PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., May 25, 2011 – At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command officials today activated their defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element for FEMA Region 7 and extended those functions for FEMA Region 6 in support of response efforts to the severe weather in the Midwest.
Army Pfc. Jesus Ramos directs traffic at a storm-damaged intersection near St. John’s Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo., May 24, 2011. Ramos is assigned to the 1139th Military Police Company, Missouri National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jon E. Dougherty
U.S. Army North’s defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element for Region 6 initially were activated to support flood relief in the South and have been extended with the activation of FEMA Region 7 to provide assessment and coordinate Defense Department assets as required in the Midwest, officials said.
Emergency preparedness liaison officers from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Air Forces Northern and Marine Forces North will deploy to FEMA Region 7 to help the defense coordinating officer assess and plan DOD support of civil authorities.
The Defense Department has capabilities that can save lives, as well as other capabilities such as airlift, medical and communications support and planning.
Northcom is the joint combatant command formed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to provide homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.
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