PRDA - C:Emergency Support Function

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
ESF Coordinator:

Support Agencies:

Department of Health and Human Services

Primary Agency:
Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs
Environmental Protection Agency
General Services Administration
U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Postal Service
American Red Cross

INTRODUCTION
Purpose
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 – Public Health and Medical Services provides the
mechanism for coordinated Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local resources
in response to a public health and medical disaster, potential or actual incidents requiring a
coordinated Federal response, and/or during a developing potential health and medical
emergency. The phrase “medical needs” is used throughout this annex. Public Health and
Medical Services include responding to medical needs associated with mental health, behavioral
health, and substance abuse considerations of incident victims and response workers. Services
also cover the medical needs of members of the “at risk” or “special needs” population
described in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act and in the National Response
Framework (NRF) Glossary, respectively. It includes a population whose members may have
medical and other functional needs before, during, and after an incident.
Public Health and Medical Services includes behavioral health needs consisting of both mental
health and substance abuse considerations for incident victims and response workers and, as
appropriate, medical needs groups defined in the core document as individuals in need of
additional medical response assistance, and veterinary and/or animal health issues.

Scope
ESF #8 provides supplemental assistance to State, tribal, and local governments in the
following core functional areas:
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y

Assessment of public health/medical needs
Health surveillance
Medical care personnel
Health/medical/veterinary equipment and supplies
Patient evacuation
Patient care
Safety and security of drugs, biologics, and medical devices
Blood and blood products
Food safety and security

January 2008

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-1

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y

Agriculture safety and security
All-hazard public health and medical consultation, technical assistance, and support
Behavioral health care
Public health and medical information
Vector control
Potable water/wastewater and solid waste disposal
Mass fatality management, victim identification, and decontaminating remains
Veterinary medical support

Policies
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) leads all Federal public health and medical
response to public health emergencies and incidents covered by the NRF. The response
addresses medical needs and other functional needs of those in need of medical care, including
assistance or support in maintaining independence, communicating, using transportation,
and/or requiring supervision.
The Secretary of HHS shall assume operational control of Federal emergency public health and
medical response assets, as necessary, in the event of a public health emergency, except for
members of the Armed Forces, who remain under the authority and control of the Secretary of
Defense.
The Secretary of HHS, through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and
Response (ASPR), coordinates national ESF #8 preparedness, response, and recovery actions.
These actions do not alter or impede the existing authorities of any department or agency
supporting ESF #8.
HHS coordinates all ESF #8 response actions consistent with HHS internal policies and
procedures (e.g., HHS Concept of Operations Plan for Public Health and Medical Emergencies,
and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Four Partner Memorandum of Agreement).
ESF #8 support agencies are responsible for maintaining administrative control over their
respective response resources after receiving coordinating instructions from HHS.
The Emergency Management Group (EMG), operating from the HHS Secretary’s Operations
Center (SOC), coordinates the overall national ESF #8 response for the ASPR and maintains
constant communications with the National Operations Center (NOC).
All headquarters and regional organizations (including those involved in other ESFs)
participating in response operations report public health and medical requirements to the
appropriate ESF #8 representative operating in the National Response Coordination Center
(NRCC), the Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC), or the Joint Field Office (JFO)
when activated.
The Joint Information Center (JIC) will be established to coordinate incident-related public
information, and is authorized to release general medical and public health response
information to the public. When possible, a recognized spokesperson from the public health
and medical community (State, tribal, or local) delivers relevant community messages. After
consultation with HHS, the lead Public Affairs Officer from other JICs may also release general
medical and public health response information.

ESF #8-2

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
In the event of a zoonotic disease outbreak and in coordination with ESF #11 – Agriculture and
Natural Resources, public information may be released after consultation with the Department
of Agriculture (USDA). In the event of an oil, chemical, biological, or radiological environmental
contamination incident, ESF #8 coordinates with ESF #10 – Oil and Hazardous Materials
Response on the release of public health information.
As the lead agency for ESF #8, HHS determines the appropriateness of all requests for release
of public health and medical information and is responsible for consulting with and organizing
Federal public health and medical subject-matter experts, as needed.

CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
General
Upon notification, the ASPR alerts identified HHS personnel to represent ESF #8, as required, in
or on the:
y
y
y
y
y
y
y

Domestic Readiness Group (DRG).
NOC (Planning Element or Watch).
NRCC.
RRCC/JFO.
National/regional teams.
JIC.
Other Federal, State, or tribal operations centers as required by the mission.

HHS notifies and requests all supporting departments and agencies to participate in
headquarters coordination activities. The ASPR may request ESF #8 support agencies and
organizations to provide liaison personnel to the HHS Headquarters command locations.
HHS Headquarters and ESF #8 staff provide liaison and communications support to regional
ESF #8 offices.
Regional ESF #8 staff may be assisted by supporting Federal partners and HHS components.
ESF #8 staff in the RRCC or JFO will conduct a risk analysis, evaluate, and determine the
capability required to meet the mission objective and provide required public health and
medical support medical assistance to State, tribal, and local medical and public health officials.
In the early stages of an incident, it may not be possible to fully assess the situation and verify
the level of assistance required. In such circumstances, HHS may provide assistance under its
own statutory authorities. In these cases, every reasonable attempt is made to verify the need
before providing assistance.
During the response period, HHS has primary responsibility for the analysis of public health and
medical assistance, determining the appropriate level of response capability based on the
requirement contained in the action request form as well as developing updates and
assessments of public health status.

ORGANIZATION
Headquarters
The Secretary of HHS leads the ESF #8 response. ESF #8, when activated, is coordinated by
the ASPR. Once activated, ESF #8 functions are coordinated by the EMG through the SOC.
January 2008

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-3

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
During the initial activation, HHS coordinates audio and video conference calls with the ESF #8
supporting departments and agencies, and public health and medical representatives from
State, tribal, and local officials, to discuss the situation and determine the appropriate initial
response actions.
HHS alerts and requests supporting organizations to provide a representative to the EMG to
provide liaison support.
Public health and medical subject-matter experts (including partners representing all
appropriate populations, such as pediatric populations, populations with disabilities, the aging,
and those with temporary or chronic medical conditions) from HHS and ESF #8 organizations
are consulted as needed.

Regional
HHS coordinates ESF #8 field response activities according to internal policies and procedures.
HHS may designate a Senior Health Official to serve as the senior Federal health official in the
JFO.
Regional ESF #8 staff are ready to rapidly deploy, as the Incident Response Coordination
Team – Advance (IRCT-A) to provide initial ESF #8 support to the affected location. As the
situation matures, the IRCT-A will receive augmentation from HHS and partner agencies
transitioning into a full IRCT capable of providing the full range of ESF #8 support to include
medical command and control.
The regional ESF #8 staff includes representatives to staff the RRCC and/or JFO, as required,
on a 24-hour basis for the duration of the incident.

ACTIONS: INITIAL ACTIONS
The HHS EMG increases staffing immediately on notification of an actual or potential public
health or medical emergency. When activated by the NRCC, HHS consults with the appropriate
ESF #8 supporting organizations to determine the need for assistance according to the
functional areas listed below.
Assessment of Public Health/Medical Needs
HHS, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), mobilizes and deploys
ESF #8 personnel to support national or regional teams to assess public health and medical
needs, including the needs of at-risk population groups, such as language assistance services
for limited English-proficient individuals and accommodations and services for individuals with
disabilities. This function includes the assessment of the health care system/facility
infrastructure.
Health Surveillance
HHS, in coordination with supporting departments and agencies, enhances existing surveillance
systems to monitor the health of the general and medical needs population; carries out field
studies and investigations; monitors injury and disease patterns and potential disease
outbreaks, blood and blood product biovigilance, and blood supply levels; and provides
technical assistance and consultations on disease and injury prevention and precautions.

ESF #8-4

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Medical Care Personnel
Immediate medical response capabilities are provided by assets internal to HHS (e.g., U.S.
Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NDMS, and Federal Civil Service employees) and
from ESF #8 supporting organizations.
y

ESF #8 may request Department of Defense (DOD) support for casualty clearing and
staging, patient treatment, and support services such as surveillance and laboratory
diagnostics.

y

ESF #8 may seek individual clinical public health and medical care specialists from the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist State, tribal, and local public health and
medical personnel.

y

ESF #8 may engage civilian volunteers, such as Medical Reserve Corps, to assist State,
tribal, and local public health and medical personnel.

