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The City of Plano created the Department of Homeland Security in April 2005.  Since its inception the Department has added three staff positions to include a Director, an Emergency Management Specialist and a Sr. Administrative Assistant along with the already created position of Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator. Prior to the Creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the responsibilities of this department were included in the Plano Fire Department under the Direction of then Fire Chief and Emergency management Coordinator William Peterson.  Chief Peterson has since been appointed by President Bush to assume the position of Director of FEMA Region VI in Denton, Texas. The City of Plano’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develops and maintains the Plano Emergency Management Plan and coordinates readiness efforts with other cities, counties and jurisdictions in the North Texas Region, as well as state and federal agencies. The primary audience for this Comprehensive All-Hazards Plan includes elected officials, emergency management staff, department and agency heads and senior staff members, leaders of local volunteer organizations that support emergency operations, and others who may wish to participate in our mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The City of Plano’s DHS acts in accordance with Local, State and Federal legislation that direct and guide emergency management activities and services to protect and prepare the community.  It is charged with manging nearly half a million dollars in annual grant funds awarded to the City of Plano by the state and federal government to enhance the City of Plano’s Public Safety efforts.