TDEM implements programs to increase public awareness about threats and hazards, coordinates emergency planning, provides an extensive array of specialized training for emergency responders and local officials, and administers disaster recovery and hazard mitigation programs in the State of Texas.

To support the regions, districts and jurisdictions, TDEM headquarters is organized into internal divisions, sections and units.

In their response role, they deploy to incident sites to assess damages, identify urgent needs, advise local officials regarding state assistance, and coordinate deployment of state emergency resources to assist local emergency responders.

TDEM is currently led by the Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Nim Kidd.

[22] The SOC houses a large operations floor for the Emergency Management Council, several meeting rooms, office space for the State Management Team, Technology Operations staff, division leadership and the state warning point known as the bubble.

[23] With the transition from DPS to the Texas A&M University System, TDEM received money to build a new headquarters and state operations center.

[24][25] Being built just east of Austin–Bergstrom International Airport and the Travis County Jail, cost of the new facility is in the range of $300 to $423 million USD.

[28] The conference is 4–5 days long, includes an opening session, awards luncheon, trainings, lectures, exhibit hall an closing ceremony.

[30] In 2022, TDEM created "The Academy", in an effort to formalize and standardize emergency management education.