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[Urban Search  And Rescue] [Background] [Components] [Funtional Responsible Elements] [USAR - Minimum Training Requirements] [USAR - OrgChart] [USAR - Task Force Positions] [USAR - On-Site Training]

What is Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)?

Urban Search and Rescue involves locating (searching), rescue (extrication), and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces such as a building collapse incident.

Urban Search and Rescue is considered a multi-hazard discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms and tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases.

The USAR Response System is a framework for structuring existing emergency services personnel from the local level into integrated disaster response task forces. These community-based Search and Rescue teams take advantage of the preexisting organizations that support them, and emergency services personnel already doing this work on a day-to-day basis. In addition to being a national resource when activated, most Task Forces can easily be utilized as a regional emergency response mechanism by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.