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Mountain View Fire Department Captain Tim Houweling and his canine Rory, who specializes in detecting human remains, were deployed to Texas last week to aid in flooding relief efforts following a devastating Fourth of July weekend.
Houweling, who deployed on July 8, is among 27 other Urban Search and Rescue Team members from California who have been stationed in parts of central Texas, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
“California joins other states from around the country sending highly skilled, specialized teams to Texas to assist with ongoing response efforts related to severe flooding impacts,” a Mountain View Fire Department press release said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Urban Search and Rescue Response System consists of 28 task forces from 19 states, which mobilize to assist when major disasters occur. Houweling was sent with California Task Force 3 because of his and Rory’s special training in human remains detection, Mountain View Fire Department spokesperson Robert Maitland said.
Human remains detection teams, which include a cadaver dog and handler, track and identify human remains using their scent. These teams are often deployed in disaster situations when search and rescue is needed, Maitland said.
“They work in conjunction with law enforcement and other agencies to locate evidence and provide closure in cases involving missing persons or fatalities,” Maitland wrote in an email.
Over 130 people were killed in the flash floods, with more still missing, according to the Associated Press.
“Captain Houweling has extensive canine search experience responding to a multitude of disasters with (California) Task Force 3, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and large wildfires,” Maitland said.
Most recently, Houweling and his canine were sent to Esparto after a fireworks warehouse exploded, causing multiple casualties early last week.
Houweling is expected to deploy for no longer than two weeks and is the only Mountain View Fire Department member to be sent with the task force.
