The primary mission of the DHS/FEMA National US&R Response System is the coordination, development, and maintenance of the Federal effort to provide resources to locate, extricate, and provide immediate medical treatment to victims trapped in collapsed structures, as well as to conduct other life-saving operations.

The Program Manager of each Task Force is responsible for the selection, training, equipping,  mobilization,  and  deployment  of  the  Task  Force  to  respond  to  those situations as outlined in the National Response Framework. Those selected to become members of the DHS/FEMA National US&R Response System must be cognizant of the fact that the work performed requires the member to meet all physical requirements as determined by the Sponsoring Agency, to be available to mobilize on short notice, and to be capable of functioning for long hours in a physically challenging and austere environment often under adverse and arduous conditions.

To assist the Program Manager in meeting the objectives demonstrated above, the DHS/FEMA National US&R Response System has developed Position Descriptions and General Requirements (Training and Administrative) that apply to each member. Position Task Books are under development.  The Program Manager will ensure that each of these guiding documents is used to maintain the operational capability of the Task Force members.

General Administrative Requirements:

The Task Force will:

Maintain a current Memorandum of Agreement with DHS/FEMA, as well as Participating Agency Agreements, and/or Affiliated Personnel Agreements, as applicable

Maintain a file for each rostered member that includes completed:

·         Application for Federal Employment; Optional Form 612

·         Employee Data Transmittal Sheet (EDTS)

·         Appointment Affidavits; Standard Form 61

Document each member’s successful completion of a quantitative respiratory protection fit test required per 29 CFR 1910.134, as defined in Program Directive 2005-008

Ensure each member maintains current inoculations, as defined in Program Directive 2005-008, unless medically contraindicated or documented refusal

Document that each member has a current Physician Clearance for Deployment document as defined in Program Directive 2005-008