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Considerations Before Forming a Team

Determining the Need for a Team​

The first step is to assess whether a technical rescue or USAR team is required within the community. This determination should be based on a comprehensive risk analysis identifying the likelihood and consequences of relevant hazards.

The sponsoring organisation (whether governmental, non-governmental, or donor) must conduct an objective and thorough assessment of community risk and existing response capacity. If the identified risks are already covered by an external response team with reliable access into the jurisdiction, forming a separate team may not be necessary.

Identifying the Type of Team Required​

Following the risk assessment, planners should define the type and scope of the team required. The team may be single-discipline (e.g., rope, water, or confined space rescue) or multi-discipline, capable of addressing a wider range of technical rescues. The level of risk, frequency of incidents, and community vulnerability will guide the decision on the appropriate capability to develop.

Securing Organisational Commitment​

The establishment of a technical rescue team requires sustained commitment across all levels of the sponsoring organisation. Leadership, management, and operational personnel must collectively understand the resource and time implications. Consideration should be given to how technical rescue training and deployments will affect overall staffing, workload, and routine emergency operations. Commitment must be comprehensive and organisation-wide to ensure both the success and sustainability of the technical rescue team.

Assessing Costs and Funding Sustainability Planners must evaluate both start-up and ongoing operational costs. Start-up costs primarily involve equipment procurement and initial training, while operational costs include refresher training, equipment maintenance, consumables (such as medical supplies with expiry dates), and personnel costs for paid staff. Funding sources may include local government budgets, inter-agency cost sharing, or external donor support. Sustainability must be demonstrated before proceeding with team establishment.

Securing Support from Authorities and Decision-Makers​

Forming a technical rescue or USAR team requires the endorsement of senior management, elected officials, and where applicable, national or local government. Their support is critical for authorising funding, approving resource allocation, and enabling inter-agency cooperation.

Decision-makers often require justification for such investment. Planners should be prepared to present clear evidence of community risk, capability gaps, and the potential consequences of inadequate preparedness. Key questions from fiscal or political authorities may include:

  • What is the justification for investing in this specialized capability and equipment?
  • How many relevant incidents occurred in recent years?
  • Given our successful track record, what factors now necessitate this addition? Emergency managers must be able to explain the operational, reputational, and safety risks of maintaining an under-capable response. Documentary evidence such as hazard assessments and lessons identified from prior incidents should support the proposal for developing a dedicated team.

Leveraging Regional and Mutual Aid Resources​

Before establishing a new team, planners should explore whether technical rescue capability already exists within neighbouring jurisdictions. Developing a shared or multi-agency response model can provide an efficient and cost-effective solution while ensuring appropriate coverage across regions. Formal mutual aid agreements should be established where feasible.

Anticipating Challenges and Risks​

Technical rescue operations carry inherent risks to personnel. These risks can be reduced but not eliminated through appropriate training, safe systems of work, and suitable equipment.

Statistics show that many fatalities in rescue situations involve untrained or ill-equipped rescuers. Common hazards include asphyxiation, falls, entrapment, and drowning. Attempting to form or deploy a team without the necessary foundational training, equipment, or supervision is unsafe and unacceptable.

A comprehensive USAR capability encompasses five functional components:

  • Management
  • Search
  • Rescue
  • Medical
  • Logistics

Recruiting and retaining personnel with appropriate skills such as medical providers, engineers, and canine handlers can be a significant challenge and must be addressed early in planning.

What laws, regulations, and standards affect development of a team?​

Numerous regulations govern different types of rescues, and all responders must comply for safety and liability reasons. Before forming a team, the Team Leader must identify the relevant laws, assess the costs of compliance, and understand the consequences of non-compliance, which can include fines or other penalties. They also need to ensure the team fits within the national disaster management framework and is formally integrated into national disaster planning.