Congress Increases Funding for USAR Teams

December 21, 2011 – In a significant development, Congress has increased funding for the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Response System for Fiscal Year 2012. The system will receive $41.25 million, an increase of $6 million, making it one the very few programs to receive a funding boost for Fiscal Year 2012.

The funding was included in the omnibus appropriations bill, which also included funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant programs, as well as the SAFER waivers.

“Even in these austere budgetary times, we owe it to those brave search and rescue personnel, putting their lives on the line in the face of tragedy, to ensure they have the resources to fulfill their mission,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “These funds will help ensure USAR teams, as well as their sponsoring agencies, continue functioning at the highest levels.”

Although funding for the Urban Search and Rescue Response System has increased in recent years due largely to IAFF efforts, the system has never received sufficient federal funding to fully cover its costs. As a result, local governments sponsoring the 28 teams have been left responsible for filling the funding gap. The additional funds will take significant pressure off local municipalities and their local fire departments, which have taken significant budget hits during the recession.

In addition to providing funding for the teams’ continuing training, exercises, equipment and medical monitoring, the funding increase will allow teams to update their chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosives equipment.

The nation’s USAR teams have responded to numerous significant disasters in recent years, including tornados, hurricanes and catastrophic structure collapses. Most recently, teams responded to the Japanese tsunami and the Haiti earthquake.

“U.S. search and rescue capabilities are far too important to risk,” says Schaitberger. “The IAFF will continue advocating for strong federal funding to ensure our search and rescue teams may continue to respond to emergencies both at home and abroad."