested parties to be provided access to disaster areas. A
phased approach to re-entry is intended to allow emergency resources into
disaster areas quickly, minimize public exposure to hazardous conditions that
often prevail in disaster areas, and provide timely entry to affected areas for
local residents, businesses, and industry when conditions permit.
2) Disaster re-entry operations are typically ground operations, but may be
supported by aircraft and/or watercraft where these resources are available
and appropriate.
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3) Re-entry operations are generally conducted in the following sequence:

a) Deploying emergency response forces to gain access to areas impacted
by a major hazard.
b) Setting up access control points, preferably staffed by law enforcement
personnel, to limit public access to impacted areas that have significant
life safety or public health threats.
c) Abating the most significant health and safety conditions within impact
areas to facilitate reasonably safe movement in such areas by emergency
responders, and later, the public.
d) Allowing controlled re-entry of residents, business owners or operators,
repair crews for essential services, and other personnel to assess
damage, salvage belongings, and implement expedient repairs to prevent
further damage. During this phase of re-entry, curfews may be in effect.
Identification may be required to enter the impact area.
e) Terminating most access restrictions for the general public except in
areas with large volumes of debris, uncontained hazardous substances,
or biological hazards.
e. The disaster area phased re-entry plan shall:
1) Recognize the role of local Emergency Management Directors in making
decisions regarding the timing and implementation of re-entry plans for a
disaster;
2) Provide local Emergency Management Directors with sufficient flexibility to
adjust the plan as necessary to accommodate the circumstances of a
particular emergency.
3) Attachment 13, Disaster Area Re-Entry Operations, provides additional
information on re-entry operations to include emergency responder
qualifications and credentials and phases of entry.
4) In the absence of a local or regional plan, this general guidance may be used
to establish a local disaster re-entry concept of operations.
VI. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
A. ORGANIZATION
All support groups are identified pursuant to the State of Texas Emergency Management
Plan. Groups are composed of personnel and resources from several state agencies
and/or organizations. Each group is directed by a primary agency selected on the basis
of its authority and capability in a particular functional area. The other agencies and
organizations within the group are designated as support agencies and organizations
based on their ability to provide equipment, personnel, and expertise in support of
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functional tasks. The agencies and/or organizations that comprise hurricane response
group are listed in Attachment 1.
B. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
1. General
All agencies and organizations assigned to the hurricane response group are
responsible for the following tasks:
a. Designating and training representatives of their agency in accordance with
applicable NIMS requirements to serve as group members, and ensuring
appropriate Action Guides and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are
developed and maintained.
b. Identifying staff requirements and maintaining current notification procedures to
ensure appropriate trained agency personnel are available for extended
emergency duty in the SOC and Disaster District EOCs, the MACC, JFO, field
command posts, traffic control, and monitoring points as needed.
c. Developing and maintaining procedures to ensure current inventory of agency
resources and contact lists are available.
d. Developing and maintaining procedures for identification, location, commitment,
deployment, and accountability of agency emergency support resources. Major
resources paid for with Federal Funds should be entered into the Texas Regional
Resource Network (TRRN), as required, to facilitate assistance pursuant to
mutual aid agreements. The TRRN complies with the relevant NIMS performance
and interoperability classification standards.
e. Providing personnel, equipment, and other assistance in support of response and
recovery operations as capable.
f.
Providing assistance and coordination for the development and implementation

of intrastate and interstate mutual aid.
g. Providing situational and operational status reports in accordance with existing

procedures and/or as requested by the primary agency.
2. Primary Agency
The primary agency responsible for the coordination of hurricane response
operations is the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). TDEM is
responsible for state-level coordination of assets and services. TDEM will accomplish
the following tasks and situation reports.
a. Identify and coordinate staffing requirements appropriate to the emergency
situation.
b. Process requests for State assistance by coordinating the development of
support recommendations by appropriate support agencies and by presenting
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the most feasible recommendations to the designated direction and control

authority for a possible mission assignment.
c. Collect information from support agencies and provide situation reports as
required by operational procedures, directives, and as requested by the
appropriate direction and control authority.
d. Assist groups with actions to develop and implement mutual aid programs and
procedures.
e. Develop plans and agreements with independent school districts and public
colleges, universities, and university systems to provide transportation assets
and facilities to enable the execution of state and local evacuation and mass care
operations. Develop policies and procedures to reimburse school districts and
public colleges, universities and university systems for evacuation, mass care, or
transportation-related expenses.
f.
Within capabilities, coordinate resource needs to assist local governments in

