Emergency Support Function #1
Transportation Annex



Primary Agency: Department of Transportation
Support Agencies:
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Department of State
General Services Administration
Tennessee Valley Authority
U.S. Postal Service

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #1 — Transportation assists Federal agencies, State 
and local governmental entities, and voluntary organizations requiring transportation 
capacity to perform response missions following a major disaster or emergency.  ESF #1 
also serves as a coordination point between response operations and restoration of the 
transportation infrastructure.
B. Scope
Federal transportation assistance provided by ESF #1 includes, but is not limited to:
1. Processing and overall coordination of requests for Federal and civil 
transportation support received from organizations eligible under the Federal 
Response Plan (FRP), including requests for military transportation;
2. Operating national and field Movement Coordination Centers (MCCs), as 
required, to obtain transportation services and provide visibility of transportation 
assets into and out of the disaster area;
3. Assessing the damage to the transportation infrastructure, analyzing the effects of 
the disaster on the national and regional transportation system, monitoring the 
accessibility of transportation capacity and congestion in the transportation 
system, and implementing management controls as required;
4. Assisting in the design and implementation of alternate transportation services, 
such as mass transit systems, to temporarily replace system capacity lost to 
disaster damage;


5. Coordinating the clearing and restoration of the transportation infrastructure;
6. Coordinating activities conducted under the direct authority of Department of 
Transportation (DOT) elements, such as air and marine traffic control and search 
and rescue; and
7. Providing DOT-owned aircraft for transportation of personnel and cargo, to the 
extent these assets are not required for internal priority DOT missions.
II. Policies
A. Federal transportation planning will consider using civil transportation capacity, as 
well as capacity owned or operated by Federal agencies.
B. Federal transportation planning will recognize State transportation policies and plans 
used to control the movement of relief personnel, equipment, and supplies, as well as 
State-established priorities for determining precedence of movement.
C. DOT Headquarters (HQ) will facilitate coordination between DOT regions in the 
event of multiregion ESF #1 operations.
D. Initial movements of Federal personnel, equipment, and supplies will be managed 
using a Time-Phased Force and Deployment List (TPFDL).  TPFDLs for various 
scenarios will be developed and maintained through an interagency process led by the 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prior to a disaster to facilitate the prompt 
deployment of resources when disaster strikes.  Each ESF is responsible for 
compiling, submitting, and updating information for inclusion in the TPFDL.
E. All users of transportation should use established shipper-carrier relationships to 
move materials into a disaster area and, if possible, include transportation as part of 
each contract for acquisition of goods.  The establishment of predisaster contracts and 
arrangements for transportation is encouraged.  Requests for ESF #1 assistance 
should be considered only after such arrangements are no longer available or not 
feasible.  However, it is essential to the orderly flow of resources for ESFs to advise 
ESF #1 of all transportation movements arranged directly.
F. Military transportation will be provided in accordance with the Military Support 
section of the FRP Basic Plan (page 15).


III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
A major disaster will severely damage the civil transportation system throughout the 
impacted area.  Most local transportation activities will be hampered by damaged 
facilities, equipment, and infrastructure, as well as disrupted communications.  At the 
same time, the disaster will create significant demands for national, regional, and local 
transportation of resources to provide for relief and recovery.  Federal assistance may be 
required to meet these demands for movement of essential resources, as well as for 
clearing and restoration of the transportation system.
B. Planning Assumptions
1. The area/regional civil transportation infrastructure will sustain damage, limiting 
access to the disaster area.  Access will improve as routes are cleared and repaired 
or as detours are built.
2. The requirements for transportation capacity will exceed State and/or locally 
controlled or accessible assets, demanding assistance from the Federal 
Government.
3. Infrastructure damage and communications disruptions will inhibit efficient 
coordination of transportation support during the immediate postdisaster period.
4. Gradual clearing of access routes and improved communications will permit an 
increased flow of emergency relief, although localized distribution patterns might 
remain unusable for a significant period.
5. The movement of relief supplies may create congestion in the transportation 
network both nationally and regionally, requiring imposition of controls.
6. ESF #1 can assist in the procurement of adequate transportation services and 
restoration of the system.
7. Local distribution of resources from a mobilization center to individual victims 
will normally be the responsibility of mission-assigned Federal agencies, as well 
as the affected State and local authorities, although ESF #1 can assist in the 
procurement of vehicles and supporting equipment for such operations.
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
1. The Disaster Transportation Management System (DTMS) provides a structure 
for managing the acquisition of transportation services and the deployment of 
relief and recovery resources from around the Nation into the disaster area.  The 
DTMS includes two components:
a. TPFDLs, which are planned, prioritized lists of the most critical Federal assets 
to be deployed rapidly to the disaster site; and
b. MCCs to assist in the procurement of transportation assets and track the 
move-ment of resources to the disaster area.  The MCC team is led by DOT 
and includes representatives from the Department of Defense (DOD), DHS, 
General Services Administration (GSA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Forest Service.  All FRP agencies must notify the MCC when 
transportation arrangements are made, so that resources can be tracked and 
reception plans executed.
2. When a disaster occurs, the Secretary of Transportation will appoint a DOT Crisis 
Coordinator to manage the overall DOT/ESF #1 response, usually the 
Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA).  
The Crisis Coordinator will provide policy direction over all national and regional 
ESF #1 response operations.  The Director, Office of Emergency Transportation 
(OET), in RSPA will provide principal support to the Crisis Coordinator and 
manage ESF #1 operations at HQ.  OET is also responsible for ESF #1 planning.
3. In the disaster area, direction of the ESF #1 mission is provided by the DOT 
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator (RETCO).  The RETCO is the 
Secretary of Transportation's representative for emergency preparedness and 
response matters and is the senior regional ESF #1 official for planning and 
execution.
4. Regional ESF #1 organization, notification, deployment, and support operations 
will be conducted in accordance with the respective ESF #1 annexes to the 
regional FRP supplements.
5. Communications will be established and maintained with ESF #5 — Information 
and Planning to report and receive assessments and status information.
6. All requests for Federal assistance and mission assignments for transportation 
support will be submitted to ESF #1 for coordination, validation, and/or action in 
accordance with this annex.
B. Organization
1. National-Level Response Structure
a. National-level policy direction and management will be provided by the DOT 
Crisis Coordinator.  Principal ESF #1 operations will be conducted at the 
DOT HQ Crisis Management Center (CMC).  The DOT Crisis Coordinator 
will provide guidance and direction to ESF #1 representatives assigned to the 
Emergency Support Team (EST) at DHS, as well as to the support agencies 
and regional response organization.
b. The DOT Crisis Coordinator will represent the department in deliberations of 
the Catastrophic Disaster Response Group (CDRG) during disasters.


c. The OET Director will activate the headquarters ESF #1 organization and the 
DOT CMC.  The CMC will operate from Room 8336, DOT HQ Building, 400 
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC.  The CMC is staffed by representatives 
of DOT operating administrations and selected ESF #1 support agencies, and 
serves to coordinate and support ESF #1 activities and internal departmental 
functions.
d. The MCC will be established at DHS by the DOT Crisis Coordinator at the 
request of the EST Director.
2. Regional-Level Response Structure
a. The RETCO is responsible for coordinating Federal transportation response 
activities within the assigned jurisdiction.
b. The RETCO will activate those elements of the regional ESF #1 response 
organization required to meet the demands of the disaster, including ESF 
representatives to the Regional Support Team (RST), Emergency Response 
Team (ERT), and field MCC.
C. Response Actions
1. Initial Actions
a. Headquarters
Immediately upon notification of an imminent or actual disaster, priority 
attention will be directed toward:
(1) Establishing necessary emergency operating facilities, such as the CMC, 
and incident reporting systems;
(2) Establishing communications with the Office of the Secretary, the 
impacted RETCO, DOT elements, and appropriate ESF #1 support 
agencies;
(3) Establishing communications with DHS and other appropriate agencies 
to obtain the location of possible damage areas, degree of damage, and 
other available information, including aerial imagery;
(4) Providing appropriate representation to the CDRG and staff to the EST 
(including the MCC if required);
(5) Implementing plans internal to DOT to ensure adequate staff and 
administrative support; and
(6) Providing assistance to regional ESF #1 operations.


b. Region
The RETCO will give priority attention to:
(1) Establishing necessary emergency reporting systems and operating 
facilities;
(2) Establishing communications with the Federal Coordinating Officer 
(FCO), the State Coordinating Officer, DOT operating administrations, 
and ESF #1 support agencies; and
(3) Establishing communications with the DOT CMC.
2. Continuing Actions
a. All ESFs will make maximum use of GSA standing schedules to secure 
transportation support resources and services, generally as part of a contract 
for acquisition of goods.  ESF #1 will acquire transportation services when 
normal channels of procurement are unable to provide the service.  In all 
cases, the MCC must be advised of all transportation movements arranged 
directly by the ESFs or other team elements (e.g., Logistics Section).
b. Through the MCC, ESF #1 will maintain surveillance over the availability of 
Federal and civil transportation capacity.  Shortages will be reported 
immediately to the DOT CMC, which will assist in identifying sources and 
may consider imposing priorities and allocations if the Defense Production 
Act has been implemented.
c. The RETCO will coordinate with appropriate State and local agencies to 
facilitate the movement of people and goods to, from, and within the disaster 
area.
d. The RETCO will be responsible for the administrative support of individuals 
involved in regional emergency transportation operations and for managing all 
financial transactions undertaken through mission assignments issued to DOT.
e. The RETCO will coordinate with appropriate DOT regional operating 
administrations on the implementation of specific DOT statutory authorities 
providing immediate assistance, such as air traffic control, search and rescue, 
long-term recovery of the transportation infrastructure, and mitigation efforts 
to lessen the effects of future disasters.
V. Responsibilities
A. Primary Agency:  Department of Transportation
1. Coordinate the provision of Federal and civil transportation capacity in support of 
Federal agencies, State and local governmental entities, and voluntary 
organizations, including contracting for such resources when required.
2. Provide staffing to and manage the MCC(s).
3. Manage the financial aspects of the ESF #1 response, including the funding of 
mission assignments and the process for reimbursement from DHS.
4. Supervise the assessment of damage to the transportation infrastructure and the 
analysis of the impact of the disaster on transportation operations, nationally and 
regionally.
5. Coordinate and implement, as required, emergency-related response and recovery 
functions performed under DOT statutory authorities, including the prioritization 
and/or allocation of civil transportation capacity, air and marine traffic control, 
search and rescue, emergency highway funding for federally owned highways and 
highways on the Federal Aid System, hazardous material containment response, 
and damage assessment.
6. Provide technical assistance to Federal, State, and local governmental entities in 
determining the most viable transportation networks to, from, and within the 
disaster area, as well as alternate means to move people and goods within the area 
affected by the disaster.
7. Identify resource requirements for transportation and coordinate their allocation.
B. Support Agencies
1. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
a. Manage mobilization centers for ESF #7 — Resource Support to receive 
goods shipped in support of the disaster.
b. Provide staffing to the MCC(s).
2. Department of Defense
a. Provide support in the emergency operation of inland waterways, ports, and 
harbors under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 
including dredging operations.
b. Assist in restoring the transportation infrastructure.
c. Provide organic military transportation capacity from the U.S. Transportation 
Command (USTRANSCOM) to move essential resources and assist in the 
contracting for civilian airlift.  USTRANSCOM also will provide staff to the 
MCC(s).
d. Assist in the development and support the execution of TPFDLs for high-
priority response resources.
3. Department of Homeland Security
a. Coordinate the acquisition, movement, and distribution of DHS-owned relief 
goods into the disaster area, in accordance with the Logistics Management 
Support Annex.
b. Initiate transportation actions prior to MCC activation, keep DOT informed of 
early transportation actions, and assume responsibility for closeout of actions 
after the HQ and field MCCs deactivate.
c. Supervise the development of the TPFDLs.
d. Provide staffing to the MCC(s).
e. Provide airlift and marine transportation capability.
4. Department of State
Coordinate requests for, and offers of, transportation assistance from foreign 
governments.
5. General Services Administration
a. Assist in identifying sources for and contracting transportation services.
b. Provide staffing to the MCC(s).
6. Tennessee Valley Authority
a. Participate in the coordination of transportation and navigation on Tennessee 
Valley Authority (TVA)-managed waterways during a disaster.
b. Assist in damage assessment.
7. U.S. Postal Service
Provide U.S. Postal Service (USPS) vehicles not immediately required for mail 
delivery for transportation of relief resources, particularly for distribution in the 
disaster area.
VI. Terms and Definitions
A. Civil Transportation Capacity
The total quantity of privately owned transportation services, equipment, facilities, and 
systems from all transport modes nationally or in a prescribed area or region.
B. Disaster Transportation Management System
A system for managing the acquisition of transportation assets and organizing the 
movement of resources into the disaster area.  The DTMS includes the TPFDL and MCC.
C. DOT Crisis Coordinator
A senior-level official appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to manage the depart-
ment's emergency response operations during a situation having significant impact on 
civil transportation capacity or the transportation infrastructure.  For disasters, the 
Administrator, RSPA, will normally serve as Crisis Coordinator.


