The State Urban Search and Rescue Alliance (SUSAR) was formed in 2005 with the first conference in Columbia, South Carolina.  The dream of the first organizers was to develop a mechanism to share ideas and to learn from each other.  That goal is still alive today.  SUSAR exists to provide a support system to the Urban Search and Rescue community. The SUSAR Alliance currently represents organizations and individuals that are part of the US&R community regardless if they serve as a resource for their local, regional, tribal, state, or nation.  The focus of the SUSAR Alliance is about the capability to provide all hazards, search and rescue resources for the purpose of saving lives in communities that are impacted by natural and man-made events. 

The SUSAR Alliance aims to enhance the search and rescue capabilities of resources across the country and the world, regardless of agency affiliation. The organization strives to promote knowledge, sharing, and learning from each other to continuously improve response capabilities. It also explores ways to collaborate and respond more efficiently across the community at large. The Alliance is committed to supporting preparedness and operational response standards that push the boundaries of capability with efficiency in mind. It also aims to educate and support the development of new resources and capabilities within communities for disaster search and rescue operations. The organization seeks to establish partnerships with all stakeholders, including military partners, manufacturers, and vendors who develop products to enhance the performance capability of US&R resources. The Alliance also aims to create a mechanism for communication with each other to continually improve the service provided by all.