NIMS BRIEFING 

The National Incident Management System provides a consistent 
nationwide approach for federal, state, tribal, and local 
governments to work effectively and efficiently together 
to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic 
incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity."  -HSPD-5 

>It will have a profound impact on the way we prepare for and 
respond to domestic incidents and disasters.
>It is a nationwide, standardized approach to incident 
management and response. 
>NIMS establishes a standard, consistent framework for federal, 
state, tribal and local governments to work together to respond 
to incidents, emergencies – no matter the cause or complexity. 
>NIMS is not only about response – it is also about 
preparedness, prevention, recovery and mitigation.
>Built on the foundation of existing systems, NIMS integrates 
best practices developed over the years.
>NIMS was developed through collaborative process involving 
functional disciplines in emergency and incident management.
>NIMS represents a core set of doctrines, concepts, principles, 
terminologies and processes.
>It is not an operational plan or resource management plan. Not 
a plan specifically for terrorism or WMD.
>HSPD-5 requires that federal departments & agencies adopt the 
NIMS and use to support state, local, tribal entities.  
>HSPD-5 also stipulates that federal departments & agencies 
require state and local entities to adopt the NIMS as a 
condition for federal preparedness assistance after a phase-in 
period. 



NIMS: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT


NIMS is a core set of:
>Doctrine
>Concepts
>Principles
>Terminology
>Organizational processes
>Applicable to all hazards 

NIMS is not:
>An operational incident management plan
>A resource allocation plan
>A terrorism/WMD-specific plan
>Designed to address international events

>NIMS provides overall conceptual framework for incident management.
>The National Response Plan is an operational plan spelling out how 
efforts and resources of participants are integrated into a cohesive 
response operation.
>The NRP forms the basis of how the federal government interfaces with 
state, local, tribal governments and the private sector. 
>The NRP includes planning assumptions, roles and responsibilities, 
concept of operations and preparedness guidelines.
>The NRP details missions, policies, structures, responsibilities of 
federal agencies responding to Incidents of National Significance.
>The NRP outlines functions of each Emergency Response Function 
coordinators, primary agencies and support agencies.


NIMS CONCEPTS: COMMAND AND MANAGEMENT
>Incident Command System
>Multi-Agency Coordination System
>Public Information System

ICS and NIMS … 
>NIMS establishes ICS as the standardized incident organizational 
structure for responding to all incidents.
>NIMS requires that states and locals institutionalize "ICS as 
taught by DHS" across entire response system.
>This means that ICS training must be consistent with concepts, 
principles, characteristics of DHS ICS training.
>Does not mean that ICS training must be provided by a DHS 
employee or DHS training facility.

NIMS ICS training developed by FEMA/EMI is available:
>>ICS-100, Introduction
>>ICS-200, Basic
>>ICS-300, Intermediate
>>ICS-400, Advanced
>>NIMS ICS is based on FIRESCOPE and NIIMS – training developed 
or provided by FIRESCOPE or NIIMS is consistent with DHS NIMS 
ICS.
>As critical components of NIMS ICS are modified by the NIC over 
time, training providers will need to update accordingly.
>ICS training should encourage and support integrated training 
opportunities where law enforcement, fire, public health 
emergency medical, public works, emergency management train 
together.

Multi-Agency Coordination System
>A multi-agency coordination system involves the integration of 
personnel, procedures, equipment and facilities into a common 
system that manages the incident.
>Response activities are typically coordinated at an Emergency 
Operations Center, while the Incident Command Post is located at 
the site of the incident.

Public Information Systems 
>Public Information Systems involve the systems and protocols 
for communicating information to the public during a crisis or 
emergency situation.

NIMS CONCEPTS: PREPAREDNESS
>Planning
>Training and Exercises
>Standards and Certification
>Mutual Aid
>Information and Publications

>Preparedness involves a continuous cycle of planning, training, 
equipping, exercising, evaluating and taking action to correct 
and mitigate.
>It involves guidelines, protocols, standards for planning, 
training, [personnel qualification and certification, equipment 
certification and publications…
>Preparedness is linked to HSPD-8
>Preparedness involves processes for providing guidelines; 
protocols; standards for planning, training, qualifications and 
certification; and publication management 
>Mitigation activities are important elements of preparedness
>"National-level preparedness standards related to the NIMS 
will be maintained and managed through a multijurisdictional, 
multidiscipline center, using a collaborative process."


COMPONENTS OF NIMS: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Concept and Principles
>NIMS resource management involves typing resources; 
credentialing personnel; identifying resource requirements; and 
acquiring, tracking and recovering resources
>Effective resource management utilizes mutual aid
>Provides a uniform way to identify and track resources
>Requires standardized classification of the kinds and types of 
resources needed in incident management
>Credentialing system tied to training and standards
>Coordinated by EOC or Multiagency Coordination System or 
through ICS structure


COMPONENTS OF NIMS: 

Communications and Information Management
>NIMS requires a common operating picture that is accessible 
across jurisdictions and agencies. 
>A common operating picture will help ensure consistency at all 
levels and among those who respond to or manage incident 
response.
>Common communications and data standards are fundamental. 
>Effective communications within and outside the response 
structure are enhanced by adherence to standards.

