TEXSAR

TEXSAR continues to be focused on becoming the greatest nonprofit first responder organizer in the State of Texas. TEXSAR knows it must: - Provide amazing membership experiences by recruiting new members statewide, training them fully, engaging them in quality deployments, recognizing their hard work in meaningful ways, and by acquiring (or building) a top-notch TEXSAR facility for the above purposes (as well as to store and protect our life-saving equipment). - Achieve Type II Wildland and Swift Water SAR Rescue Specifications by recruiting members with an interest in this specific area (statewide), training them fully, and acquiring the equipment required for rapid response strike teams statewide. - Build a robust fundraising program with diverse income streams, from grants and general donations to special events and perhaps at some future point in time, fee-based educational programming. To do this, TEXSAR must nurture its existing donors and in-kind contributors while expanding its base of support from individuals, families, foundations, corporations and potentially government agencies. As part of this effort, cultivation of the media and a more active social media presence will be required. - Develop an office with a physical location, and bring all professional management functions in-house. TEXSAR will either lease or build a new facility to house and protect is growing inventory, to house its permanent office, and to provide a comfortable venue for training volunteers of all types. This will most likely require a capital campaign within the next two years, and the hiring of appropriate professional assistance specifically for this endeavor. - Build an effective Board of Directors by engaging new, non-emergency response volunteers, including able candidates from across the state. TEXSAR must also establish and staff effective committees for membership; training; logistics and finance.

TEXSAR has operated a highly professional but entirely voluntary organization of first responders for over a decade. TEXSAR relies on donations to operate and have now launched into pursuing donations and assistance from foundations, corporations, and individuals. TEXSAR enjoys the support of over 400 highly trained and certified volunteers with expertise in a wide variety of subject matters, from emergency management to field expertise to Internet technologies.

Not only does TEXSAR routinely provide follow-up written reports regarding each and every deployment, it also holds regular Board meetings and regional team meetings throughout the year in all regions of the State. TEXSAR has regional teams in Central Texas, South Central Texas, North Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the Coastal Bend. Progress toward key goals is discussed during these events and adjustments are made as needed. We want every available agency in the State of Texas to be aware of TEXSAR's capabilities, and to know they can call on our services when needed.

TEXSAR has responded provided critical, life-saving support for many emergency events, among them: Disaster Relief (including Hurricanes Harvey, Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Isaac) Central Texas Floods Large Event Safety & Support Missing Person Searches Support/Rehab for Central Texas Fires Victim Extractions and First Aid Air Search Operations Canine Searches Water Searches Shelter Operations TEXSAR is eager to expand its capabilities to respond to emergencies across Texas. With members across Texas, TEXSAR has become the largest wildland search and rescue organization in Texas. We do intend to lease or build a TEXSAR facility within the next few years to bring all our critical life-saving equipment in-house, and to serve as the venue for regular training sessions (which occur year-round). The new facility will also include office space and will become the hub of all TEXSAR activity. Research is underway to identify facility options at the present time.