What an incredible experience! We don’t have a new vehicle, but we have thousands of new friends, reminders of how appreciated TEXSAR and its volunteers are, and increased awareness about search and rescue and TEXSAR’s critical mission. That is definitely a win. For all that, and more, everyone at TEXSAR is appreciative of Land Rover and its partners for all that they do for nonprofits. To our volunteers, our community members, the agencies we work with, and dedicated supporters – thank...
We are proud to officially announce TEXSAR has been recognized by the OneStar Foundation and the Office of the Governor of Texas with the 2022 Governor’s Volunteer Award for Excellence in Disaster Volunteerism. TEXSAR President and CEO, Justin McInnis, said, “TEXSAR prides itself on its mission of service above self. We are truly Texans helping Texans and we are humbled by this recognition.” TEXSAR was founded in 2004 and has dedicated volunteers trained in multiple disciplines located across the entire state...
In 2020, TEXSAR announced the Carine Chalfoun Service Above Self Award, in honor of our late board member, colleague, and friend. Carine embodied everything that was right for this world and for this team. Service above all else, continual education of oneself, and sense of mission. This award is given to a member who represents and embodies service above self, education, dedication, integrity, perseverance, and mission to TEXSAR and the greater community. With this award, the recipient will also receive a...
For Immediate Release December 21, 2020 TEXSAR – Caldwell County, Texas TEXSAR has worked alongside the authorities in Caldwell County since the initial search began on Monday, December 14th in the Search for Jason Landry. There have been 151 participants that have deployed to the search throughout the week. TEXSAR teams have included: search and rescue K9’s trained in live finds and human remains detection; the Mounted Search and Rescue team; UAV/drones and their operating technicians, experts in ground search and rescue and...
3 Ways to Begin Preparing for Hurricane Season As Hurricane Harvey hit the coast of Texas in August of 2017, no one was prepared for the destruction that would take place. As we reflect on the impact Harvey had, one thing stands out: We all need to be better prepared! It is important for families to be prepared for what could happen. Being prepared ensures better use of resources in the time of need. Have a plan...
TEXSAR members gathered at McKinney Roughs Nature Park outside of Bastrop, Texas, in January for their Annual Meeting and Training weekend. Because of a grant from a generous foundation, the members were able to attend this event at no cost to themselves. Over the course of three days, 100 members heard from such esteemed professionals as Texas Ranger Michael Smith, Deputy Police Chief Seth Herman (Midland Police Department), Gene Robinson with Drone Pilots, Inc., and Johnny Gonzales,...
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 Friends of TEXSAR, Hurricane Harvey was the costliest disaster to ever strike the United States, bringing with it record flooding and catastrophic winds along the Texas coastline. Texas Search and Rescue answered the call from agencies all across Texas, providing more than 700 volunteer hours by 85 members who rescued over 700 people and pets from Harvey floodwaters. Immediately following Hurricane Harvey, the 2nd annual TEXSAR Search Party fundraiser took place on September 30th where TEXSAR members and supporters...
As Hurricane Harvey roared ashore, TEXSAR members hunkered down from Corpus Christi to Galveston. The historic storm provided TEXSAR with ample opportunities for service around the State with a variety of skill sets and resources.TEXSAR weathered the eye of the storm in Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi, emerging TEXSAR weathered the eye of the storm in Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi, emerging afterwards to provide immediate response in the Coastal Bend region. Picking through the debris in Rockport, TEXSAR rescue...
Texas Rangers contacted TEXSAR on March 5, 2017, and requested the team assist in a cold case recovery search for Naomi Miller who went missing in Tom Green County in 2005. Approximately 15 team members, including K9 Orion, gathered at the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office at 07:00 Tuesday, March 07 and proceeded to the search location. At approximately 1:30 pm, Joseph Huston, with the Gulf Coast Chapter of TEXSAR, and the K9 handler for the volunteer organization originally founded in Austin,...
Alpine, Texas – We first reported that on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, the Texas Rangers called the TEXSAR, Texas Search and Rescue, Emergency Activation Line and requested search planning assistance for the Zuzu Renee Verk missing person case in Alpine, Texas. Ms. Verk, a student at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, was last heard from Wednesday, October 12. On February 7, 2017, TEXSAR was again summoned by the Texas Rangers to return to Brewster County to assist in the search...