National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System (97.025)
Program
97.025 National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.; Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq., as amended.
Program Number
97.025
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To develop an immediately deployable, national response capability to locate and extricate, and medically stabilize victims of structural collapse during a disaster, while simultaneously enhancing the US&R response capabilities of State and local governments.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
State and local emergency management agencies may jointly develop one or more US&R Task Force(s), as defined in the National US&R Response System Description Manual. Use of grants is restricted to the acquisition, maintenance, and storage of equipment, training, exercises, and training facilities to meet task force position criteria, and conduct and participate in meetings within the National US&R Response System. Equipment acquisitions are limited to those included in FEMA's approved equipment cache list, unless otherwise approved by FEMA. Training requirements are included in the Description Manual.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Only the 27 sponsoring jurisdictions designated by FEMA as members of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System are eligible for operations and maintenance grants.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Only the 27 State and local government sponsoring organizations formally accepted by FEMA for participation in the National US&R Response System.
Credentials/Documentation
State and/or local government applicants must verify that all personnel recommended for a task force meet the personnel qualifications as listed in the National US&R Response System Description Manual. In addition, equipment needs must be verified as being on the approved equipment cache list dated January 28, 2000. Grant awards will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-87 for State and local governments, and are subject to audit under the standards of OMB No. Circular No. A-133.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
All applicants will complete the equipment and personnel checklists contained in the National US&R Response System Criteria Manual, as well as identifying required training for potential task force members, on an annual basis. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
The Sponsoring Agency submits Standard Form 424 and documentation specified by 44 CFR 13 as part of an application for a cooperative agreement amendment directly to the Acquisition Services Division, Office of Financial Management, FEMA headquarters.
Award Procedure
Final approval of applications will be made by FEMA Headquarters.
Deadlines
Contact the Urban Search and Rescue Program Office, FEMA headquarters for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals must be made in writing and submitted within thirty (30) days from the date of disapproval. The appeal will be submitted through the appropriate FEMA Regional Office, to the Executive Associate Director for the Response and Recovery Directorate. Within thirty (30) days following the receipt of an appeal, the Executive Associate Director will provide the applicant, in writing, a determination on the appeal.
Renewals
Mutually acceptable amendments may be made at any time.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. This program has no matching requirements for fiscal year 2001. Developmental grants may be subject to 50/50 State/local matching requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant monies are to be spent within 1 Federal fiscal year after they are granted, but time extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of FEMA headquarters. In general, time extensions will preclude the addition of funds to the agreement until prior year funds have been expended.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Two types of reports are required: 1) Performance Reports -- Semi-annual progress reports, annual technical review applications, interim reports, and a final report through the Project Officer and Assistance Officer. The first report is required 90-days after award and every 6 months thereafter. A copy of these reports is also provided to the Regional US&R Point of Contact, as stated in the contract; and, 2) Financial Reports -- A Financial Status Report (FSR) (Standard Form 269, an original plus two copies) is prepared and submitted to FEMA 30 days after the completion of each quarter with the exception of the final FSR which shall be due 90 days after project completion. These are provided to the Assistance Officer with a copy to the Project Officer.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have an audit made for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards is exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records and accounts are to be retained, generally for 3 years, as prescribed by OMB Circular No. A-102.
Program Accomplishments
To continue to provide funding for equipment, training, and related activities for the 27 grantees comprising the National US&R Response System in order to assist them in achieving full operational readiness, as determined by FEMA.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0700-0-1-999.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $7,750,000; FY 03 est $59,014,000; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Fiscal year 2002 existing 27 task forces, $150,000 per grantee.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
44 CFR Part 13, and guidelines outlined in the annual statement of work for task force preparedness agreements. In addition, the requirements for establishing a standardized US&R Task Force are contained in the National US&R Response System Sponsoring Organization Capability Criteria manual, as amended by FEMA.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20528 Tel. (202) 282-8000.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Acquisition of tools and equipment identified in the current US&R equipment cache list. Development and delivery of training needed to fulfill task force missions. Construction or lease of equipment cache storage space.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals will be evaluated based on two (2) factors: (1) current state of operational readiness, as determined by FEMA's task force readiness evaluation process; (2) prior deployment history.
