Table of Contents
Does Homeland Security have special forces?
Given the unique constitutionally mandated nature of the National Guard, state governors have the ability to activate their forces, including Army National Guard Special Forces, for homeland security operations.
Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) is the process by which United States military assets and personnel can be used to assist in missions normally carried out by civil authorities.
What is the National Guard disaster response Handbook?
This handbook will serve as a planning guide for staff officers in National Guard units that serve as reaction forces and active duty units that are designated as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive consequence management response forces, or that are simply ordered to assist under very short notice.
What did the federal government do during Hurricane Andrew?
Federal forces supported state and local authorities during Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in many other natural disasters in the past decade. Navy divers assisted local, state and federal authorities during the Minnesota bridge collapse of 2007.
How does the U.S.military help in disasters?
While the military cannot repair the emotional damage, it can mitigate the effects of tornados, earthquakes, floods, wildland fires, oil spills, and terrorist attacks. U.S. military response in the homeland provides overwhelmed first responders with the help they need after a major incident.
Defense support to civil authorities is complex and impacted by myriad statutes, regulations, and presidential orders. If it was easy, anyone could do it. This mission is yours. Once it is accomplished the military will exit the incident, leaving the on-scene experts to finish the job.