DCE Pacific Resource and Knowledge Management

This is the knowledge management page for DCE Pacific. Here is where you can find information, training, and content for the DSCA enterprise.

What is Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA)?

DSCA is support provided by U.S. Federal Military Forces, DoD Civilians, DoD Contract Personnel, DoD Component Assets, and National Guard Forces (Title 32, U.S.C., status) in response to requests for assistance from civil authorities for domestic emergencies, law enforcement support, and other domestic activities, or from qualifying entities for special events.

DSCA Principles:

DSCA is the DOD assisting Americans within US states and territories.
DSCA is a Joint and Total Force mission conducted in an interagency environment
DOD is in support of a Lead Federal Agency (LFA): FEMA for disasters, FBI and Secret Service for NSSE’s, National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) for wildland fires on federal lands
Civil authorities are always in-charge
DSCA is a temporary measure with available assets. Military readiness has priority
DOD resources typically used for life saving and life sustaining ops, but there are exceptions
Law enforcement activities are severely limited by law
DOD relies on reimbursement for DSCA missions
Resources are provided on validated requirements, not specific assets
DoD does not compete with private enterprise

DSCA is....

Assistance to American citizens within US territories.
Military commanders assisting citizens under Mutual Aid Agreements or Immediate Response Authority.
National Search and Rescue missions.
Requests for Assistance (RFAs) to FEMA via Mission Assignments.
RFAs to other federal departments (Wildfires, Special Security Events, Unaccompanied children).
DoD is ALWAYS in support of domestic civilian authorities and initiated by request for assistance from proper civilian authority.
Support is provided on a cost reimbursable basis through the Economy/Stafford Act
The President can direct any federal agency to provide support on a non-reimbursable basis
Used after local and state civilian resources are exhausted

DSCA is not....

Homeland Defense
Programs under separate mandates: Counter-Drug Operations, Intelligence support, Community Affair or IRT Projects, Technology Transfers
Foreign Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief
A simple chain of command or a clean organizational chart
The DoD in charge; we don’t just “Do Missions”
DO NOT precede Title 32 State National Guard Forces
DO NOT circumvent statutory limits and authorities
DO NOT become a logistics draw on locality and state
DO NOT compete or take work from local populace

DSCA Authorities

Common DSCA Acronyms

EPLOs (Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers)

Training Links