TX-TF1 demobilizes swiftwater & helicopter rescue teams from Rio Grande flooding

COLLEGE STATION – Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) swiftwater and helicopter rescue teams were demobilized Wednesday, July 21, by the Texas Division of Emergency Management after a seven-day deployment to South Texas for widespread flooding along the Rio Grande river.

TX-TF1 teams worked in coordination with local jurisdictions to conduct assessments of flooded areas and were also able to assist with the coordination of Texas Military Forces Helicopters that dropped large sandbags designed to divert the flow of flood waters.

Members of TX-TF1 arrived back to College Station by mid-afternoon Wednesday and then departed for their home jurisdictions. The deployment was a combined effort that included two TX-TF1 helicopter rescue teams working with the Texas Military Forces aboard UH-60 helicopters.

About Texas Task Force 1
Texas Task Force 1 is sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), is comprised of more than 450 personnel representing more than 60 jurisdictions and agencies from across the state of Texas, and is one of 28 teams in the national urban search and rescue system under FEMA. Headquartered in College Station, Texas Task Force 1 and TEEX coordinate statewide requests for search and rescue.

About the Texas Engineering Extension Service
TEEX, a member of The Texas A&M University System, offers hands-on, customized, first-responder training, homeland security exercises, technical assistance and technology transfer services impacting Texas and beyond. TEEX programs include fire services, homeland security, law enforcement, public works, safety and health, search and rescue, and economic development.