HOUSTON – Houston leaders say they’ve spent more than two years planning for World Cup-related events — and that the goal is to be ready to handle the influx of visitors while keeping everyday police, fire and EMS response steady across the city.
“We’re very prepared. We were over prepared,” Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said during a press conference Tuesday.
City, county, state and federal partners joined the briefing at Houston’s emergency operations hub.
What you need to know
Planning timeline: Officials say planning has been underway for “two plus years”
Threat picture: “No current major threats,” according to the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security
NRG Park/Houston Stadium: Expect an 8-foot-tall anti-climb fence and enhanced secure perimeter with screening (metal detectors, bag checks)
Drones: Officials say they’re prepared but won’t share capabilities; they urge the public not to fly personal drones in restricted areas
Transportation: Officials encourage METRO
Alerts: Text AlertHouston to 888-777 or use HOUWC26 for FIFA-only updates
Health: Houston Health is warning about heat illness and promoting Heat Health Alerts at houstonhealth.org.
‘Two plus years’ of planning — and keeping core services running
Brian Mason, the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management director, said the planning didn’t start recently.
“This is something we’ve planning for the last two plus years. It’s not something that we just started a few months ago,” Mason said.
He said the planning has focused on big crowds and the reality of hurricane season.
“This has not been planning just for FIFA. This has been planning for FIFA through the lens of maintaining our core services for all of residents in Southeast Texas,” he said.
Mayor John Whitmire said neighborhood safety won’t take a back seat.
“We would not ever compromise Houstonian safety for any event,” Whitmire said. “Public safety was our highest priority before FIFA, during FIFA, and it’ll be after FIFA.”
HPD Chief Diaz said the department intends to stay flexible on match days to keep response times consistent.
“We do have contingency plans… we plan to be very fluid with the number of staffing that we have so we can adjust to make sure that our continuity of service doesn’t change,” Diaz said.
Homeland Security: ‘No current major threats,’ but officials want the public to report concerns
Chief Larry Satterwhite with the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security said officials are not tracking a major threat at this time.
“On the Homeland Security front… we don’t have any current major threats, he said, but urged the public to call if something seems off. “You, the pubic, are our biggest force multiplier. If you see something… make the call.”
Diaz delivered a similar message.
“If you see something out of the ordinary… please let somebody know. Call 911… or notify us on our non-emergency lines,” Diaz said.
NRG Park: ‘Enhanced secure perimeter’ with screening, similar to Super Bowl/Final Four
John Coppins, vice president of operations for the local organizing committee, said fans should expect an expanded secured perimeter at NRG.
“There will be an enhanced secure perimeter around NRG Park,” Coppins said. “In addition to the existing perimeter fence at the park, which is extensive and has actually been renovated over the last year, FIFA will deploy a eight-foot-tall anti-climb concrete reinforced fence around the property and essentially control different pedestrian screening locations.”
He compared it to other major events at NRG Park.
“Very similar to a Final Four… college football playoff or Super Bowl,” Coppins said.
Drones: HPD won’t discuss mitigation details, warns against personal drone flights
After questions about drone threats at large events, Diaz said he would not describe the technology or tactics.
“I won’t share that information because it’s a little bit sensitive because I don’t want the bad guys to know what our capabilities are,” Diaz said.
FBI Director Kash Patel has warned about the threat of drones at FIFA-related events and Texas DPS recently announced new drone mitigation technology.
Diaz also discouraged fans from flying drones.
“If you do want to fly your own personal drone, I’d suggest you don’t… we have a lot of people. We don’t want one to fall,” he said.
Emergency alerts: How to sign up for Houston-wide or FIFA-only messages
Mason said people can opt into emergency messaging.
For local Houstonians, text AlertHouston to 888-777
For FIFA-only updates, text HOUWC26 to 888-777
Mason said the goal is to message crowds quickly if severe weather moves in.
“We may have to close down Fan Fest if we have lightning strikes… if… we have a tropical cyclone… that way we’re able to proactively communicate,” Mason said.
Public health: Heat illness tops the list; Heat Health Alerts now available
Houston Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Tran urged visitors and locals to plan for heat and humidity.
“The things that we really want the public to be aware of … are heat-related illnesses, foodborne illnesses, and vaccine-preventable diseases,” Dr. Tran said.
She said the risk spikes at higher heat index readings.
“When the heat index reaches 104 degrees or more, that’s when we start to see big problems… with people coming in with heat related illnesses,” Dr. Tran said.
Chief Diaz stressed heat-related issues could become a big deal for public safety professionals, especially involving people visiting Houston and unfamiliar with the heat and humidity.
Tran suggested signing up for heat health alerts on the department’s website.
Whitmire added a reminder about alcohol and hydration.
“Be responsible with… alcoholic beverages… in this heat… you’ve got to stay hydrated,” Whitmire said.
Fire/EMS: ‘Surge protection’ while keeping day-to-day coverage
Houston Fire Department Chief Thomas Muñoz said HFD has planned for crowd surges while maintaining coverage across Houston.
50 ambulances are also leased for the event, Whitmire said, adding that up to 200 state troopers will be sent to the area on game days.
“We look at surges… That is why we have that contract… to have that surge protection both at NRG, at Fan Fest… and… provide the normal day-to-day operations,” Muñoz said.
Whitmire also framed the preparation in terms of Houston’s broader role in the region.
“Our region depends on Houston… We have the world’s largest petrochemical industry along our ship channel,” Whitmire said.
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