The USAR Task Force is comprised of 46 specialists, and is divided into five major functional elements:

    Search (Operations)
    Rescue (Operations)
    Technical
    Logistics
    Medical

Team members include structural engineers, heavy rigging specialists, search specialists (including highly trained search dogs), logistics specialists, communications technicians, rescue specialists, medical specialists and two physicians.

By design, there are two personnel assigned to each position for the rotation and relief of personnel. This allows for round-the-clock operations. A comprehensive equipment cache supports the team

The team was originally modelled after the US FEMA 62member model. However, it became impossible to manage without considerably more federal support, which has not been available. The team was modified in 2000 to better reflect what the City of Vancouver could more effectively manage financially.