Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)

ESFs may be selectively activated for both Stafford Act and non-Stafford Act incidents. Not all incidents requiring Federal support result in the activation of ESFs. For Stafford Act incidents, the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) or Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) may activate specific ESFs or other Federal agencies (OFAs) by directing appropriate departments and agencies to initiate the actions delineated in the ESF Annexes.

Resources coordinated though ESFs are assigned where needed within the response structure. For example, if a State requests assistance with a mass evacuation, resources from several different ESFs may be integrated into a single Branch or Group within the Operations Section. During the response, these resources would report to a supervisor within the assigned Branch or Group.

Regardless of where ESFs may be assigned, they coordinate closely with one another to accomplish their missions.

ESF #1: Transportation
ESF Coordinator: Department of Transportation
Key Response Core Capability: Critical Transportation

Coordinates the support of management of transportation systems and infrastructure, the regulation of transportation, management of the Nation’s airspace, and ensuring the safety and security of the national transportation system. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Transportation modes management and control
  • Transportation safety
  • Stabilization and reestablishment of transportation infrastructure
  • Movement restrictions
  • Damage and impact assessment.

 

ESF #2: Communications
ESF Coordinator: DHS/National Communications System
Key Response Core Capability: Operational Communications

Coordinates the reestablishment of the critical communications infrastructure, facilitates the stabilization of systems and applications from cyber attacks, and coordinates communications support to response efforts. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Coordination with telecommunications and information technology industries
  • Reestablishment and repair of telecommunications infrastructure
  • Protection, reestablishment, and sustainment of national cyber and information technology resources
  • Oversight of communications within the Federal response structures

 

ESF #3: Public Works and Engineering
ESF Coordinator: Department of Defense/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Key Response Core Capabilities: Infrastructure Systems, Critical Transportation, Public and Private Services and Resources, Environmental Response/Health and Safety, Fatality Management, Mass Care Services, Mass Search and Rescue Operations

Coordinates the capabilities and resources to facilitate the delivery of services, technical assistance, engineering expertise, construction management, and other support to prepare for, respond to, and/or recover from a disaster or an incident. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Infrastructure protection and emergency repair
  • Critical infrastructure reestablishment
  • Engineering services and construction management
  • Emergency contracting support for lifesaving and life-sustaining services

 

ESF #4: Firefighting
ESF Coordinator: Department of Agriculture/U.S. Forest Service and DHS/FEMA/U.S. Fire Administration
Key Response Core Capabilities: Critical Transportation, Operational Communications, Public and Private Services and Resources, Infrastructure Systems, Mass Care Services, Mass Search and Rescue Operations, On-scene Security and Protection, Public Health and Medical Services

Coordinates the support for the detection and suppression of fires. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Coordination of Federal firefighting activities
  • Support to wildland, rural, and urban firefighting operations

 

ESF #5: Information and Planning
ESF Coordinator: DHS/FEMA
Key Response Core Capabilities: Situational Assessment, Planning, Public Information and Warning

Supports and facilitates multiagency planning and coordination for operations involving incidents requiring Federal coordination. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Incident action planning
  • Information collection, analysis, and dissemination

 

ESF #6: Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, and Human Services
ESF Coordinator: DHS/FEMA
Key Response Core Capabilities: Mass Care Services, Public and Private Services and Resources, Public Health and Medical Services, Critical Transportation, Fatality Management Services

Coordinates the delivery of mass care and emergency assistance, including:

  • Mass care
  • Emergency assistance
  • Disaster housing
  • Human services

 

ESF #7: Logistics
ESF Coordinator: General Services Administration and DHS/FEMA
Key Response Core Capabilities: Public and Private Services and Resources, Mass Care Services, Critical Transportation, Infrastructure Systems, Operational Communications

Coordinates comprehensive incident resource planning, management, and sustainment capability to meet the needs of disaster survivors and responders. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Comprehensive, national incident logistics planning, management, and sustainment capability
  • Resource support (facility space, office equipment and supplies, contracting services, etc.)

 

ESF #8: Public Health and Medical Services
ESF Coordinator: Department of Health and Human Services
Key Response Core Capabilities: Public Health and Medical Services, Fatality Management Services, Mass Care Services, Critical Transportation, Public Information and Warning, Environmental Response/Health and Safety, Public and Private Services and Resources

Coordinates the mechanisms for assistance in response to an actual or potential public health and medical disaster or incident. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Public health
  • Medical surge support including patient movement
  • Behavioral health services
  • Mass fatality management

 

ESF #9: Search and Rescue
ESF Coordinator: DHS/FEMA
Key Response Core Capability: Mass Search and Rescue Operations

Coordinates the rapid deployment of search and rescue resources to provide specialized lifesaving assistance. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Structural Collapse (Urban) Search and Rescue
  • Maritime/Coastal/Waterborne Search and Rescue
  • Land Search and Rescue

 

ESF #10: Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
ESF Coordinator: Environmental Protection Agency
Key Response Core Capabilities: Environmental Response/Health and Safety, Critical Transportation, Infrastructure Systems, Public Information and Warning

Coordinates support in response to an actual or potential discharge and/or release of oil or hazardous materials. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Environmental assessment of the nature and extent of oil and hazardous materials contamination
  • Environmental decontamination and cleanup.

 

ESF #11: Agriculture and Natural Resources
ESF Coordinator: Department of Agriculture
Key Response Core Capabilities:  Environmental Response/Health and Safety, Mass Care Services, Public Health and Medical Services, Critical Transportation, Public and Private Services and Resources, Infrastructure Systems

Coordinates a variety of functions designed to protect the Nation’s food supply, respond to plant and animal pest and disease outbreaks, and protect natural and cultural resources. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Nutrition assistance
  • Animal and plant disease and pest response
  • Technical expertise, coordination, and support of animal and agricultural emergency management
  • Meat, poultry, and processed egg products safety and defense
  • Natural and cultural resources and historic properties protection

 

ESF #12: Energy
ESF Coordinator: Department of Energy
Key Response Core Capabilities: Infrastructure Systems, Public and Private Services and Resources, Situational Assessment

Facilitates the reestablishment of damaged energy systems and components and provides technical expertise during an incident involving radiological/nuclear materials. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Energy infrastructure assessment, repair, and reestablishment
  • Energy industry utilities coordination
  • Energy forecast

 

ESF #13: Public Safety and Security
ESF Coordinator: Department of Justice/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Key Response Core Capability: On-scene Security and Protection

Coordinates the integration of public safety and security capabilities and resources to support the full range of incident management activities. Functions include but are not limited to:

  • Facility and resource security
  • Security planning and technical resource assistance
  • Public safety and security support
  • Support to access, traffic, and crowd control

 

ESF #14—Superseded by National Disaster Recovery Framework

 

ESF #15: External Affairs
ESF Coordinator: DHS
Key Response Core Capability: Public Information and Warning

Coordinates the release of accurate, coordinated, timely, and accessible public information to affected audiences, including the government, media, NGOs, and the private sector. Works closely with State and local officials to ensure outreach to the whole community. Functions include, but are not limited to:

  • Public affairs and the Joint Information Center
  • Intergovernmental (local, State, tribal, and territorial) affairs
  • Congressional affairs
  • Private sector outreach
  • Community relations.