text: Appendix B
  B-2. These DSCA tasks can overlap. For example, providing Army support of civil law enforcement
  agencies can occur during disaster response or its aftermath. In most cases, a MEB may provide support for
  the first three tasks. The MEB may provide assistance as a unit or as part of a joint task force in support of
  lead civil authorities for DSCA (see JP 3-28). The U.S. laws carefully limit the actions that military forces
  conduct within the United States, its territories, and its possessions (see ADP 3-28 for information on laws).
  The MEB complies with these laws while assisting affected citizens.
  B-3. Doctrine on CBRN consequence management is contained in JP 3-0 and JP 3-41. This chapter uses
  the task Respond to CBRN Incident for DSCA and area damage control. Tactical-level doctrine on CBRN
  consequence management operations is contained in ATP 3-11.41.
  B-4. The MEB is designed to integrate many of the types of units that have the greatest applicability in
  support to DSCA (CBRN, engineer, EOD, and military police). The MEB has the broadest multifunctional
  capability and training for DSCA tasks of any brigade. The MEB may be the ideal brigade to respond to
  certain incidents because of its capability to provide command and control, be assigned an AO, and perform
  other related requirements. The brigade is trained to manage airspace and conduct interface with others that
  control airspace. This is particularly important in large-scale disasters requiring DOD aviation support. The
  MEB can conduct or support most DSCA tasks depending on the nature of the incident and its task
  organization. The MEB may be called upon to function as the on-site DOD or Army headquarters or to
  complement or support another headquarters (such as a joint task force or the CBRNE operational
  headquarters to respond to specific missions). The MEB can provide area damage control as part of support
  area or in support of its higher headquarters and assigned units.
  B-5. The MEBs in the Army National Guard could be among the first military forces to respond on behalf
  of state authorities. Planning DSCA tasks is similar to planning stability tasks; they both interact with the
  populace and civil authorities to provide essential services. The MEB tasks are similar, but the environment
  is different (domestic versus foreign). The specialized capabilities of the MEB to conduct stability tasks apply
  to DSCA, primarily for Tasks 1 and 3. However, the MEB supports the lead civil authority for DSCA. A
  civil authority is in the lead for DSCA, while the task force or joint task force (hence MEB) supports the lead
  civil authority. See ADP 3-28 for additional information on DSCA.
  PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC DISASTERS
  B-6. Natural and man-made disasters occur throughout the United States and its territories. Most domestic
  disasters require no federal military support. State and federal emergency management entities receive most
  military support from the National Guard in state active duty or Title 32, United States Code (USC) status.
  In a catastrophic event, the demand for resources may exceed National Guard capacity, even with assistance
  from other states. In such situations, federal ARFOR provide requested support, through either United States
  Pacific Command or United States Northern Command.
  B-7. DOD defines a complex catastrophe as any natural or man-made incident, including cyberspace attack,
  power grid failure, and terrorism, which results in cascading failures of multiple, interdependent, critical,
  life-sustaining infrastructure sectors and causes extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage or disruption
  severely affecting the population, environment, economy, public health, national morale, response efforts,
  and/or government functions (JP 3-28).
  B-8. There are two distinguishing characteristics of a complex catastrophe: 1) the extremely large scale of
  damage and casualties, and 2) the cascading effects of the failure of critical infrastructure. These cascading
  effects impact both the types and quantity of response required in support of the affected populace as well as
  the environmental conditions in which the response must occur. Some of the effects include widespread and
  long-term power grid failure, degraded or inoperable communications, and severe impacts to the
  transportation infrastructure. The cascading effects from these failures could cause numerous problems
  beyond the immediate affected area and increase the severity of the situation including, but not limited to,
  widespread scarcity of food and water, lack of medical services at fixed sites within the impacted area, and
  potentially the breakdown of governance and rule of law.
  B-9. DOD installations and activities may receive requests directly from local civil authorities and will
  respond, within their capability, under their own immediate response authority in accordance with DODD
  3025.18, and mutual aid agreements in accordance with DODI 6055.06.