JP 3-28, page 42

Chapter II II-8 JP 3-28 b. The catastrophic event becomes complex (complex catastrophe) when it severely affects the population, environment, economy, public health, national morale, response efforts, or government functions resulting from cascading failures of multiple, interdependent, critical life-sustaining infrastructure, in which disruption of one infrastructure component (such as the electric power grid) disrupts other infrastructure components (such as transportation and communications). Cascading infrastructure failures could magnify requirements for DSCA in the immediately impacted zone and outside affected areas in the region and complicate the operational environment that DOD would be asked to provide with assistance. c. Recognizing that federal or national resources are required to augment overwhelmed state, local, territory, and tribal response efforts, the NRF Catastrophic Incident Annex establishes protocols to pre-identify and rapidly deploy key essential resources (e.g., medical teams, SAR teams, transportable shelters, medical and equipment caches, and emergency communications) required to save lives and contain incidents. d. When a situation is beyond the capability of an affected state or territory, the governor may request federal assistance from the President. The President also has the authority to proactively direct the USG to provide supplemental assistance to state, local, territorial, or tribal governments to alleviate the suffering and damage resulting from disasters or emergencies. e. In the event of a major catastrophe, SecDef, using the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Emergency Action Plan process, convenes a consultative assessment process attended by SecDef, the CJCS, relevant combatant commanders (CCDRs), and other senior DOD leadership. SecDef determines whether DOD should treat an incident as a complex catastrophe based upon the magnitude of the catastrophe. SecDef approves and orders the level of support to the response, including forces and exceptions to policy, as necessary. SecDef notifies the President of worldwide risk and readiness issues to provide the level of support required. See DODM 3025.01, Volume 2, Defense Support of Civil Authorities: DOD Incident Response, for information on the SecDef decision matrix and a listing of potential DOD support requirements by ESF. 6. Interorganizational Coordination When the overall coordination of federal response activities is required, it is implemented through the Secretary of Homeland Security, consistent with HSPD-5, Management of Domestic Incidents. Other USG departments and agencies carry out their response authorities and responsibilities within this overarching construct. Nothing in the NRF alters or impedes the ability of federal, state, territory, tribal, or local departments and agencies to carry out their specific authorities or perform their responsibilities under all applicable laws, EOs, and directives. Additionally, nothing in the NRF is intended to impact or impede the ability of any USG department or agency to take an issue of concern directly to the President or any member of the President’s staff.