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 or adequate space.

"This is the entirety of the state's urban search and rescue equipment," DiBiasek said, noting the storage building "is not fire protected, has no sprinkler protection, is not staffed" and that several large trailers and boats must be forced into position by forklift. He said the storage constraints force some assets to remain outside and increase operational risk.

He described the USAR team's recent operational tempo: 22 incidents in the prior year (21 in Vermont and one out of state), 267 rescues during recent flood events, deployments for structural stabilization, swift-water rescues, shelter support, UAV mapping, canine searches and out-of-state mutual aid during major disasters. He told members the team often covers equipment, training and canine replacement through competitive grants and local fundraising and asked that the state provide a stable funding baseline rather than rely on grants.

DiBiasek and supporters asked the committee to consider a sustained appropriation in the roughly $900,000 to $950,000 range for operations, training, facility lease/relocation and equipment replacement. Committee members noted the appropriations committee had recommended $900,000 in a budget memo; DiBiasek thanked the committee for that level of support but requested incorporation into the statutory bill to ensure continuity.

Operational concerns and training

Committee members asked about operator training for specialized equipment (for example, "vactor" units used to clear drains and muck out buildings). DiBiasek said local departments that have equipment could provide hands-on familiarization days to train state or municipal drivers; he also noted that some specialized operations require commercial licenses (Class B) and that safe operations require qualified personnel.

Facility and equipment details

DiBiasek described the Colchester facility as cramped and lacking rest or sleeping areas for personnel rotating through multi-day missions. He said boats, trailers and other state assets are sometimes stored outside and that dogs (search canines) cost $12,000'$15,000 each to procure and have limited working lives that require replacement and retraining. He also emphasized that USAR teams serve as the state's first line of defense when local capacity is overwhelmed and that mutual-aid deployments to neighboring states mean Vermont both sends and receives teams in large incidents.

No formal vote or motion on funding was recorded during the testimony; committee members signaled they would work with appropriations and other committees on the request.