NORAD-NORTHCOM SG: PM/OEHS Roles in Natural Disaster Support – Hurricane Katrina Perspective

U.S. Northern Command Brief

Jody Wireman
16 pages
For Official Use Only
November 9, 2005

• NORTHCOM: Initial OPCON and FHP guidance/requirements
• JFMCC: OPCON of Naval assets unless given TACON to JTF-Katrina
• JTF-Katrina: Once stood-up, NORTHCOM gave OPCON to assets in JOA; refine FHP guidance/requirements
• DOD Mission: provide hospital, engineering, transport, and search & rescue support to LA, MS, and HHS through Mission Assignment process

• Initial NORTHCOM FHP guidance did not provide information on deployment requirements
– Some units did not consider response as deployment despite JTF-K/NORTHCOM instruction
• Initial JTF-K entry force did not have necessary resources: personnel and equipment to assess FHP needs
• Service Centric: Service assets continued to report up Service channels instead of the Chain of Command established by the JTF
• Several JTF-K requirements for reporting were not developed until after deployment
– DNBI and treatment facility sit-reps were not identified prior initial deployment

• Developing initial entry force requirements to include environmental science/engineering and veterinary support
• Regional support/alert: identify and exercise on regional basis with medical service organizations (e.g., AFIOH, CHPPM, FDPMUs)
• Developing better awareness of National Guard PM assets and needs
• Developing FHP guidance that pre-identifies the “deployment” requirements (seeking feedback on draft developed for hurricane Wilma)

Force Health Protection:

• CJCS Memo for deployment health surveillance & readiness:
– Commanders will develop and implement an effective force health protection (FHP) plan (pre-and post-deployment health assessments, direct pre-deployment and deployment protective countermeasures, and incorporate reporting requirements)
– Commanders must strictly enforce FHP measures, observe medical intelligence threat indicators, ensure troops are aware of the potential risks, and comply with preventive medicine deployment requirements

Health Risk Assessment (General Hazards)

Pre-deployment FHP requirements
• Force providers will:
– Complete OASD(HA)-approved standardized questionnaire DD form 2795 reviewed by medical personnel-Inform members of hazards and countermeasures listed under HRA section in pre-deployment health threat brief
– Ensure members are currently fit to deploy: immunizations up-to-date, including tetanus-diphtheria, hepatitis A, and rabies vaccine (for personnel at potential occupational risk of exposure)

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