Homeland Security and Emergency Management

About HSEM

Vision

A disaster-prepared and resilient community. 

Mission

To serve as the coordinating focal point for preparedness, response, recovery, and education in any emergency or disaster that disrupts the community.

HSEM Staff

Executive Staff

Bill Wilson | Interim Director

Janet Pichette | Interim Assistant Director

Yahel Baranovicht | Business Process Specialist

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Emergency Plans & Operations

Louis Gonzales | Chief Emergency Plans Officer

Robin Wiatrek | Senior Emergency Plans Officer

Vacant | Senior Emergency Plans Officer

Jo Mackin | Emergency Plans Officer

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Public Information and Marketing + Community Engagement and Outreach

Sara Henry | Public Information & Marketing Program Manager

David Alcorta | Community Engagement Specialist - Language Access

Billy Callis | Public Information Officer, Sr. 

Christine Casebeer | Community Engagement Specialist

Matt Coleman | Marketing Rep B, Graphic Design

Valeria Osorio | Community Engagement Specialist 

David Wiechmann | Public Information Officer, Sr. 

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Finance

Heidi Cruz | Finance Manager

Bing Chen | Program Manager

Latrisha Nava | Program Manager

Cynthia Smith | Accounting Associate

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Logistics

Tanner Hunt | Chief Emergency Plans Officer - Logistics

Stephanie Peden | Logistics Business Process Specialist

Ronald Gregoire | Logistics Program Manager

Jay Thibodeaux | Logistics Program Manager

Angie Bryant | Logistics Inventory Planner

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Mass Care 

Donny Cummings | Chief Emergency Mass Care Officer

Natalie Lyell | Resilience Network Manager 

Vacant | Program Manager 

Jarred Radebaugh | Community Services Program Coordinator 

Aarsi Desai | Community Services Program Coordinator

 

 

 

National Emergency Management Accreditation

 

In 2017, the national Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) has reconfirmed the City of Austin’s emergency management program is among the elite emergency management leaders, following a full accreditation granted by the EMAP Commission.

The Commission announced the accreditation after conducting a peer-reviewed assessment of the City of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Austin HSEM), which documented Austin HSEM’s compliance with 64 industry-recognized standards.

In 2012, the City of Austin was the first city in Texas to earn the voluntary five-year EMAP accreditation.

Facilities and Operations

Austin/Travis County Emergency Operations Center

The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management maintain the Austin/Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in partnership with Travis County.

During area-wide emergencies, the EOC serves as the command center for the City of Austin and Travis County response and recovery operations.

A variety of communications tools and backup systems are installed in the EOC to aid in the receipt and release of vital information. 

The EOC brings together City departments and regional partners to coordinate the flow of information and strategy development. Organizations and government agencies send representatives during an EOC activation, depending on the type and severity of emergency.

Incident Command System

HSEM staff are trained in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Incident Management System. The Incident Command System (ICS), is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach. It allows for the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications operating within a common organizational structure, enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private, and establishes common processes for planning and managing resources.

Read more about the Incident Command System on FEMA’s website.

Community Grants

FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides funding support for facility hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack.