AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit trains for wildfires, biosecurity threats
Disaster Assessment and Recovery specialists receive awards for deployment, area service
To learn more about response efforts in preparation for a potential crisis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit, DAR, specialists simulated a real-world wildfire event in a tabletop exercise recently.
The award-winning DAR unit works in response to Texans’ needs during natural disasters. The unit works in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, part of The Texas A&M University System. DAR is part of The Texas A&M University System’s Keeping Texas Prepared initiative.
During the training, specialists also learned more about biosecurity measures and pending severe weather events during the week-long training held on the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo.
The annual operational readiness exercise trained specialists and out-of-state participants on potential real-world scenarios. Livestock handling, animal supply point simulation and other aspects of potential response activities were also covered.
In addition, the exercise was used as an opportunity to recognize DAR specialists for their exceptional service in the past year as a part of disaster response.
“These annual training events allow us to learn and prepare for deployments anywhere across Texas,” said Monty Dozier, Ph.D., program director. “It also gave us the opportunity to simulate disasters alongside response teams across the U.S. and share our collective knowledge and expertise and sharpen our response capabilities.”
Foreign animal disease, equipment training
The exercise moved to Canyon one day for training by faculty and experts at West Texas A&M University. This included classroom instruction covering foreign animal diseases, biosecurity and hands-on instruction for livestock handling and logistics.
Specialists also were trained at the fairgrounds in Amarillo on small animal sheltering concepts, management and form logistics. Equipment training focused on tractor and skid steer operations and freight transportation.
Out-of-state participants
Dozier said four points of contact with the Extension Disaster Education Network, EDEN, attended the training including representatives from Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
“Such coordination should strengthen regional coordination of the EDEN network to serve families and communities in preparing for, recovering from and becoming more resilient to natural and manmade disasters,” Dozier said.
Attendee Soni Cochran, Nebraska Extension disaster education coordinator in Dawes County, said, there are pieces from the training that can be used back in Nebraska.
Though Nebraska Extension does not have strike teams like Texas, they have expert teams that can provide disaster information in various disciplines.
“I consider the DAR unit the experts in this space on how to use it,” Cochran said. “This is a great opportunity.”
Cochran said Nebraska has recently had wildfires in their state.
“On March 12, we had 24 fires across the state in 24 hours,” she said.
Nearly 900,000 acres burned and lost grazing land. Cochran said response efforts included meeting weekly with state partners, emergency management, and department of agriculture and behavioral health specialists.
“We had some very successful producer meetings in heavily impacted areas,” she said. “They were well attended, and we provided resources they needed. But we are learning (from trainings such as these) there are more pieces we can take home that can help us.”
Specialists receive awards
Each year, DAR presents awards to specialists recognizing high-achieving disaster response and education outreach.
Kevin Knapick, DAR specialist, Fredericksburg, received the Annual Deployment Award. Knapick played a key role in both the Crabapple Fire response in Gillespie County and the Fourth of July flood response across the Hill Country, according to unit leaders.
During the Crabapple Fire, which burned nearly 10,000 acres and heavily impacted agricultural operations, Knapick helped lead efforts at the Animal Supply Point. During the flooding in Kerrville, he supported multi-agency operations that included damage assessments, staging, logistics and Disaster Resource Center efforts.
The Andy Vestal DAR Specialist Awards were presented to Sylvia Balew, DAR specialist, Disaster District 14, Kirbyville, and Ryan Martin DAR specialist. Disaster District 1, Tulia.
Balew was recognized for strengthening the unit’s operational capacity through advanced training to support critical logistical and deployment operations. Balew has since assisted the Texas A&M Emergency Veterinary Team on two deployments.
Balew has built key relationships with AgriLife Extension county agents in her region. She has implemented and coordinated programs in her counties and become a critical resource for agents.
Martin presented educational programs at 32 group events with a total of 528 participants, conducted 20 educational events, and shared 18 newsletters with clientele across Disaster District 1 in 2025.
Martin also presented educational information to youth on topics covering disaster preparedness, first aid and CPR, home fire preparedness, and severe weather preparedness.
Martin was deployed three times to the Hill Country flooding area. He also chaired the Disaster District 1 Virtual Fencing Committee leading a Red Cross grant proposal, which received $72,500 to purchase equipment and implement intensive grazing in high wildfire prone areas in the Panhandle.
