Urban search and rescue

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District was awarded a $1,406,384 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 grant supports the district's operations as a specialized urban search and rescue task force, funding critical components such as management, training, exercises, vehicle and equipment procurement, and maintenance activities. As a key member of FEMA's US&R Response System, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District provides essential emergency services focused on urban search and rescue operations, with expertise in responding to structural collapse incidents. The grant, with a performance period from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027, enables the district to maintain its specialized personnel, canine teams, vehicles, and equipment necessary for emergency response to urban disasters and catastrophic events, contributing to the national emergency response infrastructure.