EPLOs ready for emergency response role Published Sept. 1, 2008 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers nationwide stand ready to respond to national emergencies and events when requested. Air Force Reserve EPLOs are stationed in every state to coordinate military assets to support civil authorities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster or a national special security event. Working with officers from the Navy, Marines and Army, these EPLOs respond to civilian requests for assistance by Federal Emergency Management Agency officials. Requests for EPLO support are coordinated through the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Upon approval, selected EPLOs work with the requesting agency to bring Air Force assets to bear. Col. Michael Hare, the Air Forces Northern national security emergency preparedness director, said EPLOs work to help civilian agencies understand and select the military capabilities available to them in a Defense Security Cooperation Agency environment. "They understand what the military can provide and what civilian authorities need, so we can provide the right support at the right time," said Colonel Hare. Colonel Hare said the ability of the EPLOs to coordinate these efforts at the local level is a direct reflection of local relationships and the knowledge EPLOs gain being located in each state. "Our EPLOs know local officials like the state emergency managers by name," he said. "These relationships are not made overnight." EPLOs are geographically assigned to each state and the 10 FEMA Regional Coordination Centers. The officers come from a wide range of career fields including air operations, logistics, medical, security forces and public affairs. "The mission is about taking care of the American people and defending the homeland," said Colonel Hare. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service) Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page