D. Federally Arranged Transportation Support
The identification of available civil transportation capacity, and assistance in procuring 
such capacity, in support of Federal agencies, State and local governmental entities, and 
voluntary organizations unable to obtain required services through normal procurement 
channels.
E. Movement Coordination Center
An ESF #1 element within the EST in Washington, DC, and in the field.  When 
established, the MCC coordinates acquisition of transportation capacity and maintains 
visibility over validated transportation requests for assistance from inception through 
delivery to a mobilization center.
F. Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
A senior-level executive from a DOT operating administration who is designated by DOT 
order to serve as the regional representative of the Secretary of Transportation for 
emergency transportation preparedness and response.
G. Time-Phased Force and Deployment List
A tool to manage the rapid, early movement of Federal personnel, equipment, and critical 
relief supplies in response to an impending or actual disaster.  TPFDLs improve 
efficiency of air and ground support, contributing to the effective functioning of 
personnel, logistics, and transportation management processes.  Typical resources 
deployed and tracked include special units such as Urban Search and Rescue task forces 
and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, as well as generators, plastic sheeting, and 
meals-ready-to-eat.  Detailed information is included about the cargo (quantity, 
dimensions, weight, points of departure/arrival, required delivery date, etc.) and 
passengers.  Collectively, this information is known as the Time-Phased Force and 
Deployment Data.


Emergency Support Function #2
Communications Annex



Primary Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Support Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
  Department of Commerce
  Department of Defense
  Department of the Interior
  Federal Communications Commission
  General Services Administration

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 — Communications ensures the provision of 
Federal telecommunications support to Federal, State, and local response efforts 
following a presidentially declared major disaster, emergency, or extraordinary situation 
under the Federal Response Plan (FRP).  This ESF supplements the provisions of the 
National Plan for Telecommunications Support in Non-Wartime Emergencies, hereafter 
referred to as the National Telecommunications Support Plan (NTSP).
B. Scope
ESF #2 coordinates Federal actions to be taken to provide the required national security 
and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) telecommunications support to Federal, State, and 
local disaster response elements.  This ESF will coordinate the establishment of required 
temporary NS/EP telecommunications and the restoration of permanent 
telecommunications.  Where appropriate, services may be furnished under provisions of 
the Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) system.  ESF #2 applies to all Federal 
departments and agencies that may require telecommunications services or whose 
telecommunications assets may be employed during a disaster response.
II. Policies
A. The NTSP serves as a basis for planning and use of national telecommunications 
assets and resources in support of the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.  The NTSP is issued by the Director, Office of 
Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Executive Office of the President, in 
accordance with National Security Council policy direction, and is applicable to all 
Federal agencies.


B. The NTSP contains the authority for the National Communications System (NCS) to 
develop plans and coordinate and manage telecommunications support for Federal 
organizations in nonwartime emergencies.  This authority is derived from Executive 
Order 12472, Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness 
Telecom- munications Functions, April 3, 1984.
C. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is honoring the agreement between 
OSTP and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dated June 7, 1995, 
stating the Office of the Manager, NCS, will execute FRP primary agency functional 
responsibilities on its behalf.
III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
1. A disaster condition may result from a significant natural disaster, nuclear 
accident, or any other incident that causes extensive damage and/or results in a 
high volume of requests from all levels of government authority for services 
required to save lives and alleviate human suffering.  These authorities require 
accurate and timely information on which to base decisions and guide response 
actions.  Concurrently, commercial telecommunications facilities may sustain 
widespread damage.  At a time when the need for real-time electronically 
processed information is greatest, the capability to acquire it may be seriously 
restricted or nonexistent.  In such situations, all surviving telecommunications 
assets of the various levels of government, augmented by extra-regional assets, 
will be needed immediately to ensure a proper response to the needs of victims of 
the event.
2. When activated, ESF #2 will coordinate and support NS/EP telecommunications 
requirements across the emergency continuum.
B. Planning Assumptions
1. Initially, State and local government officials focus on coordinating lifesaving 
activities concurrent with reestablishing control in the disaster area.  Working 
with the telecommunications industry, these officials will restore and reconstruct 
telecommunications facilities as the situation permits.
2. Initial damage reports may be fragmented and provide an incomplete picture con-
cerning the extent of damage to telecommunications facilities.
3. Weather and other environmental factors may restrict the ability of suppliers to 
deploy mobile or transportable telecommunications equipment into the affected 
area.
4. The affected region's ability to communicate with the rest of the country may be 
impaired.  Some key individuals may be isolated from their regional offices 
and/or operational centers.
5. The type of disaster and the potential for related disasters will require the careful 
consideration of a site for establishing a Disaster Field Office (DFO) in the least 
vulnerable location supportable by available telecommunications facilities.
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
During an emergency, the following guidelines will be observed to allow ESF #2 to meet 
its disaster response responsibilities:
1. Telecommunications management will occur on a bottom-up basis; decisions will 
be made at the lowest level, with only those issues requiring adjudication or 
additional resources being referred to the next higher management level.  DHS's 
Telecommunications Information Management and Control System (TIMACS) 
will be used for Stafford Act expenditures for telecommunications support;
2. Uniform emergency telecommunications management and operational plans, 
procedures, and handbooks will be used throughout the entire ESF #2 operating 
environment;
3. The Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) has overall responsibility for the 
coordination of telecommunications support in the response area.  When General 
Services Administration (GSA) assistance is requested during a disaster response, 
a Federal Emergency Communications Coordinator (FECC) is appointed.  The 
FECC prioritizes conflicting requests and recommends solutions to the FCO;
4. DHS controls its communications assets (i.e., Mobile Air Transportable Telecom-
munications System (MATTS)/Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS)), 
in the disaster area but coordinates their use with the FECC.  Other agencies that 
provide telecommunications assets in support of the disaster response also would 
control their organic assets, but would coordinate their use with the FECC; and
5. The FECC will be the telecommunications industry's single Federal point of 
contact (POC) in the disaster area for Federal telecommunications requirements 
and will coordinate industry's response.  The FECC will coordinate with the State 
telecommunications officer to ensure Federal communications requirements do 
not conflict with State needs.


B. Organizational Structure (After a Presidentially Declared Disaster 
Response Requiring the Appointment of an FECC)
1. National-Level Response Structure
Response operations for a major disaster will normally begin when the FRP is imple-
mented.  DHS will selectively activate ESFs based on the nature and scope of the 
event and the Federal resources required to support State and local responses.
National-level ESF #2 operations will normally commence at the same time that the 
ESF #2 position on the Emergency Support Team (EST) is activated under the FRP.  
The EST, which comprises representatives from all the ESFs, is located at DHS 
Headquarters (HQ).  Once notified of a disaster, the National Coordinating Center 
(NCC) for Tele- communications staff assesses anticipated/actual damage, identifies 
NS/EP service requirements, prioritizes requirements, monitors the developing 
situation/ 
response, renders status reports, and coordinates service provisioning and restoration 
as required.  The NCC staff makes assessments based on reports from FECC and 
NCC industry representatives, who coordinate with their parent company Emergency 
Operations Centers (EOCs).  The Manager, NCC, appoints ESF #2 representatives to 
the EST, providing for 24-hour coverage if required.  If the Catastrophic Disaster 
Response Group (CDRG) is convened to address priority issues, the Deputy Manager, 
NCS, will represent ESF #2 at such meetings.  The Manager, NCS, may dispatch an 
NCS Disaster Area Liaison Officer (DALO) to the disaster site to assist the FECC in 
coordinating national-level telecommunications support to the disaster response.  The 
FECC also may request the deployment of an NCS DALO through the Manager, 
NCS.  DHS will dispatch an agency representative to the disaster area to assist in 
coordinating DHS's telecommunications support.
2. Regional-Level Response Structure
For a major disaster, the FCO will request the appointment of an FECC.  GSA will 
ensure a qualified person capable of performing the required functions is identified 
(that person could be the GSA Regional Emergency Services Communications 
Planner (RECP) who serves as NCS Regional Manager for that region).  The FECC 
will deploy to the scene of a presidentially declared disaster as the principal Federal 
telecommunications manager in the disaster area.  The FECC will normally deploy to 
the affected State EOC as part of the Advance Element of the Emergency Response 
Team (ERT-A) and will assist ESF #7 — Resource Support in selecting a DFO site.  
DHS will provide an agency representative to assist in coordinating DHS's 
telecommunications support in the setup of the DFO.  Federal disaster response 
operations are coordinated from the Regional Operations Center (ROC) until the DFO 
is operational, which is normally a period of 48 to 96 hours.  The FECC deploys to 
the disaster area and works with DHS communications personnel to establish 
telecommunications services for the DFO.  At the DFO, the FECC is assisted by the 
Emergency Communications Staff (ECS), a group of government and industry 
telecommunications managers trained in emergency response and DFO operations.  
Conflicts regarding priorities and/or resources that cannot be resolved by the FCO 
and FECC will be passed to the CDRG and, if still not resolved, to the Joint 
Telecommunications Resources Board (JTRB).
C. Notification Procedures
1. Headquarters
The NCC is always available to assist industry and Federal response operations 
during day-to-day planning and coordination of national telecommunications support, 
including disaster response activities.  If ESF #2 is activated, DHS will notify the 
Manager, NCC, immediately.  The Manager, NCC, will then alert all NCC personnel 
and assume national-level coordination of telecommunications assets as necessary.  
During nonduty hours, the National Communications System Defense Information 
Systems Agency-Global Operations Security Center (NCS/DISA-GOSC) will alert 
the Manager, NCC, who will direct that an NCC Initial Response Team (IRT) be 
formed to assess the situation.
Immediately upon receipt of information about the disaster or emergency, and upon 
notification of any FRP activation, the NCC will contact DHS for information and 
guidance on the situation and ongoing response planning, and coordinate ESF #2 
response preparations.  If the Manager, NCC, determines that an FECC will be acti-
vated, the Manager will notify the appropriate GSA Regional Emergency Coordinator 
(REC) that DHS has requested an FECC.  The GSA REC will notify the appropriate 
GSA regional office to activate the FECC.
2. Region
The FECC will coordinate with the Manager, NCC, to request Individual 
Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) support.
D. Response Actions
1. Initial Actions
a. Immediately upon notification of a disaster, the Manager, NCC, will begin 
gathering damage assessment data from the NCC government and industry 
representatives.  The Manager, NCC, in coordination with DHS and GSA,  
will determine the appropriate level of response for national-level ESF #2 
elements.  The initial focus of the NCC will be to identify:
(1) Operational telecommunications assets available for use within the 
affected area;
(2) Telecommunications assets not within the affected area that may be 
brought physically or employed electronically to support the affected 
area; and
(3) Actual and planned actions of the commercial telecommunications 
companies toward recovery and reconstruction of their facilities.
b. The FECC will determine the ESF #2 regional and disaster area response 
requirements with the applicable DHS Regional Director.
c. Until the FECC and the ECS are deployed and operational, DHS communi-
cations staff will accumulate damage information obtained from the DHS 
Regional Director, other Federal agencies, and industry sources.  Additionally, 
DHS communications staff may make initial estimates of the level of Federal 
telecommunications support that may be required.  This information will be 
provided to the FECC upon arrival in the affected area.  The FECC will also 
receive a status report on the telecommunications situation, Federal telecom-
munications assets that have arrived in the disaster area, telecommunications 
services provided, and any open telecommunications requests.
d. The ECS will be organized in the disaster area and expanded as necessary by 
drawing on experienced personnel from unaffected areas.
e. NCC personnel, in coordination with the FECC, will begin an inventory of 
Federal communications assets available to support the recovery mission.  
Federal agencies with communications assets may be asked to contribute these 
assets to the response effort.  The Manager, NCC, will be kept informed of 
these assets and their status.
f. Potential NCC actions include the following:
(1) Obtaining the location of the proposed DFO;
(2) Obtaining the latest weather report for the area, including present condi-
tions, the 24-hour forecast, and the long-range forecast;
(3) Obtaining information from ESF #1 — Transportation about road, rail, 
and all transportation conditions in the area and whether they can be 
used to get mobile telecommunications systems into the area; and
(4) Determining from DHS and/or ESF #7 — Resource Support the location 
of possible sources of secondary response facilities in the disaster area 
(e.g., staging areas or satellite DFOs).
g. The FECC, when activated, will assess the need for mobile and transportable 
telecommunications equipment.  The FECC, through the NCC, may request 
NCS member organizations to identify assets for possible deployment.
h. The NCC, in coordination with the FECC, will assess the need for telecom-
munications industry support and ensure such support is available as needed.
2. Continuing Actions
a. The FECC will prepare and process any required reports.
b. The representatives of the NCS member organizations that have been asked to 
provide assets will confirm to the NCC that those assets have been prepared 
for movement to the disaster area, as and when needed, and will report when 
they have been deployed and have become operational.
c. The FECC, assisted by the ECS, will:
(1) Coordinate Federal telecommunications support to responding Federal 
agencies, State, and local governments, and quasi-governmental and 
voluntary relief organizations as directed by the FCO;
(2) Recommend release of Federal telecommunications resources when they 
are no longer required; and
(3) Maintain a record for audit of all telecommunications support provided.  
NCS member organizations' procedures will be used to accomplish this 
audit.
d. The NCC will provide damage information to the EST ESF #2 representative 
and the FECC regularly, and to other Federal agencies upon request.
e. Requests for telecommunications support will come from many sources.  The 
FECC will forward unresolved requests to the NCC.  When the allocation of 
telecommunications resources cannot be resolved by the NCC to the 
satisfaction of the parties involved, the issues will be presented to the CDRG 
and then, if necessary, to the JTRB for resolution.
f. The NCC develops and promulgates information collection guidelines and 
procedures to enhance assessment, allocation, and coordination of government 
and industry telecommunications assets.
V. Responsibilities
A. Primary Agency:  Department of Homeland Security
1. The Manager, NCS, will ensure the provision of adequate telecommunications 
support to Federal response operations.  The Manager, NCS, through the NCC, 
will provide information and assistance to the JTRB as required.
2. The Manager, NCS, is responsible for:
a. Supporting the JTRB as required in accordance with standard operating 
procedures issued by the Director, OSTP;
b. Ensuring all information regarding potential and/or actual emergency 
situations with significant telecommunications implications is brought to the 
attention of the Director, OSTP;
c. Coordinating response activities with DHS, GSA, and other JTRB member 
organizations;
d. Monitoring the status of crucial situations that have the potential for 
developing into a major disaster, emergency, or extraordinary situation, and 
those that may require emergency telecommunications support;
e. Coordinating with ESF #12 — Energy regarding telecommunications industry 
requests for support under the Electric Service Priority (ESP) initiative, emer-
gency fuel resupply, and safe access for telecommunications work crews into 
disaster areas;
f. Supporting the ESP initiative by providing updated data to and from the 
Department of Energy (DOE) and the participating telecommunications 
companies;
g. Monitoring the recovery efforts and, as required, coordinating the provision of 
telecommunications needed by the Federal Government;
h. Providing situation status to the JTRB as required;
i. Appointing an NCS DALO to provide on-site assistance to the FECC in 
coordinating national-level telecommunications support in the disaster area; 
and
j. Activating IMAs to support disaster responses at the DFO, national, and 
regional levels.
3. The Manager, NCC, is responsible for:
a. Monitoring the status of crucial situations that have the potential for 
developing into a major disaster, emergency, or extraordinary situation to 
determine that adequate NS/EP telecommunications services are being 
provided to support response operations;
b. Assessing the impact on existing Federal Government NS/EP 
telecommunications services;
c. Coordinating the restoration and/or rerouting of existing Federal Government 
NS/EP telecommunications services and the provisioning of new NS/EP 
telecommunications services;
d. Coordinating with telecommunications service providers and prioritizing 
requirements as necessary when providers are unable to satisfy all 
telecommunications services requirements, when there are conflicts between 
multiple FECCs, or when the allocation of available resources cannot be fully 
accomplished at the field level;
e. Coordinating, when requested by the FECC, with NCS member organizations 
to obtain additional telecommunications specialists to augment the ECS;
f. Coordinating with Federal agencies those special telecommunications industry 
requests for assistance that support NS/EP activities, including support under 
the ESP initiative, emergency fuel resupply, and safe access for 
telecommunications work crews into disaster areas; and
g. Coordinating with appropriate government and industry representatives in 
support of FECC requests to meet user requirements for cellular telephone 
assets.


