'What management structure will be put in place to keep the effort to accomplish the mission organized and on track?' The answer to that question is the National Response Framework.
The NRF is the latest and possibly greatest of a long line of management structures. When FEMA was organized from and began to work with a wide variety of other response agencies, each and every one had their own command organization. As they all grew up separately, they were all quite distinct. It's analogous to the human race having so many different languages. Everyone's language may be perfectly suited for themselves, but when it's time to work together, there are problems. Sometimes big problems.
Full Answer Section
The NRF is based on the following key principles:
- Incident Command System (ICS). The ICS is a standardized management system that is used to coordinate emergency response efforts. It provides a common language and framework for all responders to work together.
- Unity of Command. There should be a single, unified command structure for each incident. This ensures that everyone is working together towards the same goal and that there is no confusion about who is in charge.
- Coordination. The NRF emphasizes the importance of coordination between all levels of government and the private sector. This includes sharing information, resources, and expertise.
- Communication. Effective communication is essential for a successful response. The NRF provides a framework for communicating with the public, the media, and other stakeholders.
- Incident Action Plan (IAP). The IAP is a document that outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for responding to an incident. It is developed by the incident commander and is used to guide the response effort.
The NRF is a living document that is constantly being updated to reflect new threats and challenges. It is an essential tool for ensuring that the United States is prepared to respond to any disaster or emergency.
The analogy you made between the NRF and the human race having so many different languages is a good one. When people speak different languages, it can be difficult to communicate and work together. The NRF is designed to bridge the language barrier between different response agencies and organizations. It provides a common language and framework that everyone can understand. This makes it easier for everyone to work together to achieve the common goal of saving lives and property.
Sample Answer
You are correct. The National Response Framework (NRF) is the latest and possibly greatest of a long line of management structures for coordinating the response to disasters and emergencies in the United States. It was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in collaboration with other federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector partners.
The NRF is designed to be flexible and adaptable to a wide range of incidents, from small-scale events to large-scale disasters. It provides a common framework for all levels of government and the private sector to work together to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents.