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  • NEWSROOM: STATE ALL-HAZARD INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAMS ATTEND CRITICAL TRAINING BEFORE MOBILIZATIONS THIS SUMMER

    May 9, 2022

    State All-Hazard Incident Management Teams attend critical training before mobilizations this summer

    COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Last week, 40 members from Texas All-Hazard Incident Management Teams (AHIMT) attended the Enhanced All-hazards Incident Management/Unified Command training.

    The training, hosted by Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service (TEEX), focuses on incident management, decision making skills, staff responsibilities and situational awareness during complex all-hazards incidents. These incidents, such as a hurricane, tornado, wildfire or severe weather event, typically extend to multiple days and require a significant number of resources.

    The AHIMT program is delivered by Texas A&M Forest Service with funding provided by Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and training assistance from TEEX.

    During the course, participants worked through four rigorous simulated emergency response exercises designed to hone both individual and team incident management skills. The course provides Texas teams the opportunity to train together, working through real-world scenarios before an actual incident occurs.

    “The training that team members received last week is essential to building skillsets and improving team dynamics while managing an incident,” said Jimmy Mullis, Texas A&M Forest Service AHIMT Program Coordinator. “The commitment to learning and the enthusiasm for service that these professionals demonstrated during the week was incredible.”

    The AHIMT program was established in 2006 as an added component to incident response in Texas. Incident management teams have been requested more frequently to assist local jurisdictions with the management and coordination of response efforts, as the complexity, scope or magnitude of an incident increases.

    The most recent iteration, beginning in 2022, revitalized and enhanced the AHIMT program. Six newly established state teams are rostered with personnel from across Texas and will be available to mobilize to incidents for 14-21 days within a defined region or the state this summer.

    The intent of the newly organized program is to develop a high standard for training, certification and mobilization of incident management teams across the state.

    “The AHIMT program leverages the skillsets of its members to respond to and stabilize incidents,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “Teams provide management expertise to local partners while also working to build emergency response capacity across the state.”

    The Texas AHIMT program is currently seeking highly motivated emergency and incident management professionals to participate. Participants are expected to be actively engaged in the program by attending team meetings, participating in training and exercise events and must have availability for assignments. Applications may be submitted at the following link, https://arcg.is/1u90yO.

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    Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
    Jimmy Mullis, AHIMT Program Coordinator, 979-218-2407, jmullis@tfs.tamu.edu
    Information Officer, 979-255-0591, information@tfs.tamu.edu
    Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
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