B. Support Agencies
1. ESF #2 support agency representatives will be aware of their parent 
organizations' capabilities to provide mobile or transportable resources for 
telecommunications activities.
2. Any agency having substantial communications assets in the disaster area should 
have representation on the ECS.
3. Agencies will coordinate required connection to commercial or government 
telecommunications resources through the FECC.
4. The agencies listed below provide the indicated support to ESF #2 efforts under 
the FRP.
a. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
(1) Provide radio communications systems for support of firefighters, law 
enforcement officers, and disaster response operations.
(2) Provide engineers, technical personnel, and liaison staff to assist the 
ECS and to maintain the National Interagency Radio Support systems.
(3) Provide National Interagency Radio Support systems for use by damage 
reconnaissance teams to report information from the disaster area to the 
DFO, and such other applications as determined by the radio 
communications coordinator.
(4) Provide a communications officer to accompany radio systems for the 
purpose of user training and operator maintenance indoctrination.
(5) Provide additional radio systems required for the establishment of a 
DFO radio net.
b. Department of Commerce
(1) National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(a) Develop plans and procedures concerning radio spectrum 
assignments, priorities, and allocations for use by Federal 
agencies.
(b) Develop, maintain, and publish policies, plans, and procedures for 
the control and assignment of radio frequencies, including the 
authority to amend, modify, or revoke such assignments, in those 
parts of the electromagnetic spectrum allocated to the Federal 
Government.
(c) Maintain and publish the Emergency Readiness Plan for Use of the 
Radio Spectrum.


(2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),  
National Weather Service
Provide public dissemination of critical pre-event and post-event information 
over the all-hazards NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) system, the NOAA 
Weather Wire Service, and the Emergency Managers' Weather Information 
Network (EMWIN).
c. Department of Defense
Provide assistance in civil emergencies in accordance with national policies, 
consistent with defense priorities as set forth in the Department of Defense 
(DOD) Directive 3025.1, Military Support to Civil Authorities.  The Secretary 
of Defense has designated the Secretary of the Army as the executive agent 
for DOD support to civil emergencies.
d. Department of Homeland Security
(1) Provide a representative(s) to serve on the FECC's staff to coordinate 
the employment of DHS's telecommunications assets, including 
MATTS/ 
MERS, in the disaster area; coordinate DHS requests for telephone 
service and connectivity; and provide expertise on MATTS/MERS and 
DHS networks.
(2) Coordinate the establishment of telecommunications support in the DFO 
with the FECC.
(3) Install computers and local area networks at the DFO as required.
(4) Provide radio equipment and other organic telecommunications support.
(5) Provide communications support to State and local officials to assist in 
disseminating warnings to the populace concerning risks and hazards.
(6) Provide frequency management and site engineering expertise to the 
ECS.
(7) Provide representation on the ECS and coordinate DHS resources and 
TSP requests with the FECC.
(8) Provide video teleconference expertise to the ECS.
e. Department of the Interior
Provide radio and radio-telephone systems from assets not required to meet 
Department of the Interior (DOI) emergency missions.
f. Federal Communications Commission
(1) Review the policies, plans, and procedures that are developed by all 
entities licensed or regulated by the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) to provide NS/EP telecommunications services to 
ensure such policies, plans, and procedures are consistent with the public 
interest, convenience, and necessity.
(2) Perform such functions as required by law with respect to all entities 
licensed or regulated by the FCC, including (but not limited to) the 
extension, discontinuance, or reductions of common-carrier facilities or 
services; the control of common-carrier rates, charges, practices, and 
classifications; the construction authorization, activation, deactivation, 
or closing of radio stations, services, and facilities; the assignment of 
radio frequencies to FCC licensees; the investigation of violations of 
pertinent law and regulation; and the initiation of appropriate 
enforcement actions.
g. General Services Administration
(1) Each Regional Administrator, GSA, will ensure a GSA RECP who will 
serve as an NCS Regional Manager (NCSRM) and FECC, is identified 
for each of the 10 standard Federal Regions.  The Regional 
Administrator will authorize the GSA RECP/NCSRM to accept 
guidance from the DHS Regional Director during the predeployment 
phase of a telecommunications emergency.  National-level guidance will 
be provided by the GSA Federal Telecommunications Service (FTS) 
Emergency Communications Coordinator.  The Regional Administrator 
will authorize the GSA RECP/ 
NCSRM or designated alternate(s) to perform the functions of the FECC 
upon request by the FCO or senior Federal official.
(2) The GSA RECP/NCSRM will prepare and maintain a Regional Support 
Plan for each designated standard Federal Region, coordinating plan 
development with counterpart GSA RECP/NCSRMs in contiguous 
regions.  The GSA RECP/NCSRM will supervise the training of 
potential FECCs within the assigned region.
(3) When requested, the FECC will deploy to the scene of a presidentially 
declared major disaster, emergency, or extraordinary situation to survey 
the status of telecommunications and to determine residual capabilities 
and the extent of damage within the affected area.  The FECC will 
coordinate with other Federal agencies to determine their emergency 
telecommunications service requirements.
(4) When activated, the FECC will:
(a) Accumulate damage information obtained from the DHS Regional 
Director, the NCC, other Federal agencies, and industry sources 
and conduct telecommunications status evaluations;
(b) Advise the FCO on all telecommunications matters;
(c) Act as the single government POC in the disaster area for industry 
for all telecommunications requests and actions;
(d) Assess the need for mobile or transportable equipment;
(e) Release Federal telecommunications resources as soon as 
commercial carrier services can support the response mission;
(f) Coordinate with Federal, State, and local organizations, and the 
major voluntary relief organizations as well as other ESFs 
involved with disaster recovery, to ascertain their 
telecommunications requirements;
(g) Ensure required services are provided in support of the Federal 
disaster response and recovery effort;
(h) Coordinate the distribution of cellular telephone assets by 
appropriate government and industry representatives in support of 
user requirements;
(i) Assemble and lead the ECS;
(j) Maintain an audit trail of all telecommunications support provided;
(k) Prioritize telecommunications requirements;
(l) Ensure an ESF #2 representative is deployed to support the RST;
(m) Coordinate frequency management for the disaster area including 
frequencies used by deployed military assets;
(n) Coordinate the use of military telecommunications assets;
(o) Coordinate TSP requests;
(p) Ensure ESF #2 representatives are provided to support damage 
assessment personnel;
(q) Provide an ESF #2 representative to support the ERT-A;
(r) Coordinate telecommunications support to the disaster 
mobilization center as necessary; and
(s) Prepare and process any required reports.
h. Other Federal Agencies
(1) NCS member organizations will be prepared to assist the Manager, 
NCS, in the deployment and use of agency-owned/leased or otherwise 
unique telecommunications assets to support the response effort.
(2) All other Federal agencies will:
(a) Use organizational resources to meet their mission requirements 
before requesting that the FECC obtain emergency telecommuni-
cations support;
(b) Notify the FECC promptly of all telecommunications requirements 
and available assets.  This will eliminate the possibility of service 
duplications and ensure prompt provision of needed services and 
facilities to the proper user;
(c) Coordinate with the FECC when telecommunications support 
(other than that provided or already coordinated through the 
FECC) has been requested by a representative of an organization at 
a disaster location;
(d) Coordinate any requests for commercial or government telecom-
munications resources through the FECC;
(e) Coordinate with the NCC as necessary for any required national-
level telecommunications support;
(f) Notify the FECC promptly when their telecommunications 
resources are to be withdrawn or discontinued; and
(g) Notify the FECC when telecommunications resources provided by 
the FECC are no longer required.
VI. References
A. Executive Order 12472, Assignment of National Security and Emergency 
Preparedness Telecommunications Functions, April 3, 1984.
B.  National Plan for Telecommunications Support in Non-Wartime Emergencies,  
Office of Science and Technology Policy, January 1992.
C. Department of Defense Directive 3025.1, Military Support of Civil Authorities, 
January 15, 1993.
D. Office of Science and Technology Policy Letter of Agreement with the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, June 7, 1995.


