Military Disaster Response: Strategy, Leadership, and Actions- Closing the Gap
Abstract
The United States Military represents America's most capable organization for massive short-notice response to natural and manmade disasters yet an effective and coordinated military response remains elusive. Primary responsibility for disaster response rests with civilian agencies at the local state and federal level; however they do not possess the military's manpower equipment training and organization necessary to amass the relief effort required for a catastrophic incident. Hurricane Katrina proved that all levels of government were inadequately prepared for major disasters which precipitated hundreds of policy strategy planning and organizational changes. The military establishment also made many changes in the wake of Katrina to improve its ability to perform Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations; however it still lacks a clear effective and coordinated military response capability. This paper will demonstrate that America needs a clear military strategy for civil support operations that utilizes a total force (Active Guard and Reserve) solution focused on supporting responsible civilian agencies where and when they need it It will build this.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA480163
Entities
People
- Kenneth E. Ring Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army War College