In the field of Urban Search and Rescue (US&R), seamless collaboration between FEMA teams and state teams is critical. Recently, one of our team members participated in the FEMA Medical Specialist Training Course, offered as a pre-conference course at the National Urban Search & Rescue and Medical Special Operations Conference in November 2024. This course is a requirement for all medical team members responding as part of a US&R disaster response team, highlighting its importance for both federal and state-level teams. It emphasizes how vital it is that every responder, regardless of their team’s level, has equal access to high-quality training and resources. However, challenges remain in bridging the divide between federal and state training access. Here is his message, giving us a deeper look at the ongoing efforts to create a more unified approach to training and collaboration from first hand experience.
