The NIMS framework enables coordination and cooperation among federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as nongovernmental organizations and private sector entities. It includes standardized structures for response management that allow interoperability between agencies What is the National Incident Management System Framework?
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NIMS is a national approach to incident management.
The National Incident Management System is a consistent nationwide framework and approach to enable Federal, State, tribal and local governments; the private sector; and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to work effectively together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate domestic incidents regardless of their causes or sizes.
The NIMS includes the Incident Command System, which is a standardized on-scene emergency management organization used by jurisdictions and agencies to organize field-level incident-management operations. It also includes the Emergency Operations Center and Multiagency Coordination Groups, which support command and coordination functions.
NIMS provides common language and processes for managing incidents, which helps to improve communication and collaboration between agencies and organizations. It is being adopted by government agencies at all levels, including local, tribal and federal; and by private entities such as businesses, schools, and community organizations. NIMS is also being implemented in international settings to promote cooperation and collaboration between countries. HSPD-5 makes NIMS adoption by state and local jurisdictions a requirement for receiving federal preparedness assistance.
NIMS is a set of standards.
NIMS provides a framework that defines how people work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from incidents. It also helps ensure that everyone involved in emergency planning, response, and recovery follows a consistent set of standards that can be used to avoid duplication of efforts and distribute critical resources to where they are needed most. NIMS also establishes operational systems, including Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) structures, and Multiagency Coordination Groups.
NIMS requires that all emergency management personnel take basic NIMS training to understand and abide by the standards. Those who are expected to play leadership roles should advance their skills by taking more advanced NIMS classes. NIMS training is offered through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute. A list of NIMS courses is available on the NIMS training website. NIMS training guidelines are based on an individual’s position within the incident structure and the complexity of the incident.
NIMS is a management system.
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) were developed after the September 11 attacks to address deficiencies identified by the 9-11 Commission Report. NIMS and ICS provide a common set of processes and protocols that enable federal, state, tribal, and local departments and agencies to work together during domestic incidents, regardless of their size or complexity.
The NIMS provides a framework for all facets of incident management including communication and information management, resource management, and command and control. NIMS also includes an interstate mutual aid system to encourage and facilitate assistance between jurisdictions.
FEMA recommends that all emergency response workers take at least the basic NIMS courses. Those who are likely to be involved in coordinating or commanding operations should take additional training. This is particularly important when working in multiagency coordination groups.
NIMS is a training program.
NIMS offers a comprehensive training program for anyone involved in preparedness, response, or recovery.
Those new to NIMS can start with IS-700 NIMS, an Introduction.
Other courses offer more detailed information on NIMS components, including resource typing, credentialing, and inventorying. These courses can be found on the NIMS website. Some specialized training is also available for medical providers and public health workers. This includes courses on emergency operations center functions and NIMS for healthcare agencies. The latter focuses on public health responses to bioterrorist attacks and other threats. These specialized courses are offered through the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness.
