HCOHSEM Honored with the Silver Award in the Crisis Communications and Issues Management Category at PRSA Houston Excalibur Awards
Harris County, Texas — The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) has won the Silver Award in the Crisis Communications and Issues Management category from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston Chapter for the development and production of the 2024 FEMA & SBA Financial Disaster Assistance video.
The Crisis Communications and Issues Management Award recognizes programs undertaken to deal with an unplanned event that required an immediate response. After the May 2024 Derecho, FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) offered financial aid and loans, but many residents faced confusion about the application process. Recognizing the importance of clarity and transparency, the HCOSHEM Communications team partnered with FEMA and the SBA to produce a five-minute video and related materials to support frequently asked questions on FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and SBA’s Disaster Loans. Deaf Link, a provider of accessible communications tools for the deaf, hard of hearing, and low-literacy community, made the messages available in American Sign Language, Spanish, and compatible to Braille reading devices. These videos were published on ReadyHarris.org and all ReadyHarris social media platforms. In addition, HCOHSEM provided materials to recovery partners to aid in the distribution of this critical information.
“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.”
The Houston PRSA Excalibur Awards honor outstanding public relations professionals, programs, and tactics. Award winners were announced on June 26, 2025 at the Excalibur Awards Gala.
ABOUT HCOHSEM
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is the Director of the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, a national model of best practices in emergency planning, preparation, response, and recovery. HCOHSEM helps prepare, safeguard, and protect the residents and property of Harris County from the effects of disasters through effective planning, preparation, response, and recovery activities.
About PRSA Houston Chapter
Founded in 1950, PRSA Houston helps members become more valuable to their organizations and clients and, therefore, more successful professionally by providing peer-based support, by encouraging professional growth through participation in educational programs and leadership roles, and by promoting the highest standards of professional competence and ethics.
