Amarillo Emergency Management Maintains 24/7 Response Across Four Jurisdictions Year-Round

The Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management operates from the Simms Municipal Building at 808 S Buchanan St with a duty officer available around the clock to coordinate responses when incidents occur.

Residents across the four jurisdictions rely on the office for hazard planning and resource management, especially as severe weather and other threats remain a constant concern in the Texas Panhandle. The agency’s role becomes particularly visible when it activates the Emergency Operations Center or issues guidance through local channels.

Core responsibilities across mitigation and response

Staff develop and maintain a community hazard assessment and the Mitigation Action Plan while coordinating the Safe Room grant program with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. They also run one full-scale or functional exercise and two tabletop exercises each year, keep the Mobile Operations Center ready, and ensure all operations follow National Incident Management System standards.

After major events the office leads damage assessments and recovery coordination, serving as the information hub for the Potter & Randall County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Director Max Dunlap and Deputy Director Jaric Hubner oversee these functions from the Simms Municipal Building, where office hours run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Practical steps for Amarillo residents

People can sign up for AMAalerts through amarilloalerts.com to receive direct notifications on public safety and weather issues. The office also maintains a Facebook page with preparedness tips and posts the latest version of the Amarillo Area Emergency Preparedness Guide on its site.

Additional resources include the Community Emergency Response Team program, which trains volunteers in fire safety, light search and rescue, and basic medical aid so they can assist neighbors until professional responders arrive. Links to ready.gov and redcross.org appear on the same page for further guidance.

Anyone seeking more information can call 806-378-3004 or visit https://www.amarillo.gov/oem/.