Biosecurity Briefing

Subscribe | About | Current Issue | RSS | Archive

DHS Releases Draft National Response Framework

By Molly D’Esopo, September 14, 2007

On September 10, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the Draft National Response Framework (NRF), which was developed to replace the National Response Plan. The NRF, according to an agency press release, “is intended for senior elected officials and appointed leaders, such as federal agency heads, state governors, mayors, tribal leaders and city managers” as well as emergency managers. Designed to serve as a comprehensive all-hazards approach to disaster management, the NRF “focuses on response and short-term recovery, [and] articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazards disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities.” DHS released the draft document for a 30-day public comment period, during which the agency hopes to glean feedback from key stakeholders.1

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff notes that “The Framework recognizes that most incidents are managed locally. . . But when needed to support state and local officials as the respond to a disaster, the Framework establishes the playbook for the federal coordination of resources and assets to manage disasters of all sizes and scope.”1

 The draft NRF, which proposes that unique strategic and operational plans be devised for all 15 National Planning Scenarios, is divided into five chapters:

1. Roles and Responsibilities (for the community, private sector businesses and NGOs, state, federal)
2. Response Actions (prepare, respond, recover)
3. Incident Management (key concepts, structures and staffing at the community, state, and federal response levels)
4. Planning (the value of planning, contributing to a broader preparedness strategy, the federal planning structure)
5. Additional Resources (listing of supporting documents and resources)2

In related news, the Washington Post reported that emergency managers who testified at House hearings held on September 11, 2007, were critical of the Framework. “The draft NRF that we have reviewed appears to be more like a public relations document rather than a response plan or framework,” according to Robert C. Bohlmann, emergency manager for York County, Maine, who testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee. The Post reports that officials at the state and local level had complained early this summer that “the Department of Homeland Security ignored the input [state and local officials] gave to FEMA and commandeered the drafting process.” This has prompted federal lawmakers to call for a review of the criticism and to “revisit the issue of separating FEMA from the DHS.”3

References

1. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Office of the Press Secretary. Draft National Response Framework Released for Public Comment. September 10, 2007. http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1189450382144.shtm. Accessed September 10, 2007.
2. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. National Response Framework. Draft, September 10, 2007. Federal Emergency Management Agency. http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf. Accessed September 10, 2007.
3. Hsu S. Proposed disaster-response plan faulted. Washington Post. September 12, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/11/AR2007091102080.html. Accessed September 12, 2007.