August 18, 1016 - Local agencies gathered to participate in a school safety meeting at the active Shelby County courthouse on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Sheriff Gerald Corbell and Chief Deputy Mike Hanson led the meeting and spoke with those present about incident preparation and equipment maintained by some agencies and schools.
There was some after action review of a recent school response that resulted in an evacuation, and that developed into further discussion of improvements, as well as, designated evacuation locations.
The meeting also covered medical response, including where the closest medical facilities are to each school, and potential plans of action.
Different communication options were also discussed, and Chief Hanson imparted to everyone at the meeting that the communications system for the county is down to one tower currently.
Sheriff Corbell asked fire departments present to encourage other departments to have representatives present at future meetings so that everyone can be on the same page.
Agencies and officials present included the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department; Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge; Luciana Barr, Emergency Management Coordinator; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Game Warden; Center Police Department; Deep East Texas Council of Governments; Excelsior ISD; resource officers with Center ISD, Shelbyville ISD, Joaquin ISD, Timpson ISD; Shelby Emergency Department; West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (VFD); Shelbyville VFD; and Huxley VFD.
