The Natural Disaster Operational Workgroup (NDOW) was created as a result of the Hurricane Ike Texas response to improve coordination between State and Federal Agencies operating under Emergency Support Functions (ESF)s 3 and 10. Like the NRF, NDRF, and NIMS the NDOW seeks to establish an operational structure and common planning framework. The NDOW established a framework of standard operational procedures, standardized data quality objectives, one common database system, training and exercises for effective coordination of multi-agency response to man-made and natural disasters. The NDOW framework is a concept of operations and not intended to impose new, additional or unfunded net resource requirements on State or Federal agencies. In support of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) the framework optimally engages existing State and Federal resources and authorities, incorporating the full capabilities of all sectors. The NDOW intends to institutionalize and expand use of standardized procedures throughout all Gulf Coast Regional Response Team (RRT) agencies to ensure effective incident response in support of community recovery.

The NDOW is comprised of the following Agencies:

• United States Environmental Protection Agency Region Six
• United States Coast Guard District Eight
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Texas General Land Office
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service

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