US&R Peer Evaluator Selection and Training Workshop
The National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System (the System) is soliciting System Members who are interested in participating in the upcoming Administrative Readiness Evaluation (ARE) Peer Evaluator Workshop hosted by the FEMA US&R Branch at the Sterling US&R Warehouse, Sterling VA. The workshop will be held January 27-29, 2026, with group travel on January 26 and January 30, 2026.
The workshop will be presented by the Readiness Assessment Program (RAP) Ad Hoc Group, and will consist of a combination of lecture, case study, file review, fact-finding, interviews, writing samples, draft report creation and oral presentation. Participants will spend time discussing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) US&R Standard and its integration into the Systems ARE process. Teamwork, team building, and effective communication will be emphasized throughout the workshop.
A limited number of applications will be selected for each of the functional “factors” to include Operations (training files, records and training data), Logistics, Program Management, and Grant/Finance Management. It is anticipated that those successfully completing the workshop and a peer review during an actual ARE, will become Peer Evaluators for the AREs taking place in CY2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
To qualify for consideration, the applicant needs to be a Subject Matter Expert (SME), with significant documented experience in one of the following: (1) task force operations documentation to include personnel training files, periodic training documentation, exercise development and documentation, training calendar maintenance, After Action Reporting; (2) task force logistics management to include warehouse, supplies & equipment, rolling/floating stock, purchase processes, vehicle and equipment maintenance, etc.; (3) task force grant/finance management; (4) day to day management of the task force.
Applicants must have Sponsoring Agency support and commit to one “US&R ARE” each year, for calendar years 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. Applicants that successfully complete the workshop will be added to the ARE Peer Evaluator cadre.
Selection criteria preference will be given to those whose resume demonstrates:
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Subject Matter Expertise in the primary discipline to be evaluated
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Experience will be evaluated for currency
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Time in Grade as task force “Key Personnel” in the primary discipline to be evaluated e.g., Program Manager, Grant Manager, Training Coordinator, Logistics Manager
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Member of the System’s Advisory Organization for the primary discipline to be evaluated e.g, Training Subgroup, Logistics (Equip/Trans/Comm) Functional Group, Finance Subgroup
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Peer evaluator/shadow in past AREs
Application process:
Any member who applied during the previous application period must reapply.
https://responsesystem.formstack.com/forms/peer_evaluator_submission
To apply, 1) open the link above and complete the Peer Evaluator Application Submission Form; 2) complete and attach an Advisory Organization Position Application (note: application must detail the specific subject matter expertise and KSAs identified above); 3) complete and attach a Letter of Sponsoring Agency Support; 4) Click Submit to submit the application and attachments.
In addition, all applicants must complete the Peer Evaluator Workshop Questionnaire located at the following link:
https://responsesystem.formstack.com/forms/peer_evaluator_workshop_questionnaire
All applications must be received by October 10, 2025. The RAP Administrative Readiness Ad Hoc Group will provide the initial application review and will forward their recommendations to the three Task Force Representative – Divisional (TFR-D). The TFR-D’s will review the application packages and make a formal recommendation to the US&R Branch on the selection of the System members attending the ARE Peer Evaluator workshop. Applicants will be notified by October 31, 2025 if selected for training.
Questions regarding this GM should be directed to Ivan Lopez at lopezia@patf1.org; or Buddy Ey at elwood.ey-iii@fema.dhs.gov.
US&R 2025 Annual Advisory Organization Solicitation
This General Memorandum (GM) is issued to announce the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System (the System) 2025 solicitation process for System members and subject matter experts (SMEs) interested in filling Advisory Organization vacancies and positions created by current terms that are coming to an end or are otherwise vacant. The 2025 advisory member solicitation will be conducted from October 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025. The membership term of appointment for individuals selected during this solicitation process is January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028 (with staggering of terms applied to Unit positions as outlined in Annex A).
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All System members and SMEs filling Advisory Organization positions agree to a significant personal commitment on behalf of their Task Force, Sponsoring Agency, and Participating Agency. Meeting attendance is required, and periodic funding support from the US&R Readiness Cooperative Agreement (subject to availability of funds) may be provided for this purpose, identified explicitly for Advisory Organization stipends supported by the Strategic Group through the annual budget process.
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Advisory Organization Realignments
Per recommendations and approval from Senior Staff, the following changes will occur:
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IST Cache
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Dissolve the IST Cache Subgroup effective December 31, 2025.
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One member will be reassigned to the IST Subgroup to continue IST Cache support effective January 1, 2026.
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HEPP Cache
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Redesignate the HEPP Subgroup as a Unit.
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Realign the HEPP Unit under the Hazmat Subgroup within the Operations Functional Group effective January 1, 2026.
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Public Affairs
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Dissolve the Public Affairs Subgroup effective December 31, 2025.
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Two members will be reassigned to the Response Subgroup effective January 1, 2026.
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These positions will be held by the two current sitting Public Affairs Subgroup leadership members.
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Exercise
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Redesignate the Exercise Subgroup as a Unit.
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Realign under the Training Subgroup effective January 1, 2026.
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We thank all members for their service and contributions to these Subgroups. These transitions reflect an evolution of the Advisory Organization to ensure alignment with operational priorities and long-term sustainability.
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Solicitation Process
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Vacancies exist across all levels of the Advisory Organization and are identified on the attached list by yellow highlight. Incumbents serving less than three terms must reapply to be considered (no guarantee of the position). Incumbents reaching their three-term limit may not reapply per Administrative Manual Annex A – 2023 (current edition).
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Following Annex A, System members or SMEs interested in filling current or anticipated vacant Advisory Organization positions should review the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for that position at https://www.responsesystem.org/ksa.
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Applicants (including incumbents) must submit a complete Advisory Organization application package by 17:00 ET on October 31, 2025. Application requirements and submission details remain unchanged and are listed in Attachments A and B.
US&R Solicitation for Search and Rescue Intelligence Ad Hoc Group
GM/PD Language Placeholder