Committee approves edit: USAR manager to convene first meeting; working group elects chair

The committee reviewed and approved a drafting change affecting governance of the technical-rescue grant program's working group. Under the revised language, the manager of the urban search-and-rescue (USAR) team will call the first meeting so the group can organize; at that meeting the working group will elect a chair and vice chair and adopt procedures to govern its work.

Previously the draft had proposed that the USAR manager would serve as chair by virtue of office. Committee members said the change preserves an organizing role for the USAR manager while ensuring the group selects its own leadership and internal procedures.

Staff will incorporate the revision in the cleaned draft and circulate it for final review.