As COs, who are we ultimately responsible to and when? (Are we responsible to PHS vs program and do different rules apply when the Corps is activated or a public health emergency is declared?
As CO in PHS, we are ultimately responsible to the Surgeon General, and should abide by all rules and directives put out by PHS. During an OFRD deployment, an Officer would report through the designated Incident Command System chain of command (e.g., to his/her OFRD Team Leader, the IRCT Commander if available, or possibly directly back to OFRD Headquarters). During a CDC deployment an Officer may be accountable to a team leader (other than the official supervisor). Guidance from your team leader or direct supervisor should not conflict with PHS directives. If a conflict occurs during a CDC deployment or mission in which your team leader or direct supervisor may not be a CO, there may be circumstances where an immediate supervisor provides guidance in conflict with OFRD (e.g., regarding uniform wear while on duty). In those circumstances, officers should follow guidance as issued by direct supervisors and/or team leaders while deployed, and relate this back to the Corps agency liaison
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