1l NIMS Approval
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
POBox147
Chachassen, MN55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
F,,:952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone 952.227.11BO
F,,:952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952.227.1160
F,,:952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
F,,:952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone 952.227.1120
F,,952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
F,,:952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
F,,:952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
F,,:952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
F,,:952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.US
11..·
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Ed Coppersmith, Emergency Management Coordinator
DATE:
March 16, 2005
L~
O'r\
RE:
National Incident Management System
BACKGROUND
On February 9, 2005, Governor Pawlenty issued Executive Order 05-02
establishing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the state
standard for incident management. The adoption of such a system was
recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11
Commission) and is currently in use by most emergency management
organizations. The State of Minnesota is recommending that local jurisdictions
also adopt this system as their method of handling incident management.
This system closely mirrors the current methods that the City of Chanhassen and
Carver County Emergency Management already use. By formally adopting this
system, we will be able to apply for grants to train and prepare for future
emergencies. Without this designation, any grant applications would be impaired.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Chanhassen City Council approve the attached
resolution designating the National Incident Management System as the basis for
all incident management in the City of Chanhassen.
The City 01 Chanhassen . A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautijul parks. A great place to live, work, alld play.
i:
t,
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE:
March 28, 200
RESOLUTION NO:
2005-
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) AS THE BASIS FOR ALL INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT IN CHANHASSEN
WHEREAS, the President of the United States, in Homeland Security Directive
(HSPD)-5, directed the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to develop
and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS), which would provide a
consistent nationwide approach for federal, state, local and tribal governments to work
together more effectively and efficiently to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover
from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity;
WHEREAS, the collective input and guidance from all federal, state, local, and tribal
security partners has been, and will continue to be vital to the development, effective
implementation and utilization of a comprehensive NIMS;
WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that all federal, state, local and tribal
emergency agencies and personnel coordinate their efforts to effectively and efficiently
provide the highest levels of incident management;
WHEREAS, to facilitate the most efficient and effective incident management, it is
critical that federal, state, local, and tribal organizations utilize standardized terminology,
standardized organizational structures, interoperable communications, consolidated
action plans, unified command structures, uniform personnel qualification standards,
uniform planning, training, and exercising standards, comprehensive resource
management, and designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters;
WHEREAS, the NIMS standardized procedures for managing personnel,
communications, facilities, and resources will improve the county's ability to utilize
federal and state funding to enhance local agency readiness, maintain first responder
safety, and streamline incident management processes;
WHEREAS, the Incident Command System components of NIMS are already an
integral part of various incident management activities throughout the State and (name of
jurisdiction), including current emergency management training programs;
WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11 Commission)
recommended adoption of a standardized Incident Command System;
1
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Minnesota by Executive Order 05-02,
February 9, 2005, has designated the NIMS as the basis for all incident management in
the State of Minnesota;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CHANHASSEN does hereby establish the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) as the standard for incident management in Chanhassen.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this 14th day of February 2005.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
YES
NO
ABSENT
2
Secretary
U.S. .Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
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Homeland
Security
September 8, 2004
Dear Governor:
In Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, Management afDomestic
Incident.., the President directed me to develop and administer the National Incident
Management System (NIMS). The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide approach for
Federal, State I , territorial, tribal, and local2govemments to work effectively and
efficiently together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and ·recover from domestic
incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. On March 1,2004, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) issued the NIMS to provide a comprehensive national
approach to incident management, applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across
functional disciplines. HSPD-5 also required DHS to establish a mechanism for ongoing
coordination to provide strategic direction for, and oversight of, the NIMS. To this end,
the NIMS Integration Center (NIC) was established to support both routine maintenance
and thc continuous refinement of the NIMS.
All Federal departments and agencies are required to adopt the NIMS and use it in their
individual domestic incident management and emergency prevention, preparedness,
response, recovery, and mitigation activities, as well as in support of all actions taken to
assist State or local entities. The NIC is working with Federal departments and agencies
to ensure that they develop a plan to adopt NIMS and that all fiscal year (FY) 2005
Federal preparedness assistance program documents begin the process of addressing
State, territorial, tribal, and local NIMS implementation.
This letter outlines the important steps that State, territorial, tribal, and local entities
should take during FY 2005 (October 1,2004- September 30, 2005) to become compliant
with the NIMS.
The NIMS provides the framework for locals, tribes, territories, States, and the Federal
Government to work togcther to respond to any domestic incident. Many of the NIMS
requirements are specific to local jurisdictions. In order for NIMS to be implemented
I As defined in the Homeland SecurilY Ac( 0(2002, the term "State" means any State of the United States. the District of Columbia,
Ibc Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Ùuam. American Samoa. ~e Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. and any possession
of the United States," 6 V.S.C. 101 (14)
! As defined in the Homeland Security Act of2002, Section 2(10): the lcm1"tocal government" means "(A) county, municipality, city,
town, township, local pubUc authority, school district. special district,. intrastate district, COUDen of governments... regional or
interstate: govc:mmcnt eJltity, or agency or instrumentality ora Ioc4I govcmme:nt an Indian tribe: or authorized tribal organi7.ation, or in
Alaska a Nalivc·villagc or AlAska Regional Native Corpofltion; and-. rural community, unincorporated town or village, or olber
publjç enut)'."6 U.S.C. 101(10)
successfully across the nation, it is critical that States provide support and leadership to
tribal and local entities to ensure full NIMS implementation. We are looking to you and
your State Administrative Agency (SAA) to coordinate with the State agencies, tribal
governments, and local jurisdictions to ensure NIMS implementation. Given the
importance and urgency of this effort, Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local entities
should begin efforts to implement the NIMS, if such efforts are not already underway.
Implementation of and compliance with the NIMS is critical to ensuring full and robust
preparedness across our nation. HSPD-5 established ambitious deadlines for NIMS
adoption and implementation. FY 2005 is a start up year for NIMS implementation and
full compliance with the NIMS is not required for you to receive FY 2005 grant funds.
Since FY 2005 is a critical year for initial NIMS adoption, you should start now by
prioritizing your FY 2005 preparedness assistance (in accordance with the eligibility and
allowable uses of the grant) to facilitate its implementation. The NIC is working with the
Federal departments and agencies to identify all of preparedness assistance programs.
The NlC will then provide this information to the States, territories, tribes, and local
governments.
To the maximum extent possible, States, territories, tribes, and local entities are
encouraged to achieve full NIMS implementation and institutionalization across the
entire response system during FY 2005. This memorandum highlights the important
features ofNIMS implementation that should receive special emphasis in FY 2005, but
does not represent all of the actions necessary to fully implement the NIMS.
Tbe NIMS is the nation's first-ever standardized approach to incident management and
response. Tbe NIMS unifies Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local lines of
government into one coordinated effort. This integrated system makes America safer by
establishing a uniform set of processes, protocols, and procedures that all emergency
responders, at every level of government, will use to conduct response actions. This
system ensures that those involved in emergency response operations understand what
their roles are and have the tools they need to be effective.
This system encompasses much more than the Incident Command System (ICS),
although ICS is a critical component of the NIMS. It also provides a common foundation
for training and other preparedness efforts, communicating and sharing information with
other responders and with the public, ordering resources to assist with a response effort,
and for integrating new technologies and standards to support incident management. For
the first time, all of the nation's emergency responders will use a common language, and
a common set of procedures when working individually and together to keep America
safe. The NIMS ensures that they will have the same preparation, the same goals and
expectations, and most importantly, they will be speaking the same language.
.;l
Minimum FY 2005 NIMS Comnliance Requirements:
State and territory level efforts to implement the NlMS must include the following:
· Incorporating NIMS into existing training programs and exercises
· Ensnring that Federal preparedness Cunding (including DHS Homeland Security
Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funds) support NIMS
implementation at the State and local levels (in accordance with the cligibility and
allowable uses oCthe grants)
· Incorporating NIMS into Emergency Operations Plans (EOP)
· Promotion of intrastate mutual aid agreements
· Coordinating and providing technical assutance to local entities regarding
NIMS
· Institutionalizing the use ofthe Incident Command System (ICS)
At the State, territorial, tribal, and local levels, jurisdictions should support NIMS
implementation by:
· Completing the NIMS Awareness Course: "National Incident Management
System (NIMS), An Introduction" (IS 700)
This independent study course developed by the Emergency Management Institute (EM1)
explains the purpose, principles, key components, and benefits ofNIMS. The course also
contains "Planning Activity" screens, allowing participants an opportunity to complete
some planning tasks during the course. The planning activity screens are printable so that
they can be used after the course is complete. The course is available on-line and will
take between forty-five minutcs to three hours to complete. The course is availablc on
the EMI web page at: httu://trainiDl!.fema.l!ovÆMlWebIIS/is700.asu.
· Formally recognizing the NIMS and adopting the NIMS principles and policies
States, tcrritories, tribes, and local entities should establish legislation, executive orders,
resolutions, or ordinances to formally adopt the NIMS. The NIC will provide sample
language and templates to assist you in formally adopting the NIMS through legislative
and/or executive/administrative means.
· Establish a NIMS baseline by determining which NIMS requirements you
already meet
We recognize that State, territorial, tribal, and local entities have already implemented
many of the concepts and protocols identified in the NIMS. The 2004 DHS Homeland
Security Grant Program encouraged grantees to begin utilizing the NIMS concepts,
principles, terminology, and technologies. The NlC is developing the NIMS Capability
Assessment Support Tool (NlMCAST). The NIMCAST is a web-based self-assessment
system that States, telTitories, tribes, and local 'governments can use to evaluate their
incident response and management capabilities. This useful tool identifies the
3
requirements established within the NIMS and can assist you in determining the extent to
which you are already compliant, as well as identify the NIMS requirements that you are
not currently meeting. As gaps in compliance with the NIMS are identified, States,
territories, tribes, and local entities should use existing initiatives, such as the Office for
Domestic Preparedness (ODP) Homeland Security grant programs, to develop strategies
for addressing those gaps. The NIC will formally pilot the NIMCAST with a limited
number of States in September. Upon completion of the pilot, the NIC will provide all
potential future users with voluntary access to the system. Additional information about
the NIMCAST tool will be provided later this year.
