Texas A&M Public Works Response Team

About the Public Works Response Team (PWRT)

The Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) is a TEEX-sponsored state resource deployed through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the State Operations Center (SOC) to assist local jurisdictions during catastrophic events.

TX-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 local jurisdiction in support of the Incident Commander.

Seeking professionals for these positions:

Join the TX-PWRT

TX-PWRT members are experienced and knowledgeable in public works activities such as Utilities (Electrical, Water, Wastewater, Storm Water, Environmental Safety and Compliance, and Communications), Debris Removal and Management, Heavy Equipment, and Logistics.

Required Training

Before becoming an active TX-PWRT member, you must complete the required online training at: training.fema.gov:

Frequently Asked Questions

Supporting the Texas Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) allows us to help communities recover from disasters by providing critical public works expertise and support. Participation can also benefit your organization by developing employee skills, leadership experience, and emergency response capabilities. It is an opportunity to serve Texans in need while strengthening our own preparedness and resilience.

Public Works Response Team members are not deployed on every team activation. At the end of each month, the SOC Liaison distributes an availability request to identify members who may be available for future deployments. If a deployment occurs, available members may be considered for selection based on mission requirements. Members may decline deployment if they are unavailable or if their employer is unable to support their participation.

The employer is initially responsible for paying the Response Team member their standard wage.
Once the Response Team member returns from deployment (i.e. demobilizes), the employer submits necessary supporting documentation, including pay stubs, for reimbursement to TX-PWRT.
Once the request has been reviewed and approved, reimbursement will be issued to the employer within 30 days.

As soon as the Response Team member is activated for deployment, the “clock” begins. Team members are on a 24- hour shift from the time they are deployed until they are demobilized.
The employer’s company policy should support paying a deployed Response Team member for a 24-hour shift for the duration of the deployment.

TX-PWRT will reimburse the additional amount along with the employee’s cost for time that the Response Team member was scheduled to work.

Deployments vary in length from a few days to a couple of weeks. Response Team members should prepare to deploy for up to 14 days.

Response Team members are eligible for Texas Workman Compensation if injured during training or on deployment.

No, the Response Team member is responsible for their own training and requesting time off from their employer. TX- PWRT does not offer payment reimbursement for training hours.

Standard Operating Guidelines

Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) provide support and guidance to the management, staff, and members of the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team.

Resources

PWRT Deployment to Laredo

Learn more about TX-PWRT’s deployment to help the City of Laredo, Texas.

Contact Us

Public Works Response Team

For more information or how to join, contact us.

[email protected]