WHEREAS, urban search and rescue involves the location, rescue or extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces due to accidents or the collapse of structures, tunnels, trenches, or other debris; and

WHEREAS, urban search and rescue is considered a "multi-hazard" discipline because it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, storms, floods, technological accidents, terrorist activities, releases of hazardous materials, and other emergencies or disasters resulting from natural or man-made causes; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has created and funded 28 national urban search and rescue task forces, which are staffed and equipped to conduct round-the-clock search-and-rescue operations following earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, aircraft accidents, spills of hazardous materials, and catastrophic structure collapses; and

WHEREAS, the role of these task forces is to support state and local emergency responders' efforts to locate victims and manage recovery operations; and

WHEREAS, it would take a minimum of 12 hours for an urban search and rescue team activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to arrive in Hawaii from California; and

WHEREAS, it takes six hours to mobilize an urban search and rescue team; and

WHEREAS, it takes another six hours to fly the mobilized urban search and rescue team and equipment to Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, delays in transportation could further delay the arrival of a search and rescue team from the mainland; and

WHEREAS, rescue is critical during the first 24 hours, because, beyond this period, the prospect of finding survivors diminishes significantly; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State that all civil defense and emergency functions of the State be coordinated to the maximum extent with comparable functions of the federal government, including its various departments and agencies; with those of other states and localities; and with private agencies so that the most effective use can be made of all personnel, resources, and facilities in dealing with disaster; and

WHEREAS, the civil defense system of Hawaii is comprehensive and encompasses all levels of the State, counties, and private sector; and

WHEREAS, under the civil defense system, numerous representatives from civil defense agencies, county fire departments, county police departments, county and private structural engineers, county and private medical professionals, and others have diligently been engaged in developing the skills, training, expertise, and equipment to provide urban search and rescue capabilities to the people of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the employing agencies or entities of the volunteers have supported, funded, and sustained these efforts to establish an urban search and rescue team in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the state civil defense agency, county civil defense agencies, county fire departments, county police departments, county and private engineers, and other employing agencies of these men and women desire to develop and form an officially recognized urban search and rescue task force composed of county fire departments, county police departments, emergency medical services providers, and other participants from both the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, the state civil defense agency, county civil defense agencies, county fire departments, county police departments, county and private engineers, and other employing agencies of these men and women also desire to seek approval and acceptance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the sacrifices these men and women and their employing organizations are making to improve and develop their skills and expertise; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Governor, through the state Director of Civil Defense, and the mayors of each county, who serve as deputy directors of civil defense under the Governor, are urged to continue their support for the development of an officially recognized urban search and rescue task force in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of Hawaii and to the mayors of each county.

Report Title:

Officially Recognized Urban Search and Rescue Team in Hawaii