The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates the state emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters. TDEM implements programs to increase public awareness about threats and hazards, coordinates emergency planning, provides an extensive array of specialized training for emergency responders and local officials, and administers disaster recovery and hazard mitigation programs in the State of Texas.

TDEM’S MISSION

TDEM is charged with carrying out a comprehensive all-hazard emergency management program for the State and for assisting cities, counties, and state agencies in planning and implementing their emergency management programs. A comprehensive emergency management program includes pre and post-disaster mitigation of known hazards to reduce their impact; preparedness activities, such as emergency planning, training, and exercises; provisions for effective response to emergency situations; and recovery programs for major disasters. Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code lays out an extensive set of specific responsibilities assigned to the Division.

TDEM’S ORIGINS & RESPONSIBILITIES

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature passed legislation signed by Governor Abbott which transferred the Texas Division of Emergency Management from the Texas Department of Public Safety to The Texas A&M University System.

Region 1, District 1

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Disaster Districts

District 1 – Amarillo

District 2 – Lubbock

District 7 – Abilene

AMARILLO AREA OEM

Amarillo Area OEM is an interjurisdictional agency that is tasked with the development and implementation of a comprehensive emergency management program for the City of Amarillo, Potter County, Randall County, and the City of Canyon.  Some specific activities include:

Mitigation/Prevention:

• Develop and maintain the community hazard assessment.
• Develop and maintain the community Mitigation Action Plan.
• Coordinate with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) the community Safe Room grant program.

Preparedness:

• Provide emergency – related public information materials and presentations to interested groups and citizens.
• Maintain close working relationships with local, state, federal, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations.
• Develop and coordinate the Amarillo Area Emergency Operations Plan and other community emergency preparedness plans and procedures.
• Assist with emergency planning for area schools, day cares, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other specialized facilities.  This includes emergency planning assistance for large-scale events that occur in the Amarillo area.
• Coordinate and/or conduct training for emergency response agencies and personnel
• Coordinate and conduct the community exercise and drill program with at least one fullscale/functional and two tabletop exercises annually.
• Maintain the community Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Mobile Operations Center (MOC).
• Maintain the community warning systems.
• Ensure community National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance.

Response:

• OEM Duty Officer is available 24/7 to assist with the coordination of emergency situations and escalation of community response if necessary.
• Activation of the EOC and MOC to assist with coordination of major and complex incidents.
• Assist with the coordination of Incident Action Plans (IAP) for large-scale community events.

Recovery:

• Coordinate the community’s damage assessment and recovery activities following any major or complex incident.

OEM is the information coordination point for the Potter & Randall County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/potterrandalllepc

Office Hours:  7:00 AM – 5:30 PM Monday through Thursday

OEM Office #: 806.378.3004

Amarillo Area OEM is starting a CERT Program!  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.

See more about CERT here: https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team

Follow Amarillo Area CERT on Facebook: www.facebook.com/amarilloareacert

Sign up for Amarillo Area CERT:

JOIN C.E.R.T.

Panhandle Plains Chapter

Panhandle Plains Chapter includes teams of staff and volunteers serving over 861,000 people in Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochitree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher and Wheeler counties.

Get Directions

1800 S. Harrison

Amarillo, TX 79102

Phone: (806) 376-6300

Volunteer

The humanitarian work that we do at American Red Cross would not be possible without our volunteers. We have a variety of disaster relief volunteer opportunities available, as well as potential positions focused on facility management, health and safety, service to the Armed Forces, and professional specialties like photography, IT, and more. Check out our current volunteer opportunities near you. 

NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program

In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages.  To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods. SKYWARN® storm spotters form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that your efforts have given your family and neighbors the precious gift of time–minutes that can help save lives.

Who is eligible and how do I get started?
NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service to join the SKYWARN® program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches and nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are encouraged to become a spotter. Ready to learn more? Find a class in your area. Training is free and typically lasts about 2 hours. You’ll learn:

– Basics of thunderstorm development
– Fundamentals of storm structure
– Identifying potential severe weather features
– Information to report
– How to report information
– Basic severe weather safety

Need help with your Spotter Number or other local information such as a missing class schedule? If you need help finding your spotter number or a class schedule, contact your local Warning Coordination Meteorologist.  He or she can help you get, find or replace your spotter information and let you know about upcoming classes. Classes typically are held in an office’s relatively slow season.  Classes are NOT typically offered all year.  Schedules vary from office to office.

