Military intelligence in disaster support.

It has become more usual to use human and material military resources on disaster support. They (Armed Forces) possess skills and technology to participate in an effective way on supporting disaster operations. Although, these kinds of activities are not their primary role of employment, they have adapted their training and equipment, representing a significant and strong force in presence, with enough capacity to be logistic and operational self-supported. These characteristics, allow them to help local authorities in the affected area, to deliver water, food and supplies for victims. Besides, with their presence, they contribute to create a security environment, ensuring calm to affected people, responders and disaster relief agencies and organizations, restoring the state of normalcy in the shortest time possible.

As it is known, for its operations, the Armed Forces require an intelligence system to allow them to obtain information about the opponent (threat) and the operating environment (weather, terrain, roads, waterways, etc.) both to fulfill its mission and to protect their forces.

Basically Intelligence is processed information, obtained from different sources and oriented to various areas of interest, determined according to the type of support required or organization that requests, but this intelligence, which has a high value in terms of situational awareness, can also be used in disaster situations. International experiences, highlight the capabilities and flexibility possessed by military means, providing valuable support in the affected areas.

Normally, there are various disciplines of intelligence, classified according to the source from which the information is obtained. The acronym is according the method and technology used to collect the information:

HUMINT (Human Intelligence)

It contributes to supplement the information obtained by the other disciplines through information based on a history that cannot be obtained by sensors. This activity is performed by civilians (victims), responders and military personnel; this is generally the most accurate information obtained from the event site.

IMINT (Imagery Intelligence)

Depending on their capabilities, it is which provide more products, on the widest range through images and videos, according to the requirements of the different organizations involved.

SIGINT (Signal Intelligence)

The frequency scanning, allows locating distress signals issuable by survivors through various electromagnetic emitting means.

OSINT (Open Source Intelligence)

It is obtained from open sources of information and corresponds to the first record provided by locals posted or published via information media. this information background will be considered for the first analyzes of the extent of the damage in the affected area.

This information transformed into intelligence, generally is aimed to:

• Detect threats that may affect compliance support and rescue tasks.
• To produce intelligence for decision-making process, allowing planning and readjusting priorities.
• Monitor the development of activities on benefit of responders agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations involved, offering products (situation reports, weather conditions, transit routes etc.) quickly and efficiently.

It is essential that community knows how the military can support their management and how to apply for this support. Typically, organizations tend to focus their request focused on the means and not in the required product. Proper form is:

Example: "to know if the bridge located in the FDS45 route is operational" or " to know the percentage of passable routes in the affected area ", etc., but not request this: “I need a helicopter to verify the DFS45 bridge”. Don´t worry, intelligence function will know how to get the information!

However, it is understandable that for some organizations also will be more helpful obtain images or raw information from the affected area, in order to get  aspects of their own interest. This does not detach the authority’s responsibilities to know the operational state of basic services and critical infrastructure through their own resources. Although this, they can rely on intelligence which is provided military forces for more specific analysis.

The timely dissemination of the products to the various organizations responsible for mitigate the effects caused by natural or antrophic event, will allow planners to conduct a preliminary assessment of the situation, to determine the immediate needs and start planning for recovery and reconstruction.

The support which can be provided by  the Armed Forces through by the intelligence function it is of high value, allowing:

• To get real time information,
• Make an initial assessment of the magnitude and the existing damage,
• To Provide a background that allow advice on security related risks (aimed at providing prevention, public safety, etc.),
• To get background information on critical infrastructure protection,
• To identify areas of potential danger,
• To determine areas of walkability,
• To determine initially via images, the structural condition of works of art (bridges, hospitals, dams, etc.),
• To locate survivors, etc.

In short, the gathering information capabilities of defense forces are an excellent support. Coordination is essential for effective use of the means, since it minimizes duplicity, so it is required to be very specific on what you need to know, when you need the information and the intention, in order to give the best orientation to intelligence function to satisfy your request.