Urban search and rescue

The City of New York, through its Office of Emergency Management (OEM), was awarded a $1,417,884 Project Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System (CFDA 97.025) program. The funding, which covers the performance period from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027, supports the maintenance, training, and equipping of the city's specialized urban search and rescue capabilities. This includes sustaining the readiness and operational capabilities of the OEM's urban search and rescue task force, which is part of the national network of 28 such teams that can respond to a wide range of critical incidents, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and structural collapses. The grant helps the OEM fulfill its role as a key municipal government entity responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness, response, and mitigation strategies for the New York City metropolitan area, a critical component of national emergency preparedness and resilience.