| US National Response Framework released
The NRF focuses on preparedness and ‘encourages a higher level of readiness across all jurisdictions’. It aims to be a ‘streamlined document that is less bureaucratic and more user-friendly’. “The National Response Framework is an essential tool for emergency managers at all levels,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “It helps define the roles, responsibilities, and relationships critical to effective emergency planning, preparedness and response to any emergency or disaster. Today’s (22 Jan) release reflects the culmination of many months of hard work and collaboration within the nation’s emergency management community.” The NRF is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as federal department and agency heads, state governors, mayors, tribal leaders, city managers and the private sector. Simultaneously, it informs emergency management practitioners by explaining the operating structures and tools routinely used by first responders and emergency managers at all levels of government. In addition to releasing the NRF base document, the Emergency Support Function Annexes and Support Annexes have been released and posted at the NRF Resource Center (www.fema.gov/nrf), an online repository of the entire component parts of the NRF. The annexes are a total of 23 individual documents designed to provide concept of operations, procedures and structures for achieving response directives for all partners in fulfilling their roles under the NRF. The next step in the NRF process is for the initiation of an intensive nationwide training and exercise program to embed the NRF into the US’s preparedness and response cycle. Implementation of the NRF training and exercise strategy will include awareness training, position-specific training, exercises (tabletop and functional), and sustainment training. The NRF and the annexes will come into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., ranking member Susan Collins, R-Me., and disaster response subcommittee chair Mary Landrieu, D-La., commended the DHS for completing the National Response Framework. This welcome was echoed by IAEM, with Russ Decker, director of emergency management of Allen County, Ohio, and IAEM first vice president, stating: “We are extremely pleased with the final National Response Framework product. It is apparent that our counterparts in Washington were listening and genuinely interested in addressing the issues raised by local emergency managers. As result of the improved process, we believe the NRF is a document that local emergency managers will find very useful. This is the greatest compliment a local official can give a Federal document. We get many documents from Washington that go on a shelf, but this one will actually be used. We appreciated being included in the revision process and look forward to a continued dialogue on this and other issues." Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued a note of warning, stating: "This disaster response plan falls short by ignoring the key immediate role that agencies like the Small Business Administration need to play in a time of emergency. Within days of a disaster, the SBA must be on the ground as part of the response team so that businesses and homeowners alike have access to financial assistance without delay. We learned lessons after Hurricane Katrina about the need for better intergovernmental coordination and the tools agencies need to improve their disaster response. That's why I've worked in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation to reform the disaster loan program and give the SBA the tools they need to provide short-term aid and assist in long-term economic recovery." Update: Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator R. David Paulison at a press conference on the national response framework Read here
•Date: 23rd January 2008• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
|
