As floodwaters ravaged Central Texas, a contingent of Tennessee's skilled search and rescue teams headed south to offer their expertise and aid in the aftermath. Among the first to be called into action was Tennessee Task Force 1 (TN-TF1), part of a network of support mobilized through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. This interstate agreement ensures that, during times of crisis, states can rely on each other for additional resources and personnel.
TN-TF1, based out of Memphis, includes a highly trained Canine Search Team (CST-HRD), who proved instrumental on the ground in Kerr County and surrounding areas. "We train, we prepare daily and throughout the year," Jason Stewart, Program Manager for TN-TF1, told TEMA's official publication. The team's deployment not only provided essential aid but also served as a practical application of their year-round commitment to preparation. Stewart added, “To be able to put our specialized people and our specialized equipment to the greater good for people who are affected by disasters, and to be part of a team that is bigger than you are,” showcasing the spirit driving the task force's operations.
Close on their heels, Tennessee Task Force 2 (TN-TF2) delved into the heart of the disaster. The Type III Urban Search & Rescue team spanned an extensive debris field nearly 900 miles long, utilizing boats, divers, and canine units over a two-week mission. Nashville Fire Commander Larry Clymer, the TN-TF2 Task Force Lead, described the operation's meticulous nature: "We set up grids and came up with a game plan," he said, emphasizing the scope of the devastation they faced and the support they provided to local overwhelmed agencies.
Efforts from these Tennessee teams were part of a larger, multi-state response. According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, first responders from 26 states were deployed, offering solidarity and assistance where it was desperately needed. In total, Tennessee sent over 55 responders and ten canines to Texas during July's flooding crisis. "We never left a stone unturned while we were there in Texas. The whole mission was to bring closure to the families affected," Nashville Fire Engineer Michael Culberson, a key member of TN-TF2's Planning Team, shared in an interview with TEMA’s The Pit.
