National Response Framework

National Response Framework

SEC 6060

Wilmington University

Planning provides three principal benefits: (1) it allows jurisdictions to influence the course of events in an emergency by determining in advance the actions, policies, and processes that will be followed; (2) it guides other preparedness activities; and (3) it contributes to unity of effort by providing a common blueprint for activity in the event of an emergency. Planning is a foundational element of both preparedness and response and thus is an essential homeland security activity.

The Federal planning structure supports the Framework and the State, tribal, and local planning structure through the National Preparedness Guidelines, including the National Planning Scenarios and core capabilities; the NIMS; the NIPP and sector-specific plans; Federal strategic and concept plans for each set of National Planning Scenarios, supported by department and agency operations plans; National Continuity policies and directives; and a National Exercise Schedule that incorporates Federal, State, tribal, and local exercises. The National Planning Scenarios are the focus of Federal planning efforts. They represent examples of the gravest dangers facing the United States and have been accorded the highest priority for Federal planning. Using a shared set of scenarios provides a common yardstick for determining how to achieve expected planning results. Homeland Security Presidential Directive, “National Preparedness,” Annex I (National Planning), describes use of the National Planning Scenarios. The 15 scenarios have been grouped into 8 key scenario sets that reflect common characteristics in order to integrate planning for like events, and to conduct cross-cutting capability development. The scenarios will be updated and amended on a biennial basis using risk-based analysis to ascertain the most likely or most dangerous threats to the homeland.

The National Response Framework (NRF) is a guide to how the Nation responds to all types of

disasters and emergencies. It is built on scalable, flexible, and adaptable concepts identified in

the National Incident Management System (NIMS)6 to align key roles and responsibilities across

the Nation. The NRF describes specific authorities and best practices for managing incidents that

range from the serious but purely local to large-scale terrorist attacks or catastrophic natural

disasters.

The NRF describes the principles, roles and responsibilities, and coordinating structures for delivering the core capabilities required to respond to an incident and further

describes how response efforts integrate with those of the other mission areas. The NRF is always in effect, and elements can be implemented at any time. The structures, roles, and responsibilities described in the NRF can be partially or fully implemented in the context of a threat or hazard, in anticipation of a significant event, or in response to an incident. Selective implementation of NRF structures and procedures allows for a scaled response, delivery of the specific resources and capabilities, and a level of coordination appropriate to each incident. The Response mission area focuses on ensuring that the Nation is able to respond effectively to all types of incidents that range from those that are adequately handled with local assets to those of catastrophic proportion that require marshaling the capabilities of the entire Nation.

The objectives of the Response mission area define the capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, meet basic human needs, stabilize the incident, restore basic services and community functionality, and establish a safe and secure environment moving towards the transition to recovery.

The Response mission area includes 14 core capabilities: Planning, Public Information and Warning, Operational Coordination, Critical Transportation, Environmental Response/Health and Safety, Fatality Management Services, Infrastructure Systems, Mass Care Services, Mass Search and Rescue Operations, On-scene Security and Protection, Operational Communications, Public and Private Services and Resources, Public Health and Medical Services, Situational Assessment.

Scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordinating structures are essential in aligning the key roles and responsibilities to deliver the Response mission area’s core capabilities. The flexibility of such structures helps ensure that communities across the country can organize response efforts to address a variety of risks based on their unique needs, capabilities, demographics, governing structures, and non-traditional partners. The NRF is not based on a one-size-fits-all organizational construct, but instead acknowledges the concept of a tiered response, which emphasizes that response to incidents should be handled at the lowest jurisdictional level capable of handling the mission.

Engaging the whole community is critical to successfully achieving a secure and resilient Nation, and individual and community preparedness is a key component. An effective partnership relies on engaging all elements of the whole community and, when appropriate, international partners. Participation within these partnerships should include advocates for all elements of the whole community. The most effective partnerships within a community capitalize on all available resources identifying, developing, fostering, and strengthening new and existing coordinating structures to create a unity of effort.

Core capabilities should be scalable, flexible, and adaptable and executed as needed to address the full range of threats and hazards as they evolve. Scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordinating structures are essential in aligning the key roles and responsibilities to deliver the core capabilities. The flexibility of such structures helps ensure that communities across the country can organize efforts to address a variety of risks based on their unique needs, capabilities, demographics, governing structures, and non-traditional partners.