HCOHSEM Receives Silver Award for Post-Derecho Crisis Communications
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) has received the Silver Award for Crisis Communications and Issues Management at the 2025 PRSA Houston Excalibur Awards. The recognition celebrates HCOHSEM’s collaborative and accessible video campaign that guided residents through FEMA and Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster relief options following the severe May 2024 derecho.
Recognizing Fast, Clear, and Inclusive Communication
The Excalibur Awards, hosted by the Houston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), honor exceptional public relations campaigns and strategies across the region. The Crisis Communications and Issues Management category specifically acknowledges efforts that address unplanned emergencies with immediate and effective messaging.
HCOHSEM earned the Silver Award for its five-minute FEMA & SBA Financial Disaster Assistance video, launched in partnership with FEMA and the SBA to respond to the public’s confusion and uncertainty over the federal aid application process. The derecho, which caused widespread power outages, flooding, and structural damage throughout Harris County, left thousands of residents in urgent need of clear guidance on how to recover financially.
“This video proved to be a vital resource in helping residents understand and access disaster financial assistance after the derecho last May,” said Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan. “In times of disaster, reliable and timely information can make all the difference—and our team delivered with urgency and care. This is a great example of how dedication, partnership, and creativity can build a more resilient Harris County.”
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Meeting Residents Where They Are—In All Languages and Formats
What set the campaign apart was its emphasis on accessibility. The HCOHSEM team worked with Deaf Link to ensure the video and its supporting materials were available in American Sign Language, Spanish, and compatible with Braille readers. This ensured that critical disaster recovery information reached not only English-speaking households, but also deaf, hard-of-hearing, low-literacy, and visually impaired communities.
The video was distributed across ReadyHarris.org, ReadyHarris social media platforms, and shared with local recovery partners to amplify its reach across Harris County neighborhoods. The clear, concise format made it easier for families already dealing with disaster stress to understand the steps to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance or SBA Disaster Loans.
Members of the HCOHSEM Communications team proudly accept the Silver Award for Why This Matters to Harris County Residents
For Harris County families affected by natural disasters, timely and accessible information isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Confusion about federal aid eligibility, timelines, and documentation can delay recovery and compound hardship, especially for vulnerable or underserved populations.
By creating an easy-to-understand, multilingual video resource, HCOHSEM helped remove barriers to financial assistance and empowered residents to begin the recovery process sooner. The initiative not only demonstrated best practices in crisis communications but also strengthened public trust in emergency management services.
This award-winning campaign highlights the importance of transparency, community collaboration, and inclusive outreach—values that remain central to HCOHSEM’s mission to protect lives and property across Harris County.
A Model for Future Emergency Communication
Under the leadership of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, HCOHSEM continues to set national standards in emergency planning, response, and recovery. The office’s success with the FEMA & SBA assistance video underscores the value of pre-established partnerships and proactive communication strategies in times of crisis.
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With more extreme weather events predicted in the years ahead, initiatives like this serve as a roadmap for how local governments can quickly inform, assist, and uplift their communities when it matters most.
For up-to-date emergency preparedness tools, disaster recovery resources, and alerts, visit ReadyHarris.org.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more updates on Harris County safety, resilience, and award-winning communication efforts.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
