National Incident Management System (NIMS) & Incident Command System (ICS)

Objectives Recognize the role of NIMS Identify the Components of NIMS Understand its applicability to all jurisdictions Comprehend how volunteers integrate with typical responders via NIMS.

What is NIMS? The name of your mother-in-law’s cat? The name of a new Russian spaceship?

Really…What is NIMS (and ICS)? NIMS = National Incident Management System ICS = Incident Command System ICS is the jelly of the NIMS donut

What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS)? Lesson 1: What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS)? Overview, Compliance, Concepts & Principles

NIMS Comprehensive, National Approach Applicable to all jurisdictional levels Works across functional disciplines Applicable to full spectrum of events (regardless of size or complexity) Improves coordination and cooperation b/w public & private entities

INTEROPERABILITY & COMPATIBILITY

NIMS Components Command & Management Preparedness Resource Management Communications and Information Management Supporting technologies Each of these will be described in detail later on…

Command & Management Incident Command System (ICS) ICS: Defines the operating characteristics, management components, and structure of incident management organizations throughout the life cycle of an incident MCS: defines the operating characteristics, management components, and organizational structure of supporting entities PIS: includes the processes, procedures, and systems for communicating timely and accurate information to the public during emergency situations. Incident Command System (ICS) Emergency Operations Center Public Information System

Resource Management Inventorying during event Mobilizing during event Dispatching during event Tracking during event Recovering resources after event ends (Demobilizing)

Command and Management Under NIMS Lesson 2 & 3: Command and Management Under NIMS

NIMS – Levels of Management Incident Command System (ICS) A standard, on-scene, all-hazard incident management system Allows users to adopt an integrated organizational structure to match the needs of single or multiple incidents (aka Flexible) Based on 30 years of best practices National Standard for scene response Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Central site for large disaster management Combo of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications integrated into a common framework for coordinating and supporting incident management Levels depend on nature of incident… MACS will be discussed later…

Incident Command System (ICS) Interdisciplinary and organizationally FLEXIBLE Meets the needs of incidents of any kind, size, or complexity (EXPANDABLE) Provides responders with what they need, when they need it Provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective response and recovery strategy

ICS Features Common Terminology Organizational resources Management span of control Organizational facilities Use of ICS position titles Reliance on an Incident Action Plan Integrated communications Accountability

ICS – Common Terminology & Organizational Resources Analogy – What is a truck? Efficient, clear communication is critical Use of standard titles for facilities and positions within the organization No agency-specific codes or jargon All personnel, facilities, and major equipment are assigned common designations Resources are “typed” with respect to capability to help avoid confusion and enhance interoperability More on this later…

ICS – Span of Control Effective span of control may vary from 3 to 7 per supervisor 5 reporting elements (people or equipment) is recommended Expansion or consolidation may be required if span of control is exceeded

ICS – Organizational Facilities Common terminology is used to define facilities Ex: Incident Commander at the Incident Command Post Staging Areas, Bases, Camps, etc. are various levels

ICS – Position Titles Forget the day-to-day titles!!! All positions have distinct titles Incident Commander (only one) Command Staff Officer (PIO, Liaison, Safety) Section Chiefs (Operations, Logistics, Planning, Finance, and Administration) Branch Directors Division Supervisors Unit Leaders Subdivisions based on need… So what would Mary Jo be called during an emergency? What would Brenda W. be called during an emergency? Forget the day-to-day titles!!!

Questions…. The PIO advises the incident command on all public information matters related to the management of the incident including what?….rumors that are circulating, reporting by local media, warnings and emergency public information The PIO establishes and uses a what? Answer: Joint Information Center T/F; The JIS coordinates public information at all levels in support of an incident….TRUE

What happens if there are… Multiple concurrent incidents Incidents that are nonsite-specific (bioterrorism) Incidents that are geographically dispersed (pandemic) Incidents that evolve over time

Unified Command

Area Command Similar to large scale bioterrorism attack

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Example of Multiagency Coordination System Locations where coordination of information and resources to support incident take place Can be established at local, state, and federal levels Includes coordination, communications, resource tracking/dispatching, and information collection, analysis, and dissemination Size, staff, and available equipment in EOC may different depending on jurisdictional size Make resource allocation decisions based on incident management priorities

Lesson 4: Public Information

Quick Review – PIO Under ICS, the PIO is a member of the command staff The PIO advises the IC on public information matters, including: media and public inquiries Emergency public information & warnings Rumor monitoring & control PIO establishes and operates within the protocols & parameters established by the Joint Information System (JIS)

Joint Information Center (JIC) Physical location where PIOs meet May need to be virtual in a PH Emergency Place to exercise the JIS (rules and regulations) Both of these are questions…

Lesson 5: Preparedness

What is Preparedness? Critical stage of emergency management Involves all actions required to establish and sustain the level of capability necessary to execute a wide range of emergency operations Implemented thru a continual cycle of planning, training, equipping, exercising and evaluating Responsibility of individual jurisdictions NIMS helps

NIMS Integration Center Facilitate the development and dissemination of national standards, guidelines, and protocols for incident management training Facilitate the use of modeling and simulation in training and exercise programs Define general training requirements and approved training course for all NIMS users Review and approval of discipline-specific training requirements and courses To assist jurisdictions in meeting training and exercise needs, the NIMS integration center will…?

