Every FEMA Region is now destined to get one of these new teams. The staffing goes way beyond what we've seen for the Civil Support Teams which are currently deployed in every state in the nation.
There are 570 guardsmen assigned to these units with a mission to be on the ground in 6-12 hours. In my mind to do that they will have to be on continuous active duty, these can't be part timer positions (but the announcement was not specific--so I'm guessing). Interestingly they have a 200 person "security team" as part of the group along with a 200 member "command and control" team. Hmm, makes me wonder, "Who they are going to command and control?"
While I'm never one to look a gift horse in the mouth and I'll take any resources thrown my way in an emergency--there are certainly some things to be sorted out as to how these new forces will fit into the mix of civil military leadership before, during and after a disaster.
Those who see a continuing expansion of the military into civil emergency management might see this as another indicator that mission creep by DOD into the traditional emergency management profession and responsibilities is continuing.
I look forward to learning more about these forces and how they will be utilized and integrated into current disaster preparedness, response and recovery operational concepts.
The thought that these troops would only be used for WMD/Terrorism events and not have an "all-hazard" function is one crazy idea! Hopefully we've gotten beyond that with the fallout from Katrina and a more multi-hazard approach to what we consider threats to our communities.
Since Washington State is one of the first to get one of these forces I'll be monitoring their mission status and employment concepts closely and will report back when I know more.
Tom Antush shared the link to the HRF site.
