While interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compacts (EMAC system) and the National Response Framework provide vital resources to overwhelmed jurisdictions, their arrival can cause additional convergence issues. Even resources such as Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces, who come prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours, will need a secure location in which to store equipment, conduct planning, eat, and sleep. Other teams, such as a Disaster Mortuary Team (DMORT) or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigation teams, may need specific kinds of support from local government, including special facilities and utility needs, and security assistance.

In order to be able to deploy immediately, most Federal resources arrive with a full contingent of personnel, equipment, and supplies. A review of the capabilities of the FEMA US&R Task Forces reveals how significant the amount of resources may be.

Click this link to view the Task Force capabilities.