The National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) enables effective recovery support to disaster-impacted states, tribes, territorial and local jurisdictions. It provides a flexible structure that enables disaster recovery managers to operate in a unified and collaborative manner. The NDRF focuses on how best to restore, redevelop and revitalize the health, social, economic, natural and environmental fabric of the community and build a more resilient nation.

The NDRF is a first step toward achieving a shared understanding and a common, integrated perspective in order to achieve unity of effort and to build a more resilient nation.

The National Disaster Recovery Framework defines:

Eight principles that guide recovery core capability development and recovery support activities. A coordinating structure that facilitates communication and collaboration among all stakeholders, guidance for pre- and post-disaster recovery planning. Roles and responsibilities of recovery coordinators and other stakeholders. The overall process by which communities can capitalize on opportunities to rebuild stronger, smarter and safer.

View and Download the Framework

Recovery Support Functions

The NDRF identifies Recovery Support Functions (RSF) that provide a structure to facilitate problem solving, improve access to resources, and foster coordination among state and federal agencies, tribes, territories, nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.

Community Planning and Capacity Building

Each RSF has coordinating and primary federal agencies and supporting organizations that operate together with local, State and Tribal government officials, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector partners. The RSF coordinated by FEMA is Community Planning and Capacity Building.

The Community Recovery Management Toolkit is designed to help communities manage long-term recovery. The toolkit guides you through a three-step process of organizing, planning and managing recovery.

Additional Resources

Our National Preparedness Planning page provides information on operational and strategic planning.

OneResponder: Use this free and accessible online system to help you manage your personnel and resources within the NIMS framework.

Pre-Disaster Recovery Guides

State Governments: Enables states to more easily adapt to new post-disaster roles needed to manage new or modified sources of state and federal recovery resources.

Local Governments: Provides tools for public engagement, whole-community recovery, identification of existing recovery resources, and identifying outside partnerships to help build resilience.

Tribal Governments: Designed to prepare tribal governments for future disasters by engaging with the whole community and planning for recovery activities that are comprehensive and long term.

Non-Stafford Act Events

Building on the principles and concepts outlined in the NRDF, Effective Coordination of Recovery Resources for State, Tribal, Territorial and Local Incidents is designed to be applied after an incident, either in concert with existing pre-incident recovery plans or to enhance post-incident planning efforts.