The CBCOG has staffed a Homeland Security Advisory Committee (HSAC) since October 2001. This committee has considered a variety of matters including: first responder needs, mass fatality response, regional mutual aid response, credentialing of emergency responders, interoperable communication, a review of Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for the State Homeland Security Strategies, regional response team training, the process of continued emergency management planning in the region, grant cooperation and opportunities.
The CBCOG staff and HSAC maintain the Coastal Bend Regional Response Plan and regional efforts in emergency management planning were made possible through a grant from the DHS through the Office of the Governor Texas, Public Safety Office, Homeland Security Grants Division. These funds provided support in the update of annexes in regional/local emergency plans and several disaster drills/responses annually.
CBCOG Managed a Region Wide Mutual Aid Agreement that has been approved by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. Twelve counties and 37 cities have agreements. All but 2 jurisdictions have signed. The remaining 2 are too small to have resources to offer during a disaster. Ninety percent of the jurisdictions are covered by MAA, which consist of 99.5% of the CBCOG population that covers 99.8% of the area within the region.
To facilitate regional coordination and resiliency the staff has served in the following organizations; Coastal Bend Emergency Manager’s Association, Emergency Manager’s Association of Texas, South Texas Coastal Zone Area Committee, Area Maritime Security Committee, Nueces County Fire Chief’s Association, Port Security Working Group, South Texas Coastal Bend Fire Officer’s Association, Coastal Bend Texas VOAD, Coastal Bend Healthcare Coalition, Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council, Coastal Plain LEPC, Region 53 700 and 800MHz RPC, TxICC, Nueces County Corpus Christi LEPC, Coastal Bend Multi Agency Coordination Center, and numerous ad hoc committees/groups.