National Guard Homeland Response Force
What is it'
The DoD, based on Quadrennial Defense Review recommendations and Resource Management Decision 700, directs the National Guard to create 10 Homeland Response Forces (HRF): two in FY11 and eight in FY12. Each HRF, with approximately 566 personnel, provides lifesaving capabilities, decontamination, emergency medical, security, and command and control (C2). The HRFs, along with 17 existing CERFPs (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive enhanced response force packages) and 57 CSTs (civil support teams) provide the initial military response to a CBRNE incident.
The HRFs will be staffed with National Guard Soldiers and airmen. Regionally oriented, each of the HRFs will be hosted by state(s) in each of the FEMA regions. HRFs will provide a scalable capability to bridge a gap between initial National Guard response and Title 10 capabilities. HRFs will create a mobile, decentralized response to any incident involving CBRNE and additional hazards (HAZMAT), while recognizing the primary role governors play in controlling the response to CBRNE incidents in their states.
What has the National Guard done'
The National Guard has planned the overall fielding of the 10 HRFs with many implementation details to be worked out by each individual HRF. Eight HRFs will be sourced from single states, including the first two HRFs in Ohio and Washington. The other two HRFs located in FEMA Regions One and Two will be sourced from multiple states within those regions. The state contributing the HRF C2 element will be considered the "host" state.
What continued efforts does the program have planned for the future'
As a key element of the new DoD CBRNE Consequence Management Enterprise, HRFs will complement existing forces of about 18,000 personnel. The HRFs will operate alongside other National Guard-sourced CBRNE Consequence Management forces including WMD-CSTs and CERFPs, as well as federally controlled elements of the enterprise, including DCRF, C2CREs, and follow-on forces, when necessary.
Why is this important to the National Guard'
The 21st century tragedies of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have highlighted the importance of being proactive in preparation and efficient and effective in response. National Guard mobilization methods are improving as they evolve and expand relating to Homeland Defense. The entire enterprise of response is critical to the nation's readiness as we enter the 21st century's second decade and prepare for unknown but certainly challenging horizons.
Resources:
<a href="http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx'releaseid=13580" target="_blank">DOD Announces Ohio and Washington National Guard HRFs</a>
<a href="http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100603HRF.pdf" target="_blank">Department of Defense Homeland Response Force (HRF) Fact Sheet </a>
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