Health/Medical/Veterinary Equipment and Supplies
In addition to deploying assets from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), ESF #8 may
request DOD or the VA to provide medical equipment, durable medical equipment, and
supplies, including medical, diagnostic, and radiation-detecting devices, pharmaceuticals, and
biologic products in support of immediate medical response operations and for restocking health
care facilities in an area affected by a major disaster or emergency. When a veterinary
response is required, assets may be requested from the National Veterinary Stockpile, which is
managed by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Patient Evacuation
ESF #8 is responsible for transporting seriously ill (seriously ill describes persons whose illness
or injury is of such severity that there is cause for immediate concern, but there is not
imminent danger to life) or injured patients, and medical needs populations from casualty
collection points in the impacted area to designated reception facilities. ESF #8 coordinates the
Federal response in support of emergency triage and prehospital treatment, patient tracking,
and distribution. This effort is coordinated with Federal, State, tribal, territorial, and local
emergency medical services officials.
ESF #8 may request DOD, VA, and DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), via
the national ambulance contract, to provide support for evacuating seriously ill or injured
patients. Support may include providing transportation assets, operating and staffing NDMS
Federal Coordination Centers, and processing and tracking patient movements from collection
points to their final destination reception facilities.
DOD is the only recognized Federal partner responsible for regulating and tracking patients
transported on DOD assets to appropriate treatment facilities (i.e., NDMS hospitals).
Patient Care
ESF #8 may task HHS components to engage civil service personnel, the Officers from the U.S.
Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the regional offices, and States to engage civilian
volunteers and request the VA and DOD to provide available personnel to support prehospital
triage and treatment, inpatient hospital care, outpatient services, pharmacy services, and
dental care to victims who are seriously ill, injured, or suffer from chronic illnesses who need
evacuation assistance, regardless of location.

January 2008

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-5

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
ESF #8 may assist with isolation and quarantine measures and with point of distribution
operations (mass prophylaxis and vaccination). Health care providers and support staff will
ensure appropriate patient confidentiality is maintained, including Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act privacy and security standards, where applicable.
Safety and Security of Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices
ESF #8 may task HHS components to ensure the safety and efficacy of and advise industry on
security measures for regulating human and veterinary drugs, biologics (including blood and
vaccines), medical devices (including radiation emitting and screening devices), and other HHSregulated products.
Blood, Organs, and Blood Tissues
ESF #8 may task HHS components and request assistance from other ESF #8 partner
organizations to monitor and ensure the safety, availability, and logistical requirements of
blood, organs, and tissues. This includes the ability of the existing supply chain resources to
meet the manufacturing, testing, storage, and distribution of these products.
Food Safety and Security
ESF #8, in cooperation with ESF #11, may task HHS components and request assistance from
other ESF #8 partner organizations to ensure the safety and security of federally regulated
foods. (Note: HHS, through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has statutory authority
for all domestic and imported food except meat, poultry, and egg products, which are under the
authority of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The Environmental Protection
Agency establishes tolerance levels for pesticide residues.)
Agriculture Safety and Security
ESF #8, in coordination with ESF #11, may task HHS components to ensure the health, safety,
and security of food-producing animals, animal feed, and therapeutics. (Note: HHS, through
the FDA, has statutory authority for animal feed and for the approval of animal drugs intended
for both therapeutic and nontherapeutic use in food animals as well as companion animals.)
Worker Safety and Health
Under agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), DOL is the lead Federal agency for
worker safety and health. ESF #8/HHS is a supporting agency. Refer to the NRF Worker
Safety and Health Support Annex for detailed information.
All-Hazard Public Health and Medical Consultation, Technical Assistance, and Support
ESF #8 may task HHS components and regional offices and request assistance from other ESF
#8 partner organizations in assessing public health, medical, and veterinary medical effects
resulting from all hazards. Such tasks may include assessing exposures on the general
population and on high-risk population groups; conducting field investigations, including
collection and analysis of relevant samples; providing advice on protective actions related to
direct human and animal exposures, and on indirect exposure through contaminated food,
drugs, water supply, and other media; and providing technical assistance and consultation on
medical treatment, screening, and decontamination of injured or contaminated individuals.
While State, tribal, and local officials retain primary responsibility for victim screening and
decontamination operations, ESF #8 can deploy the National Medical Response Teams to assist
with victim decontamination.

