Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP)® Why do Search and Rescue Teams use SARCOP? The Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP) is a multiagency platform designed to share information and intelligence throughout all levels of incident response – from the first responder in the field to a decision-maker in the Emergency Operations Center. SARCOP not only helps save lives but sustains lives. Task Force members discussing building collapse operations using SARCOP on a tablet in the field. SARCOP on a Tablet SARCOP® Is... SARCOP is a secure, interagency platform designed to assist agencies plan and conduct effective search and rescue (SAR) operations. SARCOP aggregates access to easy-to-use mobile applications (work online and offline), web-based applications, and advanced geospatial analytics into a single website. It is used for mapping out where search and rescue operations have occurred and provides detailed search coverage analysis, so no survivors are left behind. The National Search and Rescue Geospatial Coordination (SARGeo) Group maintains two separate SARCOP systems supported by the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Foundation. The Blue Deployment SARCOP is used on real-world incidents and this system requires a username and password to access. The Red Sandbox is used for training and exercises. The Sandbox is a test site and is publicly available without the need for a username or password. Both systems, as well as training materials, can be found at www.responsesystem.org/sarcop. SARCOP® Is NOT... It is not a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) tool. US&R teams are often the first ones into an affected area and their damage observations and photos can be mapped in SARCOP. This information can be shared with the Joint PDA Teams to assist in the initial damage assessment process, but it does not replace systems designed specifically for this purpose. It is not a system for storing Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Personnel utilizing SARCOP are trained to not collect PII from disaster survivors or citizens at large with this system. Who can use SARCOP®? The primary users of SARCOP are first responders and Search and Rescue professionals conducting lifesaving missions that are part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System. Currently, all twenty-eight FEMA US&R Task Forces, as well as a strong network of state and local US&R teams are trained to use SARCOP during SAR operations. Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 stakeholders that support decision-making in direct support of SAR Operations may use SARCOP to get a strategic-level view of operations. Finally, there are many other potential stakeholders who can benefit from filtered and curated views of SARCOP data. For example, those involved in life-sustaining operations such as disaster survivor assistance, preliminary damage assessment, and community lifeline restoration. SARCOP® Cost SARCOP is a free service to ESF-9 assets supporting disaster response and that meet the criteria for access. While there is no cost for access to SARCOP, the apps, or the team behind the system, users may encounter the cost of owning ArcGIS Online licenses. How can my team gain access to SARCOP®? To gain access to SARCOP, reach out to your appropriate regional contact. Once your level of access is determined, you will receive instructions and links to training and orientation materials as appropriate. Who is not allowed on SARCOP®? While we want to promote a community of shared information and coordination, there are some organizations we deny access to SARCOP.  If an event is occurring and the AHJ of the incident specifically requests one of these types of teams have access, these teams were given temporary logins and must be overseen by US&R and the Incident Support Team, who were ultimately responsible for the data entered. These types of teams can include: We do not onboard some types of teams because SARCOP does not align with the mission of many of these organization types (i.e. SARCOP is not designed to be a system for single missing person searches) and because of concerns about members of these teams accessing sensitive information important to a disaster response without the proper level of training. Other specific access requests for these types of teams, such as view only access, still require the AHJ's approval for the volunteer team's involvement.

The Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP) connects all levels of disaster response to increase speed, efficiency, and save lives.