JP 3-28, page 13

Executive Summary xi All Hazards Scope of Defense Support of Civil Authorities The homeland is confronted by a full spectrum of threats and hazards. Some can be difficult to categorize as either a traditional military threat requiring only a DOD response capability or a purely law enforcement threat requiring a nonmilitary response from DHS, the Department of Justice, or other civilian agency. The characterization of a particular threat may ultimately rest with the President. Other threats (e.g., civil disorder) may be characterized by individual governors. Supporting a Comprehensive All Hazards Response State, Local, Territory, and Tribal Government Roles Response begins at the local level with public officials and responders at the county, city, municipality, or town affected by the incident. Local leaders and emergency responders prepare their communities to manage incidents locally. The National Response Framework (NRF) response guidance describes coordinating resources within jurisdictions, among adjacent jurisdictions, and with the private sector and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the American Red Cross. Federal Role The USG maintains a wide range of capabilities and resources that may be required to deal with domestic incidents to save lives and protect property and the environment while ensuring the protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. All USG departments and agencies must cooperate with one another and with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, community members, and the private sector to the maximum extent possible. The USG becomes involved with a response when federal interests are involved; if state, local, tribal, or territorial resources are overwhelmed; and federal assistance is requested or as authorized or required by statute, regulation, or policy. Accordingly, in some instances, the USG may play a supporting role to state and local civil authorities by providing federal assistance to the affected parties. Department of Defense Immediate Response and Emergency Authority As authorized by Title 42, USC, Chapter 68, Section 5121, The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act) (commonly referred to as the (Stafford Act) and prescribed by Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 3025.18, Defense Support of Civil Authorities