Linking public safety and military responders

Many threats, natural and man made, confront the United States today. Protecting the United States homeland from attack is the highest priority of the Department of Defense (DoD). The world changed dramatically on September 11, 2001. The current foe is not another nation but terrorists seeking to undermine America's political will and destroy our way of life. The United States now engaged in war, a war whose length and magnitude could very well be unprecedented. By attacking U.S. citizens, economic institutions, physical infrastructure, and the very social fabric, they seek to destroy American democracy. The United States must never underestimate the devastation that terrorists seek to bring to Americans at home. To defeat 21st century threats, requires innovative thought, planning and action.

By law and tradition, the National Guard (NG) connects local communities to the federal government. NG units are located in most large localities, and they have the capabilities, legal authority, and structure to respond to attacks or natural disasters within the homeland. The NG maintains armories and units within each of the 54 states and territories. This close relationship between the NG and their localities ensures that local NG units are prepared to respond when needed. The cooperative spirit and partnership between the Virginia National Guard (VNG) and public safety is well documented, especially during events such as natural disasters, weather related emergencies and terrorist attacks. One noteworthy characteristic about the NG in general, is that they are citizens of the state in which they serve.

The command structure of the NG is well-situated to oversee the training of units in weapons of mass destruction consequence management. Currently, the NG of each state and territory maintains a Civil Support Team that is trained and equipped to respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) events. NG units have the capabilities to work with state and local officials to quickly rebuild "mitigating infrastructure" such as roads, bridges, and water supplies. Further, they should determine their ability to provide backup systems, such as power generation, water distribution, and communications systems, for local emergency facilities.

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