Rand Brown named Cooke County emergency management coordinator

GAINESVILLE, Texas — After decades working in military and federal emergency response, Rand Brown has come home to North Texas — and brought that experience with him to Cooke County. Brown recently joined the county as its Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Marshal, taking on responsibility for disaster preparedness and response across the county. He grew up near Denton in Aubrey and said returning to the area to be closer to family made the position the right fit. "I'm definitely excited about coming to this level, having come from the emergency management scene at the federal level," Brown said. His background spans roughly 10 years in the Marine Corps, about 15 years as a Department of Defense contractor in logistics roles, and approximately three years with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That progression gave him hands-on experience with how resources move and decisions get made during large-scale emergencies. Brown said his first priority is helping Cooke County residents understand basic emergency planning — what to prepare before a storm, flood, or other disaster strikes. He also plans to review and update the county's existing emergency preparedness protocols, which he said should reflect current conditions and community needs. The broader goal, he said, is shifting from reactive to proactive emergency management. Rather than waiting for a crisis to develop plans, Brown wants the county ready in advance. The coordinator role works alongside county offices, local fire departments, and state and federal partners to coordinate response when disasters occur. Residents with questions about emergency preparedness can contact the Cooke County Emergency Management office at the Cooke County Courthouse in Gainesville.