conducting hurricane response operations.
g. Collect, maintain, and distribute information necessary for the development of

comprehensive evacuation plans to include areas at risk, population affected, key
facilities affected, and related consequences of hazards.
h. Ensure deployable Regional Response Teams (RRTs) are available to support
multi-jurisdictional operations during catastrophic incidents.
i.
Facilitate the maintenance of a statewide database to assist in the evacuation of

the special needs population.
j.
Coordinate and maintain plans to address evacuation and sheltering needs of

evacuees with household pets, service animals, and livestock, where practical.
k. Review and implement prioritized fuel distribution procedures during an

emergency. Maintain procedures to reimburse local governments and other
support entities for evacuation-related fuel costs.
l.
Partner with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to ensure utility companies
regulated by the PUC and serving counties in the hurricane zones distribute
public awareness information during the hurricane season.
m. Maintain contingency contracts and MOUs with private sector partners to assist
with evacuation and sheltering operations.
n. Oversee the implementation of regional response and evacuation plans
throughout the state. Encourage local jurisdictions and MACCs to review
evacuation plans maintained by special needs facilities.
o. Provide planning assistance, sample planning documents, staff visits, and state
standards for evacuation and mass care planning.
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p. Conduct and/or facilitate emergency management training and annual exercises

to enhance evacuation operations.
q. Develop, maintain, and distribute this plan.
3. Support Agencies/Organizations
All tasked hurricane response agency representatives must be aware of the
capabilities of their parent organizations to provide assistance and support and be
prepared to provide recommendations to primary agency representatives. Agency
representatives must respond to mission assignments from the designated
coordination and control authority for deployment and commit agency assets to
support the response and recovery effort. Some agencies will provide agency
personnel and/or equipment, while support from other agencies will be knowledge
and expertise in working with response agencies, the vendor community, or
commercial organizations or associations in supplying services, or in restoration of
disrupted services.
a. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
1) Identify and coordinate evacuation staffing requirements appropriate to the
emergency situation.
2) Process requests for State evacuation assistance by coordinating the
development of support recommendations by appropriate support agencies
and by presenting the most feasible recommendations to the designated
direction and control authority for a possible mission assignment.
3) Assume responsibility for command, control, and communications, as well as
other operational tasks as directed by the Governor, during evacuations and
other disaster response operations involving multiple MACCs.
4) Provide each MACC a senior-level commissioned officer with appropriate
staff to represent the state as each MACC prepares for and responds to a
catastrophic event within the region.
5) Assume traffic management authority over designated evacuation routes
during multi-jurisdictional evacuations.
6) Coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security and the United States
Customs and Border Protection to expedite the flow of traffic through
checkpoints on major hurricane evacuation routes. Assist in developing traffic
management plans to accommodate increased volume at checkpoints during
evacuations.
7) Collect information from support agencies and provide situation reports as
required by operational procedures, DPS directives, and as requested by the
appropriate direction and control authority.
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8) Develop and maintain comprehensive area-wide/statewide traffic

management plans to support large-scale inter-jurisdictional evacuations.
9) Coordinate resource needs to assist local governments in conducting
hurricane evacuation and mass care.
10) Once evacuation operations are implemented, ensure other appropriate
jurisdictions are aware of the operations in progress.
11) Provide for the safe and expeditious flow of traffic out of the threatened areas
and through adjacent jurisdictions.
12) Monitor the status of all evacuations within the appropriate Disaster District(s)
and report the status of movements and problems affecting expedited traffic
flow.
13) Take immediate actions as needed to ensure continued, expeditious traffic
movements out of areas of risk, to include emergency rerouting of evacuating
vehicles.
14) Provide operational status reports on the evacuation traffic flow to the SOC,
through their DDC.
15) Develop, maintain, and distribute appropriate SOPs and the Evacuation
Action Guide.
b. Public Works Response Team
1) The PWRT is deployed by the State Operations Center (SOC) under the
direction of the Assistant Director/Chief, Texas Division of Emergency
Management (TDEM), as required to support local jurisdictions in the event of
a catastrophic incident.
2) The teams response effort is organized and functions in accordance with the
National Incident Management System (NIMS). This PWRT is designed to
support local jurisdictions in their initial response and recovery efforts at three
levels, planning, operational and liaison support.
c. The Salvation Army (TSA)
1) Serve as a member agency of the Disaster District Committees (DDCs) and
the State Emergency Management Council. Perform as a liaison with the
Voluntary agencies and sub-state Voluntary agencies, the American Red
Cross, state agencies and departments, and other recognized voluntary
agencies (VOLAGs).
2) Coordinate team member actions appropriate to the disaster situation.
3) Assist in locating a source for, procuring, transporting, storing, preparing, and
distributing emergency food, water and ice supplies.
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4) Provide services in the following areas:

