Saving our Own: Maximizing CBRN Urban Search and Rescue Capabilities to Support Civil Authorities
Abstract
This thesis seeks to determine how the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Response Enterprises urban search and rescue (US and R) elements can better accomplish the Department of Defenses (DOD) Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission following a domestic nuclear attack. To this end, it poses the following research question: How can the DOD maximize the employment of existing CBRN Response Enterprise US and R capabilities to support civil authority directed lifesaving efforts following a domestic nuclear detonation? Research interviews were conducted with federal and local civil US and R authorities that inquired about their expectations of enterprise US and R elements after a nuclear detonation. Additionally, an analysis was conducted of the enterprises ability to overcome the challenges presented by post-nuclear detonation environments when delivering this support. It was discovered that federal civil US and R authorities intend to use the CBRN Response Enterprises US and R elements as force multipliers, while local authorities have more ambiguous expectations since they receive far less exposure to the enterprises US and R capabilities. Furthermore, to improve the delivery of life-saving aid, the enterprise should enhance its capabilities to address the threat of fire and added challenges to the performance of US and R skills incurred by post-nuclear detonation environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150823
Entities
People
- Robert T. Wagner
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School