Response to DQ

According to (Kapucu, 2016), several scholarly works have been documented, heightening military involvement in response too natural and or man-made disasters, due in part to both historical factors about the military responding too domestic and or international catastrophes abroad. Though the military's primary role is to safeguard out nation from external threats, the United States Military has become one of the main partners too federal, state, and local agencies when responding to a disaster (Kapucu, 2016). According to (Banks 2004), The military plays a domestic role and also provides support during peace keeping operations to both state and local governments by offering transportation, communication, and logistics (Kapucu, 2016). Schrader (1993) defines three response sectors that the military is very capable of assuming, especially during a disaster mission. They provide special skills for response operations, they have advanced communication when it comes to disaster command and control, and they are experts when it comes to organizing forces to provide overall support while serving a number of actions (Kapucu, 2016).

Another positive primary skill would be their capability in disaster response, the advantages are comprised from its technical advantages and experiences using their unique military type transportation in urban search and rescue, technological surveillance and reconnaissance, the use of mobile hospitals, radiation monitoring, situational and damage assessment advantages (Kapucu, 2016). In addition to all these capabilities when assisting federal agencies before and after a natural/man-made disaster, the U.S. Military has assisted in providing temporary housing, along with restoring some of the critical infrastructure (water, electricity, sanitation, and communication) that other emergency organizations cannot acquire (Kapucu, 2016).

Some factors according to (Kapucu, 2016), should be considered when requesting the use of military assistance, legality-does the legal basis of military involvement align with the local laws and regulations, cost-the cost of using the military, lethality-possible use of lethal force, risk- risk that threaten DOD forces when engaged, appropriateness-determining if existing military services and resources are appropriate, readiness-corresponds with state of readiness of the military while providing assistance. The national guard can be activated according to (Sylves 2008), by declaration of the governors, and can take control of activities from law enforcement when martial law is declared (Kapucu, 2016). The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the active duty military to engage in any law enforcement duties. However, if the National Guard is mobilized by the president, they must legally follow the same prohibitions and limitations as the active duty military.

References

Banks, William C. 2004 "The Normalization of Homeland Security After September 11: The Role of the Military in Counterterrorism Preparedness and Response." Louisiana Law Review 64, 4: 735-778.

Kapucu, N. (2016). The Role of the Military in Disaster Response in the U.S. European Journal of Economic and Political Studies, 33.

Schrader, John Y 1993. The Army's Role in Domestic Disaster Support: An Assessment of Policy Choices. Santa Monica: RAND Corporation: AD-A282 311

Sylves, Richard T. 2008. Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Washington DC: CQ Press.