a) On-site assistance to disaster workers and victims.
b) Spiritual ministry.
c) Pastoral counseling.
d) Individual and mass feeding.
e) Burial assistance.
f)
Provision of and operation of emergency shelter facilities.
g) Assist in the registration and identification of victims and emergency

workers.
h) Assist in administration and supervision of disaster relief operations.
i)
Establish Resource Staging Areas for provisions of basic needs supplies

such as food, water, clothing, etc.
d. American Red Cross (ARC)

1) Conduct shelter and mass care operations.
2) Provide welfare inquiry services.
3) Provide first aid at feeding sites and shelters, as appropriate.
4) Assist in locating a source to procure, transport, store, prepare, and distribute
emergency food, water, and ice supplies.
5) Provide mobile and fixed feeding capabilities, as appropriate.
6) Station as needed to distribute mass care supplies.
7) Provide advocacy and referral services for individual clients ad families.
8) Provide staffing to local and State Emergency Operations Centers.
e. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
1) Coordinate and process fuel waiver requests (EPA, DOE, and Fuel
Coordination Team).
2) Coordinate hazardous material emergency response along evacuation
routes.
3) Assess and provide technical assistance to water and wastewater
infrastructure.
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4) Contact refineries in hurricane evacuation zones to make inquiries regarding

facilities.
f.
Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)

Upon federal authorization, provide USDA commodities to assist local
governments and voluntary agencies in emergency mass feeding operations
through the Food and Nutrition Program. Coordinate with other animal-agriculture
agencies and stakeholders to support a response involving animals.
g. Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)

1) Maintain hurricane evacuation plans for all state correctional facilities in the
evacuation zones and, when warranted, ensure inmates are appropriately
evacuated to safe facilities in accordance with applicable laws, TDCJ
directives, and operational procedures.
2) Provide available TDCJ personnel and their trustees as manpower and
provide equipment to assist in the provision, transportation, storage, and
distribution of food, water, and/or ice supplies.
3) Within capabilities, conduct emergency feeding operations, if requested. This
provision is contingent on the Agencys mission requirements.
h. Texas Office of the Attorney General
1) The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) monitors, deals with complaints on,
fly-by-night door-to-door contractors, and bogus charities during hurricane or
other catastrophic events.
2) Some businesses raise their prices excessively on essential goods and
services like drinking water, ice, groceries, fuel, towing, and car and home
repairs. Charging excessive prices for necessities in an officially recognized
disaster area can constitute price gouging. Under the Texas Deceptive Trade
Practices Act, price gouging is illegal, and the Office of the Attorney General
has authority to prosecute any business that engages in price gouging after a
disaster has been declared by the governor. The attorney general has issued
stern warnings about price gouging to businesses in times of disaster.
3) After natural disasters, door-to-door salespeople flock to some
neighborhoods offering clean up and repair services. While many of these
people are honest and reputable, some are not. The OAG will provide
guidance to those individuals who may face these door-to-door contractors.
4) In the wake of a natural disaster the OAG will provide guidance and
information or charitable donation scams.
i.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
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1) Coordinate public health issues relating to safety of drinking water and food,
and the disposal of contaminated or unsafe products.
2) Assist in developing and maintaining criteria for medical special needs facility
evacuation plans, to include both licensed and unlicensed facilities as well as
correctional facilities.
3) Assist in developing and maintaining this plan as it relates to persons with
medical special needs.
4) Identify medical special needs categories, categorizing the requirements of
persons with medical special needs and establishing minimum health-related
standards for short-term and long-term shelters. This includes but is not
limited to the inclusion of those special needs individuals who need
transportation.
j.
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)

