What We Do · Texas DisasterLink

Two Programs.
One Mission.

Texas DisasterLink operates two complementary programs that share the same hardware, team, and county relationships — serving rural Texas both during and between disasters.

TDL Response

Disaster Tech Corps

Emergency deployment · Active disaster support · 24-hour activation

When disaster strikes rural Texas, communication fails first. Floods destroy cell towers. Wildfires knock out power lines. In remote counties, first responders suddenly have no way to coordinate rescue, request mutual aid, or communicate with command.

TDL Response exists for exactly that moment. We deploy Starlink Mini satellite units to fire departments and command posts within 24 hours of a disaster activation — at zero cost to the county or department.

Unlike large organizations that take days to mobilize, our model is built for speed. Devices are pre-positioned, agreements are pre-signed, and our team is ready to activate on a phone call. When a county calls, we respond.

24-Hour Deployment Devices activated and on the way within 24 hours of a county activation request
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Vehicle-Powered Connectivity Starlink Minis power off any vehicle — no generator or power infrastructure required
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IT Support On-Site Our team configures and operates equipment so first responders can focus on the emergency
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Zero Cost to Counties All TDL Response services — hardware, deployment, and service — at no cost to county partners
11 Starlink Minis Owned, configured, and ready to deploy
24hr Response Target From activation call to deployed connectivity
4 Counties Covered Kerr, Kendall, Bexar, Menard
$0 Cost to Counties Fully funded through grants and donations
TDL Connect

Rural Broadband Loan

Year-round connectivity · Rural fire stations · Permanent presence

The problem doesn't start when a disaster hits. Rural Texas fire departments operate in communication dead zones every single day — during brush fires, medical calls, vehicle accidents, and routine operations. Unreliable or nonexistent internet is a daily operational challenge, not just a disaster scenario.

TDL Connect addresses the year-round gap by placing Starlink Mini units at rural fire stations on a permanent basis. Departments get reliable connectivity for daily operations. TDL gets a year-round presence in the communities we serve — and devices that are already pre-positioned when the next disaster strikes.

It's the TDL Response model's foundation: build the relationship before you need it.

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Permanent Station Connectivity Devices stay at fire stations year-round — not just during declared disasters
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Instant Disaster Activation Connect devices recall instantly to active disaster sites when a county activates TDL Response
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Formal Partnership Agreements Simple MOUs with fire chiefs formalize the partnership and enable joint grant applications
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Grant Eligible Infrastructure Active deployments qualify TDL and counties for USDA ReConnect and FCC broadband grants
11 Fire Departments Confirmed across 4 Texas counties
25 Phase 2 Target Expanding to 25 devices pending grant funding
365 Days Per Year Connectivity that doesn't disappear between disasters
0 Gaps in Coverage Pre-positioned hardware eliminates deployment delays

How a Deployment Works

1
MOU Signed

TDL signs a simple deployment agreement with the fire chief before any device leaves our hands

2
Device Deployed

Starlink Mini delivered in a tactical backpack with quick-setup card, vehicle adapter, and cables

3
Station Active

Device stays at the station year-round providing daily connectivity and standing by for disaster activation

4
Disaster Activated

On a county call, TDL activates full Roam service and the device becomes an emergency command post node

How Our Programs Are Funded

Both programs are funded through grants, donations, and government partnerships — never through fees charged to fire departments or counties.

FEMA BRIC Grants
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities — federal funding for disaster preparedness programs
TDEM Homeland Security
Texas Division of Emergency Management grant programs for state-level disaster response capability
USDA ReConnect
Federal rural broadband funding supporting TDL Connect's permanent station connectivity program
Community Foundations
Hill Country and Texas community foundations funding direct disaster recovery and public safety programs
Corporate Sponsors
Texas-based companies with disaster resilience CSR commitments supporting TDL's field operations
Individual Donors
$50/month keeps one Starlink active. $500 funds a full year. Every dollar goes directly to the field.

Support Our Programs

Every donation keeps a rural Texas fire department connected. Every partnership expands our reach.

Donate Now Become a Partner