UKUSAR.com

USAR Capability
Following the events in America on 9/11, the "New Dimension Programme", began in January 2002. The programme was designed to fundamentally increase the capability of the UK fire and rescue service in response to large-scale or catastrophic incidents, irrespective of the cause of the disaster. To meet the new level of threat identified and to plan for the full range of potential scenarios that is envisaged, the Government considered it necessary for the fire & rescue services to significantly enhance existing capabilities. Focusing initially on the threat of terrorist attack using convential or non-convential weapons (CBRN), the Programme was funded by Government through the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). One of the ND programme outcomes was the development of a much-improved response capability for all types of structural collapse incident. This was accomplished by the Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Project Team.
The Fire and Resilience Directorate (website) is now responsible for maintaining the National Resilience Capabilities, including the USAR Capability, created by New Dimensions.
What is New Dimension?
	Information on the context and scope of the New Dimension Programme is contained in the document, "Protecting the Public", which also provides details of the operational key-performance indicators and the equipment roll-out plan.
The Urban Search & Rescue Project
The Urban Search & Rescue Project was tasked with developing an operational capability with the following remit:
To respond to any incident involving unstable or collapsed structures, or following a major transport incident, principally to carry out an initial search, locate and rescue trapped casualties, provide basic stabilisation of structures, remove fatalities and maintain safe entry and exit routes from dangerous structures.
To acheive this task, the USAR Project identified the resources required for this purpose and managed the conception, design and implementation of Urban Search and Rescue facilities, procedures and training. Work included the development of risk assessments and the undertaking of a series of hazard analyis regarding work at collapsed structure incidents. This process identified safe systems of work which, in turn, led to the procurement of large stocks of specialist equipment, the development of a training system and the drafting of procedural guidance. A transportation system suitable for bringing large quantities of equipment to the scene of a major incident was also developed and this system is now used by all the ND operational capabilities.

Delivery of the USAR Capability
The USAR project delivered a tiered national capability, providing resources to enable the FRS to meet obligations currently defined in the Emergencies Order. It is capable of operating in a multiagency environment and will integrate with existing capabilities.
		The project intended to support of day-to-day business activities involving unstable or collapsed structures as well as delivering the capability to respond to major emergencies.
		Each of the 20 National USAR Units has the training, equipment and capacity to:
		conduct initial search, identification and location of entrapped casualties; rescue entrapped casualties from unstable or collapsed environments; provide and maintain safe systems of work for USAR technical operations; and maintain safe entry and egress into and from dangerous structures for emergency responders.
		Integral outcomes of the USAR Project also included the development of an infrastructure capable of supporting the national USAR Units with training facilities at the Fire Service College and other training facilities strategically located across England and Wales. These provide training rigs for basic USAR awareness and specialist training for personnel ..... more