Andrew Langstaff
Liberty University
HLSC500 Foundations of Homeland Security
Discussion Thread: Understanding Response and Recovery
Dr. John Bentley
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. This is where the military likes to use the PACE acronym: Primary,
alternate, contingency, and emergency. In this field, and many others like it, it's chaotic, this is
why there need to be several plans, or fallbacks because you should expect the primary and even
the alternate to fail.
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.
Continuity of Operations Planning
Concerning the continuity of operations planning, the agencies involved in response efforts will
see it through the recovery phase. “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). Pre-disaster, establishing a clear leadership, partnerships,
identify and engage whole community stakeholders, identify limitations, roles, and
responsibilities. Post-disaster, adapting, situational awareness, effective communication, efficient
collaboration, and reassess.
Resiliency
Pre- and post-disaster preparation builds resiliency. This in turn contributes to a more sustainable
community. “Pre- and post-disaster recovery efforts can be leveraged to implement solutions that
will increase community resilience in the economic, housing, natural and cultural resources,
infrastructure, and health (including behavioral health) and social services, and government
sectors." (National Disaster Recovery Framework, 2016, p. 8). By laying down foundations of
resiliency, pre/post-disaster will only enable community growth to where the individual and
community can withstand and recover more quickly from incidents, whether they're deliberate
attacks or accidents of natural means.
Budgeting and Equipment
The response phase deals directly with post-incident, saving lives. It is a phase that should not be
underfunded, undermanned, or have sacrifices when it comes to getting the right individuals and
equipment to do the job. Long story short a personal story, when I was with Ocean Rescue years
ago, we had outdated equipment, the Kubota’s, jet skis would break down regularly and we
lacked the basic medical equipment. We had minor incidents every day that we dealt with, and
every major holiday there would always be that one where we would have to airlift someone out
of there. We were worried that we would run into a situation that could've been prevented by just
having better equipment. After numerous failed attempts to get our command to get better
equipment, we had to take it public for there to change.
What does the Bible say about response and recovery?
Response
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.” This passage is highlighting the importance of revising and
refining tactics and skills through training so that when faced with a situation, the individual is
prepared to react.
Recovery
Psalms 18:2-6, “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.” The main
takeaways with this bible verse for recovery are to have strength, safety, and deliverance. In a
time of sorrow and fear, you can trust and depend on God to deliver you through.
References
National Disaster Recovery Framework. (2016). (2nd ed). Retrieved from
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/202006/national_disaster_recovery_framework_
2nd.pdf
National Response Framework (2019). (4th ed.). Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-
library/assets/documents/117791.
