Texas Department of Public Safety

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry

(STEAR)

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program • REPLACES the Texas Transportation Assistance

Registry (TAR)

• Expands the TAR to a statewide system

• Removes the transportation focus

• Remove “special needs” terms and categories from system

• Provides a means for local emergency planners to obtain focused information related to citizens to assist with emergency planning

• Requires annual registration

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program

• Voluntary program

• No cost to local governments to use the database

– Participation

– Data Custodian

– Local advertisement and encouragement

• Who can register: the public as well as health care/home health care providers

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program Registration

• Register on line at:

– https://STEAR.dps.texas.gov

• Call 2-1-1

– Texas Information Referral Network (TIRN)

Texas Department of Public Safety

Electronic/Paper Form

• Electronic Forms – Forms can be found at:

http://www.dps.texas.gov/dem/stear/local.htm

– Obtain information locally

– Can be filled out electronically

– Faxed or e-mailed

• Fax: (866) 557-1074

• E-Mail: STEAR@dps.texas.gov

• Visit the STEAR Booth in the Exhibit Hall for more information

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program Registration

• Registration is voluntary

– Individuals will be asked to voluntarily answer questions

– Must answer minimum questions

• Name

• Address

• Telephone #

• Primary language

– Additional questions are voluntary

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program Focused Questions

• Emergency contact information

• Caregiver information

• Pets

• Transportation assistance for home evacuation

• Communications barriers

• Disability, functional, or medical needs

• Do you have a safe room

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program Data Custodians

• Jurisdictions can register more than one Data Custodian

– Each Data Custodian should have their own log in and password

• Assignments

– Single City or County

– County and any jurisdiction within

– Multi-County area

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program Data Custodians

• Confirm registrant’s located within your jurisdiction

• Confirm registrant’s information is current and accurate

• Review new registrations with a frequency that reflects the population of jurisdiction

• Identify registrants who are deceased or no longer in your jurisdiction and update data

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Program Data Custodians

• Confer with neighboring jurisdiction Data Custodians to resolve problems of “orphans”.

• Share geocoded information if your jurisdiction develops

• Take steps to encourage registration

• Report problems with the system to TDEM at e-mail address on last slide

Texas Department of Public Safety

Use of Data Obtained in STEAR

Texas Department of Public Safety

Planning

• Mapping:

– Determine proximity to known risk areas

– Identify clusters versus isolated individuals or facilities

• Coordination:

– Validate planning assumptions

– Assess procedures for response operations

– Identify potential resource needs

– Identify resource availabilities and gaps

– Develop contingencies

Texas Department of Public Safety

Preparedness

• Targeted messaging to increase risk awareness and encourage personal/facility planning

• Relationship building

– Service providers (home healthcare, meals-on-wheels, cultural community centers)

– Licensed facilities (nursing homes, assisted living centers, hospice, dialysis centers)

• Training first responders and support agencies

• Provisions for Functional Needs and Support Services (FNSS) integrated in plans and events

Texas Department of Public Safety

Response

• Evacuation

– Types of incidents

wildfire, flooding, storm surge, cascading impacts of drought, etc.

– Resources and methodology

ambulatory versus non-ambulatory

• Mass Care Operations

– Shelters

general population versus medical needs

practical use of Texas FNSS Toolkit

– PODs

fixed sites and mobile delivery

Texas Department of Public Safety

Success of the Registration Depends Upon Local

Participation

Questions?

Texas Department of Public Safety

TDEM Web Page

• Individual Information

– http://www.dps.texas.gov/dem/stear/public.htm

• Local Government Information

– http://www.dps.texas.gov/dem/stear/local.htm

Texas Department of Public Safety

STEAR Points of Contact

TDEM

Gisela Ryan-Bunger

512-424-2271 gisela.ryan-

bunger@dps.texas.gov

or

STEAR@dps.texas.gov

Help Desk

STEAR@dps.texas.gov