GRAYSON COUNTY, TX - The Grayson County Office of Emergency Management says they're making a major upgrade in the way they respond to disasters in Texoma.

The Office of Emergency Management says they've learned a few lessons while responding to local disasters and they've been working to make things go more smoothly.
Today they announced a big change, 3 years in the making.

Until now, any time a disaster has struck Grayson, Fannin, or Cooke counties, like the floods of 2007, the office of emergency management has had to look for help outside the tri county area, but they say a new disaster district is going to change that.

"We've lived through some disasters in our region when we knew we could have done a better job using and working with our state and federal partners." said Sara Somers.

Director Sara Somers says in coordination with the Texas Highway Patrol they're creating a new Disaster District Committee that will serve Grayson, Fannin and Cooke counties.
She says by working together under the same roof, they can drastically cut down on response time, when every minute counts.

"It means we have the people we call for help from the state and federal government, that's our route to get assistance when bad things happen, they'll be right here with us, we won't have to wait for them, they won't be distracted by working down in the metroplex, they'll be right here in Grayson County." said Somers.

"This gives us the ability to react quicker, faster, bigger and stronger immediately."Judge Drue Bynum said.

Judge Drue Bynum says saving time during a disaster, could help save lives.

"So our state asset that we immediately turn to will be with us from day one minute one of any disaster that could occur in Grayson County, Fannin County, or Cook County." Bynum said.

Lieutenant Hank Sibley has been designated as the District Disaster Committee Chairman.

"Now we have a direct line to the state operation center for requests because we have a DDC here, we've got our own voice, through the DPS aspect of it, the county now, I think they'll get faster service and better response, more access." said Sibley.

Somers says both DPS positions are being paid for by the state of Texas.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management is currently interviewing candidates for the District Coordinator position.