JP 3-28, page 20

Executive Summary xviii JP 3-28 Health Services As a supporting agency to the Department of Health and Human Services, DOD will coordinate mission assignments involving health services through the DCO. DOD may receive RFAs submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Defense Executive Secretary prior to establishing a DCO. These RFAs are approved by SecDef and will be coordinated with the DCO once established. Additionally, the department of Health and Human Services may request assistance from DOD without going through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the multiagency contract process IAW the Economy Act of 1932. DOD employs and integrates the medical response through the following joint medical capabilities: first responder care, forward resuscitative care, en route care, theater hospitalization, and definitive care. The focus of DOD medical support is to save lives and support restoration of essential health services in collaboration with the state and local health authorities. The scope of the medical response will vary with the type and scale of emergency. A clear focus must remain on transition to other medical support organizations. Mortuary Affairs While the GCCs coordinate DOD mortuary affairs operations within their area of responsibility, the local, state, tribal, or territorial medical examiner or coroner will most likely maintain jurisdiction over both military and civilian fatalities, including mass casualty events. In the domestic environment, the individual with jurisdiction has authority to order and perform an investigation, to include an autopsy or an appropriate medicolegal death examination on human remains. Jurisdiction varies depending on geographical area and is dependent upon federal, state, county, or local laws. When there is a death of a Service member, jurisdiction will almost always be concurrent. Concurrent jurisdiction means that a local medical examiner or coroner has the authority to conduct the medicolegal death investigation, including autopsy, but may waive jurisdiction to the military or request Armed Forces Medical Examiner assistance. Cyberspace Support DSCA operations can include employment of DOD cyberspace forces, including NG or reserve forces, to assist the lead federal agency in support of state, local, territorial, and tribal civil authorities during a significant cybersecurity incident. DOD cyberspace forces may also be requested to support a larger DSCA effort that requires responses in throughout the operational area, through the