ESF #8-6

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Behavioral Health Care
ESF #8 may task HHS components and request assistance from other ESF #8 partner
organizations in assessing mental health and substance abuse needs, including emotional,
psychological, psychological first aid, behavioral, or cognitive limitations requiring assistance or
supervision; providing disaster mental health training materials for workers; providing liaison
with assessment, training, and program development activities undertaken by Federal, State,
tribal, or local mental health and substance abuse officials; and providing additional
consultation as needed.
Public Health and Medical Information
ESF #8 provides public health, disease, and injury prevention information that can be
transmitted to members of the general public who are located in or near areas affected in
languages and formats that are understandable to individuals with limited English proficiency
and individuals with disabilities.
Vector Control
ESF #8 may task HHS components and request assistance from other ESF #8 partner
organizations, as appropriate, in assessing the threat of vector-borne diseases; conducting field
investigations, including the collection and laboratory analysis of relevant samples; providing
vector control equipment and supplies; providing technical assistance and consultation on
protective actions regarding vector-borne diseases; and providing technical assistance and
consultation on medical treatment of victims of vector-borne diseases.
Public Health Aspects of Potable Water/Wastewater and Solid Waste
ESF #8 may task HHS components and request assistance from other ESF #8 organizations to
assist in assessing potable water, wastewater, solid waste disposal, and other environmental
health issues related to public health in establishments holding, preparing, and/or serving food,
drugs, or medical devices at retail and medical facilities, as well as examining and responding
to public health effects from contaminated water; conducting field investigations, including
collection and laboratory analysis of relevant samples; providing equipment and supplies as
needed; and providing technical assistance and consultation.
Mass Fatality Management
ESF #8, when requested by State, tribal, or local officials, in coordination with its partner
organizations, will assist the jurisdictional medico-legal authority and law enforcement agencies
in the tracking and documenting of human remains and associated personal effects; reducing
the hazard presented by chemically, biologically, or radiologically contaminated human remains
(when indicated and possible); establishing temporary morgue facilities; determining the cause
and manner of death; collecting antemortem data in a compassionate and culturally competent
fashion from authorized individuals; performing postmortem data collection and documentation;
identifying human remains using scientific means (e.g., dental, pathology, anthropology,
fingerprints, and, as indicated, DNA samples); and preparing, processing, and returning human
remains and personal effects to the authorized person(s) when possible; and providing
technical assistance and consultation on fatality management and mortuary affairs. In the
event that caskets are displaced, ESF #8 assists in identifying the human remains, recasketing,
and reburial in public cemeteries.
ESF #8 may task HHS components and request assistance from other ESF #8 partner
organizations, as appropriate, to provide support to families of victims during the victim
identification mortuary process.
January 2008

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-7

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Veterinary Medical Support
ESF #8 will provide veterinary assistance to ESF #11. Support will include the amelioration of
zoonotic disease and caring for research animals where ESF #11 does not have the requisite
expertise to render appropriate assistance.
ESF #8 will assist ESF #11 as required to protect the health of livestock and companion and
service animals by ensuring the safety of the manufacture and distribution of foods and drugs
given to animals used for human food production. ESF #8 supports DHS/FEMA together with
ESF #6 – Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services, ESF #9 – Search
and Rescue, and ESF #11 to ensure an integrated response to provide for the safety and wellbeing of household pets and service and companion animals.
ESF #8 Support to ESF #6
ESF #8 supports ESF #6 by providing expertise and guidance on the public health issues of the
medical needs populations.

ACTIONS: CONTINUING ACTIONS
Headquarters and Regional Support
ESF #8 continuously acquires and assesses information on the incident. The EMG, ESF #8
regional staff, and ESF #8 liaison staff in the RRCC/JFO continue to identify the nature and
extent of public health and medical problems and establish appropriate monitoring and public
surveillance. Other sources of information may include:
y

State incident management authorities.

y

Officials of the responsible jurisdiction in charge of the disaster scene.

y

ESF #8 support agencies and organizations.

y

Various Federal officials in the incident area.

y

State health, agricultural, or animal health officials.

y

State emergency medical services authorities.

y

Tribal officials.

