| Summary: | This thesis seeks to determine how the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Response Enterprise’s urban search and rescue (US&R) elements can better accomplish the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission following a domestic nuclear attack. To this end, it poses the following research question: How can the DOD maximize the employment of existing CBRN Response Enterprise US&R capabilities to support civil authority–directed lifesaving efforts following a domestic nuclear detonation? Research interviews were conducted with federal and local civil US&R authorities that inquired about their expectations of enterprise US&R elements after a nuclear detonation. Additionally, an analysis was conducted of the enterprise’s ability to overcome the challenges presented by post-nuclear detonation environments when delivering this support. It was discovered that federal civil US&R authorities intend to use the CBRN Response Enterprise’s US&R elements as force multipliers, while local authorities have more ambiguous expectations since they receive far less exposure to the enterprise’s US&R capabilities. Furthermore, to improve the delivery of life-saving aid, the enterprise should enhance its capabilities to address the threat of fire and added challenges to the performance of US&R skills incurred by post-nuclear detonation environments. Approved for public release. distribution is unlimited Civilian, Indianapolis Fire Department / Urban Search and Rescue Training Instructor - U.S. Department of the Army
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