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Texas Public Works Response Team

About the Public Works Response Team (PWRT)

The Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) is a TEEX and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) sponsored state resource deployed through the State Operations Center (SOC) to assist local jurisdictions during catastrophic events. Made up of experienced public works professionals with diverse expertise, the team delivers critical services that support emergency response and community recovery.

TX-PWRT is designed to support local jurisdictions in their initial response and recovery efforts at three levels:

Planning Support

Specialized public works technical assistance for jurisdictions in performing rapid damage assessment, and identifying capabilities and resource needs, while responding to and recovering from the consequences of a catastrophic event.

Operational Support

Short term augmentation of local public works resources as needed to expedite and enhance their response capability to a catastrophic event.

Liaison Support

Act as a point of contact for the local jurisdiction in support of the Incident Commander.

PWRT Positions

Explore the different types of positions that we are seeking for the TX-PWRT team. If you are interested in joining, learn how to about the required training and how to apply below.

Join the TX-PWRT

Code Enforcement

Personnel

  • 1 team supervisor
  • 1–3 engineers
  • 1 code enforcement officer SME

Task and Purpose

  • Conduct damage assessments and provide situational awareness to State Operations Center Liaison.
  • Provide professional assessment of damaged critical infrastructure fixtures and facilities.
  • Examine structures and determine their continued suitability for use.
  • Provide professional suggestions regarding repair of damaged structures.
  • Work with other Texas A&M University System agencies.
  • Coordinate with sUAS drone strike team.

Mission Function

  • Provide an up-front view and assessment of disaster scene and incident magnitude
  • Identify loss of critical infrastructure components.
  • Recommend professional action necessary to repair damaged facilities and estimates of cost and time required to complete repairs.

The Assessment and Inspection Strike Team will inspect public facilities – buildings, roadways, and bridges – to determine their structural integrity and if they are safe to use. The team is comprised of civil and/or structural engineers. The engineers may be onsite, conducting their inspections in the actual disaster area, or they may be hundreds of miles away, assessing live video feed using an unmanned aerial system, also known as a drone. Rescue workers depend on the engineers to provide their professional assessment of the damaged structures to ensure there is no additional danger to the first responders.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Public Works Team Leaders

Safety Officer/EHS

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot/Observer

Utilities/Lineworker

Water/Wastewater Operator

Water/Wastewater Technician

Join the TX-PWRT

TX-PWRT members are experienced and knowledgeable in public works activities such as Utilities (Electrical, Water, Wastewater, Storm Water, Environmental Safety and Compliance, and Communications); Debris Clearance; Transportation Systems, Heavy Equipment Operators and Logistical Support.

Required Training

Before becoming an active TX-PWRT member, you must complete the required online training at: training.fema.gov:

Apply to TX-PWRT

Frequently Asked Questions

Supporting the Texas Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) allows us to help communities recover from disasters by providing critical public works expertise and support. Participation can also benefit your organization by developing employee skills, leadership experience, and emergency response capabilities. It is an opportunity to serve Texans in need while strengthening our own preparedness and resilience.

Public Works Response Team members are not deployed on every team activation. At the end of each month, the SOC Liaison distributes an availability request to identify members who may be available for future deployments. If a deployment occurs, available members may be considered for selection based on mission requirements. Members may decline deployment if they are unavailable or if their employer is unable to support their participation.

  • The employer is initially responsible for paying the Response Team member their standard wage.
  • Once the Response Team member returns from deployment (i.e. demobilizes), the employer submits necessary supporting documentation, including pay stubs, for reimbursement to TX-PWRT.
  • Once the request has been reviewed and approved, reimbursement will be issued to the employer within 30 days.
  • As soon as the Response Team member is activated for deployment, the “clock” begins. Team members are on a 24- hour shift from the time they are deployed until they are demobilized.
  • The employer’s company policy should support paying a deployed Response Team member for a 24-hour shift for the duration of the deployment.

TX-PWRT will reimburse the additional amount along with the employee’s cost for time that the Response Team member was scheduled to work.

Deployments vary in length from a few days to a couple of weeks. Response Team members should prepare to deploy for up to 14 days.

Response Team members are eligible for Texas Workman Compensation if injured during training or on deployment.

No, the Response Team member is responsible for their own training and requesting time off from their employer. TX- PWRT does not offer payment reimbursement for training hours.

Standard Operating Guidelines

Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) provide support and guidance to the management, staff, and members of the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team.

Texas A&M Public Works Response Team Logo

Resources

PWRT Deployment to Laredo

Learn more about TX-PWRT’s deployment to help the City of Laredo, Texas.

Contact Us

Public Works Response Team

For more information or how to join, contact us.

[email protected]

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