In Executive Order 10952 (signed 20 July 1961), the president delegated these functions to the Secretary of Defense.

3 of 19 June 1978) led to the dissolution of DCPA in July 1979, the director of the new Federal Emergency Management Agency assumed responsibility for civil defense.

[3] Nevertheless, DoD continued to maintain and develop resources for civil defense, but with dispersed, overlapping, and informal authorities for growing and coordinating them.

The ASD (HD&HA) now provides a single point of contact at DoD for FEMA, state and local disaster management agencies, and executive policymakers in the event that these resources need to be enhanced or mobilized.

The ASD (HD&HA) is also supported by a Principal Deputy, or PDASD, who helps manage the day-to-day operations.