On Sept. 11, the Federal Emergency Management Agency released the draft National Response Framework, successor to the National Response Plan, for a 30-day public comment period. During this period, the existing National Response Plan remains in effect.

The Framework focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which nation prepares for, and responds to all hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities, said FEMA Administrator David Paulson. The Framework is responsive to federal, state and local requests for a streamlined document that is shorter, less bureaucratic and more user friendly.

He said the Framework is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as federal agency heads, governors, mayors, tribal leaders and city managers. Simultaneously, it informs emergency management practitioners by explaining the operating structures and tools routinely used by first responders and emergency managers at all levels of government.

The Framework incorporates recommendations from more than 700 individuals representing federal, tribal, state and local governments, non-governmental agencies and associations, and the private sector, who participated in a review process that began in September 2006, he said.

In addition to the core Framework, supporting documents, including Emergency Support Functions, Support and Incident Annexes and other appendices have been updated. There will be a 60-day comment period for these supplemental documents. These documents are available at the NRF Resource Center. This resource center will be updated as additional supporting materials are created or revised, he said.

Individuals who wish to submit comments can obtain a comment form and instructions for submission online at www.fema.gov/nrf.