Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams, founded by FEMA in 1989, aid in the recovery of victims from disasters worldwide. Each team consists of specialists in four areas: searching for victims, rescuing them, ensuring technical safety, and providing medical attention. They also train smaller emergency response teams.
Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) is a task force that is tasked with aiding in the recovery of victims from disaster areas. It was founded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1989. Each urban search and rescue team contains two groups of 31 team members, four dogs, and any equipment they might need.
US&R teams are ready to act at any time in response to any man-made or natural disaster. Whenever a disaster strikes, FEMA sends the closest teams to the scene. Urban search and rescue teams have assisted in rescuing victims after hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. They have also worked to save lives and recover bodies after terrorist attacks, technical incidents (such as a building collapse), and hazardous materials spills or accidents. US&R crews were at the scene of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the 2001 World Trade Center attacks, and other disasters around the world.
Each urban search and rescue team consists of specialists in four areas. The first specialty is the search for victims. These specialists are responsible for locating victims at a disaster site. After the victims have been located, the second group of specialists takes over. Rescuers have been specially trained in the skills needed to reach and recover victims. This can involve excavating tons of concrete and steel or even organizing complicated rescues from flooded areas.
Whenever US&R workers dig through collapsed buildings or conduct other hazardous rescues, technical specialists are responsible for ensuring their safety. Technical specialists ensure that the debris has been moved safely and that there is at best a minimal chance of further structural collapse. The last group of specialists are doctors. After a victim has been recovered, the specialist doctors of the Urban Search and Rescue Team are responsible for providing any immediate medical attention that may be needed.
When urban search and rescue teams arrive on a scene, the first thing they do is assess how safe the search and rescue operation will be. Measures are taken to ensure the safety of rescuers before they begin. Heavy equipment is used to remove as much debris as possible. As soon as she’s safe, trackers enter the area with dogs, looking for signs of survivors. Trackers also use specialized electronic devices to find victims. After the victims have been located, the rescue team enters and removes the person from the disaster site, to a place where medical specialists can attend to their needs.
Urban search and rescue teams don’t just respond to disasters around the world. They are also involved in training smaller, more localized emergency response teams. During these training sessions, US&R members show law enforcement and medical teams how to respond to emergencies, enabling them to save lives. By ensuring that area rescue teams are in place, there is a better chance that more effective rescue efforts can take place before an urban search and rescue team shows up at the sight of an emergency.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
