HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Tuesday that the county is updating its fire codes in response to Hurricane Beryl, focusing on improving emergency preparedness measures for the senior community.

She was joined by Harris County Fire Marshal Chief Laurie Christensen and Mark Sloan, coordinator of the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.

The county judge said that after the derecho and Hurricane Beryl, Harris County updated its fire codes from the 2018 national safety code to the 2021 fire code.

Hidalgo said this will help improve emergency preparedness, such as making school inspections a requirement rather than an option. Another example he used was the massive power outage after Hurricane Beryl that left millions of people without power and caused the death of 38 residents.

Hidalgo said when the power went out, attendant housing facilities relied on generators and the county will ensure it has backup power for heating or cooling centers throughout Harris County.

Hidalgo also discussed the public awareness campaign on the proper disposal and storage of lithium-ion batteries and electronic devices that contain them, as well as understanding the importance of certified safe products this holiday gifting season.

So far this year, there have been several consecutive fires at scrapyards and recycling facilities due to lithium batteries.

Hidalgo said these fires have been challenging and the county is taking steps to prevent them and protect the lives of our local firefighters.

He said people don’t properly dispose of lithium batteries and should treat them as hazardous materials. Those who want to get rid of those batteries should visit Tierra911.com to find a place that safely recycles lithium batteries.

Hidalgo also acknowledged the death of the fallen Houston firefighter Marcelo “Buey” García IIIwho died from injuries he suffered while fighting a warehouse fire. Garcia served at HFD for 10 years, the last six at Station 23.

Garcia is the first Houston Fire Department firefighter to die while fighting a fire since the Southwest Inn fire in 2013, which killed several firefighters.