Fort Worth names Sonny Saxton emergency management lead after winter storm; city says response kept shelters and critical services running

Sonny “Sunny” Saxton, the city’s new emergency management hire, introduced himself at the Fort Worth City Council work session on Jan. 14 and gave a brief overview of the city’s response to a multi-day winter storm that included extended sub-freezing temperatures, ice and snow.

City officials said the Joint Emergency Operations Center activated at Level 3 during the event, with 12-hour shifts, broad interdepartmental staffing and a focus on protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining mission-critical access. The city reported 1,236 guests used shelter or overflow services; the 9-1-1 center handled 38,100 calls during the event, and Transportation & Public Works applied roughly 98,100 gallons of brine pre-event and during response operations. Saxton said the city is evaluating tools and processes ahead of an additional cold front.

The nut graf: City leaders framed the storm response as a cross-department effort aimed at keeping roads clear for emergency access, operating shelter and overflow capacity for people experiencing homelessness, and preserving continuity of emergency services such as police, fire and EMS.

Saxton, introduced by Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington, described a planning period that began about five days before the storm and emphasized the role of the JEOC (Joint Emergency Operations Center). “Ensuring health and safety was always top of mind while minimizing disruptions across our essential services,” Saxton said during the work session. He highlighted food and hydration outreach partners and thanked Parks & Recreation for facility support. He also recognized Trinity Metro for providing transportation during the event.

Council members praised staff. Council Member Williams and others commended Saxton and the interdepartmental team; Council Member Blaylock noted continuing needs for urban forestry and other maintenance work and thanked staff for post-storm cleanup. Saxton told council the city continues to support overflows for people in shelters and that cold weather persisted, with an additional cold front forecast.

Context and clarity: City staff said the JEOC used 12-hour rotations and that some crews responded to fires, medical calls and vehicle crashes even during the storm. Saxton and Washington stressed this update was a preliminary operational review and that staff will continue after‑action analysis to identify lessons and funding implications. Finance will monitor costs; city officials said they will consider whether to seek state or federal reimbursement if the event meets disaster thresholds.

Looking ahead: Saxton urged residents to take precautions during continued cold weather and said the city will continue evaluating response systems and sheltering capacity.

Sources: Remarks by Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington and Sonny Saxton at the Fort Worth City Council work session, Jan. 14, 2025.