The State Office of Risk Management supports a statewide Continuity Council as a forum for federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities to share ideas on continuity. The Council facilitates relationships with and among various governmental and private entities to support a whole community focus for the Continuity program. The Council will strive to create a welcoming environment for all levels of continuity experience and will focus on providing education, guidance, and resources to all members of the continuity community. These meetings and events will be open to anyone who wants to attend.
*Please note: Guests from outside organizations or agencies are invited to present to the Continuity Council on a volunteer basis. Guests are not paid by SORM or the Continuity Council.
Continuity Council Committee
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The Committee meets the first Thursday of every month via ZOOM. To volunteer for the Committee, email COOP@SORM.texas.gov.
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Chair: Chris Bygum, DPS
Co-Chair: Mariah Phipps-Jack, City of Garland
Secretary: Robert Turner, City of Austin
Continuity Council Sub-Committees
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Statement of Purpose
The Education Sub-Committee of the Continuity Council Committee will create material and provide resources in response to the needs of the continuity community.
Goals for the Coming Year
- Build and launch an education resources site with:
- Classes
- Education Information and Providers
- Resource Library
- Quick Guides:
- Training
- Exercise
- Business Impact Analysis
- Develop courses for continuity practitioners focusing on hands-on experience and opportunities to work through scenarios and processes.
- FEMA Instructor Certification for additional people.
Committee Members
Chair: Alex Abdun-Nabi, CapMetro
Ginger Walker, University of Houston
Bret Adams, Office of Attorney General
James “Jim” Elliott, TxDOT
Richard Hildreth, TPWD
Heather Hernandez, SORM
Contact
- Build and launch an education resources site with:
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Statement of Purpose
The Programs Sub-Committee of the Continuity Council Committee will monitor the topics of the Continuity Council to ensure presentations and other events are timely and needed.
Goals for the Coming Year
- Help the Council Committee with selecting monthly topics for presentation, exercise, or discussion.
- Help the Council and SORM plan for a yearly Conference.
Committee Members
Chair: Ginger Walker, Director, Emergency Management, University of Houston
Ann Berasley, Texas Medical Board
Heather Hernandez, SORM
Contact
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Statement of Purpose
The Recruiting Sub-Committee of the Continuity Council Committee will develop procedures for tracking membership and recruiting practitioners from all levels of government, non-profit organizations, and private sector businesses.
Goals for the Coming Year
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Track Council Committee membership via shareable documents to comply with Charter term limitations.
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Determine outreach opportunities and organizations to invite to participate in Council events.
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Hold activities to encourage current members to actively participate.
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Create templates for social media posts about Council.
Committee Members
Chair: Elizabeth Taplin, LBB
Leonard Chan, HFD
Mariah Phipps-Jack, City of Garland
Heather Hernandez, SORM
Contact
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