"As a result of a number of major emergencies including structural collapse both here and abroad over the last decade, the concept of urban search and rescue (USAR) has become increasingly recognized as an important element n integrated emergency response. These incidents include catastrophic earthquakes in California, the Philippines, and Soviet Armenia and structural collapses in Brownsville, Texas, and New York City. Following Hurricane Hugo the California Earthquake in 1989, both of which served to draw attention to the need for improved urban search and rescue capabilities and resources, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) undertook a major initiative to establish a National Urban Search and Rescue System. "The initial goal of the FEMA program has been to establish 25 qualified USAR task forces placed strategically throughout the nation. These task forces provide the ability to respond to major incidents within a few hours of activation and offer a full range of capabilities in incident management; search; rescue; specialty medical care for entrapped patients; and technical disciplines including structural engineering, heavy equipment operation, hazardous materials and communications. "In addition, au Advisory Committee on the National USAR System has been formed consisting of federal government experts, state and local officials, and the private sector to guide further development of the System and to serve as a forum for discussing issues and exchanging information related to urban search and rescue. "To complement the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Urban search and Rescue, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has also initiated research and development and information dissemination efforts on USAR. Study reports are being produced for USFA under its "Investigation of Urban search and Rescue Incidents" program that will broaden the base of information available about USAR tactics, management and technology, and contribute to reducing the number and severity of casualties by highlighting the lessons learned, both the successes and the failures, from such operations in the past. The investigation reports, such as this one, provide detailed information about the magnitude and the incidents themselves; how the response to the incidents was carried out and managed; and the impact of these incidents on emergency responders and the emergency response systems in the community. The United States Fire Administration greatly appreciates the cooperation and information it is receiving from the fire service, county and state officials, and other emergency responders as this research progresses". (FEMA, Urban Search and Rescue in the Santa Cruz Area Following the Loma Prieta Earthquake (FA-124), November 1992, p. ii).