This lesson introduced the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF). The NDRF was developed to address the need for:

• Focused recovery leadership at every level of government
• A strategic approach to addressing a wide range of recovery needs
• An effective structure for coordinating Federal resources to support disaster-impacted communities

The Recovery Continuum depicts the level of effort associated with each phase of recovery and includes the following phases of activities:

• Pre-Disaster Preparedness
• Post-Disaster Short-Term (days to weeks)
• Post-Disaster Intermediate-Term (weeks to months)
• Post-Disaster Long-Term (months to years)

The NDRF eight Guiding Principles were identified as necessary principles to incorporate into recovery efforts. They are:

• Individual and Family Empowerment
• Leadership and Local Primacy
• Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning
• Engaged Partnerships and Inclusiveness
• Unity of Effort
• Timeliness and Flexibility
• Resilience and Sustainability
• Psychological and Emotional Recovery

Experience shows that the presence of certain factors in a community can help ensure Successful Recovery efforts. The NDRF lists the following factors:

• Effective Decision Making and Coordination
• Integration of Community Recovery Planning Processes
• Well-Managed Recovery
• Proactive Community Engagement, Public Participation, and Public Awareness
• Good Financial Management
• Organizational Flexibility
• Resilient Rebuilding