Texas Task Force 1 demobilizes from mission for Bastrop County wildfires

Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) search and rescue team has been demobilized from the Bastrop County Complex Wildfire by the state of Texas after completing its wide area search mission. Working with local officials, approximately 100 Task Force members and several canine teams searched more than 1,800 home sites in neighborhoods impacted by the wildfire, which as of Sept. 12, has burned more than 34,000 acres.

The type-1 urban search and rescue team was deployed on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and staged at Camp Swift. The team conducted wide area search and assessments. TX-TF1 search squads have also worked closely with local law enforcement and fire departments, as well as Animal Control, to help bring in injured pets and livestock and to save homes that have not been burned. TX-TF1 also coordinated efforts with the Texas A&M University Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) and Texas Forest Service liaisons. The TAMU VET has been instrumental in providing immediate veterinary support for both the animals that TX-TF1 has rescued and for the TX-TF1 search canines.

The team is expected to arrive in College Station late this afternoon.

About Texas Task Force 1

Texas Task Force 1 is sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and is comprised of nearly 600 personnel representing more than 70 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. Texas Task Force 1 and TEEX coordinate statewide requests for search and rescue. TX-TF1 has responded more than 85 times including to New York City following the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

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.