PRINCETON, Wis. — Five members of Wisconsin’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, known as Wisconsin Task Force 1 (WI-TF1) are now in Texas to help with search efforts after the deadly flooding July 4.

The team — which includes a search team leader, two K9 handlers, a logistics team manager and a logistics support specialist — has three K9s with them and specialized equipment, including a utility all-terrain vehicle and medical supplies. They are in Hill Country, northwest of Austin. 

The K9s names are Duke, Merlin and Reaper.

WI-TF1 includes members from fire departments across the state and limited-term employees of the Regional All-Climate Training (REACT) Center located at Volk Field in Camp Douglas. WI-TF1 pulls from 20 agencies and departments in total. 

People remove debris from the Guadalupe River while inspecting an area at Camp Mystic, Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after a flash flood swept through the area. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Task Force Leader Doug Vrechek said there are 130 members, all with special trainings and capabilities; they can get tasked for up to an 80-person team.

"The benefit is, you don't deplete any one agency," he explained. "They can do their normal operation and take care of their home base. So we pull from 20 different fire department agencies so that makes the burden a lot easier."

Firefighters deployed for the mission in Texas are from Green Bay, Janesville and Menomonie fire departments.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management made the request for W1-TF1 through a nationwide mutual aid system. They requested the task force for 14 days; that may be shortened or lengthened based on need.

Firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, transport a recovered body on the flooded Guadalupe River days after a flash flood swept through the area, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Ingram, Texas. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

You can follow W1-TF1's mission in Texas on Facebook and Instagram.

Watch the full interview above.