Now recruiting first responders and disaster rescue technicians for our first disaster response team.Apply to volunteer
D.A.R.T.Direct Action Response Team, home

Disaster response network

Getting people out of the danger zone.

D.A.R.T. is building the largest network of first responders and disaster rescue technicians who deploy to disasters to augment local first responders.

Why D.A.R.T.

Disasters move faster than relief.

In the first hours of a disaster, local first responders are stretched thin and large-scale relief is still mobilizing. D.A.R.T. is built to close that gap, bringing trained first responders and disaster rescue technicians to work alongside the agencies on scene.

Rapid deployment

Working toward being on scene within 5 hours of a request.

Coordination

We work alongside the agencies on scene and coordinate through the Incident Command System.

Trained to NIMS standards

Every team and position follows the National Incident Management System.

Accountable

Every member, hour and deployment is tracked, and every deployment ends with an after-action review.

What we do

What we do when disaster hits

Evacuation

Moving residents safely out of harm's way.

Disaster search

Wide-area search of damaged neighborhoods, block by block, to find people who need help and get them to safety.

Disaster rescue

Reaching people trapped or stranded by floodwater, fire, collapse and storm damage.

Welfare checks

Checking on specific residents that families or agencies are worried about, and getting them the help they need.

How our teams are organized and trained

Our standard

On scene within 5 hours

That is the standard we are building toward. Every member keeps their gear, certifications and contact details current, and every callout is built around getting the team on scene within 5 hours.

How you can help

Three ways to stand with D.A.R.T.

Black D.A.R.T. response pickup with a utility bed, roof rack and light bar.

The D.A.R.T. response vehicle, our first build-out

Support the network

Personal gear for every member, a shared team cache and a response vehicle built for the work. Sponsor the team or donate gear, services or training, and be first to know when giving opens.

Support D.A.R.T.
D.A.R.T. field uniforms for a team leader, rescue technicians, a medic and an operations director.

The D.A.R.T. field uniform

Volunteer

First responders, disaster rescue technicians, veterans and civilians ready to train and deploy when disaster hits.

Apply to volunteer
Floodwater rushing past trees.

Partner with us

Emergency managers, fire, law enforcement and EMS: plan drills and agreements so we are ready to work together.

For agencies

For agencies

Coordination is how we work

D.A.R.T. works alongside the agencies already on scene and coordinates through the Incident Command System from the moment we arrive.

How to work with us

  • Every team is organized to NIMS standards, so agencies know exactly what each member brings.
  • We arrive self-sufficient, with five days of food, water and supplies.
  • We close every deployment with an after-action review alongside your team.

Stay connected

Be the first to know when giving opens

Team news, training days and ways to help. A few emails a year.