Public Works Response Team

Point of Contact: Tony Alotto
800-SAFE-811 (800-723-3811)

itsi@teex.tamu.edu

PWRT Brochure (3.5 MB)

PWRT Registration Form (320 KB)

PWRT Assessment Form (50 KB)

PWRT Assignment Log (40 KB)

TEEX Job Safety Briefing Form (30 KB)

NIEHA Hurricane Response Orientation (7 MB)

Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Website

Mission

The Public Works Response Team (PWRT) supports local jurisdictions in their response to a catastrophic event by providing critical public works services as needed to facilitate recovery.

Purpose

When a catastrophic event occurs and the citizens of Texas have their daily lives and local economy disrupted, an immediate and integrated public works response provides for quicker recovery of critical services and infrastructure.

The PWRT is a state resource with multi-disciplined, multi-talented, and highly qualified members who support local response, rapid damage assessment, and recovery efforts. PWRT is composed of members who are highly skilled and knowledgeable in public works activities such as Utilities (Electrical, Gas, Water, Wastewater, Storm Water, Environmental Safety and Compliance, Communications); Debris Clearance; Structural Safety; Transportation Systems; Traffic Engineering and Management; Fleet Services; and Parks and Recreation.

The team’s response effort is organized and functions in accordance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This PWRT is designed to support local jurisdictions in their initial response and recovery efforts at three levels:

• Planning Support: Specialized public works technical assistance for jurisdictions in performing rapid damage assessment, and identifying capabilities and resource needs, while responding to and recovering from the consequences of a catastrophic event
• Operational Support: Short term augmentation of local public works resources as needed to expedite and enhance their response capability to a catastrophic event
• Liaison Support: Act as a point of contact for the PWRT in support of the Incident Commander

Administration

The PWRT is a State asset deployed by the State Operations Center (SOC) under the direction of the Chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), as required to support local jurisdictions in the event of a catastrophic incident. The operationally ready response teams are recruited from local jurisdictions and coordinated with other State Agencies. The teams are made from identified public works disciplines and will function under Memorandums of Understanding and the Texas Statewide Mutual Aid System.

Required Training

Before becoming an active PWRT member, enhance your extensive experience and expertise by completing the following required online training at: http://training.fema.gov/nrfres_IS.asp

• IS-800.B: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• IS-700.a: National Incident Management System
• IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System (NOTE: IS-100.PW or any of the other IS-100 variants is acceptable)
• IS-200: ICS for the Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents

You also are encouraged to complete the classroom-based training required for leaders and district or state liaison positions. Those classes are:

• ICS-300: Intermediate ICS
• ICS-400: Advanced ICS

You can complete these classes through TDEM, TEEX, the Texas Forest Service (TFS), local fire departments, or private vendors. Click on the link of your choice below:

• TDEM Training
• TEEX - ICS300 Course
• TEEX - ICS400 Course
• TFS Training (Click on "Course Catalog")