The Brief
- WA-TF1 is activated to assist Texas after severe flooding.
- A specialized team, including a K-9 unit, is departing from Pierce County.
- The task force is experienced in disaster response, including the Maui wildfires.
SEATTLE – Washington Task Force-1 (WA-TF1), a National FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team, has been activated to assist with search and rescue operations in Texas following severe flooding across the state. The death toll from the disaster is nearing 130 and rising.
A four-person team, consisting of a three-person K-9 unit and a search team manager, departed on July 11. The team includes personnel from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Emergency Management.
Pierce County officials say their mission is to support local response efforts through specialized search and rescue operations in flood-impacted areas. WA-TF1 is one of 28 National FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces.
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