NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) IS-700 COURSE OUTLINE
By Claude Held WA9KCU
I. NIMS is a comprehensive national approach to incident management at all
jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. It provides a
flexible framework and standardized organizational structures.
II. NIMS was created by HSPD-5 on 2-28-03 by the President. Agencies must use
it to get federal funding.
III. NIMS Components:
A. Command & Management Systems
1. Incident Command System (ICS)
a. A standard for handling needs of single or multiple incidents
across the country by multiple agencies
b. Features:
(1) Common Terminology - for titles, positions - use plain
English - no codes - differs from day-to-day positions
(2) Organizational Resources - personnel, facilities,
equipment & supplies "typed" for performance capability
(3) Manageable Span of Control - 1 supervisor to 5 persons
is best, but from 3 to 7 is acceptable
(4) Organizational Facilities - incident command post,
staging areas, base, camps, helibase & helispots
(5) Position Titles - Incident Commander with Chiefs
reporting to him
(6) Incident Action Plans - assignments and objectives for
12 hours of operation with results fed back to planning
(7) Integrated Communications - hardware, frequencies and
procedures and processes
(8) Accountability - chain of command, check-ins for all
participants, and one supervisor per person
c. Unified Command - Use when more than one agency or incidents
cross political jurisdictions
(1) Operations
(2) Planning
(3) Logistics
(4) Finance/Administration
d. Area Command - Use when multiple incidents or large incidents
cross jurisdictional boundaries - ICP1, ICP2, ICP3
(1) Planning (Note: Operations not needed)
(2) Logistics
(3) Aviation Coordinator
2. Multiagency Coordination System - Combines resources and
procedures into a common framework - does resource allocation
a. EOCs - Emergency Operating Centers
(1) Coordination
(2) Communications
(3) Resource management
(4) Information management
b. MCEs - Multiagency Coordination Entities
(1) Incident Command or Unified Command report to it
(2) They also have post-incident responsibility
3. Public Information System
a. PIO - Public Information Officer - from command staff
b. JIS - Joint Information System - procedures and protocols
c. JIC - Joint Information Center - 1 is best but more are fine
- PIOs retain organizational independence at Center
(1) Press Secretary
(2) Liaison
(3) Research Team
(4) Media Team
(5) Logistics Team
B. Preparedness - To insure mission integration and interoperability
across functional and jurisdictional lines and coordinate public and
private organizations. This is done by each individual jurisdiction.
1. Planning, training, equipping, resource management and exercises
a. Plans
(1) EOPs - Emergency Operating Plans
(2) Procedures
(3) Preparedness Plans
(4) Corrective Action and Mitigation Plans
(5) Recovery Plans
b. Training programs provided by NIMS Integration Center
2. Personnel qualification and certification
3. Equipment acquisition and certification
4. Publication management - NIMS Integration Center provides
publications for NIMS training and standards.
5. Mutual Aid Agreements and EMACs (Emergency Management Assistance
Compacts) with organizations
C. Resource Management
1. How Used:
a. System for inventorying, requesting and tracking resources
b. Activate systems prior to, during and after incidents
c. Dispatching resources prior to, during and after incidents
d. Deactivating resources during and after incidents
e. Recovery of resources and reimbursements
2. Five Principles:
a. Advance planning
b. Resource identification and ordering
c. Resource categorization
d. Use of agreements
e. Effective management
D. Communications and Information Management
1. Need common operating picture accessible across jurisdictions and
agencies to work effectively
2. Need common communication and data standards
E. Supporting Technologies
1. Interoperability and compatibility
2. Technology support
3. Technology standards
4. Broad based requirements
5. Strategic planning and R&D
F. Ongoing Management and Maintenance - NIMS Integration Center - provides
assistance to all agencies and a national incident database - national
standards for listed equipment - approved training courses
Prepared 03/02/06
