Houston is gearing up for the College Football Playoff National Championship, and with big events come big responsibilities, specifically when it comes to coordination and security. In a move to ensure smooth operations, the city has set up a Joint Information Center (JIC) to manage communications throughout the championship festivities. The JIC will "maintain coordinated and unified operations," a statement published on January 4 by the Official Emergency Management Department.
Starting January 5, a day before the anticipated playoff events truly jump to start, the center will host representatives from various city departments, including the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Houston Police Department (HPD), and Houston Fire Department (HFD). The JIC's operations will extend through to the end of the championship event on Monday, January 8th, aiming to seamlessly handle any incidents that might unexpectedly arise during the celebrations. The Houston Emergency Center located at 5320 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX, will house the frontline of communication operations.
For those looking to stay in the loop with event-related safety messages, a convenient text option is available. Visitors can send a text with the message "CFPHouston" to 888-777, as detailed on the official website, to receive updates directly to their mobile devices.
Media inquiries related to the championship events are to be directed to the JIC during its operational hours. Questions can be fielded via the helpline at 713-884-4471 or by emailing [email protected]. Furthermore, if media organizations have the intention to report live from the Emergency Operations Center, they've been instructed to schedule arrangements with Brent Taylor, whose contact details can be found alongside the operation times and safety information. This protocol ensures a controlled environment, where media can also to quickly access relevant information and updates.
