The South Carolina Emergency Response Task Force (SCERTF) does not have a long-range strategic plan that will direct the organization's survival past the initial implementation phase. The purpose of this research identified critical elements aiding in development of a plan to provide sustained guidance. Action research was used to answer the following questions and develop the strategic plan: a. Which best practices exist to facilitate organizational vision? born What elements are critical in developing strategic plans? c. What emerging issues are concerns for the organizational future? d. What opportunities should be pursued to establish organizational success. A literature review included the search of private and public sector publications, textbooks, and web-based information. Literature discussing governmental and non-governmental planning was reviewed in addition to fire service information.Articles written by organizational management experts were also reviewed and lent to understanding of best practices and essential criteria for successful plans. Organizational master plans were also reviewed to discover how needs were addressed and how they presented their case for adoption. Finally, key emergency service leaders in South Carolina were surveyed for perspective on the future of the program. The results concluded that the SCERTF should work with the South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization Oversight Committee, the Department of Fire and Life Safety, and other key agencies to adopt a state US&R program led by a full-time program manager; requiring response assets to adhere to national typing definitions; to determine the presence of existing rescue assets and develop their capability to aid in a response plan; and to continue to participate in networking and standard development opportunities.