safety
A year after deadly floods, Texas lawmakers haven’t addressed training for emergency coordinators
By Texas Tribune, Emily Foxhall at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· July 3, 2026
· 6 min read
In legislative hearings after last year’s July 4 floods, the state’s emergency management chief made some recommendations to state lawmakers. They included empowering the agency to vet volunteers who show up after disasters and establishing clearer guidelines for local officials to decide whether...
Key takeaway “I do think it’s time that we as a state decide there needs to be a baseline for people that get appointed into that position,” Kidd told lawmakers at a July 23 hearing focused on the floods.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The lack of required training for local emergency management coordinators in Texas has significant implications for communities like Terrell Hills , where effective disaster response can be a matter of life and death. As the state's emergency management chief, Nim Kidd, has pointed out, the current system allows individuals with no formal training to be appointed to these critical positions. This raises concerns about the ability of local officials to respond to disasters, such as floods, which can have devastating consequences. In the San Antonio area, where Terrell Hills is located, flood risks are a persistent concern, making it especially important for local emergency management coordinators to have the necessary training and expertise. With state lawmakers set to reconvene in January, residents of Terrell Hills and surrounding communities will be watching to see if legislators will finally take action to address this critical gap in disaster preparedness.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In legislative hearings after last year’s July 4 floods, the state’s emergency management chief made some recommendations to state lawmakers. They included empowering the agency to vet volunteers who show up after disasters and establishing clearer guidelines for local officials to decide whether...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Emily Foxhall at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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