Mission Statement

Keeping Paris Prepared

We conduct programs and activities designed to provide citizens with the ability to prepare for, cope with, and recover from the effects of disasters. This is achieved through information and resource exchange, working with the public and private sectors, and all levels of government through the utilization of modern technology.

Hazards

Paris is exposed to many hazards which have the potential for disrupting the community, causing damage, and creating casualties. Natural hazards include severe storms, tornados, floods, extended periods of freezing weather and hurricanes. As a major manufacturing and distribution center, Paris also faces the threat of hazardous material accidents involving the transportation, manufacture, and storage of chemicals on the highways and in the industrial areas.

Emergency Management Plan

To address these potential threats, the Emergency Management Division publishes the City's emergency management plan. This plan provides the framework upon which the City prepares for, responds to, and performs its emergency response functions during times of natural or man-made disasters or national emergencies.

The plan is based on the four phases of Emergency Management which are:

  • Mitigation - Those activities which eliminate or reduce the probability of disaster.
  • Preparedness - Those activities which governments, organizations, and individuals develop to save lives and minimize damage.
  • Response - Those actions to minimize loss of life and property damage and provide emergency assistance.
  • Recovery - Those short and long-term activities which restore city operations and help return the community to a normal state.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

The City of Paris EOC is responsible for coordinating the City of Paris' preparation for and response to emergency situations. This post is part of the Multi Agency Coordination Center (MACC) and has at its disposal a Mobile Medical Asset (MMA) which is a completely stocked Mobile Hospital. The City is also part of the NorthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (NETRAC) Trauma Service Area F, and the Disaster District Committee 5 (DDC) as designated by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

When the City of Paris faces an emergency and the EOC is activated, the Emergency Management Division works with appropriate city departments as well as various county, state, and federal agencies to respond effectively and quickly provide for the continuity of services to the public.

Since severe weather emergencies could be caused by tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, floods, extreme cold and ice, and extreme heat, we monitor the Paris area radar on a continual basis. The division can communicate with local amateur radio operators throughout the area as part of the Regional Skywarn Network, as well as emergency management centers in adjacent counties including the NETRAC.

Division personnel, working with the Dallas-Fort Worth Office of the National Weather Service, monitor regional and national weather information for its potential impact on the city. This is particularly true during the tornado season (April - September). Utilizing the tornado alert sirens located along the City's streets, we can coordinate a notification and/or evacuation should the city be threatened by a potential severe storm.

Education & Training

The Division also provides public education and training. They plan and hold training exercises with City departments and outside agencies. They advise the public through the media, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and the City Municipal Channel about the severity of the emergency and the response and recovery under way.

In addition, they are available to make presentations to civic and business groups on emergency preparedness.