Looking for our online program? You also can also take our free online spotter program.  Some offices also ask that you take a local class to learn about weather unique to your area.

Supplemental Resources

NWSI 10-1807
Cloud Chart
Cloud Chart (Español)
Navajo Weather Poster
NWS Weather Field Spotter’s Guide
NWS Weather Field Spotter’s Guide (Español)
Mobile version of the Spotter’s Guide
SKYWARN Spotters
ACES Safety Guidance
NWS-ARRL Memorandum of Understanding
NWS-Spotter Network Memorandum of Understanding
Example of State Partnered SKYWARN Weather Spotter

“Skywarn® and the Skywarn® logo are registered trademarks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”

American Radio Relay League (ARRL) 

ARRL’s Mission Statement: To advance the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. 

ARRL is the national association for Amateur Radio in the US. Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs. ARRL numbers within its ranks the vast majority of active radio amateurs in the nation and has a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in amateur affairs. ARRL’s underpinnings as Amateur Radio’s witness, partner and forum are defined by five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership.  

A bona fide interest in Amateur Radio is the only essential qualification of membership; an Amateur Radio license is not a prerequisite, although full voting membership is granted only to licensed radio amateurs in the US. 
 
ARRL’s Vision Statement 
As the national association for Amateur Radio in the United States, ARRL: 

• Supports the awareness and growth of Amateur Radio worldwide; 
• Advocates for meaningful access to radio spectrum; 
• Strives for every member to get involved, get active, and get on the air; 
• Encourages radio experimentation and, through its members, advances radio technology and education; and 
• Organizes and trains volunteers to serve their communities by providing public service and emergency communications. 

Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)

When All Else Fails^® 

Amateur radio operators use their training, skills, and equipment to provide communications during emergencies When All Else Fails^®.  Hams serve our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers, and wired and wireless networks. Amateur radio can function completely independently of the internet and phone systems. An amateur radio station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others. 

• ARES Fact Sheet [PDF] 
• ARES Plan [PDF]
• ARES Field Resources Manual
• ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [PDF] 
• ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Fillable PDF] 
• ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Word] 

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. 
 

ARES Membership Requirements 

Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for membership in ARES.  Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES.  Please inquire at the local level for specific information.  Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership. 
 

How to Get Involved in ARES 

Fill out the ARES Registration form and submit it to your local Emergency Coordinator. 

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) 

RACES stands for “Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service,” a protocol created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Part 97, Section 407). Many government agencies across the country train their Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) volunteers using the RACES protocol. The volunteers serve their respective jurisdictions pursuant to guidelines and mandates established by local emergency management officials. 
 
RACES volunteer operators are: 

• Licensed Radio Amateurs 
• Certified by a civil defense agency 
• Able to communicate on Amateur Radio frequencies during drills, exercises and emergencies 
• Activated by local, county and state jurisdictions and are the only Amateur Radio operators authorized to transmit during declared emergencies when the President of the United States specifically invokes the War Powers Act. 

RACES Resource Library: 

• This web site is intended to assist in the distribution of RACES Auxiliary Emergency Communications information. Updated RACES documentation and other emergency preparedness documents are available through the RACES Resource Library, maintained by RACES volunteers registered with the Arlington County, Virginia Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Support Function #2. 

National Incident Management System: 

• Protocols embraced by RACES volunteers across the nation include the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which provides a consistent nationwide template to enable federal, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together to protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents. 

How to Get Involved in RACES

Fill out the RACES Registration form and submit it to your local Emergency Coordinator.

Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) 

The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) is a United States Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the United States Army and the United States Air Force. The United States Navy-Marine Corps program closed in 2015. The program is a civilian auxiliary consisting primarily of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in assisting the military with communications on a regional and national level when access to traditional forms of communication may no longer be available. The MARS programs also include active duty, reserve, and National Guard units; and Navy, Marine Corps units.

