War College Visits Region II
For more than 100 years, the U.S. War College has been training the nation's best military minds for the Army's highest commands. Each year 350 promising officers and other military leaders are selected for a rigorous, 10-month course held at the Army's capstone educational facility.
The War College and FEMA share mutually reinforcing missions. The College plays a vital role in fulfilling national defense objectives. FEMA's mission is to safeguard and protect lives and property in response to natural and man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism.
Little wonder then, for the second year running, the College gave top priority to visiting FEMA's Region II offices, just blocks from Ground Zero. Students came to learn how the National Response Framework (NRF) works on a day-to-day basis.
"They came away with a far greater understanding of how the Region fosters response partnerships, maintains flexibility in its operational capability, and ensures unity of effort and unity of command during disasters,” said Colonel Daniel Grey, a College faculty member and the group's escort.
"I really see now how the national response Framework's coordinating structures in Region II are always in effect and how they align key roles and responsibilities," said Colonel Jeffrey Lepak, a senior officer.
"This approach promotes engaged partnerships at all levels, and shared response goals among leaders, so that no one is overwhelmed in times of crisis. It definitely empowers leaders at all levels to work together more effectively to help save lives and protect America's communities. All this is in perfect alignment with the War College's mission of furthering our national defense objectives."
The overwhelming consensus among the elite students is that FEMA's NRF is working in Region II.
Last Modified: Monday, 06-Jul-2009 16:04:55 EDT