FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — The call came in Friday morning. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials needed the help of Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1), the International Urban Search and Rescue Team sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire Department.

The team is headed to Texas, where catastrophic flash flooding has killed at least 120 people since July 4, with more than 170 said to be unaccounted for as of July 11.

"This is Bunker, and he’s technically a recovery canine," handler Tiffany Perez told 7News' Lianna Golden as she packed up their bags for the trip down south.

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Perez, along with two other canine teams, will assist with the ongoing search operations.

Bunker's job is to bring closure to families still waiting to find their loved ones and relief to fellow canine teams who have already been on the demanding job for a week amid hot temperatures and long hours.

"Sometimes there’s a rotation that’s involved if there’s an extended period of time that search needs to go on," Perez explained. "So we’re just a fresh set of canines out there. It would actually make a difference."

One canine from Maryland Task Force 1 also joined the team.

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They'll get to work first thing Saturday morning, with no return flight on the books, helping out as long as they're needed.

"What is it like to be able to help these families and help the recovery mission in Texas?" Golden asked.

"For me, I’ve been doing this type of work for a long time," Perez replied. "I really do like canine work, and I’m able to help people, and that’s what I just like doing, just being able to get out there and make a difference."