The National Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams specialize in search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings and other structural failures. They are highly trained to locate and extract victims from debris following earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters with structural impacts.
FEMA personnel may be deployed in response to major natural disasters (like hurricanes, floods, wildfires), public health emergencies, and man-made incidents (such as terrorist attacks or industrial accidents). Local incidents without federal disaster declarations are typically managed by state or local resources without federal involvement.
The Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is a group of medical professionals who are rapidly deployed to provide on-site emergency medical care. They work in a field hospital setting, offering initial treatment and stabilization during significant disasters.
The Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) is deployed to support local authorities in managing operations during incidents. IMAT teams help establish command structures, provide situational assessments, and assist with the coordination of federal resources on the ground.
FEMA deploys personnel to support coordination of response and recovery operations. FEMA staff work alongside local and state agencies to ensure resources, personnel, and logistical support are provided efficiently. FEMA’s role is collaborative rather than managerial over local government staff.
