Search and rescue in the United States involves a wide range of organizations that have search and rescue responsibilities.
In January 2008, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the National Response Framework (NRF) which serves as the guiding document for a federal response during a national emergency. In addition to the NRF, there are 15 annexes relating to Emergency Support Functions (ESF), which include other federal agencies that contain resources or expertise to support an emergency. Search and Rescue is included in ESF-9 and divides SAR into four primary elements while assigning a federal agency the lead role for each of the four elements.[1]
- Structural Collapse-USAR: Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Waterborne: United States Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Inland-wilderness: United States Department of Interior, National Park Service
- Aeronautical: United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, US Navy (secondary missions for helicopter squadrons)
In the U.S., SAR standards are developed primarily by ASTM International and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which are then used by organizations such as the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR), and the NFPA to develop training that will meet or exceed those standards.[2] Within ASTM International, most standards of relevance to SAR are developed by Committee F32 on Search and Rescue. Formed in 1988, the committee has 85 current members and a jurisdiction of 38 approved standards.[2]
- ^ "Section ESF #9-1".
- ^ a b O'Toole, Thomas F. (n.d.). "Committee F32 on Search and Rescue". Retrieved February 24, 2008.
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