DHS Secretary Ridge Approves Initial National Response Plan

October 10, 2003 -- U. S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge today announced approval of the Initial National Response Plan (INRP), an interim plan designed to help develop a unified approach to domestic incident management across the Nation.

According to the announcement, the Initial National Response Plan strengthens America's emergency response process by harmonizing existing Federal response plan activities with incident management leadership responsibilities assigned by President Bush to Secretary Ridge through Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5. As a result, our Nation's responders will now be supported with new incident management capability including:

* Establishment of a permanent Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC) to serve as the primary national-level hub for domestic incident management communications and operations;

* An Interagency Incident Management Group (IIMG) during domestic incidents to facilitate national-level situation awareness, policy coordination, and incident coordination;

* Designation of a Homeland Security Department Principal Federal Official (PFO) to oversee Federal assistance efforts locally during domestic incidents;

* Establishment of a Joint Field Office during domestic incidents to better integrate the Federal response in support of state, and local authorities.

In addition to the new emergency planning measures established by the INRP, the Department of Homeland Security and responders from around the Nation continue development of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which will create additional standardized coordination procedures for incident managers. A final National Response Plan is under development and will eventually replace the INRP.

A fact sheet and the plan document may be accessed from the DHS Website.