---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 5165f"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "5165f"
heading: "National Urban Search and Rescue Response System"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/5165f"
units:
  - "Chapter 68 — Disaster Relief"
  - "Subchapter III — Major Disaster and Emergency Assistance Administration"
---

# §5165f. National Urban Search and Rescue Response System

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section, the following definitions shall apply:
  - (1) **Administrator—** The term “[Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7)” means the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) of the Federal [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Management [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Agency—** The term “[Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)” means the Federal [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Management [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (3) **Hazard—** The term “[hazard](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1)” has the meaning given the term in [section 5195a of this title](/usc/42/5195a.md).
  - (4) **Nonemployee System member—** The term “nonemployee System member” means a System member not employed by a sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or participating [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (5) **Participating agency—** The term “participating [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)” means a [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8), [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization, or private organization that has executed an agreement with a sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to participate in the System.
  - (6) **Sponsoring agency—** The term “sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)” means a [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8) that is the sponsor of a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) designated by the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) to participate in the System.
  - (7) **System—** The term “System” means the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System to be administered under this section.
  - (8) **System member—** The term “System member” means an individual who is not a full-time employee of the Federal Government and who serves on a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) or on a System management or other technical team.
  - (9) **Task force—** The term “[task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3)” means an urban search and rescue team designated by the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) to participate in the System.
- (b) **General authority—** Subject to the requirements of this section, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall continue to administer the [emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) response system known as the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.
- (c) **Functions—** In administering the System, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist [States](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-9) and [local governments](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8) in responding to [hazards](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1).
- (d) **Task forces—**
  - (1) **Designation—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall designate [task forces](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) to participate in the System. The Administration shall determine the criteria for such participation.
  - (2) **Sponsoring agencies—** Each [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) shall have a sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall enter into an agreement with the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) with respect to the participation of each [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) in the System.
  - (3) **Composition—**
    - (A) **Participating agencies—** A [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) may include, at the discretion of the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), one or more participating [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). The sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall enter into an agreement with each participating [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) with respect to the participation of the participating [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) on the [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3).
    - (B) **Other individuals—** A [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) may also include, at the discretion of the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), other individuals not otherwise associated with the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or a participating [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). The sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) may enter into a separate agreement with each such individual with respect to the participation of the individual on the [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3).
- (e) **Management and technical teams—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall maintain such management teams and other technical teams as the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) determines are necessary to administer the System.
- (f) **Appointment of System members into Federal service—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) may appoint a System member into Federal service for a period of service to provide for the participation of the System member in exercises, preincident staging, [major disaster](/usc/42/5122.md?p=2) and [emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) response activities, and training events sponsored or sanctioned by the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7).
  - (2) **Nonapplicability of certain civil service laws—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) may make appointments under [paragraph (1)](#f-1) without regard to the provisions of [title 5](/usc/5.md) governing appointments in the competitive service.
  - (3) **Relationship to other authorities—** The authority of the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) to make appointments under this subsection shall not affect any other authority of the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) under this chapter.
  - (4) **Limitation—** A System member who is appointed into Federal service under [paragraph (1)](#f-1) shall not be considered an employee of the [United States](/usc/42/5122.md?p=3) for purposes other than those specifically set forth in this section.
- (g) **Compensation—**
  - (1) **Pay of System members—** Subject to such terms and conditions as the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) may impose by regulation, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall make payments to the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3)—
    - (A) to reimburse each employer of a System member on the [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) for compensation paid by the employer to the System member for any period during which the System member is appointed into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1); and
    - (B) to make payments directly to a nonemployee System member on the [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) for any period during which the nonemployee System member is appointed into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1).
  - (2) **Reimbursement for employees filling positions of System members—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to such terms and conditions as the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) may impose by regulation, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall make payments to the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) to be used to reimburse each employer of a System member on the [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) for compensation paid by the employer to an employee filling a position normally filled by the System member for any period during which the System member is appointed into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1).
    - (B) **Limitation—** Costs incurred by an employer shall be eligible for reimbursement under [subparagraph (A)](#g-2-A) only to the extent that the costs are in excess of the costs that would have been incurred by the employer had the System member not been appointed into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1).
