What is the focus of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams?

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams specifically target situations where individuals are trapped in confined spaces, such as collapsed buildings or similar urban environments. Their training and skills are geared towards operating in complex structures, using specialized techniques and equipment to locate and safely extract people who may be trapped due to disasters like earthquakes, explosions, or other structural failures. This focus is essential because confined space rescues often require unique approaches to ensure the safety of both the victims and the rescuers, highlighting the importance of expertise in navigating these hazardous environments.

While rescuing individuals lost in mountains, searching for lost hikers, or rescuing injured animals are important tasks for various types of rescue teams, these scenarios fall outside the primary scope of USAR operations. USAR teams concentrate on the distinctive challenges presented in urban settings, making their specialization crucial during man-made or natural disasters in populated areas.