The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. The EMPG program is essential for the building and sustainment of critical capabilities for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation across the country.
The purpose of the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program is to provide Federal funds to states to assist state, local, territorial, and tribal governments in preparing for all hazards. The EMPG Program supports a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency preparedness system by building and sustaining the core capabilities contained in the Goal.
In Texas, the Texas Division of Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Contact:
Stephen Cottle, Unit Chief
Phone: (512) 375-0678
Email: stephen.cottle@tdem.texas.gov
Bert Nitzke is Section Chief in the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Training Division, where he plays a key role in developing and delivering emergency management training across the state. With more than a decade of service within The Texas A&M University System, Bert has held various leadership and instructional roles spanning emergency management, curriculum development, marketing, and disaster response.
Bert brings over 20 years of frontline experience in Disaster and Emergency Services, having served in Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Emergency Management. He is a retired Fire Chief from a combination Fire and EMS department, where he led critical response operations and personnel.
He is credentialed as a Type 3 Operations Section Chief with the Texas All-Hazards Incident Management Team.
Jack Harper serves as the Section Chief for State and Incident Management Team Training, where he is responsible for ensuring the delivery of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) classes as well as All Hazards Incident Management Team and position specific training classes.
Jack has been active in local government for more than 30 years and in the field of emergency management for more than 20 years.
He was the Incident Commander Type 3 for the Hillsboro IMT, which deployed on numerous occasions on behalf of the State of Texas. During this time, he also worked with the United States Forest Service, serving as a Qualified Liaison Officer for both the Southern Area Incident Management Type 1 Blue Team and the Southern Area Incident Management Type 2 Gold Team. Jack is currently Qualified as an Incident Commander Type 3, Liaison Officer, and Planning Section Chief Type 3.
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