Oklahoma Task Force aids Texas in search and rescue efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OKTF-1) of the Oklahoma City Metro set out a Type 3 Swift Water Response six-member team to Central Texas to help with ongoing flood operations.

The team left Oklahoma City at 5 p.m. on July 5 to check in with the Texas Department of Emergency Management in the early morning on Sunday.

The OKTF-1 OKC Metro is represented as such:

• 4 members from the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
• 1 member from the Yukon Fire Department.
• 1 member from the Norman Fire Department.

A six-person swift water rescue crew from the Tulsa area also left for Central Texas, expanding the commitment from Oklahoma in mutual aid and regional response across state lines.

OKTF-1 OKC Metro staged at the New Braunfels Fire Station 7 before moving along Highway 281, where the team progressed through Marble Falls before finally staging at the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, the region where both the OKC Metro OKTF-1 and Tulsa continue to work.

“Our teams remain mission-ready and committed to supporting local and state partners through these evolving conditions,” said Chief Stewart, OKTF-1 Team Leader. “We are proud to stand with our Texas counterparts during this emergency.”

Some of the key missions that the OKTF-1 has completed since deployment include:

• Search for a missing person call, who was fortunately located upon the team’s arrival.
• Swift water rescue call where the victim had been successfully rescued before the team's arrival.
• The team was stationed south of Marble Falls on the night of July 7, where they remain operational.

As the weather continues to improve and water levels in the area begin to retreat, assistance continues as the OKTF-1 engages with ongoing search and rescue missions.