Whenever and wherever disaster strikes, many federal, state and local agencies rely upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide an extensive range of expertise: - Engineering and construction support;
- Debris management;
- Critical infrastructure assessment;
- Temporary repairs;
- Temporary housing or facilities installation; and
- Commodities (typically ice and water) and associated distribution systems assistance.
The Corps stands ready in any disaster to execute a broad portfolio of missions in order to sustain lives, support critical infrastructure needs and set conditions for recovery.
Emergency Support Function 3
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), primarily through its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the lead federal agency in preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies. The Corps, as one of many federal partners, supports the DHS mission under the National Response Framework – a guide that defines principles, roles and structures for effective response to ensure cooperation at all levels of government.
Specifically, the Corps has been assigned the role as primary coordinator for Emergency Support Function 3 which encompasses public works and engineering.
Click here for more information on ESF 3,
Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies
The Corps provides technical and direct assistance to communities in risk of or affected by floods, providing through special provisions of a federal law commonly referred to as Public Law 84-99.
Disaster Preparedness
- Participate in state and local emergency preparedness training and exercises;
- Inspect flood control works constructed by the Corps; and, upon request,
- Inspect non-federally constructed dams and flood control projects.
Flood Fighting
- Assist in search and rescue operations;
- Provide technical assistance and expertise;
- Make emergency repairs to levees and other flood control projects; and
- Furnish flood fight materials such as sandbags, plastic sheeting, lumber, pumps and rocks.
Post-Flood Response
- Clear drainage channels, bridge openings or structures blocked by storm-generated debris;
- Clear blockages to critical water supply intakes and sewer outfalls;
- Remove debris necessary to reopen vital transportation routes;
- Restore critical public services and facilities through temporary measures; and
- Identify hazard mitigation opportunities.
Rehabilitation
- Repair and/or restore completed levees, floodwalls and other flood damage reduction projects; and
- Repair and/or restore hurricane or shore protection structures damaged or destroyed by wind, wave or water action from storms.
Military Emergency Preparedness and Contingencies
The Corps supports military commanders in achieving security objectives by facilitating disaster preparedness training for emergency management officials in other countries, primarily in Eastern Europe and former Soviet republics.
The Corps provides assistance to military commanders through specially-trained teams who rapidly respond to hurricanes, earthquakes or other disasters, whenever the Department of Defense has the lead for natural disaster response, either within the United States or around the globe. Further, the Corps supports stability operations and field force engineering by assisting in the recruitment, selection and deployment of personnel for these mission operations. Field force engineering teams have responded to numerous disasters, such as the 2004 Asian tsunami, 2005 U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes and in support of the Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq.