Section 2: Disasters and National Emergencies
Anchor: #i1001131General Policy in All Disasters
When requested by the disaster district chairperson, the department has the authority to perform emergency operations off the state highway system. Where it is not possible to coordinate emergency response activities and requirements with MNT due to lack of communications or time sensitivity, emergency response may be implemented as deemed appropriate.
Anchor: #i1001141Governor's Division of Emergency Management (DEM)
The Governor, by executive order, has appointed the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as director of the DEM. The director is also designated chairman of the State Emergency Management Council. DEM administers the statewide comprehensive emergency management plan and keeps the Governor informed of emergency situations which might call for the use of state resources.
Anchor: #i1001151State Emergency Management Council
The State Emergency Management Council has been established to include representatives of each agency of state government whose legal functions relate to important phases of emergency management. The Council will advise and assist in all matters relating to disaster preparedness, emergency response, and disaster recovery. MNT serves on the Emergency Management Council to coordinate the department's overall emergency operations.
Anchor: #i1001161Disaster District Committees
The state is divided into "disaster districts" which utilize Department of Public Safety (DPS) district and subdistrict boundaries. Disaster district committees consist of counterpart representatives of each agency and departments having an emergency service function on the State Emergency Management Council. The Highway Patrol captain of each DPS district or lieutenant of the DPS subdistrict serves as the chairperson of this committee. This chairperson convenes the district disaster committee in the event of a disaster or threat thereof, or as directed by the Division of Emergency Management. Use of TxDOT resources off the highway is only authorized through the disaster district chairperson, DEM director, DEM state coordinator or the Governor.
When mayors or county judges have exhausted their resources in attempts to manage, control or mitigate the effects of an emergency or disaster, they may request state assistance through the disaster committee chairperson.
Anchor: #i1001176Disaster District Committee Chairperson
In the absence of a disaster declaration by the Governor, the disaster district chairperson may request TxDOT assistance and support if, in the chairperson's opinion, the assistance is for lifesaving operations or to relieve suffering and hardship as a result of a natural or man-made disaster event.
Anchor: #i1001186State Emergency Response Team (SERT)
The SERT consists of representatives from state agencies and other appropriate organizations that are equipped and prepared to deploy and operate in an area affected by a major disaster. Most members of the SERT will be from areas of the state that were not affected by the event. TxDOT will deploy MNT personnel to supplement the affected district performing damage assessment.
TxDOT has been assigned the following SERT responsibilities:
- conducting roadways assessments
- assessing and reporting impact to airports, ports and marine facilities in the disaster area
- coordinating roadway clearance and repair in the disaster area.