About TEXSAR

/About TEXSAR

Our Team

TEXSAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit first responder organization headquartered in Austin, Texas. TEXSAR serves all citizens of the State of Texas and deploys at the request of law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies. TEXSAR provides specialized services such as ground search and rescue; flood and swiftwater rescue; K9 search, rescue, and recovery; disaster relief services; wildland fire; aerial search; UAV support; and dive team operations. TEXSAR is fully self-sufficient, including incident management team (IMT) capabilities, logistics and communications. TEXSAR’s services are free to requesting agencies and are staffed by volunteers who are trained professionals in their fields.

TEXSAR is made up of multiple divisions across the State and deploys to all 254 counties in the State of Texas. TEXSAR has been a significant leader in emergency services and disaster response in the great state of Texas since 2004 and over the years has evolved into one of the largest non-paid search and rescue organizations in the State.

 

Where and How We Deploy

TEXSAR has teams in Central Texas, Houston/Galveston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and the Coastal Bend.  The team deploys at the request of the Governor of Texas; state, local and federal agencies; local law enforcement; and relief organizations (e.g., American Red Cross). When deployed, the organization operates strictly using the Incident Command System (ICS). If deployed by local law enforcement we act as a function of that department and answer directly to them. However, we do not perform actual criminal law enforcement duties, we can act as needed in a support role for the department.

Training and Operational Readiness

TEXSAR prides itself as being in a constant state of readiness.  All TEXSAR member-volunteers are certified according to State and Federal standards, and the organization operates solely under the Emergency Management System and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). TEXSAR member-volunteers must complete Incident Command Systems training and search discipline specific classroom and field training before they may deploy.  Team Leads have extensive field experience and must complete advanced training that goes above and beyond the standard qualifications required to deploy.

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