Three Lubbock Firefighters have been deployed to the Texas Gulf Coast to assist in the emergency response to Hurricane Harvey. These firefighters are members of the South Plains Incident Management Team (IMT) and were requested by the Texas Forest Service. Two firefighters are being deployed to Texas City to support the Texas City Department of Public Safety Disaster District Chairperson, and the third is being deployed to Corpus Christi to support the Corpus Christi Department of Public Safety Disaster District Chairperson. These IMT members specialize in support, logistics, and planning efforts.
A fourth City employee who is also part of the Incident Management Team is on standby for deployment if requested.
The South Plains Incident Management Team (SPIMT) was formed in 2004. It was one of the original eight teams that the State of Texas created to help communities with major disasters. There are currently 40 members on the team. They are highly trained to provide expertise and support in logistics and planning for local and State leaders during catastrophic events. The SPIMT members have responded to many events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other major disasters in the area, State and nation. The funding for training of the members and all costs of deployment, including salaries, is funded by the State of Texas.
In addition, Lubbock Fire Rescue (LFR) utilizes an engine that is part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System. The engine has not been requested at this time, but LFR is prepared for its deployment. If the engine is requested, four LFR personnel will respond with the engine.
Lubbock Fire Rescue has participated in the Texas Intrastate Mutual Aid Program (TIFMAS) program since 2012. The TIFMAS program provides LFR with a Type 3 Fire Engine to use locally for fire and emergency response in the city of Lubbock and provides additional training for LFR firefighters. LFR deploys the TIFMAS engine with four LFR firefighters to major emergencies at the State’s request if it does not impede our local preparedness and response capabilities. The funding for training of the members and all costs of deployment, including salaries, is funded by the State of Texas.
LFR Command Staff will continue to keep in contact with the three firefighters who have been deployed and will provide additional support as needed.
(News release from the City of Lubbock)
