A year after the devastating July 4 floods in Texas, which left over 130 people dead, state lawmakers have yet to address the issue of required training for local emergency management coordinators. Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd emphasized the need for a baseline of training for these coordinators, who are tasked with planning for and leading the response to disasters.
Lack of Training a Concern
Kidd’s concerns were echoed by experts in the field, who note that the emergency management field is relatively young and has developed to address the complexities of modern disasters. A recent study found that an emergency management director’s professional background can greatly impact their effectiveness.
In the case of the July 4 floods, the absence of key officials, including the Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator, highlighted the need for clear guidelines and training. The state legislative investigation concluded that the county’s emergency coordination was inadequate, and that the county judge and emergency coordinator were substantially absent from duty.
Legislative Inaction
Despite Kidd’s recommendations, two bills aimed at addressing the issue of training for emergency coordinators failed in the final special legislative session of 2025. State Sen. Charles Perry, who authored one of the failed bills, acknowledged that there is still work to be done to address the issue.
The lack of action on this issue means that leaders in Texas’ 254 counties and cities can still hire people with no formal training in emergency management. This has raised concerns among experts, who note that effective emergency management requires specialized knowledge and skills.
The new emergency management coordinator for Kerr County, Shorey Harmon, has a background in emergency management and has completed training courses. However, the fact that he was hired without a formal requirement for training highlights the need for statewide standards.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
