R 111632Z JUN 12

ALCOAST 282/12
COMDTNOTE 16101
SUBJ: EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION (ESF) 9 - SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR)
A. NATIONAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK (NRF), DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY, MAR 2008
B. ROBERT T. STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT,
PUBLIC LAW 93-288, AS AMENDED 42 USC 5121-5207
C. POST-KATRINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REFORM ACT OF 2006, PUBLIC LAW
109-295
D. NRF EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION (ESF) 9 - SEARCH AND RESCUE ANNEX,
FEB 2011
E. CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT SAR ADDENDUM TO THE U.S. NATIONAL SAR
SUPPLEMENT TO THE IAMSAR MANUAL, VERSION 2.0
F. COAST GUARD CONNECTIVITY TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK,
COMDTINST 16000.22 (SERIES)
G. SAVING LIFE AND PROPERTY, 14 USC 88
H. COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES, STATES, TERRITORIES, AND
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, 14 USC 141
I. NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE PLAN OF THE UNITED STATES, 2007
J. U.S. COAST GUARD ADDENDUM TO THE U.S. NATIONAL SAR SUPPLEMENT
(NSS) TO THE IAMSAR MANUAL, COMDTINST M16130.2 (SERIES)
K. FINANCIAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MANUAL (FRMM), COMDTINST M7100.3
(SERIES)
L. NRF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT ANNEX, JAN 2008
M. REIMBURSEMENT OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, 44 CFR 206.208(C)(2)
1. ISSUE. PER REF (A), IN A DISASTER USCG AND FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES
CAN BE MOBILIZED FOR A COORDINATED NATIONAL RESPONSE, NORMALLY AT THE
REQUEST OF FEDERAL, STATE, TRIBAL OR LOCAL AGENCIES/AUTHORITIES. THIS
ALCOAST PROVIDES USCG POLICY IN THE CONDUCT AND COORDINATION OF ESF 9
DISASTER SAR OPS.
2. BACKGROUND.
A. IN SUPPORT OF REFS (A) THROUGH (C), THE NATIONAL SAR COMMITTEE
(NSARC) REVISED REF (D) TO IMPROVE INTERAGENCY COOPERATION AND
COORDINATION IN THE CONDUCT OF DISASTER RESPONSE SAR OPS. REF (D)
SERVES AS THE BASIS AND ASSIGNS FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RAPIDLY
DEPLOYING FED SAR RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF STATE, TRIBAL AND LOCAL
AUTHORITIES FOR AN ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED REQUEST FOR FED SAR
ASSISTANCE.
B. REF (D) IDENTIFIES FOUR ESF 9 PRIMARY AGENCIES AND THEIR
RESPECTIVE SAR ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
(1) DHS/FEMA: STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE SAR.
(2) DHS/USCG: MARITIME/COASTAL/WATERBORNE SAR.
(3) DOI/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) AND DOD: LAND SAR.
C. THE USCG IS THE RECOGNIZED FEDERAL EXPERT IN
MARITIME/COASTAL/WATERBORNE SAR (E.G., FLOODING, HURRICANE LANDFALL,
AND OTHER TYPES OF WATER-BASED DISASTERS).
3. ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY.
A. FOR DISASTERS REQUIRING COORDINATED ESF 9 FEDERAL SAR SUPPORT,
FEMA (ESF 9 COORDINATOR) WILL DESIGNATE AN ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY
AGENCY BASED ON THE ASSIGNED ESF 9 SAR ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBILITY.
B. USCG WILL BE DESIGNATED ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY WHEN ESF 9 IS
IMPLEMENTED FOR A MARITIME/COASTAL/WATERBORNE DISASTER. BASED ON THE
DISASTER LOCATION, EITHER COMLANTAREA OR COMPACAREA SHALL BE
DESIGNATED ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY. AS EXPLAINED IN REFS (D) AND
(E), THE USCG WILL ASSIST THE AFFECTED STATE(S)/FEMA REGION(S)
INCIDENT COMMANDER (IC)/SAR MISSION COORDINATOR (SMC) AS NECESSARY
FOR MISSION EXECUTION.
C. THE ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY WORKS WITH THE OTHER ESF 9
PRIMARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES (E.G., HELOS,
BOATS, LAND SAR RESPONDERS, ETC.) REQUESTED BY THE AFFECTED
STATE(S)/FEMA REGION(S). THE ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY IS THE
FEDERAL SAR RESOURCE BROKER FOR THE AFFECTED STATE(S)/FEMA REGION(S)
THAT REQ FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES.
D. PER REFS (D) AND (F), WHEN ASSIGNED ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY,
THE USCG SHALL:
(1) ASSIST IN THE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF ESF 9 FEDERAL SAR
RESOURCES IN THE RESPONSE WITH OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, TRIBAL AND LOCAL
AUTHORITIES.
(2) DETERMINE AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES FROM OTHER ESF 9
PRIMARY AGENCIES.
(3) PROVIDE A CONSOLIDATED (E.G, FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL) ESF 9 SAR
RESOURCE LAYDOWN TO FEMA AND THE OTHER ESF 9 PRIMARY AGENCIES ON A
DAILY BASIS, OR AS REQUIRED.
(4) PROVIDE INCIDENT REPORTS, ASSESSMENTS AND SITUATION REPORTS
ON A DAILY BASIS, OR AS REQUIRED.
(5) COORDINATE INTEGRATION OF FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES WITH THE
STATE(S)/FEMA REGION(S) THAT REQUESTED THE RESOURCES.
(6) PROVIDE REPS AT THE JOINT FIELD OFFICE (JFO), AND STATE,
TRIBAL, AND LOCAL EMERGENCY OPCENS (EOCS).
E. DESIGNATION AS ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY DOES NOT NECESSARILY
REQUIRE USCG SAR RESOURCES TO BE PROVIDED FOR A DISASTER. FOR
EXAMPLE, WHEN A STATE REQUESTS FEDERAL ESF 9 SAR RESOURCES FOR
DISASTER FLOODING, OTHER DOD (NORTHCOM)/NATIONAL GUARD, NPS OR FEMA
SAR RESOURCES MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO FULFILL A STATE SAR RESOURCE
REQUIREMENT AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. COORDINATION WITH FEMA AND THE
OTHER ESF 9 PRIMARY AGENCIES PRIOR TO AND IN RESPONSE TO A DISASTER
WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY FEDERAL SAR ASSETS AVAILABLE TO MEET
STATE(S)/FEMA REGION(S) SAR RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS.
F. FLOOD DISASTERS. IN PARTICULAR, AND CONSISTENT WITH REFS (F)
THROUGH (I), THE USCG AS THE MARITIME/COASTAL/WATERBORNE SAR PRIMARY
AGENCY, SHALL BE THE ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY FOR FLOOD DISASTERS
IN WHICH THE AFFECTED STATE(S)/FEMA REGION(S) REQUEST FEDERAL SAR
RESOURCES - EVEN IF USCG SAR RESOURCES ARE NOT USED. THIS WILL
EXPEDITE THE PROVISIONING OF FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES ON SCENE AND LIMIT
POTENTIAL CONFUSION BETWEEN THE ESF 9 PRIMARY AGENCIES IN DETERMINING
THE ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY FOR A
PARTICULAR FLOOD DISASTER.
G. FOR DISASTERS WHERE ESF 9 FEDERAL SAR RESOURCES ARE REQUESTED AND
THE USCG IS NOT ESF 9 OVERALL PRIMARY AGENCY (E.G., EARTHQUAKE), THE
USCG SHALL PROVIDE SAR RESOURCES, BASED ON AVAILABLITY.
4. CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT SAR (CISAR) ADDENDUM (REF (E)).
A. REF (E) IS THE NSARC DEVELOPED, FEDERAL, INTERAGENCY GUIDANCE ON
THE CONDUCT OF DISASTER SAR OPS. NSARC REALIZED THAT WITH USCG, DOD,
NPS AND FEMA HAVING DIVERSE SAR POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND
REQUIREMENTS, COMMON FEDERAL GUIDANCE FOR ESF 9 UNIFIED DISASTER SAR
OPS WAS REQUIRED. REF (E) WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE A COMMON OVERARCHING
FRAMEWORK FOR FEDERAL SAR SERVICES IN THE CONDUCT OF UNIFIED CISAR
OPS.
B. REF (E) IS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE FOR AREA, DISTRICT AND SECTOR
COMMAND CENTERS AND RESPONSE PERSONNEL IN THE CONDUCT OF CISAR
OPERATIONS.
C. WHILE REF (E) PROVIDES ESF 9 INTERAGENCY GUIDANCE, REF (J) AND
ALL USCG POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WILL CONTINUE TO GOVERN USCG OPS.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT ESF 9 INTERAGENCY CISAR OPS SHALL BE
COORDINATED WITH OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, TRIBAL AND LOCAL SAR
AUTHORITIES IN THE OVERALL RESPONSE THROUGH THE INCIDENT COMMAND.
D. VERSION 2.0 REF (E) CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE NSARC WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/NSARC. VERSION 3.0 IS CURRENTLY UNDER NSARC
DEVELOPMENT.
5. ESF 9 MISSION ASSIGNMENTS (MA).
A. PER REF (B) AND AS EXPLAINED IN REFS (F) AND (K), AN MA IS A
WORK ORDER ISSUED BY FEMA TO ANOTHER FEDERAL OR STATE AGENCY THAT
DIRECTS THE COMPLETION OF A SPECIFIC TASK (E.G., EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
TO STATE/LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FOR SAR), AND CITES FUNDING, MANAGERIAL
CONTROLS, AND OTHER GUIDANCE. AN MA MAY OR MAY NOT PROVIDE FUNDING
FOR THE WORK ORDERED. GENERALLY, AN MA IS:
(1) ISSUED LEADING UP TO AND DURING THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PHASE
OF AN INCIDENT IN ANTICIPATION OF, OR IN RESPONSE TO A PRESIDENTIAL
DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY OR MAJOR DISASTER.