Emergency Support Function #3
Public Works and Engineering Annex



Primary Agency: Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Support Agencies: Department of Agriculture
  Department of Commerce
  Department of Health and Human Services
  Department of the Interior
  Department of Labor
  Department of Veterans Affairs
  Environmental Protection Agency
  Tennessee Valley Authority

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #3 — Public Works and Engineering provides 
technical advice and evaluation, engineering services, contracting for construction 
management and inspection, contracting for the emergency repair of water and 
wastewater treatment facilities, potable water and ice, emergency power, and real estate 
support to assist the State(s) in meeting goals related to lifesaving and life-sustaining 
actions, damage mitigation, and recovery activities following a major disaster or 
emergency.
B. Scope
Activities within the scope of ESF #3 include:
1. Participation in predisaster activities, such as pre-positioning assessment teams 
and contractors, and deployment of other advance elements;
2. Participation in needs/damage assessments immediately following a disaster;
3. Emergency clearance of debris to enable reconnaissance of the damaged areas and 
passage of emergency personnel and equipment for lifesaving, property 
protection, and health and safety;
4. Removal and disposal management of debris from public property;
5. Provision of expedient emergency access routes, which includes repairs to 
damaged streets, bridges, ports, waterways, airfields, and other facilities necessary 
for emergency access to disaster victims;
6. Emergency restoration of critical public facilities, including the temporary 
restoration of water supplies and wastewater treatment systems;
7. Emergency demolition or stabilization of damaged structures and facilities 
designated by State or local governments as immediate hazards to public health 
and safety, or as necessary to facilitate lifesaving operations (temporary protective 
measures to abate immediate hazards to the public for health and safety reasons 
until demolition is accomplished);
8. Emergency contracting to support public health and safety, such as providing for 
potable water, ice, power, or temporary housing;
9. Technical assistance, including inspection of private residential structures and 
commercial structures;
10. Support to other ESFs as outlined in the Federal Response Plan (FRP); and
11. Provision of emergency power to public facilities.
II. Policies
A. The Director of Military Support (DOMS) is the responsible national-level 
Department of Defense (DOD) office for military support to civilian authorities.  
DOD has responsibility for ESF #3 and has designated the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (USACE) as its operating agent for ESF #3 planning, preparedness, 
response, and recovery.
B. The USACE will develop work priorities in cooperation with the State government 
and in coordination with the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO).
C. A USACE division(s) will appoint an overall mission coordinator for all ESF #3 
response and recovery activities on the RST and ERT as appropriate.
III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
In a major disaster or emergency, response and recovery operations may be beyond the 
State and local response capabilities.  Structures may be destroyed or severely weakened.  
Homes, public buildings, bridges, and other facilities may have to be reinforced or 
demolished to ensure safety.  Debris may make streets and highways impassable.  Public 
utilities may be damaged and be partially or fully inoperable.  A major disaster may 
affect the lives of many State and local response personnel and their facilities, and 
prevent them from performing their prescribed emergency duties.  Similarly, equipment 
in the immediate disaster area may be damaged or inaccessible.  Sufficient resources may 
not be available to State and local agencies to meet emergency requirements.  Federal 
assistance may be required to identify and deploy resources from outside the affected 
area to ensure a timely, coordinated effective response.


B. Planning Assumptions
1. Access to the disaster areas will be dependent on the reestablishment of ground 
and water routes.  In many locations, debris clearance and emergency road repairs 
will be given top priority to support immediate lifesaving emergency response 
activities.
2. Early damage assessments will be general, incomplete, and may be inaccurate.  
Rapid assessment of the disaster area is required to determine critical response 
times and potential work loads.
3. To minimize threats to public health, emergency environmental waivers and legal 
clearances will be needed to dispose of emergency debris and materials from 
demolition activities.  Under Federal regulations, local authorities are responsible 
for obtaining required waivers and clearances.  Federal agencies are responsible 
for complying with appropriate Federal environmental and historic preservation 
statutes.
4. Significant numbers of personnel having engineering and construction skills and 
construction equipment and materials will be required from outside the disaster 
area.
5. Primary agencies (including USACE) and support agencies will perform tasks 
under their own authorities, as applicable, in addition to missions received under 
the authority of the FRP.
6. Previously inspected structures will require reevaluation if aftershocks occur 
following an earthquake.
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
ESF #3 support will supplement State and local emergency response actions.  Close 
coordination will be maintained with Federal, State, and local officials to determine 
potential taskings and to track the status of response activities.  The priority of taskings 
will be deter-mined jointly between Federal and State officials.  The ESF #3 team will 
provide damage information to ESF #5 — Information and Planning for overall damage 
assessment, and inform the Emergency Response Team (ERT) Operations Section of the 
damage situation and ESF activities.  Support agency representatives will collocate with 
USACE field personnel to coordinate support with their agencies as necessary.
B. Organization
1. National-Level Response Structure
a. Catastrophic Disaster Response Group
The USACE representative to the Catastrophic Disaster Response Group 
(CDRG) is the Chief of the Operations Division of the Directorate of Civil 
Works.  The alternate representative is the Chief, Civil Emergency Management 
Branch, Operations Division, Directorate of Civil Works.
b. Emergency Support Team
The ESF #3 representative(s) to the Emergency Support Team (EST) will be 
responsible for coordinating mission assignments and resources to support 
disaster operations.  The USACE representative(s) to the EST will be assigned 
by the Civil Emergency Management Branch, Operations Division, 
Directorate of Civil Works.
c. Agency Operations Elements
Headquarters USACE (HQUSACE) will operate from the HQUSACE 
Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  HQUSACE may request support 
agency liaison representatives to report to HQUSACE EOC if the disaster 
situation warrants.
2. Regional-Level Response Structure
a. Regional Operations Center
A USACE division will provide the necessary representation on the RST.  
These representative(s) will remain in the Regional Operations Center (ROC) 
until deactivated or released by the RST Director.
b. Advance Element of the Emergency Response Team
The USACE division having responsibility for the State in which the disaster 
occurs will ensure necessary representatives are immediately provided for the 
formation of the Advance Element of the ERT (ERT-A).  The damage assess-
ment representative will be an infrastructure specialist assigned from the 
division.
c. Disaster Field Office ESF #3 Cell
A supplemental ESF #3 component to the ERT-A will deploy to the DFO and 
evolve into the ESF #3 cell after the DFO is established.  Among the ESF #3 
roles are preparing statements of work, cost estimates, and estimated 
completion dates for mission assignments; tracking and executing mission 
assignments; maintaining cognizance of all other ERT activities; assessing 
information; determining resource requirements; setting priorities; 
disseminating information; and taking other response and recovery actions as 
required.  In addition to assigning the representatives from the ERT-A to the 
full ERT, the designated USACE division also will provide necessary staff for 
response and recovery operations.
d. Defense Coordinating Officer
DOD/DOMS will provide a Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO) to serve as 
the single point of contact (POC) to the FCO and ESF representatives for all 
requests for military assistance other than that provided by ESF #3.  USACE 
will support the DCO and deployed joint forces as requested.


e. Response and Recovery Operations
USACE districts may be required to establish field offices (Emergency 
Response and Recovery Offices) to support assignments and missions.  
Divisions and districts will carry out mission assignments based on 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance and within established 
procedures.
C. Notification
1. Headquarters
The DHS Homeland Security Center (HSC) will notify the Army Operations Center 
(AOC) of an emergency situation.  The AOC will then immediately notify the CDRG 
members from USACE and DOMS.  The AOC and HQUSACE EOC will exchange 
telephonic notifications to ensure each is aware of the situation.  The EOC will notify 
ESF #3 EST members and subordinate USACE commands.
2. Region
Upon occurrence of a major disaster and/or notification of FRP activation, 
HQUSACE will designate the lead division(s) and instruct the division commander to 
implement the local notification plans.  Concurrently, the responsible DHS region 
will request support from the predesignated USACE division commander.
D. Response Actions
1. Initial Actions
a. HQUSACE
(1) Send EST representatives to DHS as required.
(2) Provide CDRG representation as needed.
(3) Activate the EOC and begin notification procedures.
(4) Establish communications with DHS, DOD/DOMS through the AOC, 
and USACE subordinate commands.
(5) Provide liaison to DHS to coordinate congressional relations activities 
with DHS's Congressional Relations Officer.
(6) Provide public affairs liaison to the DHS Joint Information Center (JIC).
b. Regions (Division and District)
(1) Designate personnel to staff the RST, ERT-A, and ESF #3 cell in 
accordance with the FRP.
(2) Activate the EOC and identify facilities for USACE field offices.
(3) Notify support agencies' regional offices of ESF #3 activation.
(4) Gather essential elements of information and report to the ROC, 
HQUSACE, DFO, and EOC.
(5) Identify requirements for remote sensing and imagery to ESF #5.
2. Continuing Actions
a. HQUSACE
(1) Continue EOC operations.
(2) Ensure proper and adequate coordination is in effect at all levels.
b. Regions (Division and District)
(1) Support DHS and State emergency agencies as required.
(2) Work with State and local governments to maximize the use of available 
regional assets and to identify resources required from outside the 
region.
V. Responsibilities
A. Primary Agency
1. Army Operations Center
a. Notify HQUSACE, DOMS, and CDRG member directly if possible.
b. Notify HQUSACE EOC of FRP activation.
2. HQUSACE
a. Review the FRP annually.  Submit comments as appropriate and revise this 
annex as necessary.
b. Develop additional USACE guidance as required to execute assigned 
missions.
c. Participate in training and exercises including those of support agencies.
d. Conduct periodic meetings and workshops with support agencies at the 
national level to maintain capabilities, and to plan for and prepare to respond 
to a disaster in the event of activation.
B. Support Agencies
1. Predisaster Actions
a. Provide HQUSACE with POCs at the national level for coordinating plans 
and responses.
b. Designate representatives at the regional level.


2. Specific Agency Responsibilities
a. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
(1) Provide engineering and contracting/procurement personnel and equip-
ment to assist in emergency removal of debris, demolition, repair of 
roads and bridges, temporary repair of essential public facilities, and 
water supply.  The Forest Service will be the regional contact for this 
support.
(2) Provide technical personnel to evaluate damage to water control 
facilities.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be the 
regional contact for this support.
b. Department of Commerce
Provide direct technical support and advice on procurement of external 
consulting services for assessing the structural and fire safety of damaged 
buildings and lifelines (public works and utilities).  The Interagency 
Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction, Building and Fire Research 
Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, will be the 
contact.
c. Department of Health and Human Services
(1) Supply engineering and environmental health personnel to assist in 
assessing the status of wastewater and solid-waste facilities.
(2) Provide guidance related to health problems associated with hazardous 
materials.
(3) Assist in determining the suitability for human consumption of water 
from local sources.
d. Department of the Interior
(1) Provide engineering support to assist in evaluating damage to water 
control systems, such as dams, levees, and water delivery facilities and 
structures.
(2) Provide technical assistance in contract management, contracting, 
procurement, construction inspection, and environmental and 
archeological assessments.
(3) Name a POC (in the Bureau of Reclamation) for all Department of the 
Interior (DOI) support for ESF #3.
e. Department of Labor
Provide supplemental assistance for debris removal or demolition activities 
performed by ESF #3.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
will be the regional contact for this support.


f. Department of Veterans Affairs
Provide engineering personnel and support, including design estimating and 
construction supervision for repair, reconstruction, and restoration of eligible 
facilities.
g. Environmental Protection Agency
(1) Assist, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human 
Services, in determining the suitability for human consumption of water 
from local sources and in identifying hazardous materials having the 
potential to affect drinking water supplies.
(2) Assist in locating disposal sites for debris clearance activities.
(3) Identify locations and provide safety guidance for areas affected by 
hazardous materials.  Ensure the protection and cleanup of these areas.
(4) Assist in identifying water and wastewater needs.
h. Tennessee Valley Authority
Provide personnel to assist in damage assessment, structural inspections, 
debris clearance monitoring, and restoration of facilities in general.




Emergency Support Function #4
Firefighting Annex



Primary Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Support Agencies: Department of Commerce
  Department of Defense
  Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Fire Administration
  Department of the Interior
  Environmental Protection Agency

