Support Agencies & Partners

Emergency Support Function (ESF) #11 Protection of Natural and Cultural Resources and Historic Properties (NCH) is organized and coordinated by the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) and works with a series of support agencies to respond to incidents threatening Natural and Cultural Resources and Historic Properties. Support agencies have specific capabilities and resources that support the primary agency in executing the mission of the ESF.

ESF #11 NCH support agencies include:

• The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
• The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) 
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 
• The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (FS)

DOI also partners with the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a consortium of non-governmental organization and federal agencies that provides the combined experience and resources of its members to support ESF #11 NCH.

When ESF #11 NCH is activated, DOI consults and works with our support agencies and partners to assist with response activities, including providing expertise and guidance.

Certain partners, such as HENTF, participate in preparedness and response even when ESF #11 NCH is not activated, and can be a valuable source of information and aid for non-disaster preservation of natural and cultural resources.