Coordinating Military Response to Disasters

• Main Author: PETTY,SALLY F
• Other Authors: AIR WAR COLLEGE MONTGOMERY United States
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Civil Defense; united states northern command; united states southern command; first responders; natural disasters; homeland defense; humanitarian assistance; department of defense; training; national guard; department of homeland security; policies; law; dsca (Defense Support of Civil Authorities); ussnorthcom (united states northern command); ussouthcom (united states southern command); disaster response; dod (department of defense); Force Package Analysis; fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency); esf (emergency support functions); statutes; NORTHCOM
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD1037518; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD1037518

The attacks by terrorist on September 11, 2001, prompted the Department of Defense (DoD) to formulate a new set of capabilities support to civilian authorities during natural disasters and emergencies. In April 2002, the DoD created a new geographic combatant command Northern Command (U.S.NORTHCOM).1 The Unified Command Plan (UCP) established the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to provide command and control of the departments homeland defense efforts and to coordinate Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA).2 The need for the DoD to adapt to the changing environment requires a more prudent response. The action and response efforts of the past are to upgrade to meet the challenges of disasters and emergencies within the homeland. While key steps in planning, preparation, funding, and training in support of civil support occurred, identification of a dedicated force to respond to the U.S. territories remains a challenge. In reviewing the required capabilities for support of civil authorities, it is clear the majority of the assets are located in the Army National Guard. They are geographically and organizationally dispersed throughout the National Guard. The DoD needs to identify a tailored response force of Army National Guard Soldiers as the optimal solution for disaster response specifically to the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.