Georgia Search & Rescue Task Force

About the Team

Georgia’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) program was established and funded under the authority of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) in 2003. It was designed to establish a framework of local emergency services personnel that are trained and integrated into disaster response task forces. Georgia Search and Rescue Task Force 5 (GA-TF5), which is also known as the coastal task force, is part of the state’s US&R program and can be mobilized within four to six hours after proper notification for deployment in-state through the State Mutual Aid Agreement, or out-of-state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

US&R is considered a "multi-hazard" discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including:

• Confined space rescue
• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Hurricanes
• Industrial accidents
• Storms
• Sink holes
• Terrorist activities
• Tornadoes
• Trench cave-ins

Requirements & Operations

The GA-TF5 meets all requirements of a FEMA Type II Urban Search and Rescue Task Force and includes firefighters certified in multiple technical rescue disciplines. These disciplines include high angle, confined space, trench, vehicle / machinery extrication, wide area search and rescue, wilderness search and rescue, swift / flood water, and heavy structural collapse. All GA-TF5 members have completed a minimum of EMS first responder training. Most have obtained hazardous materials technician level training. In addition to meeting FEMA Type II for a US&R Task Force, GA-TF5 meets the requirements of a FEMA Type I Swift / Flood Water Rescue Team.

GA-TF5 units are housed and operate out of Station 9, at 2235 Capital Street. During US&R operations, the task force utilizes a variety of apparatus including:

• Collapse response truck
• Collapse support trailer
• Logistics trailer
• Boats
• Swift / flood water rescue trailer