1) Assist in the identification of nursing home facilities and persons with special
needs.
2) Assist in developing, maintaining, and implementing plans to address the
evacuation and sheltering needs of individuals with special needs.
k. Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

Assist in developing, maintaining, and implementing plans to address the
l.
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)

Assist in developing, maintaining, and implementing plans to address the
m. Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)

1) Assist in developing, maintaining, and coordinating the implementation of
local plans to address the evacuation, transportation and sheltering needs of
individuals with household pets and large animals.
2) Assist in developing and maintaining this plan as it relates to persons with
special needs traveling with animals.
n. Texas Education Agency (TEA)
1) Assist in acquiring school facilities and associated personnel to assist in
operating shelters and feeding people in the shelters.
2) Work with independent school districts to provide school buses to assist in
the evacuation of persons requiring transportation.
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o. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)

1) Serve as the primary agency for search and rescue; responsible for Statelevel coordination of assets and services.
2) Identify and coordinate staffing requirements appropriate to the emergency
situation.
3) Process requests for State Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance by
coordinating the development of support recommendations by appropriate
support agencies and by presenting most feasible recommendations to
designated coordination and control authority for possible mission
assignments.
4) Coordinate and maintains Texas Task Force 1 (TTF-1) for search and rescue
operations.
5) Maintain appropriate staffing to coordinate and assist local government, DDC,
the State Emergency Management Council, and State agencies, as
appropriate.
6) Coordinate the deployment and operation of other State agencies and
regional rescue teams involved in SAR to assist local governments.
7) Coordinate the deployment and operation of canine specialty resources to
assist local governments. This may include SAR and/or Human Remains
(HR) detection dogs.
8) Implement joint air/ground coordination for SAR operations.
p. National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC)
1) Assist in the administration of the Rapid Response Task Forces (RRTF)
operations including but not limited to training and exercises.
2) Provide Staging Teams capable of staging up to four RRTFs simultaneously.
3) Provide trained staff for the Texas State Operations Center (Forward) and
develop an SOP governing SOC (Fwd) operations."
q. Texas Military Forces (TXMF)
4) Develop plans and procedures for establishing and operating evacuation
hubs for transporting individuals needing assistance in evacuating.
5) Provide military support as requested by the SOC.
r.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Provide parking and lodging in state parks and on state lands for disaster victims
and their vehicles, as appropriate.
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s. Texas State Animal Response Team (ART)

This team is a partnership group of state agencies, the Texas Animal Health
Commission (TAHC), Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Texas Department
of Transportation (TxDOT), and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ), Texas AgriLife Extension Service (ALEXT), and Texas A&M Universitys
College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), along with industry stakeholder
organizations and the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART), all
working together in an incident management team (IMT) setting response to
emergency incidents involving animals. The primary animal agriculture-related
organizations will handle the large animal/livestock challenges, while TXSART
will be assigned to handle household pet/companion animal issues and TAMUCVM will provide veterinary support to both.
t.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service

1) Provides public information and educational resources, visual learning
resources and promotes mitigation practices addressing.
2) All hazards disaster preparedness and recovery education for individuals,
families in both urban and rural communities.
3) Reduction of the impact associated with disaster by disseminating
educational resources related to disaster mitigation, preparedness and
recovery.
4) Wildfire prevention for landowners, residents, businesses and county
governments across rural and urban-rural wildlands of Texas.
5) All-hazards public health, evacuation and shelter in place preparedness
educational resources for individuals, families, communities, businesses and
county governments.
6) Food-related disasters that affect landowners,
manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers or consumers.
farmers,
ranchers,
7) Agricultural disaster losses and damage assessment supporting county

government and U.S.D.A.
8) Crop production systems, range management, risk management, and urban
landscape and water use management during drought.
u.
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

