Homeland Response Force (HRF) - Profiles

The U.S. military domestic CBRN Response Enterprise includes National Guard units assigned to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CSTs), CBRN Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFPs), and Homeland Response Forces (HRFs).

There are 10 National Guard-sourced HRFs, each hosted in one of the FEMA regions.

HRFs support local emergency managers in response to natural, man-made, or terrorist-initiated disasters that result in a CBRNE Consequence Management operation.  In order to serve in this capacity, HRF personnel are thoroughly trained in the Incident Command System and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA), which makes the HRF a capable resource when integrating the National Guard and civilian emergency management.

The Homeland Response Force is comprised of a number of aligned units, to include: WMD-CST, CERFP, Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC), CBRNE Assistance Support Element (CASE), and the HRF Command and Control (C2) element.

The WMD-CST mission is to support civil authorities at a domestic CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives) incident site with identification and assessment of hazards, provide advice to civil authorities, and assist with the arrival of follow-on military forces during emergencies and incidents of WMD terrorism, intentional and unintentional release of CBRN materials.

The CERFP is designed to deploy within 6 hours of notification using a phased deployment. They have the ability to integrate with first responder teams, augment, or operate independently. CERFP capabilities include Search and Extraction, Mass Casualty DECON, Medical Triage and Treatment, and Fatality Search and Recovery.

The JISCC is a resource that provides communications support to augment first responders. JISCC capabilities includes frequency cross-banding of commercial and tactical radio systems, reach-back support, on scene command post integration and additional operator to operator communications via ultra-high frequency radios, repeaters and mast-mounted antennas.

The CASE is a security force of approximately 200 soldiers. This element provides riot and crowd control management, and can augment law enforcement in a State Active Duty or Title 32 duty status.  This element is available to deploy within 12 hours of notification.

Each HRF is composed of approximately 570 personnel, maintaining a 6-12 hour response posture. They are primarily equipped to deploy via ground transport to CBRNE incident cites, but can be moved by air if necessary.