MARS has a long history of providing worldwide auxiliary emergency communications during times of need. The combined two-service MARS programs (Army, and Air Force), volunteer force of over 3,000 dedicated and skilled amateur radio operators provide the backbone of the MARS program. The main benefit of MARS membership is enjoying the amateur radio hobby through an ever-expanding horizon of MARS service to the nation. MARS members work by the slogans “Proudly Serving Those Who Serve” and “Proud, Professional, and Ready.” 

History

QSL card sent by US Navy MARS station NSS for a cross-band radio contact with W2LV on Armed Forces Day 1969 

The organization that led to the Military Auxiliary Radio System was called the Auxiliary Amateur Radio System (AARS). AARS was created in November 1925 by a few dedicated pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps led by Captain Thomas C. Rives. The United States recognized radio as a critical mode of communication during World War I. The integration of radio to support Army operations generated a significant manpower and skill requirement that was not easily met. The Army Amateur Radio System was formed in 1925 to provide a pool of trained radio operators to augment the Signal Corps during mobilization in time of war and provide an extension of the Signal Corps’ radio network to support civil authority with natural disaster relief efforts. While supporting military goals, the organization was composed of volunteer civilians who were accomplished radio amateurs. These civilians applied their specialty skills in radio communication while supporting the Signal Corps across the continental United States, the Philippines, Panama, and Hawaii.^[2] 

The organization ultimately experienced both success and failure. The Army Amateur Radio System succeeded in developing the proficiency of its radio operators as demonstrated by the support provided to local, state, and federal authorities during natural disaster relief efforts. However, on the eve of the United States’ entry into World War II, the Army Amateur Radio System’s membership was significantly underdeveloped in numbers to provide significant manpower to augment the Signal Corps’ mobilization for war.^{[2] The AARS organization continued to operate until the United States entry into} World War II on 7 December 1941, at which time radio amateurs were denied the use of the airwaves, and the amateur service and the Army Amateur Radio System were deactivated. Following WWII, the US Army recognized the importance of reactivating the AARS to train vitally needed communications personnel at a relatively low direct cost to the government, and in 1946 the AARS was reactivated. 

MARS Operator at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, 1983. 

The AARS functioned as such until the creation of the Military Affiliate Radio System in November 1948 with the establishment of separate Army and Air Force MARS programs, reflecting the creation of the Air Force as a separate service. In 1948 Captain Robert L. Gabardy (K4TJ^{[3) selected the use of the acronym MARS, the Roman god of war, as a fitting name for the post-World War II rebirth of the AARS as the Military Amateur Radio System.[2] The program’s name was changed to the Military Affiliate Radio System on 2 September 1952, in recognition of the organization’s changing nature with the growing number of civilian volunteer members. Eventually, the} Navy-Marine Corps MARS program was established officially on 17 August 1962, and began operations on 1 January 1963. This followed the Cuban Missile Crisis and President Kennedy’s concern for viable and extended communications capabilities. 

During the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War and Gulf War, MARS was most known for its handling of “Marsgram” written messages and providing “phone patches” to allow overseas servicemen to contact their families at home. 

The program’s name was changed again to the current Military Auxiliary Radio System on 23 December 2009. 

A dispatch issued in May 2009 announced the shutdown of the Navy and Marine Corps MARS program by September 30, 2009.  ^{However, Navy-Marine Corps MARS continued to function until September 30, 2015.} 

Department of Defense Instruction 4650.02, dated 23 December 2009 changed the status of MARS from an affiliate to an auxiliary (equal in status to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol). This change in status saved the Navy-Marine Corps MARS program from being shut down and put it back in line with the Emergency Communications mission of its sister services (Army and Air Force MARS). 

Missions

Military Auxiliary Radio System provides Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis. MARS also provides auxiliary communications for military entities only. One major mission that MARS has had for many years is to handle morale, welfare, and official record and voice communications traffic for Armed Forces and authorized U.S. Government civilian personnel stationed throughout the world. MARS establishes programs to create civilian interest, recruit qualified volunteers, and furnish training in military communications, techniques, and procedures. 

Every year, MARS conducts an appropriate military and amateur radio cross-band exercise as an integral part of the annual Armed Forces Day. They provide a reserve of personnel trained in military radio communications, techniques, and procedures as well as to initiate efforts to improve radio-operating techniques. MARS members test state-of-the-art technology through experimentation and testing. 

