Role previously held by police or fire chief
Boerne has named Vincent Cantu as the city’s first full-time emergency management coordinator.
Introduced to the City Council late last month, Cantu previously served in the same role for Abilene, where he directed the emergency management program, advised executive leadership and elected officials, managed state and federal grant programs, and led planning efforts.
“I’m excited to join the city of Boerne and build on the strong emergency management foundation already in place,” Cantu said. “Being able to further develop this role creates an opportunity to expand our focus on preparedness, planning, and partnerships year-round so we are ready to serve the community when it matters most.”
In the past, the role of Boerne’s emergency management coordinator was handled by the police chief or fire chief, according to city officials.
“Vincent brings more than a decade of progressive experience in emergency management, public health preparedness and business continuity,” said Danny Zincke, assistant city manager, in a prepared release. “We have been fortunate in Boerne to have excellent emergency management, but the role has expanded as our community has grown, and it was time to bring in a dedicated professional.”
Boerne’s existing emergency management program coordinated the city’s response to catastrophic flooding, the pandemic, high-impact winter storms and record crowds descending on the town during the 2024 total solar eclipse.
“As emergency management coordinator, Vincent will lead the city’s emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery,” Fire Chief Manny Casarez said. “As we have seen in the last several years, the next major event can occur at a moment’s notice.
By continually planning with our local, regional, state and federal partners, we can enhance community resilience.”
During his career, Cantu has successfully guided communities through severe weather, wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber threats and other complex emergencies, officials said.
He helped secure nearly $950,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation funding for critical infrastructure improvements, established regional partnerships among higher-education institutions, led executive- level exercises and developed innovative continuity and emergency response programs, according to a release.
Prior to his emergency management role, Cantu worked as the public-health emergency preparedness coordinator for Abilene, where he strengthened healthcare preparedness, medical-countermeasure planning and regional public health coordination, officials said.
His background also includes extensive experience in community health initiatives and public outreach.
Cantu is a graduate of FEMA’s National Emergency Management Advanced Academy, holds a bachelor’s degree in community health from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and has earned numerous professional certifications, including FEMA Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Infrastructure Protection Certificate.
He also is an Abilene Chamber of Commerce “Top 20 Under 40” recipient.
“Vincent (Cantu) will lead the city’s emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.”
— Fire Chief Manny Casarez
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