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #4 — Firefighting detects and suppresses wildland, 
rural, and urban fires resulting from, or occurring coincidentally with, a major disaster or 
emergency requiring Federal response assistance.
B. Scope
ESF #4 manages and coordinates firefighting activities, including the detection and 
suppression of fires on Federal lands, and provides personnel, equipment, and supplies in 
support of State and local agencies involved in rural and urban firefighting operations.
II. Policies
A. Processes and procedures established in the National Interagency Mobilization Guide 
will be followed in responding to a major disaster or emergency under the Federal 
Response Plan (FRP).
B. National support will be accomplished through the National Interagency Coordination 
Center (NICC) located at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) at Boise, ID.
C. Coordination with, and support of, State and local fire suppression organizations will 
be accomplished through the State Forester, in cooperation with the State Fire 
Marshal, State emergency management agency, or other appropriate State agency 
operating under the Incident Command System (ICS).
D. Priority will be given to saving lives and protecting property, in that order.
E. The primary agency for this ESF will be the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
Forest Service, at the national level.  For operations that occur in the State of Alaska, 
operational lead for firefighting response will be the Department of the Interior 
(DOI), Bureau of Land Management.
III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
1. The management of a large firefighting operation is complex, often involving 
thousands of resources and many different agencies and jurisdictions.  Fire 
resulting from, or independent of but occurring coincidentally with, a major 
disaster or emergency may place extraordinary demands on available resources 
and logistics support systems.
2. A major disaster or emergency may result in many urban, rural, and wildland 
fires.  The damage potential from fires in urban areas during and after a major 
disaster (such as an earthquake) exceeds that of all other causes.  Numerous fires 
may have the potential to spread rapidly, cause extensive damage, and pose a 
serious threat to life and property.  Urban fire departments not incapacitated by an 
earthquake may be totally committed to fires in urban areas.  Normally available 
firefighting resources may be difficult to obtain and use because of massive 
disruption of communication, transportation, utility, and water systems.
B. Planning Assumptions
1. Many urban, rural, and wildland fires may result from or occur coincidentally 
with an earthquake or as the result of another significant event.  Large, damaging 
fires may be common.
2. At the time of a major disaster or emergency, there may be wildland fires burning 
elsewhere in the United States.  These fires will draw on the same resources (e.g., 
air, crews, overhead, engines, or other tactical and support resources) that would 
be needed to support firefighting and other emergency operations.  It must be 
assumed that some firefighting resources will become scarce, resulting in the 
disaster-related firefighting operations competing for resources through 
established resource ordering channels.
3. Telephone communications may be interrupted, making radio communications 
necessary.  Early ordering of radio starter systems from NICC is a high priority.
4. Wheeled-vehicle access may be hampered by bridge failures, landslides, etc., 
making conventional travel to the fire location extremely difficult or impossible.  
Aerial attack by airtankers, helicopters, and smoke jumpers may be essential in 
these situations.  Helicopter availability may be scarce, and damage to airports or 
runways will cause congestion at usable airports.
5. Agencies that commonly support large fire suppression operations, including the 
military and General Services Administration (GSA), may receive urgent requests 
from nonfire-related agencies for personnel, equipment, and supplies.  Many 
resources commonly available for use in fighting large wildland fires will be 
scarce or unavailable.
6. Wildland firefighting techniques may have to be applied to rural and urban fire 
situations, particularly where water systems are inoperative.  Aerial delivery of 
fire retardants or water for structural protection may be essential.  In the case of 
multiple fires, firebreaks may be cleared and burning-out and backfiring 
techniques may be used.
7. Efficient and effective mutual aid among the various Federal, State, and local fire 
suppression agencies requires the use of ICS with compatible firefighting 
equipment and communications.
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
1. ESF #4 will manage and coordinate Federal firefighting activities.  This will be 
accomplished by mobilizing firefighting resources in support of State and local 
wildland, rural, and urban firefighting agencies.  ESF #4 will use established 
firefighting and support organizations, processes, and procedures.  Responsibility 
for situation assessment and determination of resource needs lies primarily with 
local Incident Commanders in coordination with the Emergency Response Team 
(ERT) at the Disaster Field Office (DFO).
2. Requests for firefighting assistance and resources will be transmitted from the 
DFO to the appropriate Geographic Area Coordination Center.  For resources 
beyond those available within the geographic area, the requests will be sent to 
NICC at Boise, ID.  NICC will contact the National Fire Suppression Liaison 
Officer in the event of national-level shortages or unavailability of needed 
resources.
3. Resolution of such shortages will be pursued by the Emergency Support Team 
(EST) and, when necessary, by the Catastrophic Disaster Response Group 
(CDRG).  Actual firefighting operations will be managed under the ICS.  
Situation and damage assessment information will be transmitted through 
established fire suppression intelligence channels and directly between the 
national-level and regional-level ESFs according to ESF #5 — Information and 
Planning procedures.
B. Organization
ESF #4 has a parallel structure at the national and regional levels.
1. National-Level Response Support Structure
a. The National Director for Fire and Aviation Management, Forest Service, will 
represent the USDA on the CDRG.
b. National ESF #4 activities will operate under the direction of the Assistant 
Director for Operations, Fire and Aviation Management, Forest Service.  
Assistance will be provided as necessary by the Forest Service and DOI Fire 
Directors at NIFC.
c. The Disaster and Emergency Operation Specialist will serve as the National 
Fire Suppression Liaison Officer.  The National Fire Suppression Liaison 
Officer or a representative will be located at Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) Headquarters (HQ) during a disaster when ESF #4 is 
activated.  This position is a member of the EST and is the link to the National 
Director for Fire and Aviation Management at Forest Service HQ.
d. The national ESF #4 will provide broad policy and coordination support to the 
CDRG and, based on recommended DHS requirements, may be operational 
on a 24-hour basis.  Support agencies will have representatives available by 
telephone or pager on a 24-hour basis when necessary.
e. National logistics support and interregional mobilization of resources will be 
provided by NICC.
2. Regional-Level Response Structure
Federal firefighting response support is coordinated by the Regional/Area Fire 
Coordinator provided by the Forest Service Regional/Area Office.  The 
Regional/Area Fire Coordinator has responsibility for establishing and maintaining 
coordination with the National Fire Suppression Liaison Officer, Forest Service 
Region, regional support agencies, and ERT.  ESF #4 will be represented by a Fire 
Suppression Support Coordinator at the DFO.  Regional firefighting response and 
logistics support will be provided by Geographic Area Coordination Centers and the 
NICC in accordance with established Mobilization Guides.  Support agencies will 
have representatives available by telephone or pager on a 24-hour basis for the 
duration as necessary.
C. Notification
1. Upon notification by DHS of a potential or actual event requiring response, the 
National Fire Suppression Liaison Officer, Forest Service, will notify all other 
ESF #4 members by telephone or pager.
2. The Regional/Area Fire Coordinators and NICC also will be notified by telephone 
or pager.
D. Response Actions
1. Initial Actions
The National Fire Suppression Liaison Officer or representative will:
a. Locate at DHS within 2 hours of notification;
b. Establish communication links with DHS, national primary and support 
agencies, USDA Emergency Operations Center (EOC), National Director for 
Fire and Aviation Management at Forest Service HQ, and Forest Service 
Director at NIFC;
c. Establish communication links with the Regional/Area Fire Coordinators; and
d. Obtain an initial fire situation and damage assessment through established 
intelligence procedures.
2. Continuing Actions
The National Fire Suppression Liaison Officer or representative will:
a. Obtain, maintain, and provide fire situation and damage assessment 
information through established intelligence procedures;
b. Determine and resolve, as necessary, issues regarding resource shortages and 
slow processing, interagency conflicts, and policy matters involving the 
CDRG;
c. Maintain close coordination with the CDRG, support agencies, NICC, and 
DFO; and
d. Maintain a complete log of actions taken, resource orders, records, and 
reports.
V. Responsibilities
A. Primary Agency:  Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
1. Provide qualified representatives to serve as National Fire Suppression Liaison 
Officer, Regional/Area Fire Coordinator, and Fire Suppression Support 
Coordinator at the DFO.
2. Task support agencies as necessary to accomplish ESF #4 support responsibilities.
3. Provide logistics support through the Geographic Area Coordination Center 
and/or NICC for mobilizing resources for firefighting.
4. Assume full responsibility for suppression of wildfires burning or threatening 
national forest system lands.
5. Provide and coordinate firefighting assistance to other Federal land management, 
State forestry, and local fire organizations as requested under the terms of existing 
agreements and the FRP.
6. Arrange for direct liaison with fire chiefs in the designated area to coordinate 
requests for firefighting assistance in structural or industrial fire protection 
operations.
7. Provide information to ESF #5 as assessments of fire-caused damages are 
obtained.
B. Support Agencies
1. Department of Commerce
a. Provide fire/weather forecasting as needed from NIFC at Boise, ID, or from a 
nearby National Weather Service Forecast Office under the terms of existing 
interagency agreements.
b. Provide urban and industrial hazard analysis support through the Building and 
Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology.
c. Provide fire/weather support under the terms of the National Agreement for 
Meteorological Services in Support of Agencies with Land Management and 
Fire Protection Responsibilities.
2. Department of Defense
a. Assume full responsibility for firefighting activities on U.S. military 
installations.
b. Support firefighting operations on nonmilitary lands with personnel, 
equipment, and supplies under the terms of the existing interagency 
agreement, including the arrangement of liaisons as required.
c. Provide contracting services through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to 
urban and rural firefighting forces to obtain heavy equipment and/or 
demolition services as needed to suppress disaster-related fires.
3. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Fire Administration
Provide advice and assistance relating to structural firefighting and establish 
communications with State Fire Marshals in adjoining States.
4. Department of the Interior
a. Assume full responsibility for fighting wildfires burning on lands within its 
jurisdiction.
b. Assist the Forest Service in managing and coordinating firefighting 
operations.
c. Provide firefighting assistance to other Federal land management 
organizations as requested under the terms of existing agreements and the 
FRP.
5. Environmental Protection Agency
Provide technical assistance and advice in the event of fires involving hazardous 
materials.
C. Other Organizations
State forestry organizations in most States are responsible for wildland firefighting on 
non-Federal lands.  States may assist other States in firefighting operations and may assist 
Federal agencies through agreement.
VI. Reference
National Interagency Mobilization Guide available from NICC.


VII. Terms and Definitions
A. Fire Suppression Support Coordinator
The person representing ESF #4 at the DFO.
B. Incident Command System
An on-site incident management system applicable to all types of emergencies.  Includes 
standard organizational structure, agency qualifications, training requirements, 
procedures, and terminology enabling participating agencies to function together 
effectively and efficiently.
C. National Fire Suppression Liaison Officer
The Disaster and Emergency Operations Specialist, Fire and Aviation Management, 
Forest Service.  This person is a member of the EST operating at the national level.  
Primary responsibility is to provide liaison among the EST, the National Director of Fire 
and Aviation Management, Forest Service HQ, and other support agencies.
D. National Interagency Coordination Center
The organization responsible for coordination of national emergency response for 
wildland fire suppression, located at the NIFC in Boise, ID.
E. Regional/Area Fire Coordinator
The person primarily responsible for operation of ESF #4 at the regional level.

Emergency Support Function #5
Information and Planning Annex



Primary Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Support Agencies: Department of Agriculture
  Department of Commerce
  Department of Defense
  Department of Education
  Department of Energy
  Department of Health and Human Services
  Department of the Interior
  Department of Justice
  Department of Transportation
  Department of the Treasury
  American Red Cross
  Environmental Protection Agency
  General Services Administration
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  Small Business Administration
Support Organizations: Civil Air Patrol
  Voluntary Organizations

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #5 — Information and Planning collects, analyzes, 
processes, and disseminates information about a potential or actual disaster or emergency 
to facilitate the overall activities of the Federal Government in providing assistance to 
one or more affected States.  Fulfilling this mission supports planning and decision 
making at both the field/regional operations and headquarters (HQ) levels.
B. Scope
During disaster operations, ESF #5 becomes the Information and Planning Section of the 
Regional Support Team (RST) or the Emergency Response Team (ERT) at the Disaster 
Field Office (DFO), as well as the Emergency Support Team (EST) at Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS) HQ.


II. Policies
The Information and Planning Section operates at all levels of disaster response, whether at the 
disaster site itself, the region, or DHS.  It does the following:
A. Activates as needed in anticipation of, or immediately following, a disaster or 
emergency;
B. Performs as a staff-level function in support of Federal leadership at the field, 
regional, and HQ levels;
C. Processes information that is common to one or more operational elements and that 
contributes to the overall perspective of the emergency;
D. Coordinates activities of on-the-ground assessment personnel;
E. Serves as site of overall coordination of situation assessment operations;
F. Tasks support agencies to provide technical expertise and information necessary to 
develop accurate assessment and analysis of a developing or ongoing situation;
G. Contacts other ERT or EST organizational elements to provide daily information 
updates for reporting and analysis requirements of ESF #5.  Other ERT and EST 
elements are responsible for information processing and information displays unique 
to their own operations;
H. Collocates with the State Information and Planning Section when feasible for ERT 
operations; and
I. Executes, at the ERT and EST locations, procedures stipulated in the current version 
of the Information and Planning Section Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
A disaster or other significant event will be of such severity and magnitude as to require 
Federal response and recovery assistance to supplement State and local efforts to save 
lives and protect property.  Information and Planning (ESF #5) will support initial 
assessment of developing situations and will provide timely and appropriate information 
to support Federal emergency managers in determining, with the appropriate State(s), 
whether Federal assistance will be required.
B. Planning Assumptions
1. In a disaster situation, there is a need for a central collection point on the RST, 
ERT, and EST, where situation information can be compiled, analyzed, and 
prepared for use by decision makers.
2. The State is the most immediate source of vital information for the RST and/or 
the ERT regarding damage and initial response needs.  Regional data, using State 
and local government sources and Federal agency inputs, become the primary 
information sources for the EST.
3. There is an immediate and continuous demand by officials involved in response 
and recovery efforts for information about the developing or ongoing disaster or 
emergency situation.
4. There may be a need to rapidly deploy field observers or assessment personnel to 
the disaster area to collect additional critical information about resource 
requirements for victims or to conduct an immediate situation assessment to 
determine initial Federal response requirements.
5. Information and Planning Section staff, deployed as part of the Advance Element 
of the ERT (ERT-A), needs to operate without local support for up to 72 hours.  
The ESF #5 staff needs to be self-sufficient in terms of equipment, supplies, and 
communications connectivity during this initial period.
6. Initial Information and Planning Section activities on the RST/EST may require 
24-hour operations.
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
1. In response to a disaster situation or incident, emergency personnel from the 
affected State and the Federal Government should jointly assess the situation 
initially to determine if there is a need for Federal response operations.  Executing 
these assessment duties involves Information and Planning personnel in the form 
of ERT-A staff.
2. In the initial period of an incident, the main avenue for the collection of disaster 
information should be from local sources (primarily first responders and other 
government elements), which should report information to the State Emergency 
Operations Center (EOC).  At the State EOC, reports should be directed to the 
appropriate operational element(s) needing the information—both State and 
Federal response elements, including the Information and Planning Section.  
Information should be passed to Federal elements through the DHS State Liaison 
from the appropriate DHS Regional Office.
3. Information and Planning activities in the region commence with the activation of 
a RST by the DHS Regional Director, based on the need to monitor a potential or 
developing incident.  As the situation develops and it is determined that Federal 
response and recovery assistance will be required, deployment to the disaster 
response location may begin.  ESF #5 personnel should participate in initial 
response operations as part of the ERT-A, and later the full ERT in the DFO.  The 
RST is responsible for all situation reporting to the EST and other operating 
elements until the DFO is operational.
4. Information and Planning activities at the HQ level should begin concurrently 
with RST activities for an incident.  In addition, ESF #5 elements on the EST may 
be activated at DHS at any time to monitor and report on situations that have a 
disaster potential.
5. As the DFO becomes operational, regional Information and Planning activities 
should transition from the State EOC and the ROC to the DFO.  The focus of the 
information collection process should change from one involving overall 
assessment of the severity and extent of the damage to one describing the status of 
the response and recovery efforts.
B. Organization of the Information and Planning Section
Leadership for the Information and Planning Section rests with an Information and 
Planning Section Chief  who reports directly to the RST Director in the Regional Opera-
tions Center (ROC), or the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) who heads the ERT at a 
DFO.  On the RST or ERT, a Deputy Information and Planning Section Chief may 
support the Section Chief.  A second deputy may be necessary in a situation where a 
night shift would be operating.  On the EST, the Section Chief has no deputy but may 
have an administrative assistant.
1. Basic Organizational Structure for the ROC or DFO
The organization chart in Figure ESF #5-1 shows a full Information and Planning 
Section that might operate at an ERT or, on a smaller scale, on a RST.  The ESF #5 
Section Chief may adjust the size and structure of the section to fit the needs of the 
specific situation.  The Section Chief consults the RST Director or FCO to determine 
the timetable for situation report (SITREP) inputs, SITREP publishing times, and 
times for daily status briefings.  These consultations may include discussions with the 
HQ EST because of report deadlines established by the White House and other 
leadership elements.
a. Situation Status Branch
(1) Collects, analyzes, and displays information regarding the disaster 
situation and the location of critical resources.  The latter include special 
teams, task forces, deployed personnel, and highlights from resource-
tracking information maintained by the Logistics Section.
(2) Maintains the Situation Room for information displays, and collects and 
analyzes information to be used in the SITREPs, the status briefings, and 
by other responders.
(3) Develops appropriate media for displaying information, including the 
overall emergency team organizational chart and daily meeting 
information.



