Urban Search and Rescue is a vital part of New Zealand's multi-agency response capability for dealing with urban emergencies.

USAR involves the location and rescue of people trapped following a structural collapse arising, e.g. from a single building collapse, or as a result of a major landslide or earthquake.

USAR combines the capabilities of New Zealand's emergency services and combines specialist technical task-forces with local community volunteer rescue teams. To view the USAR website click HERE.

In June 2004 Taupo District Council Rescue Emergency Response Team became registered as NZ-RT6. For more background information about the team click HERE ( 21 kb PDF ).

Together with operational deployments, the team has formed close working relationships with the Police and Fire Service in the local district and in neighbouring towns and cities. Members can be seen in this picture during the Manawatu floods in 2004.