PA-Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (Extra reading in PA folder and Slides) [Ask Capt Balcom]

Question 1

1. Identify the elements of Defense Support of Civilian Authorities.

Answer 1

a. Definition
i. Support provided in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities = US Federal, NG, DoD Civilians/contract personnel, DoD component assets
b. Background
i. Since 1951, DoD supported civil authorities in response to major disasters & emergencies
c. Actions
i. Incident response, both natural & man made; US military is used to assist in missions normally carried out by civilians (special events, domestic emergencies, natural disaster relief, terrorist attacks, designated law enforcement)
d. Guidelines & policy
i. Policies & responsibilities established by DoD directive
1. Natural response framework

Question 2

2. Describe the aspects of the incident response chain.

Answer 2

a. Local Response
i. First Responders & local organizations respond to incident
ii. If incident cannot be contained with local resources state resources are requested
b. State Response
i. Governor is key player
ii. Governor declares state of emergency
iii. Directs activation of state’s National Guard
iv. Equipment & Personnel
v. State-to-State Assistance
1. If state support isn’t sufficient, lateral support from other states is requested
2. Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
c. Federal Response
i. Most incidents are not of sufficient magnitude to warrant a Presidential declaration
ii. If state and local resources are insufficient, a governor may ask the President to make such a declaration
iii. Before request, governor must activate the state’s emergency plan and ensure that all appropriate state and local actions have been taken or initiated.
iv. The Stafford Act (Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act)
1. Authorizes the President to provide financial and other assistance to state and local governments
v. Federal Government maintains a wide array of capabilities and resources that can be made available upon request of the Governor
vi. Secretary of Homeland Security
vii. Principal federal official for domestic incident management
viii. Advises President
ix. Designates a Lead Federal Agency
- FEDERAL MILITARY DOESN’T TAKE A LEAD ROLE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BEING ITS PRIMARY MISSION BEING WAR FIGHTING.