First Wave of Relief Workers Heads to Oklahoma

May 21--7:30 p.m. update: The Austin Fire Department has sent two employees to Oklahoma to help with relief efforts.

An engineer, who will help determine whether buildings are safe to search, and a communication specialist will join Texas Task Force 1, said department spokeswoman Michelle Tanzola.

As of 7:30 p.m. Monday, both were enroute to the disaster area.

The force is an elite search and rescue team at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service that sends emergency responders to disasters all over the country.

Earlier: Central Texas relief and rescue personnel are waiting for word on how they can help after a massive tornado ripped through an Oklahoma suburb Monday afternoon.

Hundreds of volunteers and nearly half a dozen emergency response vehicles for the Red Cross of Central Texas are on standby for word from officials assessing the situation to the north, said spokeswoman Marty McKellips.

She said that Red Cross chapters across the country have been notified, but the local chapter is more likely to go to Oklahoma than others because of proximity.

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services has been contacted by the Governor's office and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service about their availability to send rescue teams up to Oklahoma. But, EMS hasn't put anyone on standby, said spokesman Warren Hassinger.

StarFlight also does not plan to send any aircraft as of Monday night, said spokeswoman Lisa Block.

Copyright 2013 - Austin American-Statesman