1) Coordinate Food and Water activities within the SOC and at the Disaster
District EOCs.
2) 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN) seated at the SOC will
coordinate dissemination of disaster-related public Information to the 2-1-1
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Area Information Centers in order to provide an information and assistance

conduit for the public.
a) Provide disaster-related Information and Referral for all phases of the
event.
b) Register callers in the State Transportation Assistance Registry. TIRN
representative at the SOC will monitor activity of Transportation
Assistance Registry and provide reports as scheduled or requested.
c) Receive and document escalations from 2-1-1 Area Information Centers.
Forward to appropriate State agencies or non-governmental
organizations. Escalation include, but are not limited to, shelters needs,
medical concerns, transportation issues, lack of fuel, lack of essentials
items such as food, water, and ice, the presence or lack of shelter space,
spontaneous shelters and other pertinent concerns.
d) Assist in locating additional information and referral resources to support
caller needs.
e) Provide SOC Emergency Management Council members with information
and repots as requested, examples include but are not limited to,
reporting spontaneous shelter information to mass care and reception
center information to TxDOT for dissemination at comfort stations.
1) Help disaster victims and/or shelter population in understanding what
recovery programs may be available to them and assist in the application
process.
2) Coordinate and assist in the identification and provision of appropriate
services to individuals with special needs.
3) Assist individuals to register in the State Transportation Assistance
Registry.
4) Coordinate the disaster implementation of needs-based programs
including the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP),
formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.
v. Texas Health Care Association
Assist the State Emergency Management Council in identifying private facilities
which care for clients with special needs and help resolve impediments to their
safe and expedient evacuation during hurricane operations.
w. Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)
1) Serves as the lead agency to provide Emergency Support Function (ESF-2
Communications) to the Texas Division of Emergency Management under
the TDEM Emergency Plan.
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2) Provides statewide leadership and oversight for management of government

information and communications technology.
3) Leverages the 2-1-1 information and referral system to provide hazard and
emergency information to the public.
4) Provides additional bandwidth on the TEX-AN IPSG communications network
as necessary to support increased 2-1-1 traffic in an emergency event.
5) Provides GIS and IT technical support to the Texas Division of Emergency
Management TexMap Project, as requested.
6) Maintains contact with affected state agency to determine the need to secure
back-up tapes to a secure location or to back-up agency data to one of the
State Data Centers.
7) Facilitates emergency procurement and delivery of technological resources.
8) TexasOnline provides the public with coordinated, up-to-date, pre- and postlandfall information to facilitate disaster mitigation and recovery through its
Emergency Preparedness Portal.
x. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
1) Conduct traffic analysis and/or other studies to identify most appropriate
highways meet evacuation requirements.
2) Implement short and long-term solutions to reduce congestion on evacuation
highway routes. Prioritize infrastructure projects that address obstructions on
evacuation routes.
3) Coordinate with DPS to develop and maintain contraflow plans for major
hurricane evacuation routes as identified by the Task Force on Evacuation,
Transportation, and Logistics.
4) Support the fuel operations function in the SOC as it coordinates the
distribution of fuel prior to and during operations.
5) Partner with the Fuel Coordination Team (Texas Oil and Gas Association and
other fuel industry representatives) in the release of public service
announcements, to encourage filling of fuel tanks and thus promote fuel
availability during evacuations.
6) Assist TDEM in establishing emergency fuel distribution priorities.
7) In accordance with the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, install
hurricane evacuation route signage along highways that are hurricane
evacuation routes.
8) Provide information on the availability of highways for evacuation operations.
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9) Monitor traffic conditions by using detectors, cameras, and personnel

observations, where available.
10) Install temporary barricades, traffic cones, and other traffic control devices to
assist law enforcement in effective traffic flow management on state highway
routes.
11) Perform emergency highway repairs, as appropriate and as conditions
permit, to allow evacuation routes to remain open as long as weather
conditions permit.
12) Respond, as capable, to resolve immediate traffic road hazard problems
along evacuation routes.
13) Keep evacuation routes open for as long as prudent to ensure evacuees can
exit the evacuation zones safely.
14) Assign locations for comfort stations along major evacuation routes and
assist in their set up and operation.
15) Assist local governments in coordinating with municipal transportation
agencies to determine the availability of public transportation in emergency
evacuation operations.
y. Texas Forest Service (TFS)
1) Provide Incident Management Teams (IMT) that can be deployed as needed
to either manage or assist in the management of emergency response
operations. The IMT can operate from any direction and control facility, but
are particularly effective in situations that require field deployment of
resources.
2) Provide Planning Support for DDCs.
3) Provide management of RSA, CSA and POD operations.
z. Voluntary Agencies
1) Assist with public service functions such as mass care operations, donations
management, and food and water-related issues.
2) Assist in locating, procuring, transporting, storing, preparing, and distributing
emergency food, water, and ice supplies.
aa. Texas Procurement & Support Services (TPASS)
1) Secure vendors for certain commodities and services to meet expected
requirements along with anticipated demand.
2) TPASS establishes statewide contracts for bus transportation services, bus
staging site management and coordination services, helicopters, forklifts,
36
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pallet jacks, generators, base camp support services, portable restrooms,

