How does the NRF define a “Disaster”?

The National Response Framework (NRF) defines a "Disaster" as a significant disruption that exceeds community coping capabilities. This definition emphasizes the severity and impact of such events on communities, indicating that when a disaster occurs, local resources and response strategies may not be sufficient to manage the situation effectively. This highlights the need for external assistance and coordinated efforts at local, state, and federal levels to address the challenges posed by disasters.

By focusing on the exceedance of community capabilities, the NRF underscores the necessity for a structured response framework that brings together various resources and agencies to provide comprehensive support during significant disruptions. This approach helps ensure that affected communities can receive the aid and resources necessary to recover and rebuild.