Abstract
Over several years, Danish Defence and the Danish Emergency Management Agency have acquired extensive experience respectively deploying to conflict zones and disasters. Therefore we can naturally consider if Danish Defence and the Danish Emergency Management Agency can work in a complementary fashion.
This report suggests that when considering the use of armed forces in an emergency you should consider the following four points:
1) Is it demanded: Internationally, e.g. by the UN and the state that has experienced the disaster, and/or by developments in Danish domestic politics?
2) Timeliness of the deployment.
3) Is the deployment „modular¿, for instance, in the form of: a) Personnel; b) equipment; c) management?
4) The nature of interaction. Could increased „jointery¿ and interoperability possibly be ensured through frequent exercises, and the creation of a fixed overall management team?
In an disaster a professional approach is required. The military must therefore be used for what they are specialized in doing. The military does not need to develop new capabilities, but the current capabilities can be better used to support the Danish Emergency Management Agency. This will require a small joint management and planning unit.
Overall the report raises five mutually independent propositions:
• Pragmatism - in emergencies there is a need for improvisation and pragmatism, therefore one must be careful not to be overwhelmed or constrained by comprehensive legal regulation.
• Transport and mobility - there is an absolute need for agility of movement during an emergency, and the military can provide this capability on land, sea and air.
• Use of the The Absalon-class support ships: They were originally developed in the 1990s to include amongst their roles support to UN operations in disaster zones, as a platform for staff, and the ships can transport materiel and up to 200 men.
• ISR - Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance. There is a great need for ISR support when the Danish Emergency Management Agency is deployed. The military has a wide range of ISR platforms and capabilities that should be exploited to a much greater degree for the purpose of supporting DEMA.
• Security – the military can protect itself, and establish the necessary security for both organisations¿ personnel, materiel, and for emergency relief. Since complex emergencies often happen in relation to wars, the § 3 of the Danish Emergency Law (beredskabsloven) should be changed, so that the words "in peacetime" are removed.
This report suggests that when considering the use of armed forces in an emergency you should consider the following four points:
1) Is it demanded: Internationally, e.g. by the UN and the state that has experienced the disaster, and/or by developments in Danish domestic politics?
2) Timeliness of the deployment.
3) Is the deployment „modular¿, for instance, in the form of: a) Personnel; b) equipment; c) management?
4) The nature of interaction. Could increased „jointery¿ and interoperability possibly be ensured through frequent exercises, and the creation of a fixed overall management team?
In an disaster a professional approach is required. The military must therefore be used for what they are specialized in doing. The military does not need to develop new capabilities, but the current capabilities can be better used to support the Danish Emergency Management Agency. This will require a small joint management and planning unit.
Overall the report raises five mutually independent propositions:
• Pragmatism - in emergencies there is a need for improvisation and pragmatism, therefore one must be careful not to be overwhelmed or constrained by comprehensive legal regulation.
• Transport and mobility - there is an absolute need for agility of movement during an emergency, and the military can provide this capability on land, sea and air.
• Use of the The Absalon-class support ships: They were originally developed in the 1990s to include amongst their roles support to UN operations in disaster zones, as a platform for staff, and the ships can transport materiel and up to 200 men.
• ISR - Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance. There is a great need for ISR support when the Danish Emergency Management Agency is deployed. The military has a wide range of ISR platforms and capabilities that should be exploited to a much greater degree for the purpose of supporting DEMA.
• Security – the military can protect itself, and establish the necessary security for both organisations¿ personnel, materiel, and for emergency relief. Since complex emergencies often happen in relation to wars, the § 3 of the Danish Emergency Law (beredskabsloven) should be changed, so that the words "in peacetime" are removed.
| Translated title of the contribution | Being useful. Report on the use of military capabilities in complex emergencies. |
|---|---|
| Original language | Danish |
| Publication date | 16 Feb 2012 |
| Number of pages | 57 |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Feb 2012 |