Overview: The National Response Framework - Term Paper Example

 An obvious strength of the NRF is its emphasis on engaged partnership and shared responsibilities and roles at all levels by all stakeholders. Further, NRF has aligned its objectives with its capabilities at local, state, and federal levels. That is, according to the NRF, all the responsibilities and resources are aligned at all levels so that no level is overwhelmed during crises (Office of Homeland Security 2002). Second, the tiered approach to responding to crises ensures that catastrophes are dealt with the lowest possible level, only to be supported when the need arises due to the severity of a crisis.

The National Response Framework also has not only adaptable but also scalable and flexible operations and capabilities so that the operations are implemented even if crises change in scope and severity. Nonetheless, there is still a lot of room to improve the NRF.An area in which the NRF may be improved is funding. That is, clarity should be established on federal, state, local, and private-donor responsibilities in terms of funding. In fact, the federal and state governments should entirely fund crises responses with regards to cash grants, legal aid, temporary shelter, food supplies, and home repairs.

Additionally, all victims, their socioeconomic statuses notwithstanding, should be supported to full recovery rather than concentrating on a particular class of victims. Thus, the episodic funding of emergencies in which non-profit responders such as the Red Cross only reach out for help after disasters and negotiation for federal grants take place after each emergency should also stop. Funds should thus be made available so that responses are fast whenever emergencies occur.