U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Resource: US&R Task Forces
Category: Search & Rescue (ESF #9)
Kind: Team
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)
Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Personnel Number of People per Response

70-person response

UNDER DEVELOPMENT

28-person response

 

 
Personnel Training

NFPA 1670 Technician Level in area of specialty; Support personnel at Operations Level

 

NFPA 1670 Technician Level in area of specialty; Support personnel at Operations Level

 

 
Personnel Areas of Specialization

High angle rope rescue (including highline systems); Confined space rescue (permit required); Advanced Life Support (ALS) intervention; Communications; WMD/HM operations; Defensive water rescue norxshop.com

 

Light frame construction and basic rope rescue operations; ALS intervention; HazMat conditions; Communications; and trench and excavation rescue

 

 
Personnel Sustained Operations

24-hour S&R operations; Self-sufficient for first 72 hours

 

12-hour S&R operations; Self-sufficient for first 72 hours

 

 
Personnel Organization

Multidisciplinary organization of Command; Search; Rescue; Medical; HazMat; Logistics; Planning

 

Multidisciplinary organization of Command; Search; Rescue; Medical; HazMat; Logistics; Planning

 

 
Equipment Sustained Operations

Potential mission duration of up to 10 days

 

Potential mission duration of up to 10 days

 

 
Equipment Rescue Equipment

Pneumatic Powered Tools; Electric Powered Tools; Hydraulic Powered Tools; Hand Tools; Electrical; Heavy Rigging; Technical Rope; Safety

 

Pneumatic Powered Tools; Electric Powered Tools; Hydraulic Powered Tools; Hand Tools; Electrical; Heavy Rigging; Technical Rope; Safety

 

 
Equipment Medical Equipment

Antibiotics/ Antifungals; Patient Comfort Medication; Pain Medications; Sedatives/Anesthetics/Paralytics; Steroids; IV Fluids/Volume; Immunizations/Immune Globulin; Canine Treatment; Basic Airway; Intubation; Eye Care Supplies; IV Access/Administration; Patient Assessment Care; Patient Immobilization/Extrication; Patient/PPE; Skeletal Care; Wound Care; Patient Monitoring

 

Antibiotics/Antifungals; Patient Comfort Medication; Pain Medications; Sedatives/ Anesthetics/Paralytics; Steroids; IV Fluids/Volume; Immunizations/Immune Globulin; Canine Treatment; Basic Airway; Intubation; Eye Care Supplies; IV Access/ Administration; Patient Assessment Care; Patient Immobilization/ Extrication; Patient/ PPE; Skeletal Care; Wound Care; Patient Monitoring

 

 
Equipment Technical Equipment

Structures Specialist Equip; Technical Information Specialist Equip; HazMat Specialist Equip; Technical Search Specialist Equip; Canine Search Specialist Equip

 

Structures Specialist Equip.; Technical Information Specialist Equip; HazMat Specialist Equip; Technical Search Specialist Equip; Canine Search Specialist Equip

 

 
Equipment Communications Equipment

Portable Radios; Charging Units; Telecommunications, Repeaters, Accessories; Batteries; Power Sources; Small Tools; Computer

 

Portable Radios; Charging Units; Telecommunications; Repeaters; Accessories; Batteries; Power Sources; Small Tools; Computer

 

 
Equipment Logistics Equipment

Water/Fluids; Food; Shelter; Sanitation; Safety; Administrative Support; Personal Bag; Task Force Support; Cache Transportation/ Support; Base of Operations; Equipment Maintenance

 

Water/Fluids; Food; Shelter; Sanitation; Safety; Administrative Support; Personal Bag; Task Force Support; Cache Transportation/ Support; Base of Operations; Equipment Maintenance

 

 

Comments:

Federal asset. There are 28 FEMA US&R Task Forces, totally self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of a deployment, spread throughout the continental United States trained and equipped by FEMA to conduct physical search and rescue in collapsed buildings, provide emergency medical care to trapped victims, assess and control gas, electrical services and hazardous materials, and evaluate and stabilize damaged structures. Should either a Type I or a Type III Task Force be deployed by ground, they may add: Type I - 10 additional ground support personnel (for a subsequent total of 80 personnel). Type III - 6 additional ground support personnel (for a subsequent total of 34 personnel).


National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative
Search and Rescue