Supporting Technologies
NIMS supporting technology standards are based on:
>Interoperability and compatibility
>Technology support
>Broad-based requirements
>Strategic planning and R&D

The NIMS Integration Center will provide ongoing NIMS 
management.


NIMS INTEGRATION CENTER: MISSION

"To provide strategic direction for and oversight of the NIMS, 
supporting … routine maintenance and the continuous refinement 
of the system and its components over the long term."
HSPD-5

>The NIMS Integration Center is a multi-jurisdictional, 
multidisciplinary entity.
>It will oversee all aspects of the NIMS, including the 
development of NIMS-related standards and guidelines and the 
provision of guidance and support to incident management and 
responder organizations as they implement the system. 
>The Center also will validate compliance with the NIMS 
responsibilities, standards and requirements.  

The Center is organized around the following:
>>Standards and Resources 
>>Training and Exercises 
>>System Evaluation and Compliance 
>>Technology, Research and Development 
>>Publications Management 


NIMS INTEGRATION CENTER INITIATIVES

>National Mutual Aid Glossary of Terms and Definitions 
>Resource Typing Definitions – II 
>www.fema.gov/nims/


>The resource typing definitions are enhanced resource management tools designed 
to help incident managers identify, obtain and track needed resources during an 
incident or disaster.  
>National Mutual Aid Glossary of Terms and Definitions provides terms for equipment, 
teams and personnel used in disasters, and
>Resource Typing Definitions – II, categorizes equipment and 
teams by functional grouping and then 'types' or organizes them 
according to capability and/or capacity. 
>Resource management is a key component of the new National 
Incident Management System.
>Federal, state and local officials should use the 120 typed 
definitions as they develop or update their inventories of 
response assets. 
>Will help ensure that equipment and personnel deployed through 
NIMS are compatible with those of jurisdictions that work 
together through mutual aid agreement.
>The glossary and resource typing definitions may be downloaded 
from the FEMA.GOV Web site at www.fema.gov/nims/.
>The resource definitions were developed by federal, state, and 
local experts from the following disciplines: Animal Health, 
Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Fire/Hazardous 
Materials, Emergency Medical Services, Health and Medical, Law 
Enforcement, Public Works, and Search and Rescue.   
>Also … FEMA developed a model intrastate mutual aid agreement 
for use by states and local jurisdictions – www.emacweb.org


NIMS INTEGRATION CENTER INITIATIVES

NIMS calls for a nationwide system for credentialing personnel 
and equipment …

>A documentation and database system for qualification, 
certification and credentialing of incident management personnel 
and organizations.
>Specify and standardize roles and responsibilities of first 
responders operating in emergencies.
>Ensure that personnel responding to an incident are properly 
trained and qualified.
>Provides uniform certification programs so responders can 
provide mutual aid assistance nationwide.
>Work with existing entities to establish national recognition 
for multi-jurisdictional response under mutual aid agreements.

NIMS INTEGRATION CENTER RESOURCES: SYSTEM EVALUATION

NIMS Capability Assessment Support Tool
>A Web-based self-assessment system that state and local 
governments can use to evaluate their incident response and 
management capabilities and comply with NIMS requirements. 
>A field-test of the NIMCAST system will be conducted with 
states.
>Based on field test results, the instrument will be available 
for voluntary use nationwide.


NIMS COMPLIANCE FY 2005: STATES

>Institutionalize use of Incident Command System 
>Incorporate NIMS concepts into Emergency Operations Plans
>Incorporate NIMS concepts into existing training programs and 
exercises
>Promote intrastate mutual aid agreements 
>Coordinate and provide technical assistance to local entities
>Use federal preparedness funding supports implementation at 
state and local levels (Homeland Security Grant Program, Urban 
Area Security Initiative funds)


FY 2005 NIMS COMPLIANCE:  STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL

>Institutionalize use of Incident Command System 
>Incorporate NIMS concepts into Emergency Operations Plans
>Incorporate NIMS concepts into existing training programs and 
exercises
>Promote intrastate mutual aid agreements 
>Coordinate, provide technical assistance to local entities 
regarding NIMS
>Use federal preparedness funding to support NIMS implementation 
at state and local levels (DHS Homeland Security Grant Program, 
Urban Area Security Initiative funds)

FY 2006: Certify completion of FY 2005 requirements in grant 
application.

FY 2007: Full Compliance Required


NIMS INTEGRATION CENTER
Gil Jamieson, Acting Director

Web Page: www.fema.gov/nims
E-Mail:	NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov
NIMS Training:  www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp
Main Number: 202-646-3850
Address: NIMS Integration Center, 500 C Street N.W., Suite 707, Washington D.C., 20472
As of Nov. 29, 2004