Responders receive Rescue Specialist Certificate at Disaster City

COLLEGE STATION – After time spent becoming a first responder, followed by years of service and dedication, a select group aspires to reach the highest levels of training and education. The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) developed the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Rescue Specialist Certificate Program, which recognizes members of US&R teams for completing more than 300 hours of rigorous, advanced training in structural collapse, rescue operations and other specialized search and rescue training.

“This is the only certificate of its kind for advanced urban search and rescue training, and very few people nationwide qualify at this point,” said Brian Smith with TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, who coordinates the program.

Fourteen students will receive the certificate on Friday, following this week’s Advanced Structural Collapse 5 course. Those earning the professional recognition include responders from Puerto Rico, Tennessee and Texas.

A graduation will be at held in Disaster City?, located at the TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 16, 2014.

About TEEX 

World renowned for its hands-on, customized training, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) offers a wide range of technical and skills training programs in disaster response. TEEX provides training and technical assistance to people from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and 79 countries. TEEX is also the sponsoring agency for Texas Task Force 1. TEEX is a member of The Texas A&M University System and makes a difference by providing training, developing practical solutions and saving lives.