Homeland Security

About the Program

In June 2002, The Governor's Office requested that all Councils of Governments develop regional homeland security plans as part of a state planning initiative. Planning at the regional level was chosen due to the scale and scope of potential weapons of mass destruction incidents and the geographic size of Texas. The Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG), in cooperation with the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC), and the Texas Department of Public Safety Director, is pleased to provide this resource for local emergency management coordinators. Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas Governor's Homeland Security Director have made funding available to ATCOG to assist in the implementation of Texas's regional approach statewide, known as The State Homeland Security Program.

Program Objectives

ATCOG’s Homeland Security program’s major purposes are to:

• Provide information and assistance to ATCOG’s local government members in the planning and implementing of homeland security programs;
• Integrate regional planning and priorities with state agency activities; and
• Assist TARC, TEDM, Texas Department of Public Safety Director and other state agencies that administer emergency preparedness programs in their work with ATCOG’s local government members.