Mission
The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities, with the mission of providing a safe and secure environment to the residents and businesses of Fort Bend County. The OEM provides leadership, coordination, and support to reduce the loss of life and property through a comprehensive, all-hazards emergency management program. Striving to meet this mission, OEM develops and maintains partnerships with other county, municipal, and emergency management/first responder organizations, and coordinates with the Governor's Division of Emergency Management, various federal agencies, private sector business, and private non-profit agencies.
About Fort Bend County OEM
The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) accomplishes its mission through the development of programs and operational capabilities. By working with all County Departments and all municipalities within the County, OEM helps our community to be better prepared for emergencies.
Through extensive hazard analysis, OEM has identified the many hazards in the County which have the potential for disrupting life in the community, possibly causing damage and injury. The Fort Bend County Mitigation Action Plan assesses these hazards and vulnerabilities in addition to the response capabilities of all jurisdictions within the Count. Completion of projects contained in the Mitigation Action Plan will help minimize and avoid future disasterous conditions.
A planning process is then utilized to minimize these potential threats. A key preparedness activity is the maintenance of the County's Emergency Operations Plan. This plan provides the framework upon which local government officials direct response before, during, and after a disaster. The Fort Bend County Emergency Operations' Plans based on the four phases of disaster. The Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Plan is based on the four phases of emergency management:
When facing emergency situations, OEM works closely with first responders and others, such as the State of Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service to respond effectively. Coordination of response activities is facilitated by the County's Emergency Operation's Center (EOC) which is a state-of-the-art facility housing the Office of Emergency Management. Using established procedures, OEM requests aid from state and federal agencies when necessary, normally after all mutual aid assistance has been exhausted.
OEM staff also coordinates short and long-term recovery activities following a disaster. Working closely with agencies such as the American Red Cross and other non-profit relief agencies, the Office undertakes activities designed to quickly restore governmental services, support requests for public and private disaster assistance, and return the community to a normal state.
The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, under the direction of County Judge and Emergency Management Director Robert E. Hebert, is staffed with eight full-time members plus a Technology Support Specialist assigned to OEM by the County's Information Technology Department. Each member is responsible for completing tasks and objectives related to different aspects of the mission: