Core principles govern the operations of Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) and are the foundation upon which JTF-CS builds its relations with local, state, tribal and federal authorities.

Build and Maintain Public Confidence: More than just words on paper, JTF-CS strives to build confidence in those we’re helping and partnering with. Through honest, open information sharing and decisive action, JTF-CS employs speed with wisdom to save lives and enable recovery.

Actions consistent with Public Law and the Constitution: JTF-CS accomplishes its mission in strict adherence with the principles of the Constitution and public law. The Posse Comitatus Act and DOD policy place limitations on DOD direct involvement in law enforcement activities by JTF-CS personnel. In short, we provide a disciplined response and always do the right thing with utmost respect for the rule of law.

Strength, Decisiveness and Professionalism: Comprised of consummate professionals, JTF-CS is a strong, well-trained, flexible force capable of not just decisive action, but enduring action to ensure a sustained response as the magnitude of a crisis unfolds.

Compassion and Understanding: JTF-CS responds quickly and effectively, but not without genuine compassion for those we’re helping. We understand, empathize and sympathize with those suffering and in need. We promise a compassionate and effective response during times of crisis. At day’s end, we’re Americans helping Americans.

Speed and a Sense of Urgency: Our number one priority is rapid response to save lives and enable recovery. Our team is the best at what we do – crisis response – and we will deploy and operate with a sense of urgency coupled with the wisdom needed to provide the most effective support in as short a time as possible.

Always in Support of Civil Authorities: JTF-CS is always in support of a Primary Agency, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, when we respond to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident or defense support of civil authorities operations in the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility.

Highlights of the Core Principles

• Build and maintain public confidence.
• Actions consistent with Public Law and the Constitution.
• Strength, decisiveness and professionalism in the face of a crisis.
• Compassionate force of Americans helping Americans.
• Speedy and urgent response Always in support of Civil Authorities.

Joint Task Force Civil Support provides command and control for Department of Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response forces in the event of CBRN event or all-hazards defense support of civil authorities operations. JTF-CS is always in support of civil authorities and will execute approved mission assignments from the Primary Agency.

Operational Phase 0: Shape
JTF-CS develops and maintains continuous situational awareness and readiness of the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF). JTF-CS trains with and cultivates close working relationships with various local, state, tribal and other federal agencies that would respond to a CBRN or DSCA incident.

Operational Phase I: Anticipate
Phase I begins when a potential CBRN or DSCA incident is identified or upon receipt of a verbal or written order from higher headquarters. Key tasks may include crisis action planning, interagency coordination, or the deployment of the USNORTHCOM Situation Awareness Team (NSAT). The NSAT coordinates with local, state, tribal and federal officials to determine the level of DOD support required by civil authorities. Simultaneously JTF-CS ensures forces are positioned and prepared to facilitate a quick response.

Operational Phase II: Respond
Phase II begins with the JTF-CS Headquarters and the DCRF deployment. However, force response can occur throughout all phases. JTF-CS responds to the incident area and prepares to accept command and control of the DCRF. Success is defined when forces have responded with enough capability to save lives, mitigate the effects of the CBRN or DSCA incident and provide temporary critical support.

Operational Phase III: Operate
Phase III begins as forces continue to deploy to the incident. Operations provide immediate assistance through key lifesaving operations to include casualty search and rescue, patient decontamination and emergency medical assistance to include air and ground evacuation. Success in this phase is the reduction of CBRN or DSCA incident effects and having set the conditions for a seamless transition of operations to civil authorities or designated command.

Operational Phase IV: Stabilize
Phase IV begins when the majority of operational mission assignments have been accomplished and civil authorities shift the priority of effort from lifesaving operations to supporting recovery. Phase IV ends when civil authorities are prepared to transition fully to recovery operations.

Operational Phase V: Transition
Phase V occurs concurrently with Phase IV and begins when conditions are set for seamless transition of ongoing operations to civil authorities or designated command. During this phase civil authorities are prepared to fully sustain the long-term recovery mission.

The Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Response Force (DCRF) mission is to save lives, mitigate human suffering and facilitate recovery operations in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) environment or defense support of civil authorities response operation.

The DCRF consists of 5,200 personnel to include Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians from active-duty and reserve units. The DCRF is a scalable force that is part of a larger collaborative response capability between local, state, tribal and federal agencies.

DCRF assets are used to support the primary agency in the event of a CBRN or DSCA incident. DCRF forces stand ready to assist in order to achieve unity of effort under the National Response Framework in order to save lives, prevent further injury, and provide temporary critical support.

Task Force Aviation capabilities include Rotary Wing Aviation operations. Missions conducted by Task Force Aviation include casualty evacuation/medical evacuation, Air Transport Personnel, Search and Rescue, and a host of other critical missions.

Task Force Logistics capabilities include maintenance and supply support to the other three task forces. TF Logistics can provide line haul transportation, processing of bulk fuel and water assets, and warehouse operations.

Task Force Medical capabilities of Task Force Medical include casualty decontamination, casualty air/ground evacuation, temporary hospitalization support, medical augmentations, veterinary support, patient staging and evacuation, medical logistics, alternate medical facilities, and exposure monitoring.

Task Force Operations capabilities include experts and resources for chemical detection, engineering, and search and rescue. The Task Force is equipped to conduct initial rapid response missions including casualty search and rescue, patient decontamination, incident site surveying, monitoring, and marking, and mortuary affairs, as well as air and ground transportation support, engineer support and logistics sustainment.