Texas Border Business
El Paso, Texas — The El Paso Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team, proudly serving as part of Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1), continues to conduct critical emergency operations in Central Texas following their July 4 deployment to Llano.
The team was activated after successfully completing an emergency assistance mission in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Since arriving, the TX-TF1 El Paso Squad has carried out multiple life-saving actions, including two swift water rescues in Marble Falls. In both cases, victims were stranded in trees after their vehicle was swept away by rising floodwaters. The team also supported urgent evacuations at a flooded RV park, assisting approximately 35 to 40 individuals and numerous pets. Some residents were rescued from the rooftops of RVs with assistance from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
The El Paso Water Rescue Team is currently engaged in wide-area search operations in Burnet County, working closely with local agencies to conduct both ground and aerial searches for missing individuals. The TX-TF1 El Paso Squad maintains a 24/7 “Ready 5” status—prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice.
“Our personnel are not assigned to fixed shifts, which means they remain mission-ready around the clock,” said Battalion Chief and Water Rescue Coordinator Kris Menendez. “The team’s commitment, resilience, and hope are unwavering— we’re here to help our fellow Texans, no matter the challenge.”
The support from local communities has been deeply appreciated. The residents of Llano, Marble Falls, and Burnet have extended extraordinary generosity and encouragement to the TX-TF1 El Paso Squad. In Llano, Fire Chief David Gilliland and his department have gone above and beyond, opening their station and making the team feel like part of the local firefighting family.
The El Paso Fire Department stands ready to sustain operations in Central Texas through July 15, with the capability to mobilize an additional roster of six highly trained water rescue personnel as needed. The team’s base of operations remains in Llano, with ongoing support missions in surrounding areas.
“Our team is focused, driven, and proud to serve,” Battalion Chief Menendez added. “We remain committed to supporting our state and protecting lives wherever we’re needed.”
For more information about the El Paso Fire Department visit, www.ElPasoTexas.gov/fire-department/.