Because of the potential complexity of the public health and medical response, conditions may
require ESF #8 subject-matter experts to review public health and medical information and
advise on specific strategies to manage and respond to a specific situation in the most
appropriate manner.
Activation of Public Health/Medical Response Teams
HHS components are deployed directly as part of the ESF #8 response. Public health and
medical personnel and teams provided by ESF #8 are deployed under a DHS/FEMA mission
assignment.

ESF #8-8

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Coordination of Requests for Medical Transportation
In a major public health or medical emergency, local transportation assets may not be sufficient
to meet the demand. State, tribal, and local requests for Federal medical transportation
assistance are executed by ESF #8 in coordination with DHS/FEMA. Such assistance may
include accessible transportation for medical needs populations
Coordination for Obtaining, Assembling, and Delivering Medical Equipment and
Supplies to the Incident Area
ESF #8 will coordinate with DHS/FEMA, VA, DOD, the General Services Administration (GSA),
and other Federal partners as required to arrange for the procurement and transportation of
medical and durable medical equipment and supplies.
Communications
ESF #8 establishes communications necessary to coordinate Federal public health, medical, and
veterinary medical assistance effectively.
Public Affairs Information Requests
Requests for information may be received from various sources, such as the media and the
general public, and are referred to ESF #15 – External Affairs for action and response. ESF #8
makes available language-assistance services, such as interpreters for different languages,
telecommunications devices for the deaf, and accessible print media, to facilitate
communication with all members of the public.
After-Action Reports/Lessons Learned
ESF #8, on completion of the incident, prepares summary after-action and lessons learned
reports. These reports identify key problems, indicate how they were solved, and make
recommendations for improving response operations. ESF #8 will request input and coordinate
the preparation of the after-action and lessons learned reports with all supported and
supporting agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Agency: HHS
y

Leads the Federal effort to provide public health and medical assistance to the affected
area.

y

Coordinates staffing of the HHS EMG to support the response operation.

y

Requests appropriate ESF #8 organizations to activate and deploy public health, medical,
and veterinary medical personnel, equipment, and supplies in response to requests for
Federal public health and medical assistance, as appropriate.

y

Uses HHS personnel (U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NDMS, Federal Civil
Service, and civilian volunteers) to address public health, medical, and veterinary medical
needs.

y

Assists and supports State, tribal, and local officials in performing monitoring for internal
patient contamination and administering pharmaceuticals for internal decontamination.

January 2008

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-9

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
y

Assists State, tribal, and local officials in establishing a registry of potentially exposed
individuals, performing dose reconstruction, and conducting long-term monitoring of this
population for potential long-term health effects.

y

Confidentially monitors blood and blood product supplies throughout the year using the
Blood Availability and Safety Information System as baseline data for ESF #8 activation.

y

Liaisons with the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of
Terrorism (i.e., AABB TF) to assist in logistical requirements and to coordinate a national
public blood announcement message for the need to donate.

y

Monitors blood and blood product shortages and reserves, including the safety and
availability of the blood supply.

y

Activates NDMS as necessary to support response operations.

y

Evaluates requests for deployment or redeployment of the SNS and Federal Medical Stations
based upon relevant threat information.

y

Coordinates public health and medical support, patient evacuation, and movement
requirements with other primary and supporting departments, agencies, and governments
throughout the incident.

y

Assures the safety and security of food in coordination with other responsible Federal
agencies (e.g., USDA). In cooperation with State, tribal, and local officials, assesses
whether food manufacturing, food processing, food distribution, food service, and food retail
establishments in the affected area are able to provide safe and secure food.

y

In cooperation with State, tribal, and local officials as well as the food industry, conducts
tracebacks or recalls of adulterated products.

y

In cooperation with Federal, State, tribal, and local officials, ensures the proper disposal of
contaminated products and the decontamination of affected food facilities in order to protect
public health.

y

Provides support for public health matters for radiological incidents as a member of the
Advisory Team for Environment, Food, and Health.

SUPPORT AGENCIES
Agency

Functions

Department of
Agriculture

y

y

ESF #8-10

If available, provides appropriate personnel, equipment, and supplies,
primarily for communications, aircraft, and the establishment of base camps
for deployed Federal public health and medical teams. Resources will be
assigned commensurate with each unit's level of training and the adequacy
and availability of equipment. ESF #4 – Firefighting or the USDA/Forest
Service Disaster and Emergency Operations Branch is the contact for this
support.
Provides support for public health matters for radiological incidents as a
member of the Advisory Team for Environment, Food, and Health.