Figure ESF #5-1 — Organization of the ESF #5 Section of the Emergency Response Team

Information and Planning Section Chief
Deputy Chief(s)
Situation Status Branch Chief, supervising:
Information Analysis
Field Observer(s)
Planning Support Branch Chief, supervising:
Planning Specialists
Planning Analysts(s)
Documentation Branch Chief, supervising:
Reports Specialists
Briefing Support Specialist(s)
Computer Graphic Specialist(s)
Documentation Specialist(s)
Clerical Support Specialist(s)
Technical Services Branch Chief, supervising:
Remote Sensing Specialist(s)
GIS Coordinator
GIS Specialist(s)
Technical Specialists (Meteorologist, Seismologist, other specialists as required)
Staffing Summary:
Chief/Deputy Chiefs, 3
Situation Status Personnel, 7 to 9
Planning Personnel, 5 to 7
Documentation Personnel, 16
Technical Services Personnel, 7
Full-Strength Staff, 38 to 42


b. Planning Support Branch
(1) Receives information from the Situation Status Branch and uses it to 
support the different planning needs of the FCO and the ERT leadership.
(2) Analyzes long-term trends and assists team leadership with the 
development of strategic plans and formats.
(3) Identifies critical planning issues and provides general planning support 
to the ERT.
(4) Facilitates daily or special planning meetings.
(5) Produces and disseminates, as needed, daily action plans based on the 
functional plans of other sections, contingency plans based on specific 
issues, and long-range management plans concerning personnel or 
operational priorities.
(6) Produces and disseminates a Daily Intelligence Summary for the FCO 
and other disaster managers.


c. Documentation Branch
(1) Receives information from the Situation Status Branch, as well as from 
other ESFs and team elements, to prepare its products, which include 
SITREPs, status and informal briefings, and special reports.
(2) Uses status reports of agencies leading the Federal response under other 
plans in describing response efforts in the SITREPs.
(3) Maintains archival files and records for each current disaster and 
provides clerical support to the Information and Planning Section.
(4) Solicits inputs to and prepares the after-action report signed by the FCO.
d. Technical Services Branch
(1) Coordinates remote sensing and reconnaissance requirements.
(2) Establishes and maintains a geographic information system (GIS) 
capability within the DFO including:
(a) Acquiring and/or setting up a GIS computer suite and/or coordi-
nating through DHS for temporary use of a deployable GIS 
computer suite if available; and
(b) Generating GIS products and analyses, including maps and tables, 
and/or coordinating with DHS to obtain these products.
(3) Provides hazard-specific technical advice to support operational 
planning.
(4) Uses additional subject matter experts (SMEs) or technical specialists 
such as a meteorologist or seismologist as needed.
2. Basic EST Organization
The basic functions for the EST Information and Planning Section do not differ from 
those of the ERT.  However, the same tasks are accomplished with no designated 
branches because in the HQ environment some support requirements can be provided 
from DHS staff that are not available to the ERT in the field.  An organization chart is 
shown in Figure ESF #5-2.  The Section Chief directly supervises all section staff.


 

Figure ESF #5-2 — Organization of the ESF #5 Section of the Emergency Support Team

Information and Planning Section (IPS) Chief
IPS Administrative Assistant
IPS Lead Planning Coordinator
IPS Planning Specialist (1 or 2)
IPS Briefing/Teleconference Coordinator
IPS Information Specialist (2 to 4)
IPS Analyst



C. Response Actions
1. Initial Actions
The Information and Planning Section begins operations at the occurrence of the 
event/ 
incident or upon a preincident emergency declaration.  In some instances, this could 
precede the onset of a disaster (e.g., during an approaching hurricane), when the RST 
and HQ Information and Planning Section would operate a small monitoring group.
a. Regional ESF activities for Information and Planning begin on the RST.  State 
information processing operations should commence simultaneously at the 
State EOC or another State-designated location.  Then the ERT-A, including 
key Information and Planning staff, should deploy to the disaster response 
location.  At that time, some regional staff may join State staff at the EOC to 
begin situation assessment activities, and other staff may go to the DFO to 
arrange space and equipment for the full Information and Planning Section.  
Additional staff should be activated as needed by the Section Chief.


b. The HQ Information and Planning Section initiates activities in its operations 
area at DHS and establishes initial liaison with the RST and/or the ERT-A.   
In the case of a developing incident, such as a major flood or hurricane, the 
Information Coordination Unit (ICU) at HQ provides intelligence to the 
incoming EST members.
2. Continuing Actions
Information and Planning Section actions last as long as necessary.  Over time, 
disaster operations will transition from response to recovery.  This transition does not 
change the mission of Information and Planning, nor does it affect the basic functions 
of information gathering, analysis, dissemination, and planning.  As the tempo of 
disaster operations slows, the staff of the Information and Planning Section is 
gradually reduced.
a. The focus shifts to the economic impact of the disaster, the effectiveness of 
program delivery, and the identification of recovery issues.  Normally, there 
will be an increased need for specific economic and demographic information 
provided by the Technical Services Branch.
b. The emphasis in planning during the recovery phase shifts from the daily 
action plan to long-range management plans.  Much of this planning will be 
done by staff within individual ERT and EST sections or branches; 
Information and Planning staff collates the information and facilitates the 
process.
c. Situation reporting and formal briefings should continue through the recovery 
phase, although the frequency of both should be gradually reduced.
d. At least one Information and Planning staff member, normally a reports 
specialist, should remain on the FCO's staff until the DFO is closed.  This 
facilitates the preparation of the after-action report, daily briefings, and talking 
points.
e. A reduced staff should remain active at DHS to develop briefings, special  
reports, and SITREPs as needed.  When the requirement for regular reporting 
diminishes, this function should transition to the ICU.  FCO SITREPs can 
substitute for the HQ SITREPs during this period.
V. Responsibilities
A. Primary Agency:  Department of Homeland Security
1. Coordinates the overall Federal effort to collect, analyze, process, synthesize, 
report, and display essential elements of information (EEI) and to facilitate 
support for planning efforts in disaster operations.
2. Coordinates Federal situation assessment including remote sensing and reconnais-
sance operations, activation and deployment of assessment personnel or teams, 
and GIS support to operating disaster entities.
3. Provides staffing support for Information and Planning Section activities at the 
State EOC, RST, and ERT at the regional level and at DHS.
B. Support Agencies
 Department of Agriculture (USDA)
 Department of Commerce (DOC)
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
   National Weather Service (NWS)
   National Ocean Service (NOS)
   Environmental Research Laboratories (ERL)
  National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
 Department of Defense (DOD)
  Director of Military Support (DOMS)
  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA)
 Department of Education (DOEd)
 Department of Energy (DOE)
 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
 Department of the Interior (DOI)
  U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
 Department of Justice (DOJ)
 Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
  U.S. Customs Service
 American Red Cross
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
 General Services Administration (GSA)
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
 Small Business Administration (SBA)

1. As support agencies to ESF #5, primary agencies for other ESFs should identify a 
staff liaison or a point of contact (POC) at the regional, DFO, and HQ levels to 
provide disaster information and intelligence on ESF activities to the Information 
and Planning Section.  In addition, all agencies as appropriate should identify a 
staff liaison or a POC at the regional and HQ levels to provide technical expertise, 
data, advice, and staff support for disaster operations and situation assessment 
activities that fall within the domain of each agency, as follows:
a. Nautical and aeronautical charting, surveys, tidal and geodetic services, and 
geo-referenced coastal imagery (DOC/NOAA/NOS);
b. Meteorology (DOC/NWS);
c. Structural engineering (DOC/NIST);
d. Economic and business impacts, banking, and small business recovery 
assistance (DOC, Treasury, and SBA);
e. National security (DOD);
f. Schools (DOEd);
g. Mental health (HHS);
h. Seismology (DOI/USGS);
i. Hydrology, stream flows, and water-level data (DOI, USACE, and DOC/ 
NOAA);
j. Airborne pollution dispersion prediction (DOC/NOAA/ERL);
k. Shelter status reports and housing transition issues and planning (American 
Red Cross);
l. Legal issues and law enforcement (DOJ);
m. Environmental impacts, pollution and hazardous materials (EPA and 
DHS/USCG);
n. Real-time assessment of disaster impact and magnitude (DHS/U.S. Customs 
Service);
o. Nuclear power plants (NRC);
p. Dam safety (USACE); and
q. Remote sensing technology and assistance (DOI/USGS, DOD/NIMA, and 
NASA).
 This list is not exhaustive.  Support capabilities of other entities may be used as 
needed.
2. Agencies should provide personnel to support assessment operations as requested.
3. Agencies should provide personnel to work in the appropriate ESF of the ERT or 
EST.  They should also provide periodic reports, as requested, on agency response 
operations to the Information and Planning Sections of the ERT and EST.
C. Support Organizations
1. Civil Air Patrol
a. Provide a liaison to the DFO to work with the Operations and ESF #5 Sections 
to facilitate coordination of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) support operations and to 
ensure CAP activities are reported in the SITREP.  Input to the SITREP also 
may be submitted through the Defense Coordinating Element.
b. Designate an appropriate CAP Wing Staff person to coordinate CAP-DHS 
planning and response activities between the CAP-U.S. Air Force region and 
the DHS regional staff.


