Press Releases

Washington, DC - The House of Representatives today approved its amendments to the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016 (S. 2971) by a vote of 405-7. This critical legislation to assist America’s first responders now heads back to the Senate for approval.

“It is unconscionable that we ask our search and rescue teams to enter hazardous and life threatening environments to risk life and limb without certainty about who will be liable should they become injured,” said U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, who spearheaded this legislation in the House. “Our first responders require clarity on who will pay for their medical bills or provide for their families should something go wrong. Providing that certainty is the least we can do to support these brave men and women.”

Urban search and rescue teams (USARs) are involved in the location, rescue and immediate medical stabilization of persons who are trapped as a result of structural collapse after an accident or disaster. There are currently 28 USAR teams across the Nation comprised of a diverse set of disciplines including firefighters, physicians, structural engineers and first responders. USAR teams are equipped with help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are called up when needed to deploy to disaster sites. Recently, USAR teams have been deployed during Hurricanes Sandy and Matthew and they responded to the 9/11 attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon.

The heroism and dedication of USAR teams is well known. Unfortunately, once USAR teams are federalized, they lack clarity on who would be responsible if their members were injured or even killed while performing their duties. S. 2971 provides that missing clarity and also provides certainty to states and local governments so they know they won’t be exposed.

“The USAR teams embody FEMA’s core mission – to plan, train and respond to disasters,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster. “It is essential that they go into harm’s way with the ability to singularly focus on their objective, which is saving lives. This legislation accomplishes this goal, and I particularly thank Chairman Barletta and Senator Rob Portman for their leadership on this bill.”  

Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 1471, the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015. Section 301 of this bill reauthorized the USAR program, codified the current USAR Response System in statute, and clarified liabilities and compensation issues related to participants in the System. The bill was sent to the Senate, where the USAR liability provisions were enrolled into S. 2971, which the House voted to approve today.