Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code states the county judge is responsible for the county’s emergency preparedness and is the only one who can declare a disaster in their respective counties. Judge Jenkins has appointed Lisa Chambers as the Director of Dallas County Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness who manages the day-to-day operations. Their mission is to: provide a 24-hour operation to reduce injury or loss of life and property, protect Dallas County citizens from all hazards by providing and coordinating resources, expertise, leadership and advocacy through a comprehensive, risk-based security and emergency management program of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

For more information on Dallas County’s Homeland Security Department, please visit:
http://www.dallascounty.org/department/osem/osem_intro.php