2. Voluntary Organizations
Report information on their disaster response and recovery activities through the DHS 
Voluntary Agency Liaison in the Human Services Branch of the ERT Operations 
Section.  Information should include status of relief activities such as feeding, 
sheltering, cleanup, unsolicited donated goods and services management, or any other 
relief activity being provided to the affected community.
VI. References
A. Information and Planning Section Standard Operating Procedures, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, July 1996 (or latest version).
B. The Federal Disaster Operations System — An Overview, 9000.0-VW, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, June 1997.
C. All Hazards Notification, 4340.1-PR, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
December 1996.
D. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Civil Air Patrol and the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, August 10, 1996.
E. Civil Air Patrol Support in Disasters — A Standard Operating Procedure, 9347.1-PR, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, September 1997.
VII. Terms and Definitions
A. Types of Plans Employed during ERT and EST Operations
1. Action Plan:  A verbal or written plan reflecting FCO/State Coordinating Officer 
(SCO) priorities with tactical objectives for the next operational period.
2. Contingency Plan:  Targets a specific issue or event that arises during disaster 
operations and presents alternative actions to respond to the situation.
3. Functional Plan:  A subset of the action plan developed by individual elements, 
setting out their operational priorities for addressing the most pressing problems.
4. Long-Range Management Plan:  Used by the FCO and team management in a 
large-scale disaster to address internal staffing and disaster organization and team 
requirements.
5. Strategic Plan:  Addresses long-term issues such as impact of weather forecasts, 
time-phased resource requirements, and problems such as permanent housing for 
displaced disaster victims, environmental pollution, and infrastructure restoration.
B. Essential Elements of Information
To assess quickly and accurately the affect of a disaster on the population and 
infrastructure of an area, emergency managers require early intelligence on the areas 
noted below.  This information facilitates accurate assessment of what response activities 
and materiel are required to save lives, relieve human suffering, and expedite response 
and recovery operations.  During the early hours of a disaster and in the absence of 
"ground truth" information such as actual on-site surveys or imagery, GIS, computerized 
predictive modeling, and damage estimation software may be used to develop initial 
estimates of damage.  As soon as possible, actual on-site ground surveys will be 
performed.  Sources may include a Federal-State Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) 
and information from Federal, State, and local government agencies, among others, to 
establish "ground truth" for the following EEI as needed:
- Boundaries of the disaster area
- Social, economic, and political impacts
- Jurisdictional boundaries
- Status of transportation systems and critical transportation facilities
- Status of communications systems
- Access points to the disaster area
- Status of operating facilities
- Hazard-specific information
- Weather data affecting operations
- Seismic or other geophysical information
- Status of critical facilities and distribution systems
- Status of remote sensing and reconnaissance activities
- Status of key personnel
- Status of ESF activation
- Status of disaster or emergency declaration
- Major issues and activities of ESFs
- Resource shortfalls and status of critical resources
- Overall priorities for response
- Status of upcoming activities
- Donations
- Historical and demographic information
- Status of energy systems
- Estimates of potential impacts based on predictive modeling (as applicable)
- Status (statistics) on recovery programs (human services, infrastructure, SBA)
- Status and analysis of initial assessments (needs assessments and damage 
assessments, including PDAs)
- Status of efforts under other Federal emergency operations plans
C. Information Coordination Unit
A DHS team that monitors and reports daily on potential or actual disasters.  Prior to an 
incident, the ICU provides daily situation updates about all ongoing or pending activities.  
During a disaster, ICU members become part of the EST Information and Planning 
Section, Situation Status Branch.
D. Monitoring Period
The period preceding an incident characterized by assessment and preparatory activities 
leading to either response activity or stand down.  During this period, DHS monitors 
causative factors and phenomena, keeps in close contact with the affected DHS region(s) 
and appropriate Federal agencies, and may call for remote sensing data or other 
assessment actions.
E. Operational Period
The period of time scheduled for completion of a given set of operations actions as 
specified in the action plan, usually 24 hours.  This period usually defines the reporting 
period for SITREPs and plans that address operational priorities.
F. Situation Assessment
The evaluation and interpretation of information gathered from a variety of sources — 
including weather information and forecasts, computerized models, GIS data mapping, 
remote sensing sources, ground surveys, etc. — that, when communicated to emergency 
managers and decision makers, can provide a basis for response and recovery decision 
making.
G. Situation Reports
Periodic summaries of the disaster situation, including the status of operations, 
geographical information, identification of operational priorities and requirements, 
reports from specific ESFs on their major response and recovery activities, unmet needs, 
and recommended actions, as well as data on human services, infrastructure, and 
mitigation programs.
H. Situation Room
An area in the State EOC, ROC, DFO, or DHS used for the display of information 
summarizing the status of disaster operations.
I. Status Briefing
A briefing by ERT or EST personnel that summarizes the current situation, operational 
priorities, and the status of Federal response operations in support of a disaster.


Emergency Support Function #6
Mass Care Annex



Primary Agency: American Red Cross
Support Agencies: Department of Agriculture
  Department of Defense
  Department of Health and Human Services
  Department of Homeland Security
  Department of Housing and Urban Development
  Department of Veterans Affairs
  General Services Administration
  U.S. Postal Service

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #6 — Mass Care coordinates Federal assistance in 
support of State and local efforts to meet the mass care needs of victims of a disaster.  
This Federal assistance will support the delivery of mass care services of shelter, feeding, 
and emergency first aid to disaster victims; the establishment of systems to provide bulk 
distribution of emergency relief supplies to disaster victims; and the collection of 
information to operate a Disaster Welfare Information (DWI) system to report victim 
status and assist in family reunification.
B. Scope
1. This annex describes the response actions of ESF #6 and the responsibilities of 
primary and support agencies in accomplishing those response actions in support 
of the delivery of mass care services by State and local governments.
 The American Red Cross independently provides mass care services to disaster 
victims as part of a broad program of disaster relief, as outlined in charter 
provisions enacted by the U.S. Congress, act of January 5, 1905.  The 
responsibilities assigned to the American Red Cross as the primary agency for 
ESF #6 at no time will supersede those responsibilities assigned to the American 
Red Cross by its congressional charter.
2. Initial response activities will focus on meeting urgent needs of disaster victims 
on a mass care basis.  Initial recovery efforts may commence as response 
activities are taking place.  As recovery operations are introduced, close 
coordination will be required between those Federal agencies responsible for 
recovery operations and voluntary organizations providing recovery assistance, 
including the American Red Cross.
3. ESF #6 encompasses:
a. Shelter
Emergency shelter for disaster victims includes the use of preidentified shelter 
sites in existing structures; creation of temporary facilities or the temporary 
construction of shelters; and use of similar facilities outside the disaster-
affected area, should evacuation be necessary.
b. Feeding
Feeding will be provided to disaster victims and emergency workers through a 
combination of fixed sites, mobile feeding units, and bulk distribution of food.  
Such operations will be based on sound nutritional standards and will include 
meeting requirements of disaster victims with special dietary needs.
c. Emergency First Aid
Emergency first aid will be provided to disaster victims and workers at mass 
care facilities and at designated sites within the disaster area.  This service will 
be supplemental to emergency health and medical services established to meet 
the needs of disaster victims.
d. Disaster Welfare Information
DWI regarding individuals residing within the affected area will be collected 
and provided to immediate family members outside the affected area through 
a DWI system.  DWI will also be provided to aid in reunification of family 
members within the affected area who were separated at the time of the 
disaster.
e. Bulk Distribution of Emergency Relief Items
Sites will be established within the affected area for bulk distribution of emer-
gency relief items to meet urgent needs of disaster victims.
4. ESF #6 does not include recovery activities.  (As a private, nonprofit 
organization, the American Red Cross independently provides recovery assistance 
under its congressional charter.)
II. Policies
A. All mass care activities and services will be provided without regard to economic 
status or racial, religious, political, ethnic, or other affiliation.
B. All mass care activities and services will be provided in accordance with existing 
Federal statutes, rules, and regulations.
C. Federal support agency personnel assigned to ESF #6 will work in accordance with 
their parent agency rules and regulations, and will be self-sufficient for a minimum of 
72 hours following a disaster occurrence.
D. The American Red Cross Disaster Services, National Headquarters (HQ), will coordi-
nate ESF #6 planning activities to ensure an immediate and automatic ESF #6 
response.
E. Actions initiated by American Red Cross chapters and its national HQ in response to 
a disaster event are independent of actions taken by the American Red Cross as the 
primary agency for ESF #6.
III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
1. The magnitude of damage to structures and lifelines will rapidly overwhelm the 
capacity of State and local governments to assess the disaster and respond 
effectively to basic and emergency human needs.  Damage to roads, airports, 
communications systems, etc., will hamper emergency response efforts.  The 
movement of emergency supplies will be seriously impeded.  Many professional 
emergency workers and others who normally would help during a disaster will be 
dead, injured, involved with family problems resulting from the disaster, or 
unable to reach their assigned posts.  State, county, and municipal emergency 
facilities will be severely damaged or inaccessible.
2. Hundreds of thousands of disaster victims will be forced from their homes, 
depending on such factors as time of occurrence, area demographics, building 
construction, and existing weather conditions.  There will be large numbers of 
dead and injured, which also may leave a large number of specialized population 
groups (e.g., senior citizens and children) without support.  Thousands of family 
members may be separated immediately following a sudden-impact disaster, such 
as children in school and parents at work.  Thousands of transients, such as 
tourists, students, and foreign visitors, may be involved.
B. Planning Assumptions
1. A major disaster or emergency occurs that produces significant casualties and 
widespread damage.
2. Mass care facilities will receive priority consideration for structural inspections to 
ensure safety of occupants.
3. Mass care operations and logistical support requirements will be given high 
priority by Federal agencies.
C. Planning Factors
1. The nature and extent of the disaster require a planned, immediate, and automatic 
response from the entire emergency management community.
2. Individuals in areas of high risk are expected to have prepared for and be self-
sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours.
3. Local units of voluntary agencies active in disaster will to the maximum extent 
possible provide immediate feeding, shelter, and emergency first aid services in 
response to the disaster event under their own auspices and authorities.  These 
units will plan to provide these services without external support for at least the 
first 72 hours following the onset of a disaster.
4. The ESF #6 planning basis for sheltering is that approximately 20 percent of the 
affected population will seek public shelter.  Some victims will find shelter with 
friends and relatives, some will leave the area, and some will remain at or near 
their damaged homes.
5. A certain percentage of the sheltered population will require shelter for an 
extended period of time.
6. The restoration of communications systems, disrupted by damages and overloads, 
may take weeks.
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
1. ESF #6 will work directly with its State functional or agency counterpart to 
provide the support needed as identified by the State.  Requests for assistance will 
be channeled from local jurisdictions through a designated State liaison to the 
Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) or designee and then to ESF #6 for action.  
Assistance will be provided from ESF #6 to the State, or at the State's request, 
directly to an affected local jurisdiction.
2. The American Red Cross will deploy administrative staff to establish a temporary 
field HQ for ESF #6 to support initial response.  The field HQ staff will immedi-
ately establish a direct reporting link with American Red Cross Disaster Services 
at National HQ.  This response includes deploying staff with the Advance 
Element of the Emergency Response Team (ERT-A) and to the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS) Regional Support Team (RST), as well as convening 
the ESF #6 regional element.
3. ESF #6 leadership will convene at the American Red Cross National HQ 
following Federal Response Plan (FRP) implementation to evaluate the situation, 
implement plans established to support mass care operations, and consider and 
respond to requests for mass care-related resources.


B. Organization
1. National-Level Response Support Structure
a. The ESF #6 staff will operate under the direction of the Senior Vice President, 
Chapter Services, of the American Red Cross at National HQ in Washington, 
DC.  The American Red Cross National HQ will provide administrative 
support to the ESF #6 staff.
b. The Senior Vice President, Chapter Services, will represent ESF #6 as a 
member of the Catastrophic Disaster Response Group (CDRG).
c. Representatives of all agencies designated to support ESF #6 will be available 
on a 24-hour basis for the duration of the emergency response period.
2. Regional-Level Response Structure
a. The regional-level response structure may comprise representatives on the 
RST and representatives on the ERT-A.  When fully operational, the regional-
level response structure includes the ESF #6 section in the Disaster Field 
Office (DFO).
b. Liaisons from Federal support agencies will be available to the ESF #6 section 
at the DFO as necessary, and available on a 24-hour basis for the duration of 
the emergency response period.
c. Liaisons from ESF #6 to other ESFs and/or related functions will be identified 
and deployed by the ESF #6 section in the DFO.
C. Activation
1. The DHS Homeland Security Center (HSC) will activate ESF #6 by contacting 
the American Red Cross Disaster Operations Center, which will activate agencies 
whose support is required.
2. This activation may include deploying staff to the Emergency Support Team 
(EST) at DHS, the affected RST, the ERT-A, and the full Emergency Response 
Team (ERT).
V. Response Actions
A. Initial Actions
1. The national ESF #6 response structure will:
a. Assess the disaster situation and forecast mass care response needs;
b. Provide technical assistance to the regional ESF #6 section and EST; and
c. Validate requests from the regional ESF #6 section for mass care resources.


2. The regional ESF #6 section will:
a. Establish communications with the national ESF #6 response structure;
b. Assess the disaster situation and determine the adequacy of mass care 
response activities;
c. Provide technical assistance to the State agency responsible for mass care;
d. Validate requests from the affected State for mass care resources;
e. Manage the process for requests for Federal assistance;
f. Provide reports to the national ESF #6 response structure and DFO; and
g. Anticipate future mass care requirements.
B. Continuing Actions
1. The national ESF #6 response structure will:
a. Assess the disaster situation and mass care response needs;
b. Provide technical assistance to the regional ESF #6 section and EST;
c. Coordinate resource requests with the Federal support agencies and EST;
d. Provide status reports on mass care activities in the region(s); and
e. Anticipate future mass care requirements.
2. The regional ESF #6 section will:
a. Coordinate the resources necessary to support the conduct of all required mass 
care services;
b. Maintain contact with the State agency responsible for mass care to coordinate 
assistance.  ESF #6, in conjunction with the State counterpart, will evaluate 
the needs for mass care and, when scarce resources are involved, present those 
needs to the national ESF #6 response structure for guidance in resource 
allocation;
c. Manage the request for Federal assistance process for mission assignments 
and taskings;
d. Manage logistical support and related fiscal activities;
e. Anticipate future mass care requirements; and
f. Coordinate with Federal and voluntary organization recovery programs for the 
transition of mass care response to recovery operations.


