What is the National Response Framework?
The National Response Framework is one of five national frameworks within the National Preparedness System. It is intended to provide guidance for the whole community, and outlines how the Response mission area relates to other mission areas.
The National Response Framework is structured to help jurisdictions, citizens, nongovernmental organizations and businesses:
- Develop whole community plans
- Integrate continuity plans
- Build capabilities to respond to cascading failures among businesses, supply chains, and infrastructure sectors
- Collaborate to stabilize community lifelines and restore services
When is the National Response Framework Applied?
The National Response Framework is always in effect, and elements can be implemented as needed on a flexible, scalable basis to improve response. Building on the existing National Incident Management System as well as Incident Command System standardization, It is applicable to all types and sizes of incidents.
The NRF can be partially or fully implemented in the context of a threat, anticipation of a significant event, or in response to an incident requiring a coordinated Federal response. Selective implementation through the activation of the NRF elements allows maximum flexibility to meet the unique operational and information-sharing requirements of any situation. It enables effective interaction among various federal, state, local, tribal, private-sector, and other nongovernmental entities.
National Response Framework Guiding Principles
- Engaged partnership among all elements of the whole community involving ongoing clear, consistent, effective, and culturally appropriate communication to ensure appropriate responses to incidents.
- Tiered response with most incidents managed at the local level, but where necessary additional supports are available from neighboring or state governments, and for major incidents from the Federal government.
- Scalable, flexible, and adaptable operational capabilities so that as incidents change in size, scope, and complexity, the response adapts to meet expanding requirements.
- Unity of effort through unity of command whereby an incident command system is used to enable agencies with different legal, jurisdictional, and functional responsibilities to coordinate, plan, and interact effectively on the scene.
- Readiness to act – swift and effective action based on risk assessment, proper training and planning, and clear, focused communication.
National Response Framework Annexes
Emergency Support Functions
Emergency Support Functions provide the structure for coordinating Federal inter-agency support for a Federal response to an incident. They are a way to group functions that provide federal support to states and federal-to-federal support, both for Stafford Act declared disasters and emergencies and for non-Stafford Act incidents.
- Transportation
- Communications
- Public Works and Engineering
- Firefighting
- Information and Planning
- Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services
- Logistics Management and Resource Support
- Public Health and Medical Services
- Search and Rescue
- Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Energy
- Public Safety and Security
- Cross-Sector Business and Infrastructure
- External Affairs
Support Annexes
The support annexes describe common essential processes and considerations for most incidents. Content in the support annexes is superseded by changes and updates to legislation. The support annexes include:
- Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources
- Financial Management
- International Coordination
- Private-Sector Coordination
- Public Affairs
- Tribal Relations
- Volunteer and Donations Management
- Worker Safety and Health
Incident Annexes
- Incident Annex Introduction
- Biological Incident
- Catastrophic Incident
- Cyber Incident
- Food and Agriculture Incident
- Mass Evacuation Incident
- Nuclear/Radio-logical Incident
- Terrorism Incident Law Enforcement and Investigation
Community Lifelines
FEMA introduced community lifelines in the fourth edition of the National Response Framework. The community lifelines increase our disaster response capabilities by identifying where there is a breakdown in service and evaluating immediate and potential impacts
National Response Framework Independent Study Courses
- IS 10.A Animals in Disaster: Awareness and Preparedness
- IS 11.a Animals in Disaster: Community Planning
- IS 100.c Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS 200.c ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- IS 235.c Emergency Planning
- IS 244.b Developing and Managing Volunteers
- IS 288.a Role of Volunteer Agencies in Emergency Management
- IS 394.a Protecting Your Home and Small Business from a disaster
- IS 700.b National Incident Management System, An Introduction
- IS 29.A Public Information Officer Awareness
- IS 703.B NIMS Resource Management
- IS 706 NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid—An Introduction
- IS 800.D National Response Framework, An Introduction
- IS 860.C National Infrastructure Protection Plan