A USAR Task Force is assembled if the incident is identified as a major disaster and the local resources are stretched beyond local capacity.

A USAR Task Force is formed centrally and deployed as a group to an incident. As a result the Task Force will be on site after Cat 1 teams have been at work for some time.

USAR Task Forces are made up of personnel trained in particular aspects including:

* Advanced training their field of expertise (such as Category 2 for rescuers, or Task Force Specialist training)
* Remote living in austere environments
* United Nations "Security in the field"

To be deployable, Task Force members also require additional requirements such as enhanced vaccinations and passports.

More information can be found in the "Disasters" tab at the top of this page.