Response

Overview

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates statewide response operations by integrating information, resources, and personnel to support local jurisdictions during emergencies and disasters. Central to this effort is the Texas State Operations Center (SOC), which operates 24/7 as the state’s hub for situational awareness, information sharing, and resource coordination. TDEM also deploys the State of Texas Incident Management Team (IMT) to provide operational support and coordination during incidents, alongside the Incident Support Task Force (ISTF) and Disaster Recovery Task Force (DRTF), which helps communities stabilize impacts and begin recovery early. These efforts are supported by tools and programs such as WebEOC for real-time information sharing, the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) to help local jurisdictions plan for individuals with additional needs, and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) to provide backup communications when needed, enabling a coordinated and effective statewide response.