A Standardized Domestic Common Operating Picture (COP) is Needed by the National Guard of the United States

Abstract

The National Guard of the United States is responsible for the first military response to local, state, and federal emergencies, disasters and events beyond the capabilities of civilian emergency responders. As such, the creation of a collaborative Common Operating Picture (COP) is paramount for each level of the responder community. Used properly, a COP can capture all pertinent data regarding the event and, with the proper software and devices, broadcast it to the response community in near real-time. A COP gives leaders the ability to see their resources (people, equipment and supplies) and if incorporated at all response levels, can prevent duplication of effort and the waste of resources. While the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for the development and oversight of the COP for the federal government, the department is sorely behind in its implementation. Coupled with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of separate government organizations nationwide, the application of a comprehensive COP seems impossible. This study, while originally focused solely on the National Guard, finds a need for vast improvement throughout the whole of government in regards to COP development and implementation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 13, 2013
Accession Number
ADA599110

Entities

People

  • Shawn W. Starowesky

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Digital Communications
  • Disasters
  • Emergency Response
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Information Exchange
  • National Governments
  • National Guard
  • National Security
  • Online Communications
  • Personnel Management
  • Situational Awareness
  • Social Media
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • United States Northern Command

Readers

  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Systems Analysis and Design