Join TEXSAR

Although we are all volunteers, the professionalism demanded by our mission requires a substantial time commitment.

We hold training meetings twice a month, varies depending on your location. There is currently a virtual all-state meeting once a month. You can find the meeting schedule on our team calendar page. Attendance requirements based on your role/level on the team. Training meetings are fun, informative, and most members really enjoy the camaraderie in getting together.

TEXSAR has numerous opportunities for field training. Our volunteers enjoy gaining and maintaining skills at these events. Most volunteers participate in field training exercises several weekends per year and all volunteers are very comfortable in the outdoors.

Some specialties, such as paramedics or K-9 teams, require far more training time than more general specialties such as basic ground search. For example, K-9s typically train intensively for one to two years before becoming field deployable, and continue to train 2-3 times a week throughout their working lives.

TEXSAR participates in a number of community events, fairs, and festivals throughout the year. These events allow us to spread the word about TEXSAR and provide a great opportunity to help educate the public about outdoor safety and search and rescue.

While other time commitments are interesting, most of our volunteer live for deployments. Nothing compares to the opportunity to use one’s skills to potentially save or restore a life. We are asked to deploy approximately twelve times a year.  TEXSAR is different than other SAR organizations in that we have notice of several days or weeks in advance for more than half of our deployments, which significantly eases the strain associated with these call-outs. Examples of deployments with advance notice include emergency management roles for pre-planned events such as sports competitions or law enforcement searches, as well as deploying to foreseeable disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires.

That said, deployments often happen at night, in bad weather, over considerable distances. Although you are not expected to respond to every call-out, you will be on call 24/7. Often, responding to calls requires making arrangements with employers and families in advance. Deployment requires mental and emotional stamina and physical fitness. If you are field deployable you will need to take time to maintain basic fitness, including the ability to hike two miles with a pack in 40 minutes.

Like most things, you will get the most out of your experiences with TEXSAR based on the effort and commitment you put forth.

Eligibility

• Minimum 18 years of age
• No disqualifying offenses
• US citizen or legal resident

Disqualifications to Membership

• A criminal history that indicates you have been convicted of a felony offense, criminal fraud, or a crime of moral turpitude.
• Registered sex offender.
• Military discharge of less than an Honorable Discharge (no exceptions)

The TEXSAR board may also require additional information and/or fingerprints in some cases.  If required, you will be notified and given instructions on how to complete this process.

The new membership fee is $100 for the first year* (please see new membership dues structure effective 01/01/19). This pays for required background checks and basic administrative maintenance.  Additionally, members pay for their own clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), personal gear, and training.

Thanks to generous donations and TEXSAR’s own fundraising efforts, we are able to provide training at significantly reduced cost and are able to subsidize some costs associated with callouts. Free lodging and some meals may also be provided during extended callouts. Despite these advantages, you can expect to spend several hundred dollars a year in fees, meals, training, and personal gear. Highly technical specialties, such as K-9 teams, may experience significantly higher costs.

The membership team will notify you once your application has been approved. You will be provided with a broader road map as to how you can grow within TEXSAR. All new volunteers will need to meet basic requirements to get through the initial probationary period before becoming eligible to deploy with the troops. 

Training

All TEXSAR members are required to complete a series of basic training modules from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) before they can participate in active deployments. This helps us ensure that everyone involved in a deployment is aware of and ready to be a part of the Incident Management System.

These modules are all free and can be completed online at your convenience (follow the link to reach the FEMA Emergency Management Institute website):
FEMA NIMS IS-100b (Introduction to ICS)
FEMA NIMS IS-200b (ICS for the Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents)
FEMA NIMS IS-700a (National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction)
FEMA NIMS IS-800b ( National Response Framework, An Introduction)

Additional skills training, such as Wilderness Search and Rescue, will be coordinated through TEXSAR.

Gear & Uniforms

Volunteers are expected to maintain a basic 12-hour field pack with the items listed below. If you don’t already have all of the items on the list, please wait until joining before making any purchases. Our team can provide a lot of helpful suggestions on gear and where to purchase it.

Required Uniform for Field Deployments
***Contact TEXSAR Logistics Division for approved list of uniform components or approved vendors***
Khaki BDU pants
Black boots – safety toe recommended
TEXSAR Search and Rescue T-shirt – Black
TEXSAR Baseball cap or Boonie Cap – Black (will be provided in new member pack)
Blaze orange long sleeve shirt (we will be provide the supplier)

The next step is to come to a regularly scheduled training meeting and meet the team. Most new volunteers come to a few meetings and ask a few questions before formally applying to join TEXSAR. Joining the team requires an application, waiver of liability, consent to release information, and an online payment or personal check for initial dues of $100. Please see our membership application for further requirements and disqualifications for joining the team.