With the realm of Emergency Management, there has been provisions used to augment the United Stated Department of Defense (DOD into emergencies for response. This is known as the Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), and it is a concept that describes how the United States military provides assistance to civilian authorities during emergencies or disasters within the country. Its main purpose is to help save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect property when civilian resources are overwhelmed or insufficient.

DSCA involves a range of activities and capabilities that the military can offer to support civilian agencies in times of crisis. These include:

1. Emergency response: The military can assist in responding to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, or wildfires. They provide search and rescue operations, medical support, transportation, and logistical help to move people, equipment, and supplies to affected areas.

2. Disaster relief: Military forces can provide temporary shelters, distribute food and water, and establish field hospitals and medical facilities to provide healthcare services. They can also help restore critical infrastructure such as power, communications, and transportation systems.

3. Humanitarian assistance: When civilian populations are in need of immediate aid due to conflicts, displacement, or other crises, the military can deliver food, water, medical supplies, and other essential items. They can also support humanitarian organizations in their relief efforts.

4. Law enforcement support: The military can assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining public order and security during civil disturbances, large-scale events, or emergencies. This support may involve providing personnel, equipment, intelligence, or specialized capabilities like handling explosives or responding to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents.

It is crucial to understand that DSCA in the United States operates within a framework that is consistent with the National Response Framework, showing respect to civil liberties, and adheres to the rule of law. DSCA operates under the control and coordination of civilian authorities found within the National Response Framework which establishes a structure called the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS), which are used for coordination and control during emergencies or disasters.

The US government possesses a range of capabilities and resources that can be provided when requested by a governor or local civil authorities during emergencies. In cases where an incident exceeds the resources of the state, local area, or tribe, mutual aid agreements and support from neighboring states and the US government can be activated.

The military's involvement is intended to be temporary and supplemental, working alongside and supporting civilian efforts, not replacing them, meaning that DSCA is intended to provide additional assistance to civilian authorities during emergencies or disasters.

The responsibility for responding to domestic emergencies lies with civilian agencies such as local, state, and federal government entities. However, in certain situations where the magnitude of the emergency exceeds the resources and the capabilities of civilian authorities, the military can step in to provide support for a short period of time, typically up to 10 days until an official Request for Assistance has been initiated.

Once the immediate crisis or emergency is addressed, the military's involvement is scaled back or phased out. This is because the primary goal of restoring the local area to normal functions has been achieved. The military's temporary and supplemental role ensures that civilian control and oversight are maintained, and the long-term responsibility for governing and managing domestic affairs remains in civilian hands.

By operating within this framework of temporary and supplemental support, DSCA strikes a balance between leveraging the military's strengths and expertise while upholding the principles of civilian authority and control.

In the United States, specific procedures and guidelines for DSCA are established through legislation, regulations, and interagency agreements. These ensure a coordinated and effective response while upholding the principles of civilian control and oversight. Each state also has its own protocols and plans for requesting and coordinating military assistance during emergencies or disasters.

• HSPD-5 Management of Domestic Incidents

• PPD-8 National Preparedness

• NSHS - strategic objectives, organization, and critical areas for Homeland Security

• The Homeland Security Act of 2002. established DHS to coordinate all homeland security activities to protect the nation against threats to the homeland

• Robert T Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 USC Chapter 68, Section 5121).

• The Economy Act of 1932 (31 USC Section 1535).

• Armed Forces (10 USC sections 271-282). Governs military support for civilian LEAs.

• PCA (18 USC section 1385) Strict statues and limits on the use of the US Army and Air Force for law enforcement. This federal statute places strict limits on the
  use of the USA and the USAF for law enforcement. Enacted in 1878, the PCA prohibits the willful use of the USA (and later, the USAF) to execute the laws, except as authorized by the Congress or the US Constitution. Although the PCA, by its terms, refers only to the USA and USAF, DOD policy extends the prohibitions of the act to USN and USMC forces as well. DODI 3025.21, Defense Support of Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies, implements the PCA for DOD components. Additionally, federal courts have recognized exceptions to the PCA. The most notable are the “military purpose doctrine” and the “indirect assistance” to civilian law enforcement exceptions. Exceptions and/or circumstances not falling under PCA include, but are not limited to:

  • (1) Actions taken for the primary purpose of furthering a military or foreign
    affairs function of the US.

  • (2) Federal troops acting pursuant to the President’s Constitutional and statutory authority to respond to civil disorder.

  • (3) Actions taken under express statutory authority to assist officials in executing the laws, subject to applicable limitations.

  • (4) CD operations authorized by statute.

• 32 USC Section 502.

• Unified Command Plan (UCP). The UCP establishes the missions, responsibilities, and geographic AORs for commanders of CCMDs.

• Strategy for HD and DSCA. This document provides the strategy for defense of
  the homeland and support of civil authorities.

• CJCSI 3121.01, Standing Rules of Engagement/Standing Rules for the Use
  of Force for US Forces. SRUF provide operational guidance and establish fundamental policies and procedures governing the actions taken by DOD forces performing DSCA missions (e.g., military assistance to civil authorities and military support for civilian LEAs) and routine Service functions (including antiterrorism/FP duties) within US territory (including US territorial waters).

• CJCSI 3125.01, Defense Response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and
  Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents in the Homeland.

• CJCSI 3710.01, DOD Counterdrug Support.

• CJCSI 3110.05, Military Information Support Operations Supplement to the
  Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan. It specifies that the joint force may employ PSYOP forces and equipment to conduct CAIS as a subset of DSCA, using all available media when authorized by Secretary of Defense or a designated representative, IAW DODD 3025.18, Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) (JP 3-13.2, Military Information Support Operations, expands this to include support to other US civil authorities, as well as federal agencies).

• CJCS DSCA EXORD. This order delegates limited approval authority to
  CDRUSNORTHCOM and CDRUSINDOPACOM, who have DSCA responsibilities in order to provide a rapid and flexible DOD response to requests for assistance.