Source: US State of California 2
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of 3 additional Urban Search and Rescue Team (US&R) members to Texas to assist with ongoing response efforts related to severe flooding impacts. A total of 42 California US&R members are now in Kerr, Texas supporting the mission.
This deployment of Human Remains Detection (HRD) Teams includes canines and their handlers. Today’s deployment comes from the Oakland Fire Department and Sacramento Fire Department. Los Angeles County, Menlo Park, Orange County and Riverside County all have team members on the ground in Texas aiding in the search.
California personnel deployed use highly-developed and specialized skills to assist emergency operations in and around the hardest hit areas of flooding. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service (Cal OES) is working in close coordination with Texas and through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
We help our fellow Americans in times of need. California is proud to assist in the ongoing response to the devastating Texas floods.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Canine teams from California have been requested, and been approved for, extending their work assignments from 14 to 21 days. To prevent overworking the dogs, a rotation schedule has been implemented where the canines work two consecutive days in the field, followed by a rest day at Base of Operations.
“This is a very difficult task. I appreciate the hard work being done by our crews under very difficult conditions,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. “Cal OES is proud to help those in need in Texas.”
This deployment builds on California’s far-reaching efforts to aid other states during emergencies. In 2023, California deployed Urban Search and Rescue members to Hawaii to support wildfire response. In 2022, California deployed firefighters, disaster recovery experts, and other personnel to Montana, New Mexico, and Oregon. In 2021, California sent fire engines to assist Oregon’s response to the Bootleg Fire and Specialized Urban Search and Rescue Resources teams to Florida following the Surfside condo collapse.
This deployment does not impact California’s emergency response and firefighting capabilities.