5 members of TX-TF1 and 2 canines deploy to OSO, WA, mudslide
FEMA 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 were among 20 from across the country who were deployed at the disaster site near Oso, WA. Canine search specialist Bob Deeds and his partner Remi, and canine search specialist Rhywnn Gaffney and partner Luna were 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. Wright served 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 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.