Military

TOPIC: Appointment of the Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO).

DISCUSSION: In the Fifth Army area, each Army installation is directed to designate a DCO. The staffing for the Defense Coordinating Element (DCE) to support the DCO also comes from the installation. In the event that this same installation is designated as the base support installation (BSI), the DCO already has a working knowledge of available assets and an established working relationship. A workshop is held annually for these DCOs and formal training at the National Emergency Training Center is encouraged. Regular attendance at FEMA Regional Interagency Steering Committee meetings and state-level emergency response meetings and participation in disaster response exercises is desired. This system has worked well for Fifth Army in a number of successful operations and exercises and should be considered for use in other Army areas.

Readiness Group commanders are another alternative for the appointment of a DCO. By definition, readiness group commanders work with the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard. They know and work the local area and, at least in the 2d Army's case, work with FEMA on a regular basis. Therefore, the Readiness Group Commander's staff can become the nucleus of the DCE when called upon to support a disaster assistance operation. When doctrine for disaster assistance operations is developed and finalized, ensure that this concept is included.

In Hawaii, political sensitivities kept the active duty units somewhat isolated from the civilian government. Often, local taskings flowed from the county government through a local state representative through local FEMA for approval then down to local National Guard headquarters and finally to Task Force Garden Isle. Again, due to local political sensitivities, Task Force Garden Isle only had an LO at the local National Guard headquarters and no permanent presence at Kauai FEMA or county locations.

LESSON(S):

TOPIC: Allocation of Critical Assets.

DISCUSSION: As the DOD is reduced, military capabilities (National Guard) to deal with civil emergencies are reduced. Allocating and sharing assets between states and services is an effective method of applying equipment and personnel to emergency situations.

Economy of force and rapid application of resources are the keys to successful mission accomplishment. Force and equipment apportionment and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) will allow the rapid transfer of assets when needed. MOUs between Active and Reserve Component forces and the states must be written before a natural disaster or civil disturbance occurs. Emergency operation plans must reflect these contingencies, and MOUs. These allocations and MOUs should be targeted at specific units, equipment, or personnel, and against specific type missions (i.e., disaster, disturbance) and must be quickly executable.

The states of Alaska, California and Hawaii have an agreement that allows each of the states to receive assistance from the other in case of a natural disaster. This agreement was used after Hurricane Iniki. The California Air National Guard provided C-130s to support inter-island transport of personnel and supplies. As Hurricane Iniki approached Hawaii, this plan was put into action. Several California Air National Guard aircraft rotated through Hawaii to support the assistance effort.

LESSON(S): National Guard Regulation (NGR) 500-1 and other publications should provide for the allocation of resources and interstate and interservice MOUs for the temporary use of critical units, equipment and personnel during civil emergencies.

TOPIC: Joint Command and Control.

DISCUSSION: Selected Commanders in Chief (CINCs) have domestic support responsibilities. Specific CINC responsibilities for civil assistance missions are identified in appropriate DOD directives, guidelines, and operational plans. The DCO is appointed by a CINC to serve as the DOD single point of contact to the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for providing DOD resources during disaster assistance. The DCO collocates with the FCO and coordinates all FEMA mission assignments for military support. The DCO usually has operational control of all DOD forces deployed to support the federal effort.

The continental U.S. Army (CONUSA) commanders provide regional military support to civil authorities by planning for, and conducting disaster assistance operations within, their areas of responsibility. They maintain disaster assistance liaison with federal, state and local authorities, agencies and organizations. As directed by CINCFOR, they appoint a DOD military representative (Colonel or above) as the DCO (FM 100-19, Domestic Support Operations).

LESSON(S):

TOPIC: ARFOR Transition.

DISCUSSION: An exchange that should be expected in any disaster assistance operation is the transition of the ARFOR headquarters. This allows the incoming headquarters to establish the crisis response force. The close coordination of the staffs, establishing transition conditions, and briefing the commanders of all organizations in both units, is an absolute requirement for this type of operation.

LESSON(S):

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Interoperability, Part 2