The Round Rock Fire Department deployed personnel to assist with both local and regional response efforts following recent flooding in Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country.
Round Rock regularly participates in a larger network of agencies responding to multi-jurisdictional events. Through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) and Texas Task Force 1, Round Rock firefighters have contributed to ongoing rescue and recovery operations while continuing to support regional partners close to home.
Locally, on July 5, Round Rock firefighters responded to multiple local flood-related incidents in Round Rock. Crews rescued one individual who had driven into a flooded roadway and evacuated a family from their home after rising waters entered the structure. In a separate incident, firefighters launched a rescue boat at Veterans Park after receiving a report of a possible victim in the water. The area was thoroughly searched and cleared, with no victim found. From the late evening of July 4 through the early afternoon of July 5, Round Rock deployed its rescue boat to Liberty Hill, where firefighters assisted the Liberty Hill Fire Department with multiple rescues and evacuations during the peak of the flooding.
Beginning July 6, Round Rock crews responded to assist the Liberty Hill Fire Department with wide-area searches for missing persons. That support continued through July 8 and included sawyers and search teams working to navigate debris-filled areas. On July 9, RRFD also assisted the Leander Fire Department with similar wide-area search operations as part of the region’s coordinated response to the disaster.
In addition to aiding nearby communities, Round Rock has seven personnel currently deployed to the Kerrville area through statewide mutual aid systems. On July 7, Captain Matthew Quade and Firefighter Daniel O’Sail deployed with the Elm Fork Fire Module—a 20-person saw team activated through TIFMAS. Their mission includes assisting with search and recovery operations by clearing access routes and supporting crews in flood-impacted zones. Driver Trey Houston also deployed on July 7 as part of Texas Task Force 1 and continues to be engaged in ongoing search and rescue operations in the area.
On July 9, Lieutenant Trent Classen, Driver Bradley Silva, Firefighter Collin Sanderson and Firefighter Ray Simmons also deployed with a Type 1 Engine through TIFMAS to further assist with search and rescue efforts in Kerrville and surrounding communities.
In addition to field personnel, Round Rock’s Emergency Management Coordinator was embedded with the Georgetown Emergency Management team to provide support and coordination during their response efforts.
