1. National Incident Management System
An Overview
Al Fluman, Acting Director
Incident Management Systems Division (IMSD), National Integration Center

2. Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A consistent nationwide approach for all levels of government to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for and respond to domestic incidents
Core set of concepts, principles and terminology for incident command and multi-agency coordination

3. Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (Continued)
Requires all Federal Departments and Agencies to adopt the NIMS and the NRP
Requires state and local NIMS compliance as a condition for Federal preparedness assistance

4. NIMS: Key Concepts
NIMS is based on the premise that the utilization of a common incident management framework will give emergency management/response personnel a flexible yet standardized system for emergency management and incident response activities.
NIMS is flexible because the system components can be utilized to develop plans, processes, procedures, agreements, and roles for all types of incidents and is applicable to any incident regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity.
Additionally, NIMS provides an organized set of standardized operational structures which is critical in allowing disparate organizations and agencies to work together in a predictable, coordinated manner.

5. NIMS: Key Concepts Framework for interoperability and compatibility
Flexibility
Consistent, flexible, and adjustable national framework
Applicable regardless of incident cause, size, location, or complexity.
Standardization
Standard organizational structures
Key to interoperability
Ongoing support: National Integration Center

6. Overview of NIMS What NIMS is:
A comprehensive, nationwide, systematic approach to incident management, including the Incident Command System, Multiagency Coordination Systems, and Public Information
A set of preparedness concepts and principles for all hazards
Essential principles for a common operating picture and interoperability of communications and information management
Standardized resource management procedures that enable coordination among different jurisdictions or organizations
Scalable so it may be used for all incidents (from day-to-day to large-scale)
A dynamic system that promotes ongoing management and maintenance
What NIMS is NOT:
A response plan
Only used during Incidents of National Significance
A communication plan
Only applicable to certain emergency responders
Only the Incident Command System or an organizational chart
A static system

7. NIMS Components Preparedness Communications and Information Management
Resource Management
Command and Management
Incident Command System
Multi-agency Coordination Systems
Public Information
Ongoing Management and Maintenance

8. NIMS Components Preparedness
Involves an integrated combination of planning, training, exercises, personnel
qualification and certification standards, equipment acquisition and
certification standards, and publications management processes well in
advance of any potential incident.
Resource
Management
This component under NIMS defines standardized mechanisms and
establishes requirements for processes to describe, inventory, mobilize,
dispatch, track, and recover resources over the cycle of the incident.
Communications
and Information
This component under NIMS identifies the requirement for a standardized
framework for communications, information management (collection,
analysis, and dissemination), and information-sharing at all levels of incident
management.
Ongoing
Management and
Maintenance
This component of NIMS establishes an activity to provide strategic direction
for an oversight of the NIMS, supporting both routine and continuous
refinement of the system and its components over the long term along with Supporting Technology.

9. Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreements
Mutual aid and assistance agreements are written or oral agreements between and among agencies/organizations and/or jurisdictions that provide a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services.
The primary objective is to facilitate rapid, short−term deployment of emergency support prior to, during, and/or after an incident.
Mutual Aid – A Key Preparedness Element

10. Resource Management During an Incident

11. Flow of Resource Requests

12. Common Operating Picture
A common operating picture is established and maintained by the gathering, collating, synthesizing, and disseminating of incident information to all appropriate parties involved in an incident.
Achieving a common operating picture allows on-scene and off- scene personnel (e.g., those at the Incident Command Post, an Emergency Operations Center, and within a multiagency coordination group) to have the same information about the incident, including the availability and location of resources, personnel, and the status of requests for assistance.
Common Operating Picture – A Key Communication
and Information Management Element

13. NIMS Components Command and Management
Incident Command System
ICS defines the operating characteristics, interactive management
components, and structure of incident management and emergency
response organizations engaged throughout the life cycle of an incident.
Multiagency Coordination System
The MACS ties together all the support and coordination structures utilized
in an incident. The primary function of the MACS is to support and
coordinate incident management policies and priorities.
Public Information
Public Information includes processes and procedures for communicating
timely and accurate information to the public during crisis.
All levels of government, along with volunteer organizations
and private industry, must have the ability to gather public
information, verify public information, coordinate public
information, and disseminate public information during a
disaster.

14. Management Characteristics of ICS
Common
Terminology
Modular
organization
Management
By Objectives
Incident
Action
Planning
Manageable
Span-of-Control
Incident Facilities
And Locations
Comprehensive
Resource Management

15. Management Characteristics of ICS
Integrated
Communications
Establishment and
Transfer of Command
Unified
Command
Structure
Accountability
Dispatch/
Deployment
Chain of Command
and Unity of Command
Information and
Intelligence Management

16. ICS Command and General Staff Titles
Command Staff:
The Command Staff
provides Information,
Safety, and Liaison services
for the entire organization.
General Staff:
The General Staff are assigned
functional authority for
Operations, Planning,
Logistics, and
Finance/Administration.

17. Multiagency Coordination Systems
Facilities
Equipment
Personnel
Procedures
Communications

18. A System . . . Not a Facility Multiagency Coordination
On-Scene Command
Emergency Ops Centers/ Dispatch
Resource Coordination Centers
Multiagency Coordination
Pages
Refer the participants to the chart on page 19 of the National Response Plan. Explain that this chart puts together the command and coordination discussed on the previous visuals. Note if you are not planning to hand out complete copies of the plan, it is recommended that you provide a copy of this page.
Tell the participants that the National Response Plan includes a framework for the following types of situations:
Terrorist Incidents. The chart on page 20 depicts the Department of Justice's role working through the FBI's Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) and the Joint Operations Center (JOC).
Federal-to-Federal Support. The chart on page 21 depicts the coordination structure for Federal-to-Federal support when DHS is coordinating resources to support another Federal agency in non-Stafford Act situations. This chart assumes that incident command is the responsibility of a Federal entity.
Coordination Groups/Department Operations Centers

19. Command vs. Coordination
Direct tactical and operational responsibility for conducting incident management activities rests with the Incident Command/Unified Command/Area Command.

20. Command vs. Coordination
Coordination and Support of Incident Command/Area Command rests with the Emergency Operations Center and other elements of the multi-agency coordination system.

21. ICS and EOC Issues
Determine “make-up” of Multi-Agency Coordination System for the Incident
Establish Clear Line of Communications with Dispatch, EOC, and other elements of the system
Establish Direct Line to Chief Elected and Appointed Officials
Establish Procedures for the Gathering, Verification, Coordination, and Dissemination of Public Information
Establish Procedures for Resource Management

22. Public Information
The Public Information Officer gathers, verifies, coordinates, and disseminates accurate, accessible, and timely information on the incident’s cause, size, and current situation; resources committed; and other matters of general interest for both internal and external use.

23. NIMS Components
Ongoing
Management and
Maintenance
This component of NIMS establishes an activity to provide strategic direction
for an oversight of the NIMS, supporting both routine and continuous
refinement of the system and its components over the long term along with Supporting Technology.
The NIC recommends that State and local governments voluntarily adopt the following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards: NFPA 1600: “Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs,” 2007 Edition; and NFPA 1561: “Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System,” 2005 Edition. These standards, if adopted by the jurisdiction, can assist in the implementation of NIMS. For more information about these standards, please visit the NIMS guidance section of the NIC Web site. Other standards may be issued periodically by the NIC and recommended for voluntary adoption.

24. Summary
Incidents typically begin and end locally and are managed on a daily basis at the lowest possible geographical, organizational, and jurisdictional level.
However, there are instances in which successful incident management operations depend on the involvement of multiple jurisdictions, levels of government, functional agencies, and/or emergency responder disciplines.
These instances require effective and efficient coordination across this broad spectrum of organizations and activities.
NIMS uses a systematic approach to integrate the best existing processes and methods into a unified national framework for incident management.
This framework forms the basis for interoperability and compatibility that will, in turn, enable a diverse set of public and private organizations to conduct well−integrated and effective emergency management and incident response operations.
It does this through a core set of concepts, principles, procedures, organizational processes, terminology, and standards requirements applicable to a broad community of NIMS users

25. National Integration Center Incident Management Systems
NIMS Website Information
Contact the NIC
Phone: