When might a state governor request federal assistance through DSCA?

A state governor may request federal assistance through Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) primarily when state and local resources are overwhelmed. This situation typically arises during emergencies or disasters, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or other large-scale incidents where the scope and scale of the response exceed the capabilities of the state and local governments.

The essence of DSCA is to ensure that federal assets can be mobilized to support state efforts when these are insufficient to effectively manage the crisis. Such federal assistance can include resources in terms of personnel, equipment, and expertise that may not be readily available at the state or local levels, thereby enabling a more coordinated and effective response to the emergency at hand.

In contrast, a governor would not seek federal assistance when there is a budget surplus, when an incident is under control, or when federal help is deemed unnecessary, as these scenarios do not present a clear need for additional resources to address overwhelming challenges. Hence, the need for federal support specifically arises from situations where local capacities have been surpassed.