§ 336.5 - Background.

(a) The purpose of the NIF program is to improve the Nation's ability to mobilize nonindustrial facilities for DOD and/or essential civilian needs in times of national security emergencies.

(b) Availability of adequate nonindustrial facilities can be crucial in responding decisively and effectively to emergency situations. In planning for a mobilization surge, military commanders have found existing military housing and training facilities are not adequate to meet the demand of mission requirements. To meet these requirements, access to other nonindustrial facilities has been sought through standby agreements or contracts with the owners and operators of nonindustrial facilities to supplement government installations.

(c) Although NIF is principally a Department of Defense program, other Federal departments and agencies and State and local agencies may also have nonindustrial facilities requirements.

(d) Executive Order 12656 directs Federal departments and agencies to prepare national plans and programs such as NIF, to ensure an appropriate state of readiness to respond to a national security emergency.

(e) In the development of the plans for use of these facilities, including privately-owned facilities, different requirements for national security emergencies must be considered. Such emergency conditions could create a conflicting requirement for the same facility by Government entities. FEMA will coordinate the NIF requests by DoD components and other Federal agencies with the appropriate State agencies to ensure that conflicts between civilian and military requirements are avoided.