2025 National Urban Search & Rescue Conference
The National Urban Search & Rescue Conference is the premier annual assembly of rescue professionals from around the world to enhance disaster search and rescue programs. The conference provides a range of pre-conference courses, as well as three days of main and breakout sessions covering all aspects of disaster search and rescue. Exhibitors from various communities offer attendees opportunities to learn about the latest technology, training, and equipment to ensure the safety and success of our responders. The event features a blend of classroom sessions, hands-on training, and networking opportunities that are invaluable to attendees. The relationships formed among attendees are crucial to the success of the event and the search and rescue community at large. The conference serves as a platform to share best practices and build a network of dedicated professionals from around the world who are working together to improve the Urban Search & Rescue community globally.
2026 Jim Riley Leadership Award Nominations
Nominations Close October 1st
The Jim Riley Leadership Award was created in honor of it’s first recipient, Jim Riley (NJ-TF1). Jim was instrumental in the development of the SUSAR Alliance. His vision was for an organization that would encourage the sharing of ideas and discussion about Urban Search and Rescue. He reached out to representatives from Task Forces across the country to come together to form what is now the SUSAR Alliance. He set in motion a series of events that has led to the development of our annual SUSAR conferences and the establishment of dialog with the federal US&R system.
Jim Riley has served as the President of the SUSAR Alliance Board of Directors and served on the Board as a member for many years. His leadership is a model for the US&R community. Each year, the SUSAR Alliance will take nominations for the Jim Riley Leadership Award. The award will be presented at our annual conference. Each recipient will be honored with a plaque and their name will be listed on the SUSAR website.
Jim Riley
New Jersey TF1
2016
Travel Details
Closest Airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO)
One Jeff Fuqua Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32827
Hotel Parking: $38 per day
Conference Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
Set on 28 acres of lush grounds adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando, this upscale hotel is 3 minutes' drive from Interstate 4.
Flat-screen TVs and WiFi (fee) are offered in each room, as well as sophisticated decor and custom-designed beds. Low allergy rooms are available. All suites add separate living rooms, plus some feature kitchenettes.
A relaxed restaurant and bar offers all-day dining. There are also lobby and poolside bars, plus a pizzeria, a fitness center and 2 outdoor pools. Other perks include a theme park shuttle, 82,659 sq ft of meeting space and a business center.
Once registered for the conference, attendees will receive the hotel booking link and rate access code to receive the special conference rate starting at $149 per night for single occupancy rooms and $172 per night for double occupancy rooms.
Please note: Conference registration does not include or guarantee your accommodation reservations. Hotel reservations must be made separately. The only way to secure a room through the proper channels is to first register for the conference. Once this has been completed you will receive a booking code to use to obtain the discounted rate through Preferred Convention Services (PCS) who is the only authorized lodging provider for the event.
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
Book by October 1st for Guaranteed Pricing
To register for the hotel, clink the link below:
PCS | Preferred Convention Services
*** PCS / Preferred Convention Services, through the above link, is the only official source for access to the National US&R Conference Room Block. We are aware of various fraudulent email schemes advertising last minute access to the hotel block. Any hotel communications from anyone other that PCS or from a SUSAR email is likely spam. ***
2026 Pre-Conference Position Specific Courses
November 11-15:
O-305 - All-Hazards Incident Management Team - $1,000
November 12-15:
US&R Planning Team / TIS Course - $1,600
US&R Logistics Course* - $1,600
US&R Tech Search** - $1,600
US&R Heavy Equipment and Rigging*** - $3,200
November 13-15:
US&R Hazmat - $1,600
US&R Task Force Leader - $1,600
US&R Safety Officer - $1,600
From Zero to Communications Leader - $500
November 13-14:
SARCOP Fundamentals (SAR Common Operating Picture) - No Cost
November 14-15:
Swiftwater / Flood Rescue Logistics - $500
November 15:
sUAS in US&R - TBC
Post Conference:
November 19-21:
US&R Canine Search** - $1,600
November 22:
US&R Canine Type I Evaluation** - No Cost
Courses designated with an asterisk are off-site from the conference hotel. Transportation to these classes is not included and is the responsibility of the attendee.
Offsite Training Locations:
*Florida Task Force 4 Warehouse - Orlando, Florida
**F1RST Campus - Land O Lakes, Florida
***Lake Tech Institute of Public Safety - Tavares, Florida
All pre-conference courses are complete no later than 1700 hrs on November 15th.
The National Urban Search & Rescue Conference is brought to you by the SUSAR Alliance and the generous support of our sponsors!
