Response and recovery are vital phases of the disaster management framework. These
phases are just as important to emergency management as mitigation and preparedness.
"Response and recovery are just as critical to the homeland professional as planning and
preparation. In many ways, response and recovery need to be embedded in any concept of
planning and preparedness."(Nemeth, 2017, p. 311). Response times and the process of recovery
directly correlate with the number of total fatalities, loss of property/infrastructure, and the
process of restoration and repair. Response can be defined as "Saving lives, stabilizing
community lifelines, protecting property and the environment, and meeting basic human needs
after an incident has occurred."(National Response Framework, 2019, p. 12). Recovery is
defined as "The capabilities necessary to assist communities affected by an incident recover
effectively." (National Disaster Recovery Framework, 2016, p. 1). In other words, "recover
effectively" with restoration and revitalization.
Redundancy
Redundancy is an important subcomponent of response and recovery because there needs to be
an alternative to the plan. Things do not always go according to plan, and you need to be able to
adapt and change to a fallback. This means that several plans need to be put in place in case
something happens, and the first plan does not work for the situation at hand.
Training
The training introduces the concept of interoperability. This means agencies being on the
same page. Being on the same page strategically, operationally, and tactically. For example,
using the same terminology, abbreviations, and frequencies throughout the entirety of the
operation. Effective training also decreases the number of fatalities. Whether it's responding
quickly, with the right personnel, or simply just not running into a scene that hasn't been secured.
Situational awareness or simply taking a tactical pause comes with effective training. Training is
the most effective because it allows you to understand and to prepare for what could potentially
happen.
Continuity of Operations Planning
“The Response and Recovery mission areas include some of the same people and
organizations; therefore, each coordinating agency ensures ongoing communication and
coordination between primary agencies and support organizations, and between the Federal
agencies, corresponding local, regional/metropolitan, state, tribal, territorial and insular area
authorities, and nonprofit and private sector organizations” (National Disaster Recovery
Framework, 2016, p. 44). Before a disaster happens, roles and responsibilities need to be
established which means that leadership needs to be clear and concise. After a disaster happens,
there needs need to be effective communication, collaboration, and being able to adapt to the
changing situation.
Resiliency
During this subcomponent, this will allow the community growth to where the individual and
community can withstand and recover quick from incidents, whether they are deliberate attacks
or accidents of natural means. Foundation of resiliency are something that need to be created in
the beginning so that when you need to fallback on them, they are there.
Budgeting and Equipment
This is probably one of the most important subcomponents as well. Equipment always has the
potential to break down or become so used that it will not help when it is necessary. The budget
needs to provide enough funding for equipment repairs, replacements, or for new equipment in
general. I say this because you need to ensure that during the response the equipment will do
their job. This is something where funding needs to be adequate to ensure that hiring the right
individuals and equipment.
Biblical Perspective
Response
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2
Timothy 3:16-17, NIV). To me this means that everything comes from God and that we need to
prepare through training so that when we are faced with a challenge we know how to respond.
Recovery
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2, ESV). The main takeaway
from this Bible verse is that for recovery is to have strength, safety, and deliverance. We need to
trust God that he will deliver us from anything that we go through.
References
National Disaster Recovery Framework. (2016). (2nded).
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/202006/national_disaster_recovery_framework_
2nd.pdf
FEMA. (2019). National Response Framework (4ed). Department of Homeland Security.
Nemeth, C. P. (2017). Homeland security: An introduction to principles and practices (3rd ed.)
Psalm 18:2. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm
%2018%3A2-6&version=ESV
2 Timothy 3:16-17. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=2%20Timothy%203:16-17&version=NIV
