Disaster Assistance

APPENDIX A
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS (ESFs)
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the Federal Response Plan (FRP), April 1992. The FRP calls for the FEMA HQ and regional offices to "notify federal departments and agencies regarding activation of some or all of the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) and other structures of the plan."

The FRP describes mechanisms and structures by which the federal government mobilizes resources and conducts activities to augment state and local response elements in a disaster or emergency situation. The ESF concept of interface between the Federal Coordinating Office (FCO), the Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO), the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can be summarized as follows: The DCO serves in the field as the point of contact to the FCO and the ESFs for requests for military assistance. The DCO and Defense Coordinating Element (DCE) coordinate support and provide liaison to the ESFs. Most DOD forces are not familiar with the FRP and FEMA.

The FCO and the DCO have a unique relationship - no other agency of the government can bring more resources to bear in less time than the services represented by the DCO. Twelve ESFs serve as the primary mechanism through which federal response assistance is provided to assist an affected state. For a detailed description of each ESF, refer to the FRP.

ESF No. 1 - Transportation:

Coordinates federal transportation support to state and local government, private volunteer organizations and federal agencies requiring transportation to perform their emergency services missions. Lead Agency - Department of Transportation.

ESF No. 2 - Communications:

Coordinates federal telecommunications support to federal, state, and local emergency response elements. Coordinates establishment of temporary communications in the affected area. Lead Agency - National Communications System.

ESF No. 3 - Public Works and Engineering:

Provides engineering support to assist the states in needs related to lifesaving or life protecting. Lead Agency - DOD, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

ESF No. 4 - Firefighting:

Manages and coordinates firefighting activities, including the detection and suppression of fires on federal lands, and provides firefighters, equipment, and supplies in support of state and local agencies involved in rural and urban firefighting. Lead Agency - Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

ESF No. 5 - Information and Planning:

Collects, processes and disseminates information about potential or actual disasters or emergencies to facilitate the overall activities of the federal government in providing response assistance. Lead Agency - Federal Emergency Management Agency.

ESF No. 6 - Mass Care:

Coordinates efforts to provide shelter, food, and emergency first aid. Operates a Disaster Welfare Information System to collect, receive, and report information about the status of victims and assist with family reunification within the disaster area; and to coordinate bulk distribution of emergency relief supplies to disaster victims following a disaster. Lead Agency - American Red Cross.

ESF No. 7 - Resource Support:

Provides logistical and resource support to federal organizations during the immediate response phase of a disaster. Includes emergency relief supplies, space, office equipment, office supplies, telecommunications, contracting services, transportation service (in cooperation with ESF No. 1) and personnel. Lead Agency - General Services Administration.

ESF No. 8 - Health and Medical Services:

Provides coordinated assistance to supplement state and local resources in response to public health and medical care needs following an emergency. Lead Agency - Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Public Health Service.

ESF No. 9 - Urban Search and Rescue:

Locates, extricates and provides for the immediate medical treatment of victims trapped in collapsed structures. Lead Agency - Department of Defense.

ESF No. 10 - Hazardous Materials:

Provides federal support to state and local governments in response to an actual or potential discharge and/or release of hazardous materials following a catastrophe. Lead Agency - Environmental Protection Agency.

ESF No. 11 - Food:

Identifies food assistance needs in the aftermath of a major disaster or emergency. Obtains appropriate food supplies; arranges for transportation of those food supplies to designated staging areas. May authorize food stamp assistance. Lead Agency - Department of Agriculture.

ESF No. 12 - Energy:

Coordinates the provision of emergency power and fuel to support immediate response operations as well as to provide power and fuel to normalize community functioning. Includes producing, refining, transporting, generating, transmitting, conserving, building, and maintaining energy systems and system components. Lead Agency - Department of Energy.

When the FRP is activated by FEMA, each ESF is granted tasking authority over its supporting agencies. Since DOD supports every other ESF, its role in disaster assistance is proportionally larger than any other agency's role.

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