---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 711"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "711"
heading: "Surge Capacity Force"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/711"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Emergency Management"
  - "Subchapter I — Personnel Provisions"
  - "Part A — Federal Emergency Management Agency Personnel"
---

# §711. Surge Capacity Force

- (a) **Establishment—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 6 months after October 4, 2006, the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) shall prepare and submit to the [appropriate committees of Congress](/usc/6/701.md?p=3) a plan to establish and implement a [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force for deployment of individuals to respond to natural disasters, acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18), and other man-made disasters, including [catastrophic incidents](/usc/6/821.md?p=3).
  - (2) **Authority—**
    - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#a-2-B), the plan shall provide for individuals in the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force to be trained and deployed under the authorities set forth in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Assistance Act [[42 U.S.C. 5121](/usc/42/5121.md) et seq.].
    - (B) **Exception—** If the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) determines that the existing authorities are inadequate for the training and deployment of individuals in the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force, the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) shall report to Congress as to the additional statutory authorities that the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) determines necessary.
- (b) **Employees designated to serve—** The plan shall include procedures under which the [Secretary](/usc/6/821.md?p=11) shall designate employees of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) who are not employees of the [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) and shall, in conjunction with the heads of other [Executive agencies](/usc/6/101.md?p=8), designate employees of those other [Executive agencies](/usc/6/101.md?p=8), as appropriate, to serve on the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force.
- (c) **Capabilities—** The plan shall ensure that the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force—
  - (1) includes a sufficient number of individuals [credentialed](/usc/6/741.md?p=2) in accordance with [section 320 of this title](/usc/6/320.md) that are capable of deploying rapidly and efficiently after activation to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18), and other man-made disasters, including [catastrophic incidents](/usc/6/821.md?p=3); and
  - (2) includes a sufficient number of full-time, highly trained individuals [credentialed](/usc/6/741.md?p=2) in accordance with [section 320 of this title](/usc/6/320.md) to lead and manage the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force.
- (d) **Training—** The plan shall ensure that the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) provides appropriate and continuous training to members of the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force to ensure such [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) are adequately trained on the [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1)’s programs and policies for natural disasters, acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18), and other man-made disasters.
- (e) **No impact on agency personnel ceiling—** [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force members shall not be counted against any [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) ceiling applicable to the Federal [Emergency Management](/usc/6/701.md?p=7) [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1).
- (f) **Expenses—** The [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) may provide members of the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force with travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) under subchapter I of [chapter 57](/usc/5/chptIII/sptD/ch57.md) of title 5 for the purpose of participating in any training that relates to service as a member of the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force.
- (g) **Immediate implementation of Surge Capacity Force involving Federal employees—** As soon as practicable after October 4, 2006, the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) shall develop and implement—
  - (1) the procedures under [subsection (b)](#b); and
  - (2) other elements of the plan needed to establish the portion of the [Surge Capacity](/usc/6/701.md?p=15) Force consisting of individuals designated under those procedures.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 624, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1419.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§ 5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.