JP 3-28, page 31

Overview I-9 Preparedness System and is not a plan but a framework that sets the doctrine for how the nation builds, sustains, and delivers the response core capabilities and objectives the nation must accomplish across all five mission areas to be secure and resilient. The NRF is a guide for how the nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies. It is aligned with concepts identified in NIMS to synchronize key roles and responsibilities across the nation. The NRF provides common doctrine and purpose to foster unity of effort for emergency operations planning and response activities by providing common doctrine and purpose. (1) The NRF is built upon scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordinating structures to align key roles and responsibilities across the nation, linking all levels of government, NGOs, and the private sector. The NRF is not based on a one-size-fits-all organizational construct but instead acknowledges the concept of a tiered response, which emphasizes that responses to incidents should be handled at the lowest jurisdictional level capable of handling the mission. It captures specific authorities and best practices for managing incidents that range from the serious but purely local to large-scale terrorist attacks or catastrophic natural disasters. The term “response,” as used in the NRF, includes capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred. Response also includes the execution of emergency plans and actions to support short-term recovery. The NRF is always in effect, and elements can be implemented as needed on a flexible, scalable basis to improve response. (2) Actions range in scope from ongoing situational reporting and analysis through the DHS National Operations Center, to the implementation of NRF incident annexes and other supplemental federal contingency plans, and full implementation of all relevant NRF coordination mechanisms outlined in the base plan. (3) DOD has a large role in supporting the NRF. The NRF applies to all incidents requiring a coordinated federal response as part of an appropriate combination of federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, private sector, and nongovernmental entity efforts. DSCA may occur in response to, or in anticipation of, a presidential declaration of a major disaster or an emergency, in coordination with the primary agency. (4) DSCA operations are consistent with the NRF in that they supplement the efforts and resources of other USG departments and agencies in support of state, local, and tribal governments, and voluntary organizations. When executing DSCA, the US military is most often in support of the lead USG department or agency coordinating the federal response. The President can direct DOD to be the lead for the federal response; however, this would only happen in extraordinary situations and would involve other DOD core mission areas. US federal and NG forces may also be conducting support at the state, local, or tribal levels. h. NIMS (1) NIMS provides a common, nationwide approach to enable the whole community to work together to manage all threats and hazards. NIMS applies to all