Relevance of National Guard Units in the Preparation and Response to Natural Disasters
Abstract
With the events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the aftermath that followed in New Orleans the President and others stated that perhaps DOD and more specifically USNORTHCOM should play a much larger role in the response to natural disasters. This paper will show that the response to these devastating events should remain with FEMA the first responders and when necessary the National Guard. FEMA with some modifications can again be the management organization it was designed to be. USNORTHCOM is not best positioned or prepared to carry out this type of response due to states sovereignty legal limitations resource allocation and other issues. The National Guard has the capabilities force structure. and experience to accomplish these specialized missions. These troops often come from the communities and states affected by natural disasters therefore giving them certain timing and local relationship advantages. At the operational level one specific unit Alabama%s 167th TSC which has been newly assigned to USNORTHCOM should be utilized for the establishment of CONPLANS in all high risk areas. Furthermore the 167th TSC should be activated and employed to coordinate and manage the logistics operations for all major natural disasters in the continental United States.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 21, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449347
Entities
People
- David R. Brown
Organizations
- United States Army War College