National Response Framework (NRF) contains guidelines for Non-Governmental Organizations - Essay Example

National Response Framework (NRF) National Response Framework (NRF) The National Response Framework is a national strategy formulated to safeguard homeland security. The framework provides guiding principles, which enable all domestic partners to work together. The National Response Framework also provides a platform that enables domestic partners to provide a unified national response strategy to emergencies and disasters. The framework seeks to provide guidelines to Non-Governmental Organizations and volunteer bodies in the event of a disaster (Department Of Homeland Security, 2013).

The establishment of an effective Emergency Response Plan is dependent on the ability of the plan to solve issues surrounding the involvement of local volunteer bodies and non-governmental organizations. NRF Guidelines for NGO and Volunteer ManagementThe priorities of responding to a disaster are to protect property, save lives, protect the environment, stabilizing the incident and providing basic human needs. The National Response Framework for Non-governmental Organizations and volunteer bodies is guided by principles that establish the fundamental doctrines for a response mission (Department Of Homeland Security, 2013).

These guidelines are engaged partnership, scalable, adaptable and flexible operational capabilities, tiered response, readiness to act and unity of efforts through unified commands. The guidelines are based on the Constitutional and Federal systems of dividing responsibilities. NRF Annex for the American Red CrossThe guidelines for the American Red Cross state that the organization acts as a support body to national response capabilities. According to Annex 6, the two functions of the American Red Cross that can be related to an effective Emergency Response Plan are the provision of relief and basic human needs to the survivors of the disaster and the establishment of a special relationship between the victims and Federal Government (Hansch, 2011, p. 348). These functions are important to an effective Emergency Response Plan because the main aim of responding to an emergency is to provide humanitarian aid.

The provision of relief and basic human needs will ensure that victims can survive the disaster. It is vital to create a relationship between the victims and Federal Government in order to ensure that the victims are protected. This also ensures that the human rights of the victims are not violated. NGOs and Volunteers to Include in the PlanThe NGOs and volunteers or volunteer groups that will be included in the emergency response plan have the capability to support core response capabilities (Smith, 2011).

The first NGO that will be included is the American Red Cross. This NGO has the legal status of federal instrumentality. The NGO has the capacity to support national response activities and provide relief to survivors. The second NGO that will be included is the National Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster. The voluntary organization has the required resources and knowledge for responding to disasters. ConclusionThe National Response Framework provides crucial guidelines for the involvement of volunteers and non-governmental organizations in response to disasters.

These guidelines are focused on engaged partnership, readiness to act, tiered response, unity of effort, flexible, scalable and adaptable operational capabilities. Two of the essential functions of the American Red Cross that can be included in the response plan include the provision of relief and the establishment of relationships between the victims and Federal Government. NGOs and volunteers will be included in the plan because of their abilities to support core response activities. They will be included in the plan because they have values and interests that drive operational priorities.

ReferencesDepartment Of Homeland Security. (2013). National Response Framework. Homeland Security. Second Edition. Washington. Page 11-20.Kahan, J., Allen, A., & George, J. (2009). An Operational Framework for Resilience. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 6, (1). Page 5-19. Smith, S. (2011). An Analysis of Authority Issues within National Response Framework ESF, Mass Care, Housing and Human Services Policy. Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy, 2, (3). Page 1-14.