showers, portable lighting units, delivery services (dry van and refrigerated
trailers) and fuel transportation/distribution services to be administered by
TPASS staff during emergencies in conjunction with the State Operations
Center (SOC).
.
bb. Public Utility Commission (PUC)
1) During preparations for a hurricane disaster, alert all major
telecommunications and electric utilities along the coast and initiate a review
of emergency plans, inventories, and preparations for an approaching
hurricane.
2) Issue waivers for certain service area certificate requirements to permit
emergency work activities.
3) Ensure utility companies regulated by the Commission and serving counties
in the hurricane evacuation zones include hurricane preparedness and
evacuation-related public awareness information in monthly billing statements
prior to and during the hurricane season.
cc. Private Sector Partners
1) Non-governmental organizational representatives, or businesses who have a
direct role in supporting the state response through mutual agreements,
contracts, or under a fee for service arrangement.
2) These include the fuel industry, public utilities, food chains, banking industry,
beverage and ice companies, privately owned critical infrastructure/key
resources, and other private-sector entities that are significant to local,
regional, and national economic recovery from the incident.
3) Private sector organizations play a key role before, during, and after an
incident.
4) State and local emergency managers work with businesses to provide water,
power, communication networks, fuel, transportation, medical care, security,
and numerous other services upon which both response and recovery are
particularly dependent.
dd. Fuel Coordination Team
1) Positioned in the State Operations Center during activations for a hurricane
or other catastrophic disaster, the Fuel Coordination Team coordinates the
fuel distribution and delivery necessary for evacuation purposes.
2) Team members include representatives from the Texas Oil and Gas
Association, the Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store
Association, supply terminals, distributors, and retailers.
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3) The team also assists the state in recovering the fuel network as quickly as
possible post-storm or emergency event.
ee. United Ways of Texas
1) Serves as an information link between the State, state-level agencies, local
United Ways and community partners in impacted areas.
2) Provides regular updates to local United Ways, community partners and the
public via email, website, and/or other methods regarding the status of the
preparation/response/recovery efforts in the impacted areas.
3) Monitors material needs of local United Ways and their community partners,
and provides updates to the state and other responding organizations as
needed.
4) Collects information regarding any volunteer needs/opportunities for local
United Ways and their community partners and communicates those needs
to the appropriate parties.
5) Serves as a convening facilitator of statewide organizations, entities,
individuals, stakeholders and others involved in the general area of crisis
response and recovery on an as-needed and supportive basis as determined
by UWT.
6) Serves in a leadership capacity on crisis response public policy endeavors
and initiatives with national, state and locally-elected officials throughout
Texas.
VII. COORDINATION AND CONTROL
A. STATE LEVEL PROCEDURES
1. Coordination and control of emergency response and recovery operations in Texas
will be exercised in accordance with Section V.B, and VI of the State of Texas
Emergency Management Plan, and in accordance with the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) and relevant National Response Framework (NRF)
requirements.
2. A DPS/Texas Highway Patrol Division (THP) staff member will serve as the primary
agency representative and will coordinate all evacuation activities within the SOC,
DDC EOCs; and, as requested, within a Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC).
3. A TSA staff member will serve as the primary agency representative and coordinate
Mass Care activities within the SOC.
4. A HHSC staff member will serve as the primary agency representative and
coordinate Food and Water activities within the SOC and at the DDC EOCs, as well
as coordinate the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A
representative from the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network will be present
in the SOC and provide data on 2-1-1 Texas operations.
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B. LOCAL LEVEL PROCEDURES

