Urban search-and-rescue leaders urge steady funding, better storage and staffing after recent flood deployments

David DiBiasek (introduced in the transcript) told the Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee that Vermont's urban search-and-rescue (USAR) capacity is an essential, but underfunded, state resource and urged the legislature to provide recurring funding for operations, training and safe storage of equipment.

DiBiasek described USAR as a largely volunteer-based statewide capability comprised of part‑time members (engineers, EMTs, firefighters, canine teams and other specialists) that deploys at the request of Vermont Emergency Management to assist overwhelmed local responders. He said the team's statutory recognition has not been matched with ongoing state funding and that much of the equipment (which he estimated at roughly $6 million in value) is stored in a former VTrans facility in Colchester that lacks fire protection, climate control…