A Summary of the National Response Framework
A Summary of the National Response Framework
Amber Coté
Pikes Peak Community College
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to become acquainted with the evolution of national incident
response over the last twenty years in America; and henceforth, gain a better understanding of
the current multi-agency/multi-discipline approach to national disasters and emergencies. This summary briefly reviews the history of federal planning documents over the past twenty years as context for the present day, National Response Framework; and then highlights the response doctrine and its five principles, as it seems to encapsulate the National Response Framework overall. “Response doctrine influences the way in which policy and plans are developed, forces are organized and trained, and equipment is procured. It promotes unity of purpose, guides professional judgment, and enables responders to best fulfill their responsibilities.” (NFR, January 2008, Page 8 and 9) This summary draws upon multiple documents from one primary source, the Department of Homeland Security web site. Upon examination of these documents it became clear that as our country faced more frequent and destructive disasters, the more collaborative our preparation, response and recovery efforts had to become; and to coordinate that kind of multi-systems response our first responders and decision makers would need a framework from which to provide a powerful unified response. That document is the National Response Framework. Researching and summarizing this document is a crucial foundation to understanding 21st Century emergency management in the United States.
A Summary of the National Response Framework
“To prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, the United States Government shall establish a single, comprehensive approach to domestic incident management.” —
Amber Coté
Pikes Peak Community College
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to become acquainted with the evolution of national incident
response over the last twenty years in America; and henceforth, gain a better understanding of
the current multi-agency/multi-discipline approach to national disasters and emergencies. This summary briefly reviews the history of federal planning documents over the past twenty years as context for the present day, National Response Framework; and then highlights the response doctrine and its five principles, as it seems to encapsulate the National Response Framework overall. “Response doctrine influences the way in which policy and plans are developed, forces are organized and trained, and equipment is procured. It promotes unity of purpose, guides professional judgment, and enables responders to best fulfill their responsibilities.” (NFR, January 2008, Page 8 and 9) This summary draws upon multiple documents from one primary source, the Department of Homeland Security web site. Upon examination of these documents it became clear that as our country faced more frequent and destructive disasters, the more collaborative our preparation, response and recovery efforts had to become; and to coordinate that kind of multi-systems response our first responders and decision makers would need a framework from which to provide a powerful unified response. That document is the National Response Framework. Researching and summarizing this document is a crucial foundation to understanding 21st Century emergency management in the United States.
A Summary of the National Response Framework
“To prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, the United States Government shall establish a single, comprehensive approach to domestic incident management.” —
References: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (January 2008) National Response Framework [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (January 2008) National Response Framework- Brochure [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (January 2008) National Response Framework- Fact Sheet [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (January 2008) National Response Framework- Frequently Asked Questions [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Response Plan- Brochure [PDF document. Retrieved from www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NRP_Brochure.pdf The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Under Secretary Kicks Off National Response Plan Workshops In D.C.(April 15, 2005) Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/news-release/homeland-security-under-secretary-kicks-national-response-plan-workshops-dc The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Council (October 2007) National Strategy for Homeland Security(Strategy) [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/national-strategy-homeland-security-october-2007