PASSING OF CARINE CHALFOUN
Carine C. Chalfoun dedicated her life in public service. Growing up in New Jersey, she spent her summers as a lifeguard, eventually earning the distinction of senior lifeguard at the age of 18. Carine was a volunteer EMT during and after high school with the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Ridgewood Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Hackensack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Heeding a call to the great state of Texas, Carine moved to Austin in 1992, where she continued her career as an EMT and eventually a Paramedic with Austin-Travis County EMS from 1992 to 1998. It was during her time serving with tactical police teams, Carine answered the call to duty yet again - this time leading her to embark on path to become a police officer; first serving with the Dilley Police Department, then being hired by the Austin Park Police and earning the rank of Sergeant. In 2009, Austin Public Safety and Emergency Management was consolidated into the Austin Police Department.
Following several years as a Senior Police Officer with the Austin Police Department, Carine was assigned to the Emergency Planning & Response Unit conducting emergency management, emergency response, special event planning, and disaster preparedness planning for the Austin Police Department. It was this assignment that led Carine to become extensively involved in every aspect of emergency management. In her years an emergency manager, Carine attended scores of training events and exercises at the local, state and federal levels, and has completed hundreds of training courses. Coupled with her years of experience, Carine has established herself as a subject matter expert and trainer in the field of emergency management and was a highly respected member of the public service community. In 2012, Carine became a member of Texas Search & Rescue and was active in numerous deployments and training events. She was eventually elected to serve as a board member. Carine’s thoughtful insight, experience and dedication as a public servant have contributed immeasurably to the TEXSAR mission. Carine graduated from Austin Community College with two associate degrees: one in Criminal Justice and the second in Foreign Language.
Upon retirement from the Austin Police Department, Carine accepted a position as the Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for Caldwell County. She eventually went on to be appointed as the Chief - Emergency Management Coordinator of Caldwell County and sworn into what would be her last official duty assignment by the Honorable Judge Hoppy Haden in 2017. Over the course of her career, Carine was involved with numerous disaster response activations to include the Bastrop Hot Air Balloon Incident in 2016 and five federally declared flooding disasters. Carine was a critical incident stress counselor and a certified first responder peer support counselor. Carine was an active member of her community and supported countless charitable organizations, often donating many long hours of her time to a wide variety of worthy causes.
In an effort to honor Carine and to keep her memory alive, a memorial foundation has been established in her name. All proceeds are intended to support training and education grants for aspiring members in the field of emergency management. To make a donation, please make checks payable to the Emergency Management Association of Texas, re/ The Carine Chalfoun Memorial Foundation, 2502 Pace Bend Road South, Spicewood, Texas 78669.