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(Harris County, TX) – The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) was recognized by the Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT) at their annual Leadership Symposium in College Station, Texas. HCOHSEM received EMAT’s Emergency Management Technology Award and the Outstanding Public Information Award.

EMAT’s Emergency Management Technology Award recognizes and honors an original technology product, project, or innovation developed and implemented in Texas that improves emergency management operations. HCOHSEM’s Tech Unit was honored with this award for their innovative use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) throughout the many disasters during 2024. The team produced maps showing Cooling Center locations, Distribution Centers, Disaster Recovery Centers and Business Recovery Centers in response to the derecho in May and Hurricane Beryl. These products were utilized in the Emergency Operations Center for planning and coordinating with partners and utilized on ReadyHarris.org to help guide residents to resources. One of the most impactful maps created was for Crisis Cleanup, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals repair and restore their homes at no cost following disasters. The data mapped by the Tech Unit played a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers, by illustrating the urgent need for support in the community. Without their technical expertise, the growth in volunteers would not have been possible.

The Outstanding Public Information Award recognizes exemplary efforts and honors public information and educational activities that increase information and/or awareness of emergency management issues with Texas residents. After the May 2024 Derecho, FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) offered financial aid and loans, but many residents faced confusion about the application process. HCOHSEM recognized the importance of providing clarity and guidance throughout these processes. The HCOSHEM Communications team partnered with FEMA, the SBA, and Deaf Link, a provider that produces accessible communications for persons who may be deaf, hard of hearing, or literacy challenged, to produce a 5-minute video and related materials to support frequently asked questions on FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and SBA’s Disaster Loans, helping residents navigate the application process. These materials were made available to the public on ReadyHarris.org and all ReadyHarris social media platforms. In addition, HCOHSEM provided materials to recovery partners to aid in the distribution of this critical information.

“I am extremely proud of our office’s effort to keep the public informed during both the Derecho and Hurricane Beryl” said Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan. “Keeping our community informed is at the core of our mission, and executing at the highest level during back-to-back Presidential Declared Disasters, when accurate information matters most deserves to be recognized. I want to extend my gratitude to our entire team for their hard work and commitment to building a more resilient community.”

ABOUT HCOHSEM
HCOHSEM is a national model of best practices in emergency planning, preparation, response, and recovery. HCOHSEM helps prepare, safeguard, and protect the residents and property of Harris County from the effects of disasters through effective planning, preparation, response, and recovery activities.

ABOUT EMAT
EMAT is dedicated to the advancement of the field of emergency management both statewide and nationally. To that end, EMAT engages in an array of efforts to advance a statewide emergency management agenda and to promote the professional growth of the emergency management practitioner.