JP 3-28, page 101

B-1 APPENDIX B EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS 1. Overview The ESFs provide the structure for coordinating federal interagency support for a federal response to an incident. They are mechanisms for grouping functions most frequently used to provide federal support to states and federal-to-federal support, both for declared disasters and emergencies, under the Stafford Act and for non-Stafford Act incidents. ESFs are not based on the capabilities of a single department or agency, and the functions for which they are responsible cannot be accomplished by any single department or agency. Instead, federal ESFs are groups of organizations that work together to deliver core capabilities and support an effective response. 2. Fourteen Emergency Support Functions The 15 ESFs are described below with the coordinating agencies indicated in parentheses. a. ESF #1 – Transportation (Department of Transportation): Provides support by assisting local, state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and federal governmental entities; voluntary organizations; NGOs; and the private sector in the management of transportation systems and infrastructure during domestic threats or in response to actual or potential incidents. b. ESF #2 – Communications (DHS/National Communications System): Supports the restoration of communications infrastructure, coordinates communications support to response efforts, facilitates the delivery of information to emergency management decision makers, and assists in the stabilization and reestablishment of systems and applications during incidents. c. ESF #3 – Public Works and Engineering (DOD/USACE): Coordinates and organizes the resources of the USG to facilitate the delivery of multiple core capabilities. d. ESF #4 – Firefighting (USDA/Forest Service): Provides federal support for the detection and suppression of wildland, rural, and urban fires resulting from, or occurring coincidentally with, an all-hazard incident requiring a coordinated national response for assistance. e. ESF #5 – Information and Planning (DHS/FEMA): Collects, analyzes, processes, and disseminates information about a potential or actual incident, and conducts planning activities to facilitate the overall activities in providing assistance to the whole community. f. ESF #6 – Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, and Human Services (DHS/FEMA): Coordinates and provides life-sustaining resources, essential services, and statutory programs when the needs of disaster survivors exceed local, state, tribal, territorial, and insular area government capabilities.