JP 3-28, page 15

Executive Summary xiii Interorganizational Coordination When the overall coordination of federal response activities is required, it is implemented through the Secretary of Homeland Security, consistent with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, Management of Domestic Incidents. Other USG departments and agencies carry out their response authorities and responsibilities within this overarching construct. Unity of Effort Incidents are managed at the lowest level possible. Federal support is provided in response to requests from state or local officials through the state coordinating officer to the federal coordinating officer. The federal coordinating officer coordinates for DOD support through the defense coordinating officer (DCO) in the joint field office. DOD may provide support to the lead federal agency, which has the lead in managing the federal response to a domestic incident. DHS is responsible for domestic incident management and the framework for federal interaction with state, local, territorial, and tribal governments; the private sector; and NGOs in the context of incident preparedness, response, and recovery activities. DOD support to this response will be initiated through a formal RFA or mission assignment process or provided as directed by the President or SecDef. Department of Defense and Emergencies in the Homeland DSCA is initiated by a request for DOD assistance from civil authorities or is authorized by the President or SecDef. Title 32, USC, Section 317, states dual-status commander- led joint task forces should be the usual and customary command and control arrangement established in response to an emergency or major disaster within the US when both federal and state military forces are supporting the response. Requests for DSCA should be written and include a commitment to reimburse DOD in accordance with (IAW) the Stafford Act; Title 31, USC, Section 1535 (also known as the Economy Act of 1932); or other authorities, except requests for support for immediate response, and mutual or automatic aid, IAW DODD 3025.18, Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA). Unless approval authority is otherwise delegated by SecDef, all DSCA requests shall be submitted to the office of the Executive Secretary of DOD.