By: Nelson S.R. No. 126
1-1 1
1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-3 WHEREAS, The First Response Search and Rescue Team is
1-4 providing the citizens of Texas a valuable professional resource
1-5 during times of great crises, and the Texas Senate is proud to
1-6 commend this group of dedicated individuals for their extraordinary
1-7 contributions; and
1-8 WHEREAS, The mission of the First Response Search and
1-9 Rescue Team is to provide highly trained personnel to search
1-10 and rescue lost, missing, and abducted persons without charge or
1-11 remuneration; it also provides educational services to train and
1-12 promote all aspects of search, rescue, and prevention-related
1-13 efforts; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Working exclusively with governmental agencies,
1-15 the volunteer professionals are ready to begin response within
1-16 minutes of being called at any time 24 hours a day, seven days
1-17 a week; they provide a unique service to our communities that
1-18 lack funds to maintain a specialized search resource; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Operated as a business, the First Response
1-20 Search and Rescue Team has a board of directors whose members
1-21 bring years of experience in search and rescue as well as
1-22 business management in conducting the day-to-day operations
1-23 of the team; focusing on the skills that must be mastered,
2-1 the organization has virtually eliminated a high turnover
2-2 rate found in many volunteer organizations and has increased
2-3 its membership to over 60 in less than two years; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Before being accepted into the basic training
2-5 program, each member must complete an extensive application
2-6 process which includes a written application, reference checks,
2-7 criminal background investigation, and interview; before a
2-8 member can be fielded as a searcher, each one is trained to
2-9 a basic level of proficiency which exceeds the level of
2-10 "SAR-TECH II" as established by the National Association of
2-11 Search and Rescue; and
2-12 WHEREAS, After SAR-TECH certification is received,
2-13 members continue intensive training to obtain a 40-hour Texas
2-14 ECA First Responder medical certification and an eight-hour CPR
2-15 certification; they are encouraged to advance to higher levels
2-16 of training or to one of the specialized skills; and
2-17 WHEREAS, In addition to the response by the team to
2-18 emergencies, the First Response and Rescue Team is working
2-19 with local agencies to prepare for such incidents by establishing
2-20 written policies and procedures with a coordinated preplan in an
2-21 attempt to eliminate the loss of valuable time and needless loss
2-22 of life; now, therefore, be it
2-23 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas hereby
2-24 recognize the members of the First Response Search and Rescue
2-25 Team for their exemplary work in responding to the needs of
3-1 their communities and offer its wholehearted support in this
3-2 vital effort; and, be it further
3-3 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
3-4 for this distinguished group as an expression of the high
3-5 regard and gratitude of the Texas Senate.
3-6 ______________________________________
3-7 President of the Senate
3-8 I hereby certify that the above
3-9 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-10 on February 6, 1997.
3-11 ______________________________________
3-12 Secretary of the Senate
3-13 ______________________________________
3-14 Member, Texas Senate