June 2008Vol. 9, No. 5The National Response Framework
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently rolled out the National Response Framework (NRF), which establishes a comprehensive, national response to all types of domestic incidents and disasters. The NRF outlines the roles and responsibilities of communities, States, Tribes, the Federal Government, and the private sector in responding to everything from natural disasters to terrorist threats. Written for government officials, private sector and nongovernmental leaders, and emergency management practitioners, the NRF presents a response doctrine in which planning and prevention are critical elements, and most incidents are managed locally.
The NRF Resource Center is a website created in March 2008 that carries all of the NRF materials, online training, references, briefs, partner guides, and more. Of particular interest to child welfare agencies may be Emergency Support Function #6—Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services Annex. This guide maps out the roles and responsibilities of Federal and other agencies, as well as nongovernmental agencies, in providing human services in times of disaster. It notes the use of two federally facilitated reunification systems (the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System and the National Emergency Child Locator Center) that are created in times of disaster. Other Emergency Support Function Annexes cover such topics as public health and transportation in times of emergency.
Visit the NRF Resource Center for more information and to access the latest FEMA materials:
