NATO/ Civil Emergency Planning Committee
 NATO/ Civil Emergency Planning Committee(Planning body)   | |
|---|---|
| Interests | COVID-19 |
| The top NATO advisory body for the the use of civil resources in support of NATO’s objectives. Connection to COVID-19 deep event. | |
The Civil Emergency Planning Committee (CEPC) is the top NATO advisory body for the protection of civilian populations and the use of civil resources in support of NATO’s objectives. The CEPC is the key player in all Civil Emergency Planning done at NATO, including civil support to military operations. It coordinates planning in several areas, to ensure – when necessary – civil support for the Alliance’s military operations or support for national authorities in civil emergencies.[1]
The CEPC reports directly to the North Atlantic Council (NAC). It meets twice a year in plenary session, at the level of the heads of the national civil emergency planning organizations from NATO and partner countries.
Permanent sessions are conducted on a weekly basis, where countries are represented by their nation delegation to NATO. It coordinates and provides direction and guidance to four specialized groups covering the areas of civil protection; transport; industrial supply and communication; public health, food and water. Amongst these specialized groups it is the Joint Health Food and Agriculture Group (JHFAG) that is dealing public health, food and water. Strategic medical liaison among NATO and civilian organizations during peacetime will mainly be established by the JHFAG. With regard to planning and conduct of operations, liaison will be established by Allied Command Operations (ACO) at the strategic level and the Joint Force Commands at the operational level down to the Medical Directors at the tactical level. [1]
The connection betwwen the COVID-19 deep event and NATO can be seen at the personnel level. For example Espen Rostrup Nakstad, the Norwegian 'Dr. Doom' who dominated the airwaves with daily press conferences from March 2020 onward, is has represented the Norwegian authorities in JHFAG.[2]
