How can Defense Support of Civil Authorities be activated?
There are three primary mechanisms by which DoD takes part in a Federal response to a domestic incident. Federal assistance, including assistance from DoD, can be provided: (1) at the direction of the President; (2) at the request of another Federal agency under the Economy Act, or (3) in response to a request from DHS’s Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Stafford Act. The second and third mechanisms require a request for assistance and approval of the Secretary of Defense.
