Paper Example on NRF Guidelines: NGO and Volunteer Management

Introduction

The National Response Framework was developed to improve America's preparedness to emergencies such as disease outbreaks or terrorist attacks. The NRF also aims to protect the nation against such crises and to offer quick and effective response during disasters. On 17th December 2003, the then President issued an HSPD-8 which initiated the formation of the model. The directive instructed the Director of Homeland Security to create a comprehensive framework which could increase America's disaster management strategies. Following the Presidential order, the director needed to collaborate with other states, federal, tribal and social agencies to ensure that each significant social unit played its role. The NRF guidelines outline the nation's vision, capabilities, and priorities concerning the management of threats to domestic security (FEMA n.d).

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Non-governmental and volunteer organizations play a critical role in identifying and responding to emergencies. The NRF guidelines recognize this role and hence widely covers the rules of engagement for NGOs and volunteer institutions. According to the NRF, the entities offer customized services especially to minority groups such as children, the aged and people living with disabilities. The role of these organizations is essential to the NRF due to the nature of their structure and operations. These institutions operate with considerable independence from social and political units. The objectives of formation for NGOs seek to protect the interests and well-being of vulnerable groups. NGOs and volunteer institutions also try to safeguard humanitarian values and to ensure that evacuation activities promote human dignity and respect. During emergencies, NGO provides shelter locations, food, clothes and other necessities to the affected families. The institutions also ensure efficient use of donations and other volunteer resources to limit misuse or misappropriation in the face of disasters (Ready n.d).

NRF Annex for the American Red Cross

The NRF outlines emergency support functions (ESFs) to guide the collaboration of several agencies in responding to national emergencies. The incident command system supports the modification of ESFs to serve Americans in the prevailing circumstances. This allows for flexibility in decision-making to ensure that the emergency response activities remain relevant and appropriate in different situations. The functions provide support to regional and field events and should be applied whenever necessary (FEMA n.d).

The American Red Cross Society is among the official NGOs mandated to initiate and support evacuation during national disasters. Although the organization does not control the functions of other participating institutions, it may take charge and dictate the necessary activities to enhance the smooth running of operations. The American Red Cross would serve the ESF #6-mass care, emergency assistance, housing, and human services. The organization plays a critical role in providing mass care for the victims by offering basics such as food and shelter. In collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the institution also facilitates training of civilians and interested corporations to promote the objectives of mass care and assess to assess their preparedness before and after the emergency (FEMA n.d).

Another function of the American Red Cross under the ERF is to reunite separated families and foresee the distribution of the available resources. As par the priorities of volunteer organizations, the American Red Cross ensures that the help is sent on time to protect the dignity of the affected persons. The institutions continue to serve as a critical support agency while FEMA takes the lead in the case of domestic emergencies. These functions of the agency support the guidelines of an effective response plan (ERP) (FEMA n.d).

Suitable Organizations

As FEMA states, disasters bring a wide range of uncertainties and needs that a single organization cannot adequately meet. This necessitates improved collaboration between various agencies to coordinate the evacuation and response activities. One of the organizations I would include in the ERP is the World Vision United States. The institution is part of the World Vision International which provides emergency response services around the world. The World Vision objectives support the views of an effective ERP in various ways. As par, the ERP focuses on the vulnerability of the affected and gives priority to children. The initial emergency response activities are critical and substantially determine the effectiveness of the entire exercise. Rescuing children during the disasters streamlines the operations as other participating agencies get to focus on the different groups of people. The NGO has also outlined the concepts of services which offer direction to employees to act accordingly to improve the condition of disaster victims (Ready n.d).

The Episcopal Relief and Development which is a Christian organization formed in 1940. One of the elements of a good ERP is preparedness regarding resources and knowledge. This organization has participated in various emergency responses in the US which means that the leadership understands the needs and how to meet them in different circumstances. An organization that is familiar to the disaster environment is likely to initiate and take charge of the situation in the absence of other support agencies. The entity will, therefore, ensure that services offered significantly to match the necessary humanitarian conditions (Ready n.d).

References

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-1246/final_national_response_framework_20130501.pdfhttps://www.ready.gov/business/implementation/emergency