The U. S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with federal departments and agencies, state, local and tribal officials, private sector and national and international associations, today announced completion of the National Response Plan (NRP).

The Secretary of Homeland Security stated that the completion of the National Response Plan has been one of the department’s highest priorities, and this achievement is a bold step forward in bringing unity in our response to disasters and terrorist threats and attacks.

The Secretary stated that with the National Response Plan, the United States and its federal, state, local, and tribal response communities now have a comprehensive, all-hazards tool for domestic incident management across the spectrum of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

The Secretary emphasized that the complex and emerging threats of the 21st century demand this synchronized and coordinated plan in order to adequately protect our nation and its citizens.
The National Response Plan fulfills a requirement in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 and provides a core operational plan for all national incident management.

When fully implemented, it will supersede the Initial National Response Plan (INRP), the FEMA Federal Response Plan (FRP), the US Government Interagency Domestic Terrorism Concept of Operations Plan (CONPLAN), and the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan (FRERP).

The National Response Plan establishes a unified and standardized approach within the US for protecting citizens and managing homeland security incidents. All federal departments and agencies that may be required to assist or support during a national incident will use the NRP, whether from threats or acts of terrorism, major natural disasters, or man-made emergencies.

The National Response Plan standardizes federal incident response actions by integrating existing and formerly disparate processes. The Plan uses the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to establish standardized training, organization, and communications procedures for multi-jurisdictional interaction and clearly identifies authority and leadership responsibilities. The Plan concurrently provides a comprehensive framework for private and non-profit institutions to plan and integrate their own preparedness and response activities, nationally and within their own communities.

The National Response Plan and the supporting National Incident Management System establish incident management processes to:

• Improve coordination and integration between federal, state, local, tribal, regional, private sector, and non-governmental organization partners;
• Integrate the federal response to catastrophic events;
• Improve incident management communications and increase cross-jurisdictional coordination and situational awareness;
• Improve federal to federal interaction and emergency support;
• Maximize use and employment of incident management resources; and
• Facilitate emergency mutual aid and federal emergency support to state, local, and tribal governments.

The National Response Plan further recognizes the potential magnitude of threats from weapons of mass destruction and severe natural disasters by adoption of a new term, the Incident of National Significance. An incident of national significance is described as an incident with high impact requiring an extensive and well-coordinated response by federal, state, local, tribal, and nongovernmental authorities to save lives, minimize damage, and provide the basis for long-term community and economic recovery.

In addition to retaining its mission as the Department of Homeland Security’s executive agent for all-hazard emergency management (including mitigation and preparedness) and response and recovery, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Emergency Management Institute, will continue to support a comprehensive training and professional development program, including an online course designed to introduce the National Response Plan to first responders. (DHS and FEMA)

Source: FEMA National Situation Update, Jan 7, 2005