5 members of TX-TF1 and 2 canines deployed to Oso, WA, mudslide

COLLEGE STATION – FEMA has called up several members of Texas Task Force 1 to assist with recovery efforts following the March 22 mudslide in Snohomish County, WA.

Dr. Richard Bradley served as Deputy Medical Officer on the FEMA Urban Search & Rescue “White” Incident Support Team (IST) from March 24 until April 7. He is a Medical Team Manager for TX-TF1.

Two TX-TF1 canine search teams are among 20 from across the country who are currently deployed at the site of the mudslide near Oso, WA. Canine search specialist Bob Deeds and his partner Remi, and canine search specialist Rhywnn Gaffney and partner Luna are among the teams continuing to search for missing victims.

Ken Wright and Gary Parker were deployed April 3 as members of the FEMA “Blue” IST, and are still activated. Wright is serving as Logistics Section Chief and Parker as Communications Leader for the IST. Wright is a Logistics Manager and Parker is a Communications Specialist on TX-TF1.

TX-TF1 is sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The team 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.

About Texas Task Force 1

TX-TF1 is 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. In 2013, the team deployed to the West, TX, fertilizer plant explosion and the Moore, OK, tornado.

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.

Texas Task Force 1 Website: www.texastaskforce1.org/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/txtf1