Office of Emergency Management

Jim Harper: Emergency Management Coordinator

Steve Howie: Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator

 

400 Industrial Blvd
Terrell, TX 75160

972-551-6678 ext. 242 or 972-551-6651

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Police Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency:  972-551-6622
To report a crime or suspicious activity:  972-551-6622

 

Fire Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 972-551-6652

 

DeltAlert Telephone Contact System

The City of Terrell has implemented a new program to notify you of severe weather warnings and updates, hazardous traffic or road conditions inside the city or affecting local routes, and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of our citizens.

 

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Outdoor Warning Sirens

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the activities of volunteer, public and private agencies in all phases of emergency management (Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation). The OEM develops plans and exercises, and coordinates emergency management training for the City of Terrell and allied agencies. The OEM obtains assistance and resources to accomplish their mission from federal, state, local and private agencies.

The Office is charged with assuring timely and adequate public warning of potential or imminent disaster events, and providing disaster-related safety information to the public and media. The Office of Emergency Management is available on a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week basis.

The Civil Defense Act of 1950 created offices of "Civil Defense" in cities throughout the United States. In the late 1970s, the focus of planning changed to more of an "all hazards" approach, so that the office began to concentrate more on the day-to-day types of emergencies such as severe weather, hazardous materials, large fires, plane crashes, etc. In 2008 the City of Terrell began to do its own Emergency Planning with the establishment of its own Office of Emergency Management.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) also participates with County, State, and Federal officials and their respective constituents with disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery programs. Because a close working relationship with elected officials is crucial to the success of our mission, the Agency serves as a repository of information concerning hazard identification, mitigation procedures, and threat assessments. OEM also provides the public and media organizations with accurate and timely information regarding emergency management programs and issues in the City of Terrell. OEM is also the department charged with National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance as well as the coordination of radio communications within the City

Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Terrell through its Office of Emergency Management maintains a system of Outdoor Warning Sirens as part of a comprehensive warning plan to notify its citizens of potential or imminent dangerous situations. The Outdoor Warning Sirens are exactly what the name implies and are for outdoor warning. This system was designed and is meant to warn people who are outside of their residences and businesses of a potential or imminent situation that could be dangerous to their health and safety. They are not designed to be heard inside homes and businesses, however, if you can hear them that is simply an added benefit. They will be helpful if you are working in your yard, jogging, enjoying the amenities of the Terrell Parks system, or playing golf to name just a few activities.

The Outdoor Warning Sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm, weather permitting. The sirens will not be tested if there are any conditions that would lead one to believe there could be severe weather in the area if not in actuality. Should the weather conditions preclude the testing of the sirens on the first Wednesday of the month the test will be postponed until the next clear weather day. Most cities large and small in the North Central Texas region conduct Outdoor Warning Siren tests in the same manner, as well as following the same guidelines in the event of weather.

Please do not call 911 to ask the reason the sirens are sounding. If the weather is looking bad then please move indoors to a place of safety. The City’s Connect CTY phone system will be calling to let residents know the nature of the warning. Please prepare yourself and family beforehand. Information may be found at the National Weather Service web site at: www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd or at the American Red Cross web site at: www.redcross.org to help you prepare.

If you have any questions concerning the Outdoor Warning Siren System please contact the Terrell Office of Emergency Management at 972-551-6678 ext. 242 or 972-551-6651 during normal business hours.