DOD "Role" During a Flu Pandemic
Jun 15, 2009 12:41:38 GMT -5
Post by spy1 on Jun 15, 2009 12:41:38 GMT -5
www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R40619.pdf :
"An analysis of the tasks
assigned by the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan indicates that
DOD’s role during a flu pandemic would center on the following objectives: assisting in disease
surveillance; assisting partner nations, particularly through military-to-military assistance;
protecting and treating US forces and dependents; and providing support to civil authorities in the
United States
With respect to providing support to civil authorities in the United States, the types of defense
support which would likely be in greatest demand during a flu pandemic include: providing
disease surveillance and laboratory diagnostics; transporting response teams, vaccines, medical
equipment, supplies, diagnostic devices, pharmaceuticals and blood products; treating patients;
evacuating the ill and injured; processing and tracking patients; providing base and installation
support to federal, state, local, and tribal agencies; controlling movement into and out of areas, or
across borders, with affected populations; supporting law enforcement; supporting quarantine
enforcement; restoring damaged public utilities; and providing mortuary services. Note, however,
that DOD’s ability to support these requests would be limited by its national defense and force
protection responsibilities. The two principal ways in which defense support could be provided to
civil authorities are by way of an “immediate response,” or in response to a formal “request for
assistance” (RFA). Additionally, in extreme circumstances the federal government may expedite
or suspend the RFA process and initiate a “proactive federal response.”
National Guard personnel would almost certainly be involved in domestic response efforts as
members of their state militia under the control of their governor. Current DOD plans do not
anticipate federal mobilization of the National Guard or Reserves to respond to a flu pandemic.
However, these plans could be modified if circumstances warranted it (for example, if the
severity of the pandemic significantly exceeded DOD’s planning assumptions). "
It goes into further detail about the different kind of National Guard and Reserve call-ups there might be, with special emphasis on which types of deployments would allow "Posse Comitatus" to be by-passed (seemingly stressing the desire for those kinds of call-ups).
While I understand the need for pandemic planning, some of the powers and strategies involved don't exactly give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Just thought I'd pass this on for your reading enjoyment. Pete
"An analysis of the tasks
assigned by the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan indicates that
DOD’s role during a flu pandemic would center on the following objectives: assisting in disease
surveillance; assisting partner nations, particularly through military-to-military assistance;
protecting and treating US forces and dependents; and providing support to civil authorities in the
United States
With respect to providing support to civil authorities in the United States, the types of defense
support which would likely be in greatest demand during a flu pandemic include: providing
disease surveillance and laboratory diagnostics; transporting response teams, vaccines, medical
equipment, supplies, diagnostic devices, pharmaceuticals and blood products; treating patients;
evacuating the ill and injured; processing and tracking patients; providing base and installation
support to federal, state, local, and tribal agencies; controlling movement into and out of areas, or
across borders, with affected populations; supporting law enforcement; supporting quarantine
enforcement; restoring damaged public utilities; and providing mortuary services. Note, however,
that DOD’s ability to support these requests would be limited by its national defense and force
protection responsibilities. The two principal ways in which defense support could be provided to
civil authorities are by way of an “immediate response,” or in response to a formal “request for
assistance” (RFA). Additionally, in extreme circumstances the federal government may expedite
or suspend the RFA process and initiate a “proactive federal response.”
National Guard personnel would almost certainly be involved in domestic response efforts as
members of their state militia under the control of their governor. Current DOD plans do not
anticipate federal mobilization of the National Guard or Reserves to respond to a flu pandemic.
However, these plans could be modified if circumstances warranted it (for example, if the
severity of the pandemic significantly exceeded DOD’s planning assumptions). "
It goes into further detail about the different kind of National Guard and Reserve call-ups there might be, with special emphasis on which types of deployments would allow "Posse Comitatus" to be by-passed (seemingly stressing the desire for those kinds of call-ups).
While I understand the need for pandemic planning, some of the powers and strategies involved don't exactly give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Just thought I'd pass this on for your reading enjoyment. Pete