Mutual Aid Agreements Non-government organizations (NGOs) Local government jurisdictions – Health Local government jurisdictions – Other responders Private businesses (Budweiser, POD sites) Ultimately facilitate the timely delivery of assistance during incidents

Lesson 6: Resource Management

Resource Mgmt – Primary Tasks Establishing systems for describing, inventorying, requesting, and tracking resources Activating those systems prior to, during, and after an incident Dispatching resources prior to, during, and after an incident Deactivating or recalling resources during or after an incident NIMS provides a uniform method for these tasks

Communications, Information Management, and Supporting Technology Lesson 7 Communications, Information Management, and Supporting Technology

Communication and Technology Common operating picture NIMS will leverage science and technology to improve capabilities at a lower cost INTEROPERABILITY & COMPATABILITY Technology support Technology standards Broad-based requirements Strategic Planning and R&D MEDS/POD, Surge Trailers, Phones, etc. Find ways to improve communications at EOCs via INTEROPERABILITY standards Interoperability & Compatibility – Systems must be able to work together Technology support – All organizations using NIMS will be able to enhance all aspects of incident management and emergency response Technology standards – National standards will facilitate interoperability and compatibility of major systems Broad-based requirements – NIMS provides a mechanism for aggregating and prioritizing new technologies, procedures, protocols, and standards Strategic planning and R&D: NIMS integration center will coordinate with DHS to create a national R&D agenda

Lesson 8: Course Summary

Interoperability & Compatibility Command and Management Preparedness Resource Management Communications and Information Management Supporting Technologies Various concepts/categories of NIMS…..remember NIMS is flexible and standardized at the same time Command – ICS system and multi-agency coordination systems Management – standard ICS features and terminology, common terminology, organizational resources, span of control, organizational facilities, use of position titles, reliance on an Incident Action Plan, Integrated communications, accountability REVIEW SUMMARY PACKET.

Sample Questions IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System, I-100 IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction

IS-100 A basic ICS principle is that the first Incident Commander is responsible until the a. Event or incident has demobilized. b. Five management functions are activated. c. Next operational period has begun. d. Authority is delegated to another person.

IS-100 The ability to communicate within ICS is absolutely critical. To ensure efficient, clear communication, ICS requires the use of: a. Agency-specific codes. b. Radio codes. c. Common terminology. d. Technical language.

IS-100 Which General Staff position conducts tactical operations, develops the tactical objectives and organization, and directs all tactical resources? a. Operations Section Chief b. Finance/Administration Section Chief c. Logistics Section Chief d. Planning Section Chief

IS-100 Which Command Staff position monitors safety conditions and develops measures for assuring the safety of all assigned personnel? a. Public Information Officer b. Safety Officer c. Liaison Officer d. Resource Officer

IS-100 Which incident facility is positioned outside of the present and potential hazard area, but close enough to the incident to maintain command? a. Incident Command Post b. Command Center c. Operations Station d. Staging Area

IS-700 One of the chief benefits of NIMS is that it is: a. Accompanied by Federal funding. b. Applicable across jurisdictions and functions. c. Based on an entirely new concept of response.

IS-700 Public health emergencies that are not site specific are a good use for a(n): a. Emergency Operations Center (EOC). b. Area Command. c. Multiagency Coordination System. d. Unified Command.

IS-700 When a Joint Information Center is established as part of a Unified Command, agencies or organizations contributing to joint public information management: a. Work independently. b. Clear all information with the Incident Commander. c. Retain their organizational independence. d. Report to the chief elected official.

IS-700 One responsibility of preparedness organizations at all levels is to: a. Specify response requirements for every type of incident. b. Determine the role and responsibilities of Incident Commanders. c. Delegate preparedness to responsible agencies. d. Establish guidelines and protocols for resource management.

IS-700 One area of focus for the NIMS Integration Center is to: a. Track all resources on a regional basis. b. Ensure compliance with all NIMS requirements. c. Facilitate the definition of general training requirements and approved courses. d. Maintain a database of personnel meeting credentialing requirements.

IS-700 NIMS ensures that all personnel possess a minimum level of training, experience, fitness, capability, and currency by: a. Maintaining a database of personnel who have been trained for specific positions. b. Providing training to personnel who will be assigned to Command Staff positions. c. Overseeing a national training and exercise program. d. Establishing certification and credentialing standards for key personnel.

Now What Do I Do?

Easy Button Go to http://mrckc.org/ Training link http://mrckc.org/training.asp IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction

Take Test. FEMA Emails you the Certificate You forward email to Charlie Bryan at cbryan@marc.org Print off you own copy for your records. IT IS THAT EASY.