Thomas Harris serves as Director of the Office of Preparedness for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), where he leads statewide initiatives focused on emergency preparedness, planning, training and exercises. He also has served as a Deputy Coordinating Officer for a Presidential disaster declaration in Mississippi (DR-4930).
With extensive experience in emergency management and response, Harris has served as a Director of Response and Plans Section Chief during numerous severe weather and tropical events, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic and the City of Jackson Water Crisis. These experiences have given him a broad perspective on emergency operations, interagency coordination and the importance of building resilient communities before disaster strikes.
Under Harris’ leadership, the Office of Preparedness uses a regional approach to serve communities across Northern, Central and Southern Mississippi. Preparedness officers work directly with local jurisdictions, state and federal partners, private industry and volunteer organizations to provide emergency planning assistance, deliver state and federal training, develop and facilitate exercises, and provide specialized training for radiological emergencies.
The Office of Preparedness offers a comprehensive range of emergency management and first-responder training designed to strengthen capabilities across all levels of government and throughout the community. Training is delivered statewide through both in-person, field-based instruction and virtual platforms, ensuring communities and organizations have the knowledge, resources and skills necessary to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Harris holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Mississippi. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, he now resides in Brandon with his wife and three sons.
