Texas Task Force 2

The “skill set" training with TX-TF1 is still scheduled for October 3rd and 4th. The schedule for the 3rd is from 0900 to 1700 and on the 4th is from 0700 to 1200. We will be sending out a response request on NXT to determine who will be attending that CE. All “Rescue Team" members are encouraged to attend this skill set exercise with TX-TF1.

See you at training!

The “Rescue Team" will be training with Texas Task Force 1 in a combined skill-set exercise on October 3rd and 4th at Dolphin Road. This is an incredible opportunity for members of TX-TF2. This will be the first time that TX-TF1 and TX-TF2 will be conducting a formal combined training exercise. We are asking all members of the Rescue Team to participate in both training days on October 3rd and 4th if at all possible. Both Task Forces are committed to this joint training exercise. It is our hope that this will be the first of many opportunities to train together. Please make whatever arrangements are necessary to attend this training. If you need assistance from the Program Office, we will do all that we can to help.

The regular September CE has been moved to September 23rd, 24th, and 25th and will be at Dolphin Road. We will be conducting the HazMat Refresher training course that is a required certification for all Task Force members. Members will have to have this course to remain deployable for the Task Force.

Members are encouraged to attend both CE’s if possible. However, “Rescue Team" members are encouraged to attend the October training on the 3rd and 4th if you are only able to attend one of these training opportunities.

Andrea is a member of the Task Force as a Canine Search Specialist. She and her dog Skye recently passed their Type 1 canine evaluation in Kansas. “Andi" is married to Ken Sutcliffe who is one of our Search Team Managers.

Andi’s responsibilities will include maintaining the training records for each member. She will be contacting our members on a regular basis to get certifications in and to keep them up to date. She will be attempting to keep all of our members “deployable". Andi will also be working with new applicants to get them processed. She will be working with the Membership Committee to perform interviews. Andi will also be working to improve communications among our members by publishing a quarterly newsletter, updating our website, and looking for ways to use social media to keep everyone up to date on Task Force activities.

Welcome Andi to her new position when you get an opportunity.

This creates an opening for Rescue Team Manager on the Red Team. Current team may apply for this position. Please send an email to steven.coffman@dallascityhall.com if you are interested in applying. Please review the description of duties and training requirements for this position. You may find the requirements at: http://www.txtf2.com/Applicant_htm_files/TF%20Position%20Description06-24-2011.pdf

1. This is the last week to get sized for your HAIX boots. Please come by the Program Office to get sized. We have samples sizes for you to try on. We are not taking sizes over the phone. You will need to come into the office to try on one of the samples. If you miss the opportunity, you will have to wait until the next purchase. We do not know when that will occur. Please come by on Wednesday or Thursday between 0800 and 1700. The office is closed on Friday.

2. We have some slots open in the Vehicle and Machinery Rescue class at TCC on August 11-14. This class is open to all TX-TF2 members. This is a required course for all RESCUE team members. If you are interested, please contact our Training Coordinator, Chief Charlie Salazar, at charlie.salazar@dallascityhall.com as soon as possible. We need to lock down the roster for this class as soon as possible.

3. Reminder: Please review your training records on the Personnel Record System (www.txtf2.org). If you have not completed the General Requirements for your position, please do so as soon as possible. Many of you have been sending in your certificates for the online courses. The PRS has not been updated yet with your certificates. We will have it up to date in the next couple of weeks. If you have been told you need to complete some of the online courses, you can do so on our public website at www.txtf2.com under the MEMBERS section. There is an option for online training links. You can find many of the courses you need there. If you need other courses or requirements, please contact Chief Salazar to make arrangements. Our new Member Relations Coordinator, Andrea Sutcliffe will be contacting you starting next week if you have items missing from your Required or General Position requirements.

Thanks again for your commitment to TX-TF2!

4.     Technical Search Specialist Class - We are conducting a Tech Search class at Dolphin Road on July 7-11, 2014. We have four spots left for this class. This class is free to members of our Participating Agencies. Please contact Chief Salazar for more information. Ph. 214-670-5127 or charlie.salazar@dallascityhall.com. First come first server on this class.
5.     Canine Handler Position - We have a position open for anyone interested in becoming a canine handler for the Task Force. The National Search Dog Foundation will provide training and a trained search dog. If you know of anyone interested in being a canine handler, please contact me as soon as possible.

All of our canine handlers participated in preparing for the evaluation. A lot of work had to be done to prepare the rubble pile, setup hotels, setup the field for the different phases of the evaluation, obtain volunteers to act as participants, get food and water, and much more. Our canine group did an excellent job.

Dallas US&R Members:

This months US&R CE will be held at Texas Instruments. Please bring and have your EL Centro CE Forms filled out prior to arrival.

These were sent to Battalion 3,6 and station 19 and 33. I will have additional forms for extra members. This will expedite the sign in process so we can go to work and make good use of our time.

Instructor: Hamilton