Search and Rescue

Introducing the newest member of the NC USAR program!

Battalion Chief Sue Barrett of the Greenville Fire/Rescue Department recently purchased Storm to train as her Disaster K9 Search partner.  Recruit Storm is reportedly doing quite well in her puppy kindergarten classes and has begun training in climbing and agility as well as socialization.  B/C Barrett has done a lot of preparation to get to this point and is excited to develop this awesome resource for the citizens of North Carolina.  The Division of Emergency Management extends its gratitude to the City of Greenville and B/C Barrett for their dedication to the NC USAR program in order to help all the citizens across the state in their time of need.

Search and Rescue Overview

North Carolina has a history of hurricanes, tornadoes, flash flooding and snowstorms.  Now, terrorism has become a concern as well.  NCEM coordinates Technical Search and Rescue Resources available for statewide deployment through the State-wide Mutual Aid Agreement. These resources come from many different backgrounds including Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, and Rescue Squads, and are comprised of both paid and non-paid professionals.

There are 11 Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces strategically located across the state available to assist first responders following structural collapse events, these teams can also provide Swiftwater/Flood Rescue and Land Search support.  In addition, many Swiftwater Rescue, Wilderness/Land Search and Rescue, and Canine Search and Rescue Teams have strived to meet national credentialing to become available for state or national deployment as coordinated by NCEM.  Many of the Wilderness SAR Teams can also provide Management Support with specialized training in incident management, lost person behavior and search theory. 

« this page last modified 04/14/10 »