Emergency responders who serve in the Houston area gathered Monday night at Houston City Hall for a meeting aimed at increasing lines of communication.
City Administrator Larry Sutton said among those attending the meeting were Mayor Steve Hutcheson; Bill Nichols, director of emergency preparedness; City Fire Chief Don Rust; Rural Fire Chief Don Gaston; Chief of Police Joe Kirkman; Texas County Sheriff Carl Watson and Jim Root, who represented both the city and rural fire departments.
Sutton said the meeting was productive with issues discussed related to responding to emergencies, as well establishing better communications between agencies that often are called to aid the public in times of crisis.
Communication systems in place received a big test last Thursday morning after several situations developed at the same time. They included a water rescue on the Big Piney River, reports of fires in the city caused by lightning, flooding in the area and a tornado warning that covered parts of southern Texas County. At one point, the Houston Storm Shelter also was opened after tornado sirens sounded. Raymondville’s fire department also was called for assistance. The incidents presented the opportunity to study the emergency response and improve means of communication, Sutton said.
Sutton termed the discussions “very positive,” and said the parties will meet again in three months.
Sutton and the city staff also began work Tuesday to see how other communities handle the office of emergency preparedness. Nichols will step down from that role on April 30. A long-time volunteer, Nichols said he will transition to full-time retirement. Nichols is a retired state employee who most recently organized operations at Houston’s new storm shelter at Pine and First streets.