COLLEGE STATION – Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) is wrapping up their first operational period in support of the search & rescue efforts in West, TX. TX-TF1 has completed wide area, primary and secondary searches of the surrounding neighborhood. The team will conclude the day, concentrating on the devastated apartment complex, performing shoring and delayering operations. Upon completion of today’s operational period, the task force will rest overnight and receive new objectives for the next operational period, beginning at 6 a.m.

Who is TX-TF1?

TX-TF1 is sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and has deployed over 90 times since 1997, including the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, Sept. 11th World Trade Center attack, and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike. TX-TF1 can be activated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management or as one of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 28 sanctioned urban search and rescue teams.

Members of TX-TF1 range from firefighters and medical personnel, to structural engineers, and come from all areas capable of reporting to College Station within a five-hour window. The task force consists of three separate units of approximately 80 members each. The teams rotate on a monthly standby, stand down or on call status. The “Red” Team is currently on call for deployment.

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