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About the Rhode Island Urban Search and Rescue Tak Force
Developing a local USAR team in Rhode Island capable of responding to terrorists incidents involving explosives as well as structural collapses caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, air crashes, and other natural or man-made disasters more quickly than the Federal USAR team. If you are interested in joining the Rhode Island State Urban Search and Rescue Team, please refer to the application documents on this page. The Governor’s office, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and the Domestic Preparedness Subcommittee,has formed an Urban Search and Rescue Team. The Governor understands the importance of the timely response of a highly trained and well equipped team to rescue victims trapped in collapsed buildings and has fully supported the creation of the Rhode Island Urban Search and Rescue Team.
What is a USAR?
Urban search and rescue refers to the search and rescue activities in and around collapsed buildings, particularly the collapse of large reinforced concrete structures. USAR teams consist of specially trained teams of search and rescue personnel, including canine teams, searchers with sophisticated search cams and listening devices, engineers trained to assess structural stability, highly trained rescue personnel, concrete breaching equipment, and doctors trained in treating those caught in a collapse.
Why does RI need a USAR team?
At the present time, no fire department in RI has the capability of effectively responding to the collapse of a reinforced concrete structure, including many hospitals, schools, apartments, and office buildings. This is not a problem unique to RI, it is a national and international problem attributable to the high cost of maintaining such a team. While there is a FEMA USAR Task Force based in Beverly, MA, the fastest it could arrive in RI after a Presidential declaration of a Federal disaster is 8 hours. This reality was born out on 9-11-01 when the Beverly team was the 1st FEMA USAR team to arrive in NYC on 911 approximately 12 hours after the first plane hit. The purpose of the RIUSAR Team will be to deploy immediately and fill the void that presently exists within the FEMA USAR model. In addition, the RIUSAR team would be available in the event of a disaster that is not a Federal disaster, but nevertheless warrants deployment of the team. The USAR team will be deployed by the Governor and operate under the direction of the local incident commander from the community in which the incident occurs.
Who fund's the USAR Team?
For the first time, the Federal Government has acknowledged the need for local communities to have USAR capabilities, and now allows certain grants to be utilized to purchase USAR equipment? The estimated cost of equipping the USAR team is $1.2 mil. The State of Rhode Island will fund deployment of the team, and will seek Federal reimbursement whenever possible.
Who run's the team?
The team is a statewide team, under the oversight of RIEMA and the USAR Working Group. No one fire department or municipality sponsor's or control's the team. All training and equipmentl remain's based with RIEMA.
Who is the USAR Working group?
The USAR Working Group is a committee created by the State of RI Domestic Preparedness Sub-Committee. It includes representatives from the RI Fire Chiefs, RI Association of Firefighters, RI State Fire Marshall’s Office, RIEMA, metro fire departments, small fire departments and volunteer fire departments.
Who serves on the team?
Team membership is open to all fire, police and medical personnel in the State, as well as doctors and engineers. Team members must be sponsored by their local agency. Team members will not be compensated for training activities, but during deployments the State will reimburse the sponsoring agency for all costs associated with the deployment, including the members salary and benefits, plus costs of backfill.
How Does the team deploy?
The team deploys by RIEMA, upon the orders of the Governor after declaration of a local disaster. Local communities contact RIEMA to request the USAR Task Force. The standard deployment is 37 members, with options to deploy as a 62 or 70 person team depending upon circumstances. An Incident Support Team will also be available with 3 to 6 advisory personnel. Other deployment models are under review including responses of search dogs, riggers, and structural specialists/engineers, as support personnel.
