Texas Public Safety Commission names State Operations Center after Jack Colley

Posted June 18, 2010 2:33:36 PM CDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Texas Public Safety Commission voted unanimously Thursday to name the State Operations Center in honor of Jack Colley, the former assistant director of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Colley died of a heart attack in May. The State Operations Center will now be known as the Jack Colley State Operations Center.

The State Operations Center (SOC) is the headquarters for the state's emergency response whenever disaster strikes. The SOC houses a multitude of communications and warning systems and coordinates state response to accidents or incidents occurring in Texas on a 24/7/365 basis.

In other Commission business:

The Commission concurred with Director Steve McCraw's appointment of Nim Kidd, who was named the interim Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Several representatives of the Texas emergency management community also attended the meeting to show their support for Kidd's appointment.
The Texas Ranger Association Foundation of Waco presented the Commission with a $10,000 contribution to defray expenses associated with DPS's 75th anniversary celebrations. "The Foundation is a special group of people who have been very supportive of the Department," said Chairman Allan B. Polunsky. "We truly appreciate their very generous contribution."
DPS Director Steve McCraw announced the Texas Top 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders program. The program will offer cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of violent sex offenders who have absconded from registration.
Director McCraw discussed the agency's plans to purchase TASERs for Highway Patrol troopers. All troopers will receive training before being certified to use TASERs as an additional less-than-lethal force option. The Department is currently in the process of purchasing the equipment.
The Commission also welcomed the new Assistant Director of the Driver License Division, Rebecca Davio. "Dr. Davio brings tremendous experience in customer service and process improvement and is an excellent addition to the Department's leadership team," said Chairman Polunsky.

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