Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Emergency Support Functions
All three plans use ESFs as a means to provide the interagency staff to support fed-
eral response operations of the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC),
the Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC), and the Joint Field Office
(JFO). Depending on the incident, deployed assets of the ESFs may also participate
in the staffing of the Incident Command Post. Under the NRP, each ESF is struc-
tured to provide optimal support for evolving incident management requirements.
ESFs may be activated for Stafford Act and non-Stafford Act implementation
of the NRP (although some Incidents of National Significance may not require ESF
activations). ESF funding for non-Stafford Act situations will be accomplished using
NRP Federal-to-Federal support mechanisms and will vary based on the incident.
Within the NRP, each ESF Annex identifies the ESF coordinator and the pri-
mary and support agencies pertinent to the ESF. Several ESFs incorporate mul-
tiple components, with primary agencies designated for each component to ensure
seamless integration of and transition between preparedness, prevention, response,
recovery, and mitigation activities. ESFs with multiple primary agencies designate
an ESF coordinator for the purposes of preincident planning and coordination.
A federal agency designated as an ESF primary agency serves as a federal execu-
tive agent under the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) (or Federal Resource
Coordinator for non-Stafford Act incidents) to accomplish the ESF mission. When
an ESF is activated in response to an Incident of National Significance, the primary
agency is responsible for
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Orchestrating federal support within their functional area for an affected state
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Providing staff for the operations functions at fixed and field facilities
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Notifying and requesting assistance from support agencies
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Managing mission assignments and coordinating with support agencies, as
well as appropriate state agencies
◾
Working with appropriate private-sector organizations to maximize use of all
available resources
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Supporting and keeping other ESFs and organizational elements informed of
ESF operational priorities and activities
◾
Planning for short-term and long-term incident management and recovery
operations
ESF Support Agencies
When an ESF is activated in response to an Incident of National Significance, sup-
port agencies are responsible for
◾
Conducting operations, when requested by DHS or the designated ESF pri-
mary agency, using their own authorities, subject-matter experts, capabilities,
or resources
