Homeland Security and Emergency Management

The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) coordinates the citywide response to large-scale emergencies and disasters. This includes planning, preparedness activities, and the response and recovery phases of a disaster.

Austin Emergency Operations Center

Austin HSEM maintains the Austin/Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During area-wide emergencies, the EOC serves as the command center for the City of Austin and Travis County response and recovery operations.

Get Involved with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Travis County and the City of Austin are partnering to produce a county-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This Plan will provide the framework for the County’s efforts to become a Fire-Adapted Community, will aid regional communities in understanding wildfire risk, and will provide guidance for reducing that wildfire threat to avert potential catastrophic fires. For more information, click here.

wildfire photo

All meetings are open to the public and take place from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.:

May 14, 15 and 16: Travis Co. East Service Center: 6011 Blue Bluff Road (Map)

May 20, 22 and 23: 700 Lavaca Building: First floor multifunction rooms (Map)

May 28, 29 and 30: Travis Co. West Service Center: 4501 FM 620, Austin (Map)

June 4, 5 and 6: Pflugerville Fire Department: 2003-B East Pecan Street, Pflugerville (Map)

June 11, 12 and 13: North Travis Co. Fire & Rescue:18300 Park Drive, Jonestown (Map)

Become a Volunteer

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the increased demand. The number of victims, communication failures and road blockages will prevent people from accessing normal emergency services. People will have to rely on each other's help to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

Austin HSEM and the citizens of Austin need YOUR help to prepare the community for a disaster. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program provides an opportunity for Austinites to play an important role in helping to safeguard, prepare for, and respond to major emergencies in our community.

Fall CERT training classes begin on September 3rd, 2013. Sign up for CERT via this online form, or visit the CERT page for more information.

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