  - (3) **Method of payment—** A System member shall not be entitled to pay directly from the [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for a period during which the System member is appointed into Federal Service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1).
- (h) **Personal injury, illness, disability, or death—**
  - (1) **In general—** A System member who is appointed into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1) and who suffers personal injury, illness, disability, or death as a result of a personal injury sustained while acting in the scope of such appointment, shall, for the purposes of subchapter I of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of title 5, be treated as though the member were an employee (as defined by [section 8101](/usc/42/8101.md) of that title) who had sustained the injury in the performance of duty.
  - (2) **Election of benefits—**
    - (A) **In general—** A System member (or, in the case of the death of the System member, the System member’s dependent) who is entitled under [paragraph (1)](#h-1) to receive benefits under subchapter I of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of title 5 by reason of personal injury, illness, disability, or death, and to receive benefits from a [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8) by reason of the same personal injury, illness, disability or death shall elect to—
      - (i) receive benefits under such subchapter; or
      - (ii) receive benefits from the [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8).
    - (B) **Deadline—** A System member or dependent shall make an election of benefits under [subparagraph (A)](#h-2-A) not later than 1 year after the date of the personal injury, illness, disability, or death that is the reason for the benefits, or until such later date as the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Labor may allow for reasonable cause shown.
    - (C) **Effect of election—** An election of benefits made under this paragraph is irrevocable unless otherwise provided by law.
  - (3) **Reimbursement for State or local benefits—** Subject to such terms and conditions as the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) may impose by regulation, if a System member or dependent elects to receive benefits from a [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8) under [paragraph (2)(A)](#h-2-A), the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall reimburse the [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8) for the value of the benefits.
  - (4) **Public safety officer claims—** Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to bar any claim by, or with respect to, any System member who is a public safety officer, as defined in [section 1204](/usc/42/1204.md) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 [[34 U.S.C. 10284](/usc/34/10284.md)], for any benefits authorized under part L of title I of that Act ([42 U.S.C. 3796](/usc/42/3796.md) et seq.).[^1]
- (i) **Liability—** A System member appointed into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1), while acting within the scope of the appointment, shall be considered to be an employee of the Federal Government under [section 1346(b) of title 28](/usc/28/1346.md?p=b) and chapter 171 of that title, relating to tort claims procedure.
- (j) **Employment and reemployment rights—** With respect to a System member who is not a regular full-time employee of a sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or participating [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), the following terms and conditions apply:
  - (1) **Service—** Service as a System member shall be considered to be “service in the uniformed services” for purposes of [chapter 43](/usc/38/chptIII/ch43.md) of title 38 relating to employment and reemployment rights of individuals who have performed service in the uniformed services (regardless of whether the individual receives compensation for such participation). All rights and obligations of such persons and procedures for assistance, enforcement, and investigation shall be as provided for in such chapter.
  - (2) **Preclusion—** Preclusion of giving notice of service by necessity of appointment under this section shall be considered to be preclusion by “military necessity” for purposes of [section 4312(b) of title 38](/usc/38/4312.md?p=b) pertaining to giving notice of absence from a position of employment. A determination of such necessity shall be made by the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) and shall not be subject to judicial review.
- (k) **Licenses and permits—** If a System member holds a valid license, certificate, or other permit issued by any [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) or other governmental jurisdiction evidencing the member’s qualifications in any professional, mechanical, or other skill or type of assistance required by the System, the System member is deemed to be performing a Federal activity when rendering aid involving such skill or assistance during a period of appointment into Federal service under [subsection (f)(1)](#f-1).
- (l) **Preparedness cooperative agreements—** Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall enter into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). Amounts made available to a sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) under such a preparedness cooperative agreement shall be for the following purposes:
  - (1) Training and exercises, including training and exercises with other Federal, [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4), and [local government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=8) response entities.
  - (2) Acquisition and maintenance of equipment, including interoperable communications and personal protective equipment.
  - (3) Medical monitoring required for responder safety and health in anticipation of and following a [major disaster](/usc/42/5122.md?p=2), [emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1), or other [hazard](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1), as determined by the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7).
- (m) **Response cooperative agreements—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall enter into a response cooperative agreement with each sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), as appropriate, under which the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) agrees to reimburse the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for costs incurred by the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) in responding to a [major disaster](/usc/42/5122.md?p=2) or [emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1).
- (n) **Obligations—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) may incur all necessary obligations consistent with this section in order to ensure the effectiveness of the System.
- (o) **Equipment maintenance and replacement—** Not later than 180 days after December 16, 2016, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in [section 101 of title 6](/usc/6/101.md)) a report on the development of a plan, including implementation steps and timeframes, to finance, maintain, and replace System equipment.
- (p) **Federal employees—** Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) may not include Federal employees. In the case of a Federal employee detailed to a [task force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3), the sponsoring [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall enter into an agreement with the relevant employing [Federal agency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=9).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 327, as added Pub. L. 114–326, § 2(a), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1968; amended Pub. L. 116–48, § 1, Aug. 22, 2019, 133 Stat. 1071.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (h)(4), is Pub. L. 90–351, June 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 197. Part L of title I of the Act was classified generally to part A (§ 3796 et seq.) of subchapter XII of chapter 46 of this title, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as subchapter XI (§ 10281 et seq.) of chapter 101 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1968 Act note set out under section 10101 of Title 34 and Tables.

### Amendments

2019—Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 116–48 added subsec. (p).