The Reserve's Medical Role for Homeland Security
Abstract
After September 11, 2001, people around the globe became increasingly attuned to the possibility of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) being used in concert with terrorist activities. Traditionally, bombs and explosives have been the terrorist's method of choice, although they increasingly desire to employ more elaborate methods such as dirty bombs, biological agents, and the use of chemicals. Such threats require local responders to use response strategies that meet these asymmetric challenges. Given these conditions, the nation has put forth considerable effort to create a response model that can address medical-specific challenges related to a large-scale attack or disaster in the homeland. Natural disasters also threaten the security of the homeland, as evidenced by the unforeseen catastrophe created by the December 26, 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean region. This paper addresses the Department of Defense's (DoD) role in Consequence Management (CM) and the interoperability of medical assets between the Active Component (AC) and U.S. Army Reserve that could be employed in support of a CBRNE or natural disaster. Under law (U.S. Code: Title 10, Section 12304), the Reserve Forces are not allowed to participate in natural disaster relief unless directed by the President. Considering that the DoD is fully immersed in CM and the distribution of Active and Reserve assets in the Medical Reengineering Initiative (MRI), such restrictions need to be absolved. The scope of this paper will address only catastrophic events that would warrant the involvement of the DoD and the medical assets it could provide. The National Guard's medical capabilities are so few that they would not markedly increase DoD's ability to respond to a disaster and so will not be addressed. Also, relatively smaller events for medical support are not considered and are not applicable to the intended theme of the paper.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431856
Entities
People
- John R. Magrane Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College