Category 1:

First responders such as fire, police, ambulance and SES personnel.

Category 1 personnel perform the bulk of the rescues in the early stages of the incident. These are generally the lightly trapped and walking wounded.

Category 2:

USAR rescue technicians trained in the use of advanced rescue and search equipment, tunneling, shoring, etc.

Category 2 operators make up the bulk of a deployable USAR Task Force.

Task Forces rescue a smaller amount of people but from technically difficult locations.

Category 3:

Task Force management, command and control.

Category 3 USAR operators fill the role of Task Force Leader and Deputy Task Force Leader during a deployment.

Note: Other incident management roles will be trained as Task Force Specialists.