### Question
Can you define what surge capacity means?


### Answer
**Surge capacity** is defined as the following in *6 U.S.C. § 311*:

> the ability to rapidly and substantially increase the provision of search and rescue capabilities, food, water, medicine, shelter and housing, medical care, evacuation capacity, staffing (including disaster assistance employees), and other resources necessary to save lives and protect property during a catastrophic incident

#### Citation:
  - *6 U.S.C. § 311*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 1-HOMELAND SECURITY ORGANIZATION > SUBCHAPTER V-NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT**