. Establishing a timeframe and developing a strategy for fuD NIMS
implementation
States, territories, tribes, and local entities are encouraged to achieve full NIMS
implementation during FY 2005. To the extent that full implementation is not possible
during FY 2005, Federal preparedness assistance must be leveraged to complete NIMS
implementation by FY 2006. By FY 2007, Federal preparedness assistance will be
conditioned by full compliance with the NIMS. Again, in order for NIMS to be
implemented successfully across the nation, it is critical that States provide support and
leadcrship to tribal and local entities to ensure full NIMS implementation. States should
work with the tribal and local governments to develop a strategy for statewide
compliance with the NIMS.
. Institutionalizing the use of the Incident Command System (lCS)
If State, territorial, tribal, and local entities are not already using ICS, you must
institutionalize the use ofICS (consistent with the concepts and principles taught by
DHS) across the entire response system. The 9/11 Commission Report recommended
national adoption of the Incident Command System (lCS) to enhance command, control,
and communications capabilities. All Fedcral, State, territory, tribal, and local
jurisdictions will be required to adopt ICS in order to be compliant with the NIMS.
Additional information about adopting ICS will be provided to you by the NIC.
FY 2006 and FY 2007 Requirements:
In order to receive FY 2006 preparedness funding, the minimum FY 2005 compliancc
requirements described above must be met. Applicants will be required to certify as part
of their FY 2006 grant applications that they have met the FY 2005 NIMS requirements.
Additional information about NIMS compliance and resources for achieving compliance
will be forthcoming from the NIC. In addition, FY 2005 Federal preparedness assistance
program documents will address State and local NIMS compliance. The NIC web page,
www.fema.~ov/nims, will be updated regularly with information about the NIMS and
guidance for implementation. The NIC may be contacted at the following:
t..{
: i
Gil Jamieson, Acting Director
N1MS Integration Center
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 646-3850
NIMS-lntclUation-CenteríaJdhs.llov
web page: www.fema.gov/nims
Thank you for your support in implementing the NIMS. I look forward to continuing our
collcctive efforts to better secure the homeland and protect our citizens and appreciate all
of your hard work in this important endeavor.
Sincerely,
---;¡; If~'
Tom Ridge
,
cc: State Administrative Agency
State Emergency Management Director
State Homeland Security Advisor
DHS Directorates and Offices
Homeland Security Advisory Council
S'
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVEIHSPD-8
Fact Sheet
The President issued HSPD-8: "National Preparedness" on December 17, 2003. The Secretary of Homeland
Security named the Director of the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness
(DHS/SLGCP), to oversee HSPD-8 implementation, which includes the following tasks:
1. Develop a National Preparedness Goal. To help ensure the preparedness of the Nation to prevent,
respond to, and recover from major events, the Secretary, in coordination with the heads of other
appropriate Federal departments and agencies (D/As) and in consultation with State and local (S/L)
governments, shall develop a national domestic all-hazards preparedness goal. Federal DI As will work to
achieve this goal by providing for effective, efficient, and timely delivery of Federal preparedness
assistance to S/L governments, and supporting efforts to ensure fIrst responders are prepared to respond to
major events, especially prevention and response to threatened terrorist attacks. The goal will establish
measurable readiness priorities and targets that appropriately balance the potential threat and magnitude
of major events with the resources required to prevent, respond to, and recover from them. It will also
include readiness metrics and elements that support the goal including standards for preparedness
assessments and strategies. The Secretary will submit the goal to the President through the Homeland
Security Council (HSC) for review and approval prior to, or concUITently with, the Department's FY06
budget submission to the Office of Management and Budget. [Assigned to DHS/SLGCPj.
2. Develop a National Preparedness Assessment and Reportinl! Svstem. The goal will establish a
system for assessing the Nation's overall preparedness to respond to major events, especially those
involving acts of terrorism. The Secretary shall provide to the President through the HSC an annual
status report of the Nation's level of preparedness, including State capabilities, the readiness of Federal
civil response assets, the utilization of mutual aid, and an assessment of how the Federal fIrst responder
preparedness assistance programs support the goal. The fIrst report will be provided within one year of
establishment of the goal. [Assigned to DHS/SLGCPj.
3. Establish a Sinl!le Point of Access for Assistance. The Secretary, in coordination with the
Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the heads of other Federal
DI As that provide assistance for fIrst responder preparedness, will establish a single point of access to
Federal preparedness assistance program infonnation by February 17, 2004. The Secretary will submit to
the President through the HSC recornmendations of specifIc Federal programs to be part of the approach.
Full implementation of a closely coordinated interagency grant process will be completed by September
30, 2005. [Established via DHS website and DHS/SLGCP Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk
(800-368-6498) on February 17, 2004.]
4. Review and Approve Comprehensive All-Hazards Statewide Preparedness Stratel!ies. The
Secretary, in coordination with the heads of other appropriate Federal DI As, will review and approve
strategies submitted by the States. Adoption of approved Statewide strategies will be a requirement for