Armed Forces Day Crossband Test

Navy-Marine Corps MARS station, NAV-4, operating on Armed Forces Day 

MARS celebrates Armed Forces Day annually with a traditional military to amateur crossband communications test and a message-receiving test. These tests give amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners an opportunity to demonstrate their individual technical skills and receive recognition from the Secretary of Defense or the appropriate military radio station for their proven expertise. A QSL card is provided to those making contact with one of the military stations. Special commemorative certificates are awarded to anyone who receives and accurately copies the digital Armed Forces Day message from the Secretary of Defense. 

Participating military stations transmit on selected military MARS frequencies and listen for amateur radio stations in the amateur bands. The military station operator will announce the specific amateur-band frequency being monitored. Usually, the military MARS stations are at places such as The Pentagon, Fort Huachuca, Andrews Air Force Base, Nellis Air Force Base, and various Navy and Coast Guard locations. 

Today

MARS Operator, AAT3OT, using a radio to communicate with the U.S. Army Reserve in the MARS Emergency Communications Unit trailer. Note, that the MARS patch shown on the left sleeve, is NOT authorized for uniform wear. That being said, MARS does not even have uniforms. 

The Military Auxiliary Radio System continues to be active today. Its primary mission is to provide contingency communications to the Department of Defense and Military Services. 

MARS Operators erecting an HF antenna at Fort Meade for Grecian Firebolt 2005. 

MARS participates in exercises such as QRPX, JulyX Skills Challenge, and Bold Quest to help support military communicators practice HF radio skills. MARS interfaces with Amateur Radio and provides DoD with local, domestic information when normal methods of communications are impaired or disrupted. 

The traditional land or sea-based MARS Radio Phone Patch is largely a thing of the past because land and sea-based MARS stations have been dismantled in favor of Satellite Phones. However, modern military aircraft are still equipped with HF radios, and many military aircrews still use MARS Phone Patches as a backup or substitute to Satellite Communications. The USAF MARS Phone Patch Net Archived August 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine provides 24/7 HF Radio Phone Patch service to all branches of United States military aircraft worldwide. 

Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN)

Our Mission

The Salvation Army has by inclination and tradition, strived to provide service at the point of greatest need in time of disaster. Numerous services are available to alleviate suffering, meet physical needs and provide spiritual counseling and support.

The purpose of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) is to acquire and train personnel skilled in emergency communications and message handling, who will support Salvation Army operations in local, regional and international disaster situations.

Our fervent hope and prayer is that our congregate service may indeed help mitigate the trauma, and impede the potential of widespread tragedy that is implicit in disaster.

SATERN is in service to aid The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) ministry and provide communications and other technical assistance to EDS to enhance the response and effectiveness of what EDS does.

SATERN may assist in handling Health and Welfare requests in times of emergency where normal communication media fails.

SATERN will also partner with cooperating emergency responders and / or disaster relief agencies, where needed, to provide communications media where infrastructure service has been interrupted or where the infrastructure has been destroyed.

Our Service

SATERN is an all volunteer organization made up of currently licensed amateur radio operators. The volunteer their time and efforts toward aiding The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services ministry. Many of us are also volunteers in such all volunteer organizations as SKYWARN, ARES, and others. Some have completed the FEMA online training, or EDS Incident Command training, SKYWARN training, or ARES Emergency Communications training.

SATERN has local organizations in all 50 states and Canada, as well as many other parts of the world. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network has demonstrated its effectiveness by providing essential radio communication services in countless disaster situations, including:

Hurricane Andrew	Northridge earthquake
Plainfield, Ill. tornado	Florida wildfires
Mississipi River floods	Hurricane Mitch
Oklahoma bombing	Oklahoma City Tornado
Hurricane Marilyn	Hurricane Keith
North Dakota floods	Hurricane Katrina
New York City Ground Zero 9/11/2001	Hurricane Maria (Puerto Rico & USVI) 22 days
Hurricane Harvey

Our History

“In 1988 SATERN began…” says founder Maj. Pat McPherson. “The movement took advantage of the tremendous goodwill that others have for the work of the Army.”. The whole story is outlined on our history page.

Our Vision

The future SATERN will bring together communications and technical expertise to aid EDS in order to further enhance the disaster response, increase effectiveness and timeliness of the aid provided, and to better support EDS in the effort to “Do The Most Good” as we serve those in need.