• 9-1-1 Emergency Communication

The Division operates a regional 9-1-1 network that provides emergency communications equipment and services to residents of Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio Counties.

The Division has been certified as a Wireless Phase II service area; this provides two new capabilities to the four rural Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).  The first capability is to route wireless calls to the PSAPs.  The second is the ability to identify a wireless call by its latitude and longitude, and then plot the wireless handset’s geographic location on the dispatcher’s workstation.  The new technology allows the dispatcher to provide timely and accurate emergency information to first responders within the incident response area.

The Division also updates and maintains the Addressing Database for all unincorporated communities in the five-county region as well as assisting the incorporated cities with their Addressing Database. 

The Division continues to provide training to new dispatchers and call-takers in the region, which includes an overview of the 9-1-1 program and training on TDD/TDY calls.

Finally, the Division also operates the 9-1-1 Public Education program, which allows educators, first responders, and other local agencies to serve as advocates and promoters of the program.  Most often, the public education program is focused on the youth.

• Criminal Justice

The Regional Services Division coordinates programs and provides staff support to the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, to develop an annual plan and strategy to provide state financial support to local law enforcement and criminal justice organizations to address both juvenile and adult offender programs;

The Division  operates a regional program for training for law enforcement personnel, and others; and the Division staffs the Criminal Justice Planning groups which prioritize programs in the area under the Criminal Justice Program, General Victim Assistance-Direct Services, Violent Crimes Against Women Criminal Justice and General Juvenile Justice and Delinquency.

• Community and Economic Development

The Division operates the Community Development Block Grant technical assistance program for RGCOG member governments. This program provides training assistance for elected representatives of member governments, assistance with rules and regulations, and assistance in preparation of grant applications and funding requests primarily to the Office of Rural Community Affairs.

The Division provides staff support to the Regional Review Committee, composed of gubernatorial appointees from the region tasked with scoring and ranking applicants for non-entitlement Community Development grants in the region.

The Economic Development area encompasses planning, technical assistance, and small business/tourism assistance to provide jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the region. The main task in the economic development area is staff support to the West Texas Economic Development District.

• Hazard Mitigation

The Division maintains the Far West Texas Hazard Mitigation Action Plan.  A Mitigation Plan is a community-driven, living document that communities use to reduce their vulnerability to hazards.  Communities are encouraged to develop hazard mitigation plans in order to receive mitigation grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grants from FEMA can augment local mitigation activities that are already being done.  The Far West Texas Hazard Mitigation Action Plan encompasses the counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, Brewster and the incorporated cities within and one Indian Tribe for a total of eighteen jurisdictions.

• Rural Emergency Preparedness

In June 2002, The Governor's Office requested that all Councils of Governments develop regional homeland security plans as part of a state planning initiative.  Since that time, Regional Services has continued to assist city and county governments in various activities related to emergency preparedness.  Some of these functions include: upgrading existing emergency management plans; developing Mutual Aid Agreements among jurisdictions; Inter-jurisdictional plans for all hazards, including terrorism; and providing basic emergency plans. In FY 2011, Regional Services will coordinate exclusively with rural jurisdictions with regard to emergency preparedness.

• Texas Review and Comment System

The Division administers, facilitates, and provides technical assistance to membership regarding Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs and Uniform Grants Management Standards as per Executive Order 12372 and under the guidance of the Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning. Under both state and federal regulations, most requests for financial assistance by local governments and non-governmental organizations are reviewed at the staff, committee, and possibly Board level to evaluate the benefit, impact, or potentially the duplication of services proposed by applicants.