About Us
ABOUT US
About Us
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the chief coordinating agency for disaster response in the nation’s fourth-largest City. OEM provides emergency response coordination and communication assistance to City agencies, and serves as liaison to regional, state and federal agencies during times of emergency. In addition, OEM engages with the local community to promote emergency preparedness through a variety of initiatives.
Our Mission
“The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management is committed to safeguarding everyone who lives, works, and plays in Houston against all hazards and threats through coordinated planning and response with a trusted, compassionate, and diverse team focused on people, professionalism, preparedness, and partnerships.”
Our Vision
“A national leader in Emergency Management that serves as Houston’s trusted and compassionate resource for the whole community during the worst of times.”
Brian Mason
Emergency Management Coordinator/Executive Director
Mayor John Whitmire has named Brian Mason Deputy Director and Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management, where he will be responsible for overseeing the city’s emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Mason also serves as the Executive Director for Houston Transtar, the southeast Texas region’s transportation and emergency management center.
Mason has previously worked in Safety Management for the Houston Airport System and as a Program Manager and BioWatch Jurisdictional Coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security.
With 26 years of diverse experience in emergency response, crisis and emergency management, homeland security, industrial hygiene, health and safety, and environmental remediation, Mason has established a widely respected reputation for leadership and strategic vision.
He most recently helped lead the response and recovery during the May Derecho and Hurricane Beryl. His experience with emergency response spans incidents of major national significance, including multiple hurricanes, two Super Bowls, the STS 107 Columbia Shuttle Recovery, the BP Texas City Explosion, and the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill.
Mason holds a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Texas State University and an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Richland College, which underpin his professional competence.
Mason’s professional excellence is further underscored by his receipt of the 2021 American Public Works Association, Texas Chapter Exemplary Services to Public Works, and the 2020 American Public Works Association, Texas Chapter Professional Manager of the Year, Emergency Management awards.
Mason replaces Thomas Munoz who was appointed Chief of the Houston Fire Department.
PLANS & PROGRAMS
The Office of Emergency Management’s mission is to help our city, its residents, businesses, and partners prepare for, cope with, and recover from the effects of natural and man-made disasters. Our initiatives include the City’s Emergency Management Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, Operational Plans, Healthcare Emergency Plans, and much more.
Read on to learn more about our activities and how you can be part of a safer Houston. The Office of Emergency Management’s mission is to help our City, its residents, businesses, and partners prepare for, cope with, and recover from the effects of natural and man-made disasters.
Our initiatives include the City’s Emergency Management Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, Operational Plans, Healthcare Emergency Plans, and much more. Read on to learn more about our activities and how you can be part of a safer Houston.
For General Inquiries: [email protected]
The City of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has been updating the city-wide emergency and recovery plans to address hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, extreme heat, extreme cold, and winter storms. An important component of maintaining resiliency across Houston is to ensure the whole community is involved and that OEM understands the needs of its residents.