Texas Public Works Response Team

“Once the catastrophic event is over, economic damage is just beginning. Businesses are shutdown, schools are closed, basic water and wastewater isn’t available. Our vision for the TX-PWRT is to develop a robust team of public works professionals, resources, and equipment that will provide the means to reopen the community as quickly as possible.”

Ron Peddy, Director of TX-PWRT

Keeping Texas Running When Disaster Strikes

Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) is a joint response team sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management with qualified experienced members who support local jurisdictions in their response to a catastrophic event by providing critical public works services as needed to facilitate recovery.

What is TX-PWRT?

TX-PWRT is a state asset that is deployed by the State Operations Center (SOC) to support local jurisdictions in event of a catastrophic event. TX-PWRT is comprised of multi-disciplined, multi-talented, and highly qualified member in the Public Works sector.

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.

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; Structural Safety; Transportation Systems, Heavy Equipment Operators, Fire Control Operations and Logistical Support.

Required Training

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

Seeking Professionals for these Positions

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Download FAQs (PDF)

Supporting the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) with personnel can benefit your organization. Response Team members receive specialized training that can enhance your team’s skills. Experience acquired while on deployment can also be valuable to your organization.

Public Works Response Team members do not deploy on each and every Response Team activation. Each Response Team member is assigned to one of three deployment teams which rotate monthly. At any time, if a member is unavailable, or their employer cannot support deployment, they may decline the mission.

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.

*TX-PWRT’s deployment to help the City of Laredo, Texas.*

Learn about the PWRT deployment to Laredo

For more information or how to join, contact us.

Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT)

[email protected]

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TX-PWRT