FEMA's Emergency Support Function No. 13: How and Why it Is Used

Manmade or natural disasters frequently require a timely and coordinated response that may include federal, state and local resources. When a disaster rises to the level of a threat to the national interests, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Support Functions are activated. This paper provides a discussion concerning Public Safety Security Annex (ESF-13), including its origin and scope, as well as participants and the operational response to a critical incident of federal interest.

Finally, a discussion concerning the respective roles of state and local agencies is followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning ESF-13 in the conclusion. Review and Discussion Origin of ESF-13 The Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) originated as part of the National Response Framework (NRF) and represent the main operational-level mechanisms that are used to organize and deliver assistance in times of need (Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #13, 2015).

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) publication, 'Emergency Support Function #13 - Public Safety and Security Annex,' the purpose of ESF #13 is to 'integrate federal public safety and security capabilities and resources to support the full range of incident management activities associated with potential or actual incidents requiring a coordinated federal response' (Emergency Support Function #13, 2008, p. 1).

Scope of ESF-13 The scope of ESF #13 spans the entire continuum of emergency response coordination, ranging from the coordination and provision of federal-to-federal support to federal support to the states and other ESFs as well as tribal and local authorities (Emergency Support Function #13, 2008). The scope of the support provided pursuant to ESF #13 includes the first responder resources (e.g., public safety, security, law enforcement) needed for a coordinated federal response (Emergency Support Function #13, 2008). The resources authorized for deployment by ESF #13 include, but are not limited to, the following:.

Force and critical infrastructure protection,. Security planning and technical assistance,. Technology support, and,. General law enforcement assistance in both preincident and postincident situations (Emergency Support Function #13, 2008, p. 1). Participants of ESF-13 As noted above, the participants involved in ESF #13 responses include federal, state, tribal and local government agencies as well as other ESFs.

In addition, the federal government has the authority to provide whatever level of assistance is needed to augment other resources or to provide a unique solution, including federalizing a state's National Guard or assigning military forces to protect constitution rights and enforce federal laws (Emergency Support Function #13, 2008).

Operational response to a critical incident of federal interest The provisions of ESF #13 are triggered in those cases where state, tribal and local resources are inadequate to respond effectively to a disaster situation or in those cases where a response by the federal government is the only viable alternative (Emergency Support Function #13, 2008). When critical incidents of federal interest occur, the federal government is authorized to provide a wide range of assistance, including the following:.

Assignment of federal personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services in support of state and local assistance efforts;. Coordination of all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by federal agencies, private organizations, and state and local governments;. Providing technical and advisory assistance to affected state and local governments for the performance of essential community services;. Issuance of warnings of risks and hazards;. Public health and safety information, including dissemination of such information; .. provision of health and safety measures;. Management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to.