Existing SAR/Disaster Relief Organizations

US-HERO is part of the larger world of volunteer emergency responders. One of the largest issues we faced when starting our organization is that there was no standardized means to train, certify or operate. Typically each organization had to develop and implement their own standards and/or adopt many various standards from other organizations. For instance the National Association of Search and Rescue only certifies in "Land SAR and K9 Land SAR", PADI Certifies in Dive SAR/Recover, etc. There was no one organization or association which dealt with what most volunteer emergency services organizations dealt with, which includes Wilderness SAR, Urban SAR, Dive Rescue, Disaster Relief and Response.

Being on your own as an organization has it's benefits but as many downsides too. What US-HERO is designed to do is to allow many local, community-based organizations to train, operate and certify using common standards, which are approved and the required standards for professional emergency responders. These standards are the National Fire Protection Association's Standards 1006 and 1670. These standards meet or exceed the specialized standards by other private certifiers. Being on your own also has meant your unit has to plan and run its complete training program by itself. What being a part of US-HERO means is that many organizations can work together to accomplish much more than they can alone.

If you are part of an existing volunteer emergency services organization, your unit can be a part of the larger US-HERO organization in one of two ways.

• Become a US-HERO Unit: Under this scenario, your unit will receive a charter from US-HERO. All the benefits of full membership will flow down to your unit, including insurance coverage. Your unit can keep its existing business structure (Incorporation, LLC, etc.), although the by-laws might have to be revised to comply with the democratic culture of US-HERO. Alternatively, your existing structure can simply be absorbed into US-HERO; the call is yours after discussion with US-HERO's Board. See the Charter Unit link for more information.


• Become a US-HERO Associate Unit: Under this scenario, your unit will an Associate Unit of US-HERO. Your unit agrees to adopt the training, certification and operational protocols of US-HERO. Your unit keeps its existing structure, uniforms, etc. Insurance coverage is not provided for by US-HERO. See the Associate Units link for more information. Associate Unit members do not wear US-HERO uniforms.