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Highlights

Command and Control Element

• Deploys and directs the overall missions of the 

National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, 

Nuclear Response Force Package

• Reports to the Homeland Response Force and onscene Incident Commander

Search and Extraction Element

• Conducts indoor and outdoor casualty search and 

extraction (rescue) operations

• Extracts non-ambulatory victims

• Lifts and moves structural debris and heavy items 

using chains, ropes, and specialized jacks

• Uses mission equipment and lumber materials to 

build shoring to support the sides of a

collapsed structure and prevents cave-ins

Decontamination Element

• Establishes mass casualty ambulatory/ non-ambulatory decontamination lanes

• Conducts casualty log-in procedures

• Monitors operations for: undress and redress, casualty wash / rinse operations

• Conducts post-wash / rinse hazard monitoring

Medical Element

• Performs medical triage

• Provides Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 

member on search and extraction teams for injury 

assessment/treatment

• Coordinates patient tracking and injured civilians or 

responder evacuation to the Incident Commander

• Provides medical support for all CERFP members

Fatalities Search and Recovery Team

• Plans fatality recovery mission in CERFP area of 

operations 

• Conducts incident site human remains recovery

• Transfers human remains through Incident Command System

Mission: When directed by proper authority and consent 

of the governor (s), provides immediate CBRN incident 

response capabilities within 3-6 hours of notification. 

Capabilities include: command and control (C2); search 

and extraction (S&E); decontamination (DECON); medical 

triage and stabilization (MEDEL); and fatality search and 

recovery (FSRT). The Joint Incident Site Communications 

Capability (JISCC) ensures that the CERFP can communicate with local, state, and federal partners.

Overview: The National Guard (NG) Chemical, Biological, 

Radiological, Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package 

(CERFP) is comprised of five operational elements staffed 

by personnel from already established NG units. 

The command and control team directs the overall lifesaving planning activities of the CERFP, and coordinates 

mission tasks with the Homeland Response Force and the 

Incident Commander. The C2, DECON, and S&E elements 

are assigned to an ARNG Chemical Company. The medical element is assigned to an ANG Medical Group, and the 

fatalities search and recovery team to an ANG Services 

Squadron.

Locations: There is at least one CERFP in each of the 

10 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

regions. As of 1 October 2012, all 17 NG CERFPs were 

Fully Operational Capable (FOC). The FOC CERFPs have 

completed the required 24-36 month External Evaluations 

(ExEval) and have been assessed FOC by their Adjutants 

General. Each CERFP consist of 208 Army and Air Service Members. CERFPs are in the following states: ME, 

PR, VA, WV, FL, AL, KY, LA, NE, MN, WI, IL, IN, CO, NV, 

HI, and OR 

2020: The Year of the Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and

high-yield explosive Enhanced Response

Force Package (CBRNE)