Response System

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: 

 

• Subject Matter Expertise in the primary discipline to be evaluated

  • Experience will be evaluated for currency

• 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

• 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  

• 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.