Texas State Aquarium’s Office of Emergency Management Hosts Series of Multi-Agency Emergency Preparedness Events Ahead of Hurricane Season

April 15, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – As hurricane season approaches, the Texas State Aquarium’s Office of Emergency Management at the Port Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue has become a hub for regional collaboration, training, and proactive emergency planning. In partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, the Aquarium has hosted a series of events over the past two weeks focused on strengthening community resiliency and coastal preparedness.

The recent events include:

• PORT CC PREPARED 2025 Maritime Emergency Response Workshop, held on March 25, 2025, this vital workshop—hosted by the Port of Corpus Christi in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard—united key maritime stakeholders to strengthen coordination and enhance emergency response strategies in the event of a port-related natural disaster.
• Natural Disasters Operations Working Group (NDOW) Full Scale Exercise, held on April 1–3, 2025, this comprehensive multi-agency exercise was led by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas General Land Office, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Designed to simulate a large-scale environmental incident along the coast, the exercise rigorously tested and strengthened interagency response capabilities and coastal emergency preparedness.
• Incident Command System Training, held during the second week of April, this specialized course—conducted by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)—provided position-specific training for Planning Section Chiefs serving within Incident Management Teams. The course emphasized advanced planning functions and coordination practices critical to effective emergency response.
• South Texas Coastal Zone Area Committee Meeting, held on Wednesday April 10, 2025, this meeting, co-chaired by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office, will convene representatives from federal, state, and local agencies; non-governmental organizations; the maritime industry; wildlife rehabilitation groups; and academic institutions. The Committee plays a critical role in developing and maintaining the Area Contingency Plan—a coordinated strategy that guides joint response efforts, protects sensitive environmental areas, and supports the rescue and rehabilitation of fisheries and wildlife during coastal environmental emergencies.

“Our Office of Emergency Management exists to foster coordination and readiness across all sectors,” said Jesse Gilbert, President and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium. “These exercises and trainings help ensure that the Coastal Bend is not only prepared to respond, but also to protect what makes our region so unique—our community, wildlife, and environment.”

This sustained commitment to preparedness underscores the strength of the South Texas region’s collaborative emergency response network and the essential role the Aquarium’s Office of Emergency Management plays in fostering community-wide resiliency.

About Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium (TSA), the Official Aquarium of the State of Texas, is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) institution that is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas and support wildlife conservation. TSA, the largest Aquarium in Texas, cares for over 4,000 animals and has been named the #5 Best Aquarium in North America by USA Today. Learn more at texasstateaquarium.org.

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Texas State Aquarium Contact:

Jennifer Vela

Chief Government Affairs and Marketing Officer

361.653.2655

[email protected]

Media Assets: https://bit.ly/44kVNi4