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 Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
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2020 FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List
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PART I - OVERVIEW
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Cache List Overview Index
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SectionTopic
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1Cache List Overview
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2FEMA Cache Item Numbers
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3Capability and Operational Scope
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4Modular Response
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5Standardization and Interoperability
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6Procurement
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7Packaging and Containers
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8Maintenance, Storage and Inventory
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9Cache Item Replacement
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10Notes
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Section 1 – Cache List Overview
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The effective operation of a National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System (the System) Task Force is predicated upon properly trained personnel coupled with appropriate tools, equipment and support components. The compliment of standard equipment and supplies for a single System Type 1 US&R Task Force is specified in the FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List. The list is periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changes in US&R mission parameters, operational concepts, and technology advances that enhance operational effectiveness. The FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List is a collaborative effort coordinated by the US&R Logistics Functional Group in conjunction with the US&R Branch, Subgroups, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
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Task Forces are authorized to purchase and maintain two independent equipment caches as identified in US&R Program Directive 2016-013.
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The equipment cache list is the “tool box” from which an entire task force operates to meet mission objectives.
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The FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List is comprised of multiple tabs:

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• The Overview Tab provides guidance on the use of the Cache List including Operational Scope, Procurement, Storage and Maintenance, and Cache Replacement
• The Type 1 Cache Tab identifies the items that task forces are authorized to purchase and the recommended cache components for a Type 1 deployment
• The Type 4 Cache Tab and Type 4 with WR Tab identifies the items that task forces are authorized to pull from the Type 1 cache for a Type 4 or Type 4 with Water Rescue deployment
• The Type 4 Size & Convoy Plan Tab provides task forces with guidance with approximate Type 4 cache cube size and convoy configuration
• A dated Changes tab (20__ Changes) identifies the approved changes to the current version of the cache list
• The Task Force Support Tab (TF SPT) identifies items for purchase to support the task force’s day to day operations
• The individual discipline tabs (C,H,L,M,P,R,T,W) are for ease of reference and not intended for additional purchases
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The FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List is developed utilizing SMEs from all US&R functional disciplines to identify equipment and supplies to provide minimum quality standards. The FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List is compiled and maintained by the System's Logistics Functional Group under the guidance of the Advisory Organization and US&R Branch.
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The FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List is reviewed on a continual basis. Equipment and supplies are routinely evaluated for inclusion or removal. Items that are not able to hold up under austere disaster environment conditions are recommended to be replaced or discontinued. New technologies are researched and may replace an obsolete technology or be included as a new technology that supports the US&R mission. As of the time that the FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List was distributed, items have been reviewed for their quality and reliability to sustain task force operations. The items contained in this cache list represent the type, kind, and quantity each System Task Force shall be authorized to acquire and maintain. Any exceptions shall be approved by the US&R Branch.
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Section 2 – FEMA Cache Item Numbers
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Items on the FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List are assigned a FEMA Cache Item Number. The purpose of the FEMA ID number is for item purchasing, tracking, and functional categorization. The FEMA ID number is utilized in the following circumstances:
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• New ID Number – Assigned after new item approval
• Maintain Existing ID Number - Replacement Items (Direct and/or equivalent), Mfr / Model changes, etc.
• ID Deleted – Used when an item is Retired/Removed from Cache List (not to be use again)
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Special Circumstances:
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• Grayed Out items refer to notes in the Overview Documentation
• Same Items may appear multiple times with different FEMA ID numbers due to being in Kits or multiple Sections
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Items that are retired/removed from the FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List are no longer approved for future purchases or maintenance using Cooperative Agreement funding. Items that have been retired/removed should be considered for appropriate disposal or reutilization. The FEMA Cache Item Number may not be in sequential order due to this process. System Task Forces should include the FEMA Cache Item Number in their inventory database as a corresponding reference between the Approved Equipment Cache List and their inventory database.
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Section 3 – Capability and Operational Scope
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The Equipment Cache List is designed to support a Type 1 US&R Task Force with up to 84 personnel (including support positions when required). Each System Task Force is required to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours when in theater and engaged in operations (except for fuels such as gasoline or diesel) and capable of 24-hour (around the clock) operations for an estimated mission length of up to 14 days. Quantities of supplies on the FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List are not intended to support a Task Force for the entire 14 days. System Task Forces are to prepare their cache with support supplies to cover the first 72 hours, unless otherwise directed due to nature of the incident response, and be prepared to coordinate re-supply as needed through the designated US&R Incident Support Team (IST), the on-scene or local incident command system, or from their home base when directed or when other routes for re-supply have not been established or otherwise not available.

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The FEMA Approved Equipment Cache List is intended to cover a wide variety of all-hazard incidents. The System has recommended cache configurations to meet anticipated mission requirements, but Task Forces have the flexibility to select required elements from within the overall cache list to meet mission objectives. Although the items on the list are categorized under functional sections, all items are intended to be shared between all functional sections of a Task Force.
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The Task Force Equipment Cache List is organized into eight sections; Communications, Hazmat, Logistics, Medical, Planning, Rescue, Technical, and Water.
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Communications Section
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The Communications Equipment Section within the cache list is based upon supporting the overall communications requirements of the entire Task Force. Each Task Force member should be issued a portable radio to assure personal accountability and situational awareness. Appropriate Task Force personnel may be issued and responsible for additional communications equipment issued by the Communications Technician.
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The Task Force Communications cache is capable of supporting the following:
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• Voice and Data communications for all members of a Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4, modular team, and attached personnel (force protection, liaisons, etc.).
• Buses and rental vehicles should have mobile radios temporarily installed to support convoy and operational communications
• Voice and Data communications between Task Force, IST, and other agencies
• Ongoing sustainment and maintenance of the communications cache
• Wide-area communications to meet the operational requirements of the Task Force
• Voice and data between the Base of Operations (BoO) and two forward operational areas
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Section 3 – Cont'd
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Voice Communication Performance:
Task Force voice communications are necessary for personnel safety and situational awareness
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• Operate on the following frequency bands:
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o UHF range 1 (Primary Federal System)
o UHF range 2 (Public Safety)
o VHF (Federal, Marine, Coast Guard, and Public Safety)
o VHF AM (Aircraft, Air to Ground, A/G)
o 700-800 Mhz (Federal and public safety)
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• Associated effective ranges
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o Portable – 1.5 miles
o Mobile – 3 miles
o Repeater – 3-5 miles (directly related to how high the antenna is located)
o Iridium – World-Wide (Satellite Phone)
o MSAT – CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, south to half of Columbia (Note: MSAT units shall include an LMR radio link device to allow the use of the MSAT as a repeater system)
o VoiP – two phone lines
o Cellular – CONUS and all territories
o Cellular Hotspot (MiFi) – CONUS, 50Mbs, 4-8 users
o Cellular Data Modem (Tactical Internet Kit) – 50Mbs, 1-50 users
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Note: All MSAT units shall have the following talkgroups installed as a minimum: USAR1, USAR2, USAR3, USAR4, USMART. This assures that all units can communicate between all teams and IST’s. Each Task Force will have their own talkgroup also when they have multiple units. Task Forces are encouraged to include all of the SMART talkgroups in their units. SMART talkgroups are free for Task Forces.
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Data Communications Performance:
Data performance is rated by bandwidth of bits per second. Depending on the unit, this is measure by megabits (Mbs or “Megs”) and kilabits (Kbs).
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With the ever-increasing need for data transfer of vital information, the goal is to provide the fastest thru-put rate possible for Task Forces. The identified users are: forward operating teams, Base of Operations (BOO), and the IST.