Emergency Support Functions

Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) is the grouping of governmental and certain private sector capabilities into an organizational structure to provide support, resources, program implementation, and services that are most likely needed to save lives, protect property and the environment, restore essential services and critical infrastructure, and help victims and communities return to normal following domestic incidents.

Emergency Support Functions:

There are 15 ESFs, and HHS is the primary agency responsible for ESF 8 – Public Health and Medical Services. ESF 8 is coordinated by the Secretary of HHS principally through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). ESF 8 resources can be activated through the Stafford Act or the Public Health Service Act.

ESF 8 – Public Health and Medical Services provides the mechanism for coordinated Federal assistance to supplement State, Tribal, and local resources in response to an emergency.

ESF 8 – Public Health and Medical Services

ESF 8 – Public Health and Medical Services provides the mechanism for coordinated Federal assistance to supplement State, Tribal, and local resources in response to the following:

• Public health and medical care needs

• Veterinary and/or animal health issues in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• Potential or actual incidents of national significance

• A developing potential health and medical situation

ESF #8 involves supplemental assistance to State, Tribal, and jurisdictional governments in identifying and meeting the public health and medical needs of victims of major disasters or public health and medical emergencies. This support is categorized in the following functional areas:

Health and Medical Response Lead Partners

HHS leads and coordinates the overall health and medical response to national-level incidents in coordination with: