The Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT) honored the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) with the Excellence in Emergency Management Award at its annual symposium held this week in San Marcos, Texas.
“We are grateful for the recognition and proud of the team that made it happen,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “Solid partnerships help us meet the ever-changing public safety and homeland security needs.”
The award recognizes HCOHSEM’s Intelligence Task Force (ITF) which regularly gathers, evaluates, summarizes, and disseminates pertinent intelligence information to local first-responder agencies and the organizations that support them.
“Through effective situational awareness, HCOHSEM can implement programs to better prepare our communities,” added Emmett. “This helps protect lives and critical infrastructure against threats and acts of terrorism.”
HCOHSEM’s ITF team includes law enforcement officers from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, Harris County Toll Road Authority, and Harris County Constable Precincts 1 and 5.
“We are pleased to recognize the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management for its commitment and leadership,” said EMAT President Kevin Starbuck. “The ITF plays an important role in information sharing and multi-agency cooperation.”
EMAT is dedicated to the advancement of the field of emergency management both statewide and nationally. It engages in an array of efforts to advance a statewide emergency management agenda and to promote the professional growth of the emergency management practitioner.