Call for Help!: The US Army Corps of Engineers as Part of the Interagency Team in Providing Disaster Relief Under the Stafford Act

Abstract

Abstract : Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121) and as described in the Federal Response Plan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the Executive Agent on behalf of the Department of Defense to accomplish Emergency Support Function #3 (ESF #3), Public Works and Engineering when the President declares a disaster. This effort occurs under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This SRP examines how USACE organizes at national and regional/local levels and how it plans, trains and prepares for the ESF #3 mission. It also examines USACE's success during the last nine years in interacting with FEMA and the Interagency to accomplish this function. The SRP evaluates USACE involvement in consequence management for both federally declared natural disasters and terrorist strikes. The SRP concentrates on Stafford Act disasters that occurred after 1992 because FEMA (and, hence, USACE) changed its approach after several poor performances prior to 1993. The SRP notes strengths and weaknesses in USACE's organization, planning, training and other preparations for the ESF #3 mission. It also concludes that USACE's successful approach to the ESF #3 mission can be replicated by government agencies at any level that are charged with other emergency support functions.