County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

Robert E. Hebert Fort Bend County Judge

Phone (281) 341-8608 www.fortbendcountynews.info

For Immediate Release

Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management Hosts Preparedness Workshop

 

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – On May 17, 2013, the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management hosted the 6th annual Emergency Preparedness Workshop at the Rosenberg Civic and Convention Center in Rosenberg, TX. More than 250 individuals attended the workshop, including over 30 businesses and organizations that set up booths and donated door prizes. The focus of the event was on getting attendees ready for emergencies, especially the 2013 hurricane season which commences on June 1^st.

Each year the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management offers this forum for first responders, private businesses, non-profit agencies, and community members to network and share information.  Through education and collaboration, those who attend the workshop are able to provide a coordinated and organized response in the case of an emergency. Vincent Morales, Mayor of the City of Rosenberg, kicked off the program with a warm welcome to all those in attendance.  Master of Ceremonies Jeff Braun, Emergency Coordinator for the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, directed the program. 

The workshop included presentations from leaders in the field of emergency management.  The 2013 Hurricane Season Outlook was presented by Dan Reilly of the National Weather Service.  Sergeant Irene Walger of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center spoke to the group about the 911 Communications Center. Harry Mergel of the Texas Department of Public Safety gave information about the Bluebonnet Crisis Incident Stress Management program. Cristine Cerny with CenterPoint Energy shared CenterPoint’s Emergency Action Plan.  Pat Hughes of Sugar Land Office of Emergency Management described his experience as a member of the Incident Management Team during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy; and Ricky Thompson with Texas AgriLife Extension Service explained the process of restoring damaged trees. 

Several emergency vehicles were on display for the attendees to view. Fort Bend County’s Mobile Medical Unit was on hand.  This unit opens up into a mobile triage unit holding 16 beds inside.  The PHI Medical team displayed the ‘Air Ambulance’ used for transport of patients during life threatening emergencies.  The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office exhibited the Bearcat SWAT Vehicle; and Fire Trucks from the Fulshear/Simonton Fire Department and the Rosenberg Fire Department were also available for attendees to appreciate.  

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 businesses, and private non-profit agencies.

For more information, please visit the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management Website at: http://www.fbcoem.org/go/doc/1528/1523783/

          

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