Enclosure (2) to COMDTINST 16000.27
(d) Ensures effective communications;
(e) Ensures that incident management objectives are met and do not conflict with each other
or with agency policies;
(f) Identifies critical resource needs and reports them to the interagency coordination system
(i.e., USCG Command Centers, county and state EOCs, JFO);
(g) Ensures that short-term "emergency" recovery is coordinated to assist in the transition to
full recovery operations; and
(h) Provides for personnel accountability and a safe operating environment.
(6) The NIMS Area Command develops an action plan detailing incident management priorities,
needs, and objectives. This plan should clearly state policies, objectives, and priorities;
provide a structural organization with clear lines of authority and communications; and
identify incident management functions to be performed by the Area Command (i.e., support,
public communications).
b. Joint Field Office.
(1) JFO Description and Functions.
(a) The JFO is a multi-agency coordination center. JFOs have Operations Sections, and
depending on the incident, these Operations Sections have specific incident supporting
functions. Another key component of a JFO is the JFO Coordination Group which is
typically coordinated by a Principal Federal Official (PFO). PFOs are not always
designated for Incidents of National Significance, but when they are, they represent the
Secretary and are not considered a representative of the providing agency.
(b) The purpose of a JFO is to provide support to local Incident Command structures and
coordinate efforts to address broader regional impacts of the incident. It provides a
central location for coordination of federal, state, local, tribal, nongovernmental, and
private-sector organizations. The JFO is intended to enable the effective and efficient
coordination of federal incident-related prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery
actions. It does not supplant the authorities and operational decision-making of field
level Incident Commanders or agency-specific authorities; nor does the JFO supplant the
Unified Command Incident Command Post (ICP) where coordinated tactical level
response and recovery activities are managed. The NRP provides four examples of
possible JFOs. These include organizations for natural disasters, terrorism, Federal- to-
Federal support and National Special Security Events (NSSE). The management
structure for each is depicted in reference (a).
(2) JFO for Natural Disasters.
(a) A JFO established for a natural disaster is typically the result of a Stafford Act
declaration whereby the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authority
to stand up appropriate ESFs and issue mission assignments to federal and state agencies.
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