The Emergency Management Directors (County Judges and Mayors) within each of the
States 24 Councils of Government (COG) have established a MACS to support regional
disasters.
1. Each Regional MAC will be responsible for preparing for and responding to
catastrophic events within the region.
2. When practical, the MACS will attempt to meet resource requests within the region
prior to submission to the DDC.
VIII. EMERGENCY RESPONSE LEVELS/ACTION GUIDES
See State of Texas Emergency Management Plan, Section VII, for a list of the different
response levels and the kinds of activities that characterize each level. Appendix 2 to
Annex N (Direction and Control), maintained by TDEM, addresses all hazards, functions,
agencies, and response levels. Attachment 2 to this Plan contains a supplemental Action
Guide which outlines additional actions the group members should take at each emergency
response level to ensure the group is prepared to respond and support emergency
response operations.
IX. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
A. LINES OF SUCCESSION
Lines of succession for personnel with emergency management responsibilities will be in
accordance with existing policies and emergency management standard operating
procedures (SOPs) of each agency/organization.
B. TRAINING
Primary and support agencies will ensure their respective personnel are trained in
accordance with NIMS guidelines and prepared to operate in the event regular agency
members are absent. They will identify alternate or backup personnel, ensure these
individuals understand the lines of succession, pre-delegated authorities, and task
responsibilities of their individual agencies, and ensure appropriate Action Guides
contain sufficient detail so alternate and/or backup personnel can use them in
performing their responsibilities.
C. RECORD KEEPING
Primary and support agencies will ensure all records necessary for emergency
management operations are obtainable from each member agency in an emergency,
and, as required, the records are duplicated at an alternate location in the event the
primary records are destroyed.
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X. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT

A. SUPPORT
Requests for emergency assistance will be resolved at the lowest level direction and
control facility with appropriate response resource capabilities. Requests for assistance
normally flow upward from cities to the county, and if unresolved at the county level,
continue upward to the responsible DDC. If the DDC is unable to accommodate the
request, it is then forwarded to the SOC and, if needed, to other states or the federal
government.
B. AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDING
All agreements and understandings entered into for the purchase, lease, or use of
equipment and services will be in accordance with the provisions of state law and
procedures. The Proclamation of a State of Disaster issued by the Governor may
suspend select rules and regulations affecting support operations. The specific impact of
the situation will be determined by the nature of the emergency. group members will be
advised of any administrative and/or procedural changes impacting emergency
operation procedures.
C. STATUS REPORTS
The primary agency will maintain the current status of all outstanding assistance
requests and unresolved -related issues. This information will be summarized into
periodic status reports and submitted in accordance with applicable operating
procedures.
D. EXPENDITURES AND RECORD KEEPING
1. Each state agency is responsible for establishing administrative controls necessary
to manage the expenditure of funds and provide reasonable accountability and
justification for federal reimbursement in accordance with the established guidelines.
2. The first source of expenditures by state agencies in response to an emergency,
imminent disaster, or recovery from a catastrophic incident should originate from
funds regularly appropriated by the Legislature.
3. In accordance with established procedures, state agencies may seek financial
assistance from Disaster Contingency Funds.
E. CRITIQUES
1. Following the conclusion of any significant emergency event/incident or exercise, the
Primary Agency representatives will conduct a critique of the groups activities during
the event/incident or exercise. Support agencies will provide written and/or oral
inputs for this critique and the Primary Agency representative will consolidate all
inputs into a final written report.
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2. Post Disaster Evaluation. Chapter 418, Government Code, requires State agencies,
political subdivision, and inter-jurisdictional agencies to conduct an evaluation of their
response to a disaster, identify areas of improvement, and issue a report of the
evaluation to TDEM no later than 90 days after TDEM makes the request.
XI. DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
A. DEVELOPMENT
1. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has the overall responsibility for
emergency planning and coordination of state resources in the conduct of hurricane
response operations.
2. Each tasked member agency of the State Emergency Management Council is
responsible for the development and maintenance of appropriate planning
documents to address responsibilities assigned in this plan, to include standard
operating procedures.
3. The Assistant Director of TDEM will ensure appropriate distribution of the Plan and
any changes thereto.
B. MAINTENANCE
1. The Assistant Director, TDEM will authorize and issue changes to this plan until such
time as the plan is superseded.
2. TDEM will maintain and update this plan, as required. Council member
representatives may recommend changes and will provide information concerning
capability changes which impact their emergency management responsibilities.
3. Tasked State Emergency Management Council agencies are responsible for
participating in the annual review of the plan. The Chief, TDEM will coordinate all
review and revision efforts, and ensure the plan is updated as necessary, based on
lessons learned during actual hurricane events and exercises, and other changes in
organization, technology and/or capabilities.
4. Council members have the responsibility for maintaining annexes, standard
operating procedures, notification lists, and resource data to ensure prompt and
effective response to hurricane emergencies. Agency resource data must be
accessible to agency representatives at the SOC and at each affected Disaster
District EOC to facilitate the capability of each agency to support its emergency
management responsibilities. Council member agencies are also required to conduct
and/or participate in training activities designed to enhance their ability to accomplish
their responsibilities as assigned by this plan.
5. This plan shall be exercised at least annually in the form of a simulated emergency in
order to provide practical, controlled, and operational experience to those who have
SOC responsibilities. This requirement is applicable to the SOC and each Disaster
District EOC.
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6. All hurricane-related exercises will be designed to best evaluate the effectiveness of

this plan and its associated procedures. The TDEM Assistant Director/Chief will
coordinate exercises. The Council member agency having primary responsibility for
hurricane evacuation, mass care, and food and water tasks, in consultation with
support agencies, will develop, conduct, and evaluate operational exercises of this
plan.
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STATE OF TEXAS

APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION

INITIALS AND DATE ENTERED

AUTHORITY AND REFERENCES .......................................................................................... 1

Hurricane Response Organization

AUTHORITY AND REFERENCES

Constitution of the State of Texas.

Chapter 418 (Emergency Management), Texas Government Code.

Chapter 421 (Homeland Security), Texas Government Code.

Chapter 433 (State of Emergency), Texas Government Code.

Chapter 778 (Emergency Management Assistance Compact), Texas Health and

Respective State Agency, Department, and Commission enabling legislation.

State of Texas Hazard Analysis, September 2000.

The National Strategy for Homeland Security, July 2002.

Emergency Management and Assistance, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 44.

Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 1988, Public Law 100-408, as amended.

Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Public Law 104-321.

National Response Framework, March 2008.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5: Management of Domestic Incidents.

Executive Order 13347,

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

Interstate Emergency Response Support Plan (IERSP), October 2009

The purpose of this plan is to define the organization, operational concepts,

B. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Relationship to Other State Plans.

Relationship to Local Emergency Management Plans.

Relationship to Regional Emergency Management Plans.

Relationship to Federal Contingency Plans.

Relationship to Interstate Agreements.

III. EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Alamo Regional Command Center

Catastrophic Hurricane: A hurricane defined by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind

Catastrophic Incident: Any natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, which

Comfort Station: A designated rest area on a hurricane emergency evacuation route

Disaster: An occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury,

Emergency Evacuation Traffic Management Plans: Plans issued by the Texas

Emergency Public Information: Information that is disseminated primarily in

Evacuation: Organized, phased, and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or removal

11. Evacuation Zone: Hurricane evacuation area defined by either geographic or

The State of Texas Hazard Analysis, published by TDEM, provides detailed

The State of Texas has periodically experienced hurricanes so widespread or

Effective prevention and preparedness operations, early warning and evacuation,

The availability of critical emergency response and recovery capabilities and

Local governments will develop, maintain, and implement comprehensive all

Emergency response and recovery capabilities will be enhanced by employment of

A number of hazards threaten Texas capable of causing a catastrophic incident or

The occurrence of a catastrophic event may cause widespread damage to the

It is expected state-owned facilities and resources in a catastrophic disaster area

Hurricane response activities are conducted pursuant to the National Incident

B. HURRICANE RESPONSE PHASES

The SOC publishes a daily Situation Report as soon as a potential threat is

Coordination and Control

Evacuation and care during evacuation

Transportation Assistance Registry if transportation is required during an

site-specific instructions for volunteers and staff to address these

A reasonable number of emergency shelters should have back-up

g) Special consideration should be given to identifying and segregating

5) Local jurisdictions are responsible for establishing, managing, equipping,

Search and Rescue

Mass Care and Sheltering

5) The Shelter Hub System concept was developed to address substantial

American Red Cross. It will also be provided to sheltering jurisdictions to