September 7, 2021 -- Thomas Munoz has been appointed as Deputy Director for the City of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
In his role as the City’s new Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC), Munoz oversees the emergency management program for the nation’s fourth-largest city, which includes the coordination of disaster mitigation, planning, response, and recovery.
Munoz joins the City with over 26 years of first responder and emergency management experience. Before assuming his current role, Munoz served as the Emergency Manager and Homeland Security Director for Texas City for five years.
"The City of Houston cannot prevent disasters like hurricanes, extreme winter weather or major incidents from happening. However, we have a choice when it comes to selecting a strong leader to manage significant events," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "Thomas Munoz is the right person at the right time to lead our emergency management response team."
Munoz’s experience includes a 24-year tenure as a member of the Houston Fire Department, in which he rose to the rank of Assistant Chief of Homeland Security and Planning. Tom retired from the United States Coast Guard (Reserve) as a Commander after 21 years of service.
“Tom Munoz’s experience and success working in emergency management near the Gulf is the kind of leadership the Office of Emergency Management needs as we approach peak hurricane season,” said George Buenik, Director for the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Munoz holds a Master’s degree in Emergency Management and a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from American Military University. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston.
“I’m excited to fully integrate into the City's emergency management team and play a direct role in assisting all community members during emergencies and natural disasters,” Munoz said. “I’m eager to utilize my years of experience to enhance Houston’s emergency capabilities and initiatives year-round. I’m also looking forward to building a stronger and more resilient Houston through collaboration with other city departments.”