Core competencies for disaster search and rescue: an analysis of expert perspectives in the United States

This study identifies and categorizes the core competencies required for effective disaster search and rescue (SAR) operations in the United States using an integrated mixed-methods approach. Nineteen experts from diverse disaster backgrounds, including disaster management and science, fire and rescue services, emergency medical services, and non-governmental disaster relief organizations, participated in semi-structured interviews. A quantitative frequency analysis was conducted to identify the most frequently cited skills, followed by a qualitative thematic analysis to synthesize these competencies into broader conceptual domains. The findings reveal five overarching themes: (1) technical and operational skills, (2) health and medical response skills, (3) safety and risk management, (4) communication and coordination, and (5) psychological and physical resilience. The results highlight the dual importance of soft skills such as empathic communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and resilience in high-stress environments, alongside technical expertise such as debris search techniques and hazard identification. Less frequently cited but operationally vital competencies, such as scenario-based exercise planning and logistics management, point to potential training gaps. The study presents an empirically grounded competency framework to guide curriculum design, program evaluation, and policy development for SAR training. Integrating these competencies into standardized, competency-based and/or skill-based training can strengthen response team readiness, increase operational efficiency, and improve survivor outcomes in disaster situations.