Primary Department: Fire Marshal
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Laurie L. Christensen, Fire Marshal
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action regarding the adoption of the Harris County Employee Active Threat Emergency Notification and Response policy.
end
Background and Discussion:
As an update to the Commissioners Court order issued on May 8, 2025, directing Harris County to begin using the Blackboard messaging platform as an Employee Emergency Notification System (ENS), the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office (HCFMO) has been working closely with County Law Enforcement Departments and Harris County Universal Services (HCUS) to prepare the system for operational use. The Blackboard platform was previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now being repurposed to alert county employees when an active threat occurs in or around a county facility.
During the preparation process, several important considerations have been identified.
• Employees will need to properly configure their profiles in STARS to ensure they receive emergency notifications.
o Ongoing notification to County Employees has been occurring with support from OCA.
• Blackboard can meet the county’s immediate needs as a temporary solution; several limitations have been noted that will require either enhancements through Finalsite (Blackboard) or consideration of alternative solutions through an RFP process.
o Possible Departments to be included: HCUS [Enterprise Owners]. HCSO, HCHOSEM, HCFMO, and OCA.
As we are approaching the system’s launch and have initiated an education and outreach campaign throughout the month of October to guide employees on how to properly set up their STARS profiles. In parallel, law enforcement dispatch centers have been participating in scheduled training sessions to ensure they are prepared to initiate emergency notifications upon receiving calls for service.
Additionally, the attached policy framework to govern the county’s emergency notification procedures, along with employee preparedness training, has been circulated through the Threat Management Steering Committee, Leadership Council, and County Attorney’s Office with full support from all stakeholders. This will support formal submission to Commissioners Court for the (November 13th court) for consideration.
These coordinated efforts position the County to launch the Blackboard ENS on November 15, 2025, following Commissioners Court on November 13, 2025.
Expected Impact:
Enhanced situational awareness and safety for Employees and the Public
Alternative Options:
N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: A: Reduce violent crime across the County.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
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Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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08/07/2025 |
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Approved |
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 11/13/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 11/15/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Chad Shaw, Assistant Chief, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office
Attachments (if applicable): Policy Employee Active Threat Emergency Notification and Response