TERRELL, Texas — Several Terrell Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) firefighters participated in a Wide Area Search training this past weekend — learning skills instrumental in effective search and rescue efforts not only in the Terrell area and Kaufman County but statewide, if called upon.
TERRELL, Texas — Several Terrell Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) firefighters participated in a Wide Area Search training this past weekend — learning skills instrumental in effective search and rescue efforts not only in the Terrell area and Kaufman County but statewide, if called upon.
The class was hosted by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and the Minuteman Disaster Response team, according to a statement from the Terrell VFD on Facebook.
“When disaster strikes, it can be a challenge to effectively mobilize, organize, and deploy resources needed to perform wide area searches,” according to TEEX’s website. “This course is an excellent training opportunity for any jurisdiction or agency that may face such an emergency.”
“The course content applies to a vast number of critical situations, including natural disasters or terrorist incidents,” states TEEX’s website.
Terrell VFD Firefighter Chris Sykora, Training Coordinator Kevin Hughes, Firefighter Konnor Marshall, and Assistant Chief Terry Van Sickle, as pictured above from left to right, divided a fictional town into segments where they assigned resources to conduct search and rescue operations using provided intelligence which included photos of damage, 911 reports, and media reports.
Training topics included preparedness and response, search management and planning, mapping, search strategies and skills, communication, team management, hands-on exercise, and preparedness.
“While we hope we never need this training, we will be prepared,” the department stated. “This team will support not only our department but all of Kaufman County, as well as the rest of the state if called upon.”
In August 2016, members of the Terrell VFD and College Mound VFD participated in a large-animal rescue training course, also provided by TEEX, and, just two short months later, became instrumental in the rescue and recovery efforts after a cattle trailer overturned on Interstate 20 in Kaufman County in October 2016 which forced the highway’s closure for several hours.