VI. Responsibilities
A. Primary Agency:  American Red Cross
1. Support the management and coordination of sheltering, feeding, emergency first 
aid services, bulk distribution of emergency relief items, and DWI services to the 
disaster-affected population.
2. Provide DWI to appropriate authorities in response to disaster welfare inquiries 
and family reunification requests.
3. Manage mass care logistical and related fiscal activities.
B. Support Agencies
1. Department of Agriculture
a. Food and Nutrition Service
(1) Locate and secure supplies of food, including federally owned surplus 
foods, to supplement those in the disaster area.
(2) Provide statistics on the quantities and locations of food furnished by the 
Food and Nutrition Service.
b. Forest Service
(1) Provide available departmental resources (e.g., cots, blankets, sleeping 
bags, personnel) for shelters.
(2) Provide logistical guidance and support.
2. Department of Defense
a. Director of Military Support
Provide available resources (personnel, equipment, and supplies) in the 
absence of other national disaster system resource capabilities (including 
contracting).
b. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(1) Provide potable water and ice for mass care use and bulk distribution to 
disaster victims.
(2) Provide assistance in inspecting mass care shelter sites after the disaster 
to ensure suitability of facilities to safely shelter disaster victims.
(3) Provide assistance in constructing temporary shelter facilities, if 
necessary, in the disaster area.
3. Department of Health and Human Services
a. Provide Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) workers to 
augment personnel assigned to shelters.
b. Provide casualty information from within the disaster-affected area in support 
of a DWI system.
c. Provide technical assistance for shelter operations related to food, vectors, 
water supply, and waste disposal.
d. Assist in the provision of medical supplies and services.
4. Department of Homeland Security
a. Assist in the release of information for notification of relatives.
b. Assist in establishing priorities and coordinating the transition of mass care 
operations with recovery activities based on disaster situation information and 
the availability of resources that can be appropriately applied.
c. Provide available resources such as cots, blankets, meals-ready-to-eat, and 
other Initial Response Resources (IRR) and logistical support, including 
communications, for disaster operations as appropriate.
d. Assist in the provision of medical supplies and services.
5. Department of Housing and Urban Development
a. Provide information on available habitable housing units, owned or in the pos-
session of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), within 
or adjacent to the disaster or affected area for use as emergency shelters.
b. Provide available HUD staff to assist when needed with mass care operations.
6. Department of Veterans Affairs
a. Provide for food preparation and stockpiling in its facilities during the 
immediate emergency.
b. Provide medical supplies and personnel to support mass care operations.
c. Provide available facilities suitable for mass shelter.
7. General Services Administration
a. Provide communications links to the DWI center from the disaster area.
b. Provide other logistical support for mass care requirements as requested.
8. U.S. Postal Service
a. Provide change of address cards for victims to notify the U.S. Postal Service 
(USPS) of relocation addresses for mail forwarding, and assist in the 
distribution, collection, and mailing of those cards.
b. Provide an electronic file of address change information furnished by disaster 
victims.


VII. References
A. American Red Cross Disaster Services Program, Foundations of the Disaster Services 
Program, ARC 3000, April 1996.
B. American Red Cross Disaster Services Program, Mass Care — Preparedness and 
Operations, ARC 3041, April 1987.
C. American Red Cross Disaster Services Program, Disaster Welfare Inquiry, ARC 
3044, April 1996.
D. American Red Cross Disaster Services Regulations and Procedures, Disaster Health 
Services — Preparedness and Operations, ARC 3050, April 1988.
E. Statement of Understanding between the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
and the American National Red Cross, October 1, 1997.


Emergency Support Function #7
Resource Support Annex



Primary Agency: General Services Administration
Support Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
  Department of Commerce
  Department of Defense
  Department of Energy
  Department of Homeland Security
  Department of Labor
  Department of Transportation
  Department of Veterans Affairs
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  Office of Personnel Management

I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #7 — Resource Support provides operational 
assistance in a potential or actual presidentially declared major disaster or emergency.
B. Scope
ESF #7 support to Federal organizations during the immediate response phase of a 
disaster includes emergency relief supplies, space, office equipment, office supplies, 
telecommunications (in coordination with ESF #2 — Communications if activated), 
contracting services, transportation services (in coordination with ESF #1 — 
Transportation), security services, Federal law enforcement liaisons, and personnel 
required to support immediate response activities.  ESF #7 provides support for 
requirements not specifically identified in the other ESFs.  It addresses the effort and 
activity necessary to evaluate, locate, procure, and provide essential material resources, 
including excess and surplus property.  ESF #7 support may continue until the disposition 
of excess and surplus property, if any, is completed.
II. Policies
A. In accordance with assigned responsibilities and upon implementation of the Federal 
Response Plan (FRP), the Resource Support agencies will provide operational 
assistance to the affected areas.
B. Support agencies will furnish resources to support ESF #7 requirements, including 
procurement personnel necessary to establish operations effectively at the national 
and regional levels.  Such support will be terminated at the earliest practical time.
C. Equipment and supplies will be provided from current Federal stocks or, if necessary, 
from commercial sources.  Supplies to be used will not be stockpiled for the purposes 
of ESF #7.
D. General Services Administration (GSA) support of other ESFs will be done through 
ESF #7.
E. All procurement will be supported by a written justification and will be made in 
accordance with current Federal laws and regulations, which when necessary 
authorize other than "full and open competition."  GSA is the central procurement 
authority for the Federal Government.  All procurement actions made at the request of 
Federal agencies in support of the FRP will be in accordance with GSA's statutory 
and administrative requirements and will be accomplished using the appropriate fund 
citation/reimbursement procedures.
F. The provision of the operational support necessary to establish the response capacity 
of Federal agencies will be a major element in the execution of ESF #7.
III. Situation
A. Disaster Condition
A major disaster could cripple the productive capability of the affected area to respond, 
as well as that of surrounding areas under extreme conditions.  The Federal Government, 
however, will have the capacity to meet most foreseeable requirements.  There will be 
shortages in the local area of a variety of supplies necessary for emergency population 
survival, such as cots, sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases, tents for temporary shelter, 
and plastic and paper items for mass feeding.
B. Planning Assumptions
1. Implementation of the FRP will occur during peacetime.  If the United States is 
involved in a significant military operation, the Federal Government will be 
devoted to supporting it, and allocation of available resources for multiple 
demands will be coordinated in conjunction with appropriate resource agencies.
2. Federal requirements may need to be met from resources outside the disaster area, 
as most local resources will be claimed by the State in support of response 
operations.
3. Transport of resources may require a mobilization center.  National Guard or mili-
tary bases will be available for use, and adequate facilities will be available for 
materiel handling.  Appropriate Federal and State officials should mutually agree 
on the use of these facilities prior to a response requirement.
4. Warehouses belonging to the Federal agencies within the affected area may suffer 
major structural damage.  Supplies contained in these warehouses may be 
inaccessible during initial post-disaster operations but will be available at a later 
date as debris is cleared.
5. All requested Resource Support will be required for the immediate relief 
operations (e.g., initial lifesaving and life-support operations).
IV. Concept of Operations
A. General
The nationwide capabilities of the Resource Support community will be committed 
through Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) at the national and regional levels.  The 
primary determination of resource needs is made by the operational elements at the 
regional level.  Requests for resources will flow upward through and be controlled by 
EOCs at the regional and national levels.  The primary source of personnel, equipment, 
supplies, and materials will be from existing Federal resources.  Support that cannot be 
provided from Federal resources may be secured through direct procurement or 
donations.
B. Organization
1. National-Level Response Support Structure
a. The national ESF will operate under the direction of the GSA Emergency 
Coordinator (EC).
b. ESF support operations will be coordinated through the GSA EC in the GSA 
Central Office, Washington, DC.
c. Upon notification of implementation of the FRP, the GSA EC will make an 
initial determination of which ESF support agencies will be required to make 
personnel available at the EOC and which will be required to remain available 
on telephone standby.  All national ESF support agency personnel will notify 
their parent agencies and await instruction from the GSA EC before reporting 
to the GSA EOC.
d. The EC will represent the ESF in its dealings with the Catastrophic Disaster 
Response Group (CDRG) and will maintain liaison with the regional ESF and 
other interested parties.
e. GSA Central Office will provide administrative support to the ESF.
2. Regional-Level Response Structure
a. The GSA Regional Administrator or Regional Emergency Coordinator (REC) 
is the regional ESF head.
b. The GSA Regional Administrator or REC will appoint one or more Federal 
Emergency Support Coordinator(s) (FESC), if needed, to coordinate the 
provision of ESF support at the Disaster Field Office (DFO).
c. Preferably, the regional EOC will be located in the DFO.  The GSA region 
will determine the center's initial location if movement to, or the condition of, 
the DFO precludes immediate occupancy.
d. The agencies supporting this ESF will have a representative present at the 
DFO on a 24-hour (12-hour shift) basis for the duration of the emergency 
response period if required.
e. For a disaster affecting a multi-State area within a region, one location may be 
chosen that will act as a consolidation point for all Resource Support requests.  
The location chosen must enhance support to all affected States and ensure 
coordination with other ESFs.  Where possible, the location will be 
determined in concert with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and 
other ESFs during the planning process.  This does not preclude establishing 
one ESF per GSA region, with a liaison element in each DFO.
f. GSA will provide administrative support for the regional ESF.
C. Notification
1. The GSA EC will be notified by the DHS Homeland Security Center (HSC).  The 
GSA EC will notify all support agencies.
2. The GSA EC will notify the head of the affected regional ESF by any means 
necessary.  If the GSA EC encounters difficulties in providing information to the 
affected regional official, the EC will notify DHS of the difficulty and request 
assistance.  The GSA EC also will notify selected GSA regional officials of the 
need to be prepared to provide support as required.
3. Upon notification:
a. All national ESF support agency personnel will contact their parent agencies 
and await instructions from the GSA EC before reporting to the GSA EOC; 
and
b. All regional ESF support personnel will contact their parent agencies and 
report to their predesignated ESF initial operational location.
D. Response Actions
1. Initial Actions
Upon ESF notification by DHS:
a. The GSA EC, or an authorized representative, within 2 hours after notification 
will alert the national and regional ESF points of contact (POCs) as required, 
ensuring all internal GSA parties are fully informed of developments;
b. The GSA EC will provide support to Federal agencies engaged in the disaster 
response as requirements are identified until the regional ESF is operational;
c. The REC will assume control of ESF #7 operations under the FRP;
d. The appropriate regions will be contacted to augment response operations; and


e. The REC will establish and deploy a team or teams to provide the following 
support as necessary:
(1) Deploy a representative to the Regional Operations Center (ROC);
(2) Deploy a team to the State EOC as part of the Advance Element of the 
Emergency Response Team (ERT-A);
(3) Ensure a suitable DFO facility, using preidentified locations where 
applicable, is acquired and ready to occupy within 72 hours of receiving 
DHS requirements and/or DHS acceptance of the space;
(4) Provide support in acquiring communications, office furniture, 
equipment, and supplies to equip the DFO;
(5) Support deployment of Initial Response Resources (IRR) with 
transportation services and procurement; and
(6) Establish and manage mobilization center(s).
2. Continuing Actions
From the time of initial actions and throughout the immediate response period, 
ESF #7 will provide Resource Support in accordance with its charged responsibilities.  
The following procedures will be used to provide, control, and account for goods and 
services:
a. Upon notification of space requirements, the ESF will determine, through the 
regional GSA Public Building Service (PBS), the availability of suitable space 
in federally owned or leased buildings;
b. When space in federally owned or leased buildings is not available or 
acceptable, the DHS Regional Director or Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) 
will be notified by the ESF, which will then arrange with the regional PBS to 
assist in locating suitable space elsewhere;
c. Communications capability will be provided through the Federal Emergency 
Communications Coordinator (FECC);
d. ESF #7, in support of ESF #1, will arrange for transportation as required;
e. Motor equipment will be provided from the following sources:
(1) Equipment owned by Federal agencies that may be reassigned to the 
Federal disaster operation;
(2) Federal supply schedule contractors; and
(3) Other commercial sources.
f. All required office furniture and equipment will be provided from Federal 
inventories or commercial sources;
g. Office supplies and other expendables will be provided from Federal stores, 
supply centers, stock, or other government and commercial sources.  Small 
businesses and vendors in the affected area will be used whenever possible;
h. Procurement support will be provided using GSA, Defense Logistics Agency 
(DLA), and other agencies' contracting resources as required;
i. The ESF will make available technical advisors in the areas of procurement, 
storage, and transportation as well as engi