(2) INVOLVES ONLY NON-PERMANENT WORK.
(3) CAPITALIZES ON THE UNIQUE RESOURCES OF A FED AGENCY.
(4) DIRECTIVE IN NATURE.
B. AN MA CAN BE ISSUED BY THE FEMA NRCC, REGIONAL RESPONSE
COORDINATION CENTER, OR, WHEN ESTABLISHED, A JFO.
C. PER REFS (K) THROUGH (M), AN MA PROVIDING REIMBURSEMENT FROM
THE FEMA DISASTER RESPONSE FUND IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ACTIVITIES NOT
AUTHORIZED BY REF (B), FOR ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN UNDER OTHER
AUTHORITIES OR AGENCY MISSIONS, OR FOR NON-STAFFORD ACT INCIDENTS
REQUIRING A COORDINATED FED RESPONSE. USCG ESF 9 SAR OPS CONDUCTED IN
SUPPORT OF ANOTHER GOV ENTITY ARE WITHIN USCG STATUTORY AUTHORITY
(REFS (G) AND (H)). AS A RESULT, THE USCG IS NOT NORMALLY AUTHORIZED
REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH AN ESF 9 MA FOR EMERGENCY SAR AND WILL SEEK
REIMBURSEMENT FOR SAR SERVICES VIA SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.
D. LOGISTICS IN SUPPORT OF USCG ESF 9 SAR OPS (E.G., FORWARD
OPERATING BASE STAND UP, TRANSPORT AND SUPPORT OF AIRCRAFT, BOATS,
PERSONNEL, ETC.), WHERE USCG PERSONNEL AND ASSETS ARE NOT NORMALLY
AVAILABLE, SHOULD BE CONDUCTED THROUGH A FEMA MA. CONSULT WITH
SERVICING PROGRAM AND LEGAL OFFICES WHEN IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT AN MA
WILL BE ISSUED FOR THIS TYPE OF LOGISTICS SUPPORT.
E. FOR USCG ESF 9 SAR OPS ASSOCIATED WITH REFS (B) AND (D), AREAS,
DISTRICTS AND SECTORS SHALL TRACK AND COMPILE SAR COSTS FOR POTENTIAL
FUTURE REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.
6. PERSONNEL/TRAINING.
A. REF (F) PROVIDES USCG POLICY ON PERSONNEL AND TRAINING
REQUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER OPS UNDER REF (A), WHICH INCLUDES
IMPLEMENTING ESF 9. ANY ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
SHOULD BE EVALUATED DURING AREA, DISTRICT AND SECTOR PLANS
DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATED AS REQUIRED IN REF (F).
B. A SINGLE ESF 9 STAFFING AND COORDINATION STANDARD CANNOT BE
IMPLEMENTED USCG WIDE. DISASTER RESPONSE PLANNING AND COORDINATION
REQUIREMENTS ON THE WEST COAST, AK, HI AND U.S. TERRITORIES WILL
DIFFER FROM RESPONSE PLANNING AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS ON THE
EAST COAST, GULF OF MEXICO, GREAT LAKES, MIDWEST, PUERTO RICO AND
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.
C. COMLANTAREA AND COMPACAREA IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMDT (CG-SAR)
WILL COORDINATE WITH DISTRICTS TO IDENTIFY STAFFING REQUIREMENTS AND
COMPETENCIES AND DEVELOP STAFFING PROCESSES IN PREPARATION FOR USCG
SUPPORT OF ESF 9 SAR OPS.
D. ESF 9 PLANNING WITH OTHER FED, STATE, TRIBAL AND LOCAL SAR
PARTNERS/AGENCIES IS CRITICAL BEFORE A DISASTER OCCURS TO SET
EXPECTATIONS AND IMPROVE COORDINATION FOR AN EFFECTIVE, UNIFIED SAR
RESPONSE. PER REF (F), LOCAL REQUIREMENTS, SAR RESOURCES AND
POTENTIAL DISASTERS SHALL BE IDENTIFIED AND PLANNED BY AREAS,
DISTRICTS AND SECTORS WITH OTHER FED, STATE, TRIBAL AND LOCAL SAR
AUTHORITIES.
7. THIS ESF 9 POLICY SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEXT CHANGE TO
REF (J).
8. COMDT (CG-SAR) POC: MR. RICK BUTTON, 202-372-2088.
9. MS. MARY E. LANDRY, DIRECTOR OF INCIDENT MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE
POLICY, SENDS.
10. INTERNET RELEASED AUTHORIZED.