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Agency

Functions

Department of
Agriculture
(Continued)

USDA also supports a multiagency response to a domestic incident through:

y
y
y
y

Provision of nutrition assistance.
Control and eradication of an outbreak of a highly contagious or an
economically devastating animal disease.
Assurance of food safety and security, in coordination with other responsible
Federal agencies, or any combination of these requirements.
Provision of appropriate personnel, equipment, and supplies coordinated
through the APHIS Emergency Management Operations Center. Support is
primarily for coordinating disposal issues for animal carcasses resulting from
disease, protecting livestock animal health, reducing the potential for livestock
to transmit zoonotic diseases, and providing technical support and subjectmatter expertise for the safety and well-being of household pets.

Department of
Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Provides near real-time
transport, dispersion, and predictions of atmospheric releases of radioactive and
hazardous materials that may be used by authorities in taking protective actions
related to sheltering and evacuation of people.

Department of
Defense

y
y
y
y

y
y

y

Coordinates patient reception, tracking, and management to nearby NDMS
hospitals, VA hospitals, and DOD military treatment facilities that are available
and can provide appropriate care.

y

Provides available military medical personnel to assist ESF #8 in the protection
of public health (such as food, water, wastewater, solid waste disposal,
vectors, hygiene, and other environmental conditions).
Provides available veterinary military personnel to assist ESF #8 personnel in
the medical treatment of animals.
Provides available DOD medical supplies for distribution to mass care centers
and medical care locations being operated for incident victims with
reimbursement to DOD.
Provides available emergency medical support to assist State, tribal, or local
officials within the disaster area and the surrounding vicinity. Such services
may include triage, medical treatment, mental health support, and the use of
surviving DOD medical facilities within or near the incident area.
Provides assistance, as available, in managing human remains, including victim
identification and mortuary affairs and temporary internment of the dead.

y
y
y

y

January 2008

Alerts DOD NDMS Federal Coordinating Centers (FCCs) (Army, Navy, Air Force)
and provides specific reporting/regulating instructions to support incident relief
efforts.
Alerts DOD NDMS FCCs to activate NDMS patient reception plans in a phased,
regional approach, and when appropriate, in a national approach.
At the request of HHS, provides support for the evacuation of patients and
medical needs populations to locations where hospital care or outpatient
services are available.
Using available DOD transportation resources, in coordination with the NDMS
Medical Interagency Coordination Group, evacuates and manages
victims/patients from the patient collection point in or near the incident site to
NDMS patient reception areas.
Provides available logistical support to public health/medical response
operations.
Provides available medical personnel for casualty clearing/staging and other
missions as needed including aero-medical evacuation and medical treatment.
Mobilizes and deploys available Reserve and National Guard medical units,
when authorized and necessary to provide support.

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-11

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Agency

Functions

Department of
Defense
(Continued)

y
y
y

Provides evaluation and risk management support through use of Defense
Coordinating Officers, Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers, and Joint
Regional Medical Planners.
Provides available blood products in coordination with HHS.
Provides medical surveillance and laboratory diagnostics and confirmatory
testing in coordination with HHS.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Through ESF #3 – Public Works and
Engineering, provides technical assistance, equipment, and supplies as required in
support of HHS to accomplish temporary restoration of damaged public utilities
affecting public health and medical facilities. In the event of a catastrophic mass
fatality incident, assists with the temporary interment of the dead.
Department of
Energy/National
Nuclear Security
Administration

y
y

Coordinates Federal assets for external monitoring and decontamination
activities for radiological emergencies pursuant to criteria established by the
State(s) in conjunction with HHS.
Provides, in cooperation with other Federal and State agencies, personnel and
equipment, including portal monitors, to support initial screening and provides
advice and assistance to State, tribal, and local personnel conducting
screening/decontamination of persons leaving a contaminated zone.

Radiological Assistance Program

y
y
y

Provides regional resources (personnel, specialized equipment, and supplies)
to evaluate, control, and mitigate radiological hazards to workers and the
public.
Provides limited assistance in the decontamination of victims.
Assists State, tribal, or local officials in the monitoring and surveillance of the
incident area.

National Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability: Provides near real-time
transport, dispersion, and dose predictions of atmospheric releases of radioactive
and hazardous materials that may be used by authorities in taking protective
actions related to sheltering and evacuation of people.
Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC): Assists
public health and medical authorities in determining radiological dose information;
assists in providing coordinated gathering of environmental radiological information
and data; assists with consolidated data sample analyses, evaluations,
assessments, and interpretations; and provides technical information.
Department of
Homeland Security

y
y
y
y
y
y

y

ESF #8-12

Provides communications support in coordination with ESF #2 –
Communications.
Maintains situational awareness and the Common Operating Picture via the
Homeland Security Information Network.
Assists in providing information/liaison with emergency management officials
in NDMS FCC areas.
Identifies and arranges for use of DHS/U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft and
other assets in providing urgent airlift and other transportation support.
Directs the Nuclear Incident Response Team (NIRT), when activated, and
ensures coordination of NIRT activities with the ESF primary agency and
designated coordinating agency under the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex.
Through the Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center
(IMAAC), provides predictions of hazards associated with atmospheric releases
for use in emergency response. The IMAAC provides a single point for the
coordination and dissemination of Federal dispersion modeling and hazard
prediction products that represent the Federal position during an incident.
Provides enforcement of international quarantines through DHS/USCG,
Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Agency

Functions

Department of
Homeland Security
(Continued)

FEMA

y

y
y
y

Provides logistical support for deploying ESF #8 medical elements required and
coordinates the use of mobilization centers/staging areas, transportation of
resources, use of disaster fuel contracts, emergency meals, potable water,
base camp services, supply and equipment resupply, and use of all national
contracts and interagency agreements managed by DHS for response
operations.
Provides Total Asset Visibility through the use of Global Positioning System
(GPS) tracking services to enable visibility of ESF #8 resources through
mapping capabilities and reports.
Assists in arranging transportation to support evacuating patients who are too
seriously ill or otherwise incapable of being evacuated in general evacuation
conveyances.
Provides tactical communications support through Mobile Emergency Response
Support, inclusive of all types (i.e., deployable satellite and RF/radio
communications).

Office of Infrastructure Protection: Provides situational awareness, crosssector coordination, and prioritized recommendations regarding critical
infrastructure and key resources.
Department of the
Interior

If available, provides appropriate personnel, equipment, and supplies, primarily for
communications, aircraft, and the establishment of base camps for deployed
Federal public health and medical teams. Resources will be assigned
commensurate with each unit's level of training and the adequacy and availability
of equipment. ESF #4 or the DOI Operations Center is the contact for this
support.

Department of
Justice

y
y
y
y
y
y
y

Department of
Labor

January 2008

Assists in victim identification, coordinated through the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI).
Provides State, tribal, or local officials with legal advice concerning
identification of the dead.
Provides HHS with relevant information of any credible threat or other situation
that could potentially threaten public health. This support is coordinated
through FBI Headquarters.
Provides security for the SNS, secure movement of needed blood and blood
product supply, and quarantine enforcement assistance, if required.
Establishes an adult missing persons call center and assists in the disposition
of cases.
Shares missing persons data with ESF #8 and ESF #13 – Public Safety and
Security in support of identification of the dead and seriously wounded.
Supports local death scene investigations and evidence recovery.

y

Coordinates the safety and health assets of cooperating agencies and the
private sector to provide technical assistance and conduct worker exposure
assessment and responder and worker risk management within the Incident
Command System. This assistance may include 24/7 site safety monitoring;
worker exposure monitoring; health monitoring; sampling and analysis;
development and oversight of the site-specific safety and health plan; and
personal protective equipment selection, distribution, training, and respirator
fit-testing.

y

Provides personnel and management support related to worker safety and
health in field operations during ESF #8 deployments.

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-13

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Agency

Functions

Department of
State

y

y

y
Department of
Transportation
(DOT)

y

y
y

Department of
Veterans Affairs

y
y
y
y
y
y
y

y
y
y

ESF #8-14

In collaboration with DOD, GSA, and other transportation-providing agencies,
provides technical assistance in identifying and arranging for all types of
transportation, such as air, rail, marine, and motor vehicle and accessible
transportation.
Coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration for air traffic control
support for priority missions.
At the request of ESF #8, provides technical support to assist in arranging
logistical movement support (e.g., supplies, equipment, blood supply, etc.)
from DOT resources, subject to DOT statutory requirements.

Subject to the availability of resources and funding, and consistent with the VA
mission to provide priority services to veterans, when requested:

y

Environmental
Protection Agency

Coordinates international activities related to chemical, biological, radiological,
and nuclear incidents and events that pose transborder threats as well as
naturally occurring disease outbreaks with international implications.
Contributes to the development of projections of the international
consequences of the event (e.g., disease spread, quarantine, isolation, travel
restrictions, pharmaceutical supply and distribution, and displaced persons)
through coordination with foreign states and other international stakeholders,
and assists in communicating real-time actions taken by the United States and
U.S. projections of the international consequences of the event.
Assists with coordination with foreign states concerning offers of support, gifts,
offerings, donations, or other aid. This includes establishing coordination with
partner nations to identify the U.S.-validated immediate support in response to
an incident.
Acts as the health and medical services information conduit to U.S.
Embassies/Consulates.

Coordinates with participating NDMS hospitals to provide incident-related
medical care to authorized NDMS beneficiaries affected by a major disaster or
emergency.
Furnishes available VA hospital care and medical services to individuals
responding to, involved in, or otherwise affected by a major disaster or
emergency, including members of the Armed Forces on active duty.
Designates and deploys available medical, surgical, mental health, and other
health service support assets.
Provides a Medical Emergency Radiological Response Team for technical
consultation on the medical management of injuries and illnesses due to
exposure to or contamination by ionizing radiation.
Alerts VA FCCs and provides reporting instructions to support incident relief
efforts.
Alerts VA FCCs to activate NDMS patient reception plans in a phased, regional
approach, and when appropriate, in a national approach.
Buries and memorializes eligible veterans and advises on methods for
interment of the dead during national or homeland security emergencies.
Provides technical assistance and environmental information for the
assessment of the public health/medical aspects of situations involving
hazardous materials, including technical and policy assistance in matters
involving water and wastewater systems, for critical health care facilities.
Provides support for public health matters for radiological incidents through the
FRMAC and the Advisory Team for Environment, Food, and Health.
Assists in identifying alternate water supplies and wastewater collection and
treatment for critical health care facilities.
Provides environmental technical assistance (e.g., air monitoring) and
information in the event temporary interment is necessary and/or human
remains are contaminated.

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex
Agency

Functions

General Services
Administration

Provides resource support for ESF #8 requirements as requested to meet the
needs of the affected population.

U.S. Agency for
International
Development

Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance: Assists in the tracking and distribution
of international support assets.

U.S. Postal Service

Assists in the distribution and transportation of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and
medical information to the general public affected by a major disaster or
emergency, as needed.

American Red
Cross

y

y
y
y
y

y
y

y
y

January 2008

Provides emergency first aid, consisting of basic first aid and referral to
appropriate medical personnel and facilities, supportive counseling, and health
care for minor illnesses and injuries to incident victims in mass care shelters,
the JFO, selected incident cleanup areas, and other sites deemed necessary by
the primary agency.
Assists community health personnel subject to staff availability.
Provides supportive counseling for family members of the dead, for the
injured, and for others affected by the incident.
Supports NDMS evacuation through the provision of services for accompanying
family members/caregivers in coordination with Federal, State, tribal, and local
officials.
Provides available personnel to assist in temporary infirmaries, immunization
clinics, morgues, hospitals, and nursing homes. Assistance consists of
administrative support, logistical support, or health services support within
clearly defined boundaries.
Acquaints families with available health resources and services, and makes
appropriate referrals.
At the request of HHS, coordinates with the American Association of Blood
Banks Inter-organizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of
Terrorism to provide blood products and services as needed through regional
blood centers.
Supports reunification efforts through its “Safe and Well” website and in
coordination with government entities as appropriate.
Refers all concerns regarding animal health care, safety, or welfare to
American Veterinary Medical Association contact(s) in the disaster area. These
contact people are veterinarians affiliated with national, State, county, or local
veterinary associations.

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

ESF #8-15

Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

This page intentionally left blank.

ESF #8-16

ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Annex

January 2008