TX-TF2 functions as one of two state Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Teams in the State of Texas which provides a coordinated effort as well as the necessary personnel and equipment to locate, extricate, rescue, and provide immediate medical treatment to victims trapped as a result of a natural or man-made disaster.
The concept of TX-TF2 was proposed in 2004 by the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department to the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Throughout the next few years, many dedicated individuals worked together to make TX-TF2 a reality, with the team officially becoming operational on April 1, 2007, as a Type-3 US&R task force.
In the following years, with the support of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), TX-TF2 received grants allowing for additional purchases of equipment and training of additional personnel to meet the requirements of a Type-II US&R task force, deployable anywhere in the State of Texas.
Our Members
Sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and headquartered at Hensley Field in Dallas, Texas, TX-TF2 has more than 200 members from 20 participating organizations in North Texas. Members consist of firefighters, structural engineers, canine handlers, and many other professionals throughout different fields.
Training
Members of TX-TF2 participate in nearly 7,000 hours of training per year in order to maintain their skills and ensure they are ready to respond at a moment’s notice. As part of their training schedule, members of TX-TF2 attend monthly and annual skills sets for a number of disciplines and technical skills. TX-TF2 also trains and exercises in joint Operational Readiness Exercises with TX-TF1 and exercises with regional and state response partners.