National Response Framework and New Jersey Emergency Management

Overview of the National Response Framework

The United States is a large, complex nation that requires a sophisticated and multifaceted approach to disaster response. The National Response Framework (NRF, 2016) is a guide released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that offers direction for responding to national disasters to state, county, and local agencies, as well as to individuals and non-governmental organizations that assist in disaster relief. Scalability and flexibility are critical concerns of the model. Either part or all of its structures can be implemented, depending upon the nature of the event. For example, some areas of the nation are more likely to be impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes, and concentrating resources and planning with knowledge of the specific circumstances of such likely impact areas is ideal.

Even human-generated disasters like terrorism require advance planning to some degree, and likely target areas may be more urban or military in nature. The components of the National Response Framework include strategies for prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. These phases of the disaster response framework reflect the philosophy that preventing disasters — both natural and human-made — is the ideal outcome. However, it is not realistic to assume that all disasters can be prevented, and thus mitigation and protection strategies exist to address this reality. Depending on the nature of the organization, more of its efforts may be devoted to one of the phases, but effective management still requires every relief agency to be at least somewhat aware of and involved in all phases. Although all phases may not be simultaneously engaged for every disaster, they are fundamentally interlinked.

State-Level Emergency Management: New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

In the state of New Jersey, the state is mobilized to deal with specific, likely disasters common during different times of year through its Office of Emergency Management. Managing emergencies is a year-round effort, and the Office is devoted to preparing the state to respond effectively in all four phases of management. Because the state was severely affected by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, hurricane preparedness is currently a critical priority, and the Office monitors forecast activity levels while preparing residents for each upcoming season.

According to FEMA, despite the response of state, local, and county organizations within New Jersey, considerable federal assistance was still needed to cope with the fallout from major disaster events such as Superstorm Sandy. One year after Sandy occurred, "more than $5.67 billion in total federal assistance approved for Individual Assistance grants, SBA low-interest disaster loans, National Flood Insurance Program payments, and Public Assistance grants" were needed to bring the state back to normal, functioning order ("A Year After Hurricane Sandy," 2013, par. 5). Although the Office of Emergency Management coordinates such funds and directs them to their most productive areas, federal assistance is often required to fill critical gaps.

Under most circumstances, state emergency personnel will coordinate initial efforts and request aid subsequently; however, the magnitude of Sandy required immediate federal intervention. In addition to hurricane and storm response, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management also coordinates responses to blizzards, power outages due to overuse, and terrorist attacks. It is a state organization with its own responsibilities and budget — including running preparedness drills — but also coordinates with other national and local agencies as appropriate. For example, in a joint press conference with FEMA, the Office of Emergency Management partnered with the New Jersey State Police to release an informative statement regarding requests for aid following an unexpected nor'easter in March that impacted North Jersey. The Office also engages in preparedness drills to better enable its response in subsequent phases.