TheFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, is the agency responsible for the operation and oversight of theNational Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System. Established in 1989, this system is a framework for organizing federal, state, and local partner emergency response teams into integrated federal disaster response task forces. There are currently 28 task forces across the nation, each sponsored by a local fire department or public safety agency.
FEMA's role in the US&R system includes providing the financial, technical, and training support necessary to maintain these highly specialized teams. Each task force is composed of 70 members specializing in search, rescue, medicine, hazardous materials, and structural engineering. When a major disaster occurs—such as a building collapse, earthquake, or hurricane—the FEMA Administrator can deploy these teams to the disaster site. Once deployed, they become federal assets, though they are staffed by local professionals.
TheCoast Guard(Option A) operates search and rescue primarily in the maritime environment, and theDepartment of Defense(Option B) provides "Defense Support of Civil Authorities" (DSCA) when requested, but neither "operates" the specialized National US&R System. For theCEDPprofessional, understanding the FEMA US&R system is vital for large-scale incident management. These teams bring heavy equipment, search canines, and technical sensors (like acoustic listening devices) that are not typically available to local jurisdictions. Knowing how to request these assets through the State Emergency Operations Center to FEMA is a key competency for any disaster professional working in an urban or high-density environment.
