Texas Task Force 1 demobilizes, members return home

COLLEGE STATION – At 8:30 this morning, the FEMA Incident Support Team (IST) and the regional FEMA office made the decision to demobilize Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) from operations in Arkansas. The Task Force would like to recognize the incredible effort and skill state and local responders demonstrated in dealing with the aftermath of this violent storm.

We ask you to remember that many communities suffered loss of life and property in the past days and to keep them all in your thoughts as they continue the recovery process. As always, TX-TF1 stands ready to answer the call to assist the State of Texas and the Nation.

As hurricane season approaches, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to prepare yourself, your family and your community. Disaster can strike at anytime and anyplace. 

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, the explosion in West, TX, Moore, OK, tornado, 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 respond from jurisdictions within a 4-hour travel time from College Station. The Task Force consists of three separate teams of 70 members each, and these teams rotate on a monthly basis.

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/txtf1

MEDIA NOTE:

TX-TF1 is expected to arrive home this afternoon. After the rigorous full-scale exercise of the weekend, deployment on Monday and long travel today, the decision has been made to not offer a media or interview opportunity in order to allow task force members to return to their homes and families as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.