Committees
Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF)
The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) was formed by the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) to primarily assist staff in planning, coordinating, evaluating, and recommending projects for grants received from the State of Texas. In addition, they also assist with the development of the Region's Homeland Security Strategic Plan, Long Range Interoperability Plan, training of first responders, and coordination of regional projects.
Members for the HSTF are appointed by the CAPCOG Executive Committee and are from Emergency Management of each County, Public Safety First Responders, Public Health & Medical Representation, and GDEM Regional Liaison Officer. This diverse group has the knowledge and expertise to provide input needed to meet the requirements and stipulations for receiving and executing grant funds.
Homeland Security funds from the Federal Government are received by the State of Texas Homeland Security Office, who then assigns the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) to interface with the 24 Council of Governments (COGs) in making grant fund awards. The COGs, working with local governments determine what projects are needed to ready their Regions for any Weapons of Mass Destruction events and/or Homeland Security breeches. After determining the projects, each local jurisdiction, with assistance from COG staff, formulates a list of equipment necessary for the jurisdiction to complete the project. That list is then submitted to the HSTF for their recommendation for approval by the CAPCOG Executive Committee prior to being submitted to GDEM.
CAPCOG HSTF plays a vital role in ensuring that the communities and citizens are protected and prepared for large scale emergencies. Training for first responders is coordinated by a work group of the task force. Often the actual trainers are members on the task force. HSTF is also responsible for developing or assisting local jurisdictions to establish exercise criteria and participate in the exercises.
The HSTF meets the first Thursday of every month from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Boardroom at CAPCOG.
> Get the 2013-2017 Homeland Security Task Force Strategic Plan
Members
| Representative | Organization |
| Mr. Pete Baldwin | Emergency Management Coordinator, Travis County |
| Captain Jimmy Barho | Emergency Management Coordinator, Burnet County Sheriff's Department |
| Commander Nicolas Wright | Austin Police Department |
| Mr. Russell Summers | Technology and Emergency Management Coordinator, Hutto Independent School District |
| Mr. Kenneth Bell | Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Marshal, City of San Marcos |
| The Honorable Tom Bonn | Judge, Caldwell County |
| Lt. Thomas L. Bradford | Emergency Management Coordinator, City of Round Rock |
| Mr. Johnny Campbell | Operations Director, Marble Falls Area EMS |
| Ms. Janet Carrigan | Emergency Management Coordinator, Fayette County |
| Mr. Jack Doebbler | Regional Liaison Officer, Texas Dept. of Public Safety |
| Ms. Susan Duarte-Thorne | Emergency Management Coordinator, Lower Colorado River Authority |
| Commander Mike Elliott | Division Chief, Austin-Travis County EMS |
| Mr. Scott Kerwood | Fire Chief, Hutto Fire Department |
| Mr. Mike Fisher | Emergency Management Coordinator, Bastrop County |
| Mr. Doug Fowler | Assistant Fire Chief, Austin Fire Dept. |
| The Honorable Bill Guthrie | Judge/Emergency Management Coordinator, Blanco County |
| Dr. Phillip Huang | Medical Director/Health Authority, Austin-Travis County Health & Human Services Dept. |
| Mr. Otis Latin | Director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, City of Austin OEM |
| Mr. Chris Liesmann | Emergency Management Coordinator, Blanco County |
| Mr. Ryan Moeller | Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator, Williamson County & Cities Health District |
| Mr. Ron Moore | Emergency Management Coordinator, Llano County |
| Mr. Jim Parker | Emergency Management Coordinator, Caldwell County |
| Mr. Delynn Peschke | Emergency Management Coordinator, Lee County |
| Mr. Dave Reimer | Executive Director, Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council |
| Ms. Kharley Smith | Emergency Management Coordinator, Hays County |
| Mr. Jarred Thomas | Emergency Management Coordinator, Williamson County OEM |
| Chief Mark Whitacre | Chief of Police, City of Marble Falls |
Contact
Jeff Turner - Chair
Hays County OEM
102 N. LBJ, Suite 303
San Marcos, TX 78666
512-393-7301 (phone)
512-393-7304 (fax)
Judge Bill Guthrie- Executive Committee Liaison
Blanco County Judge's Office
P.O. Box 387
Johnson City, TX 78636
830-868-4266 (phone)
830-868-9112 (fax)
Ed Schaefer - CAPCOG Staff Contact
Director Homeland Security
6800 Burleson Road
Building 310, Suite 165
Austin, TX 78744
512-916-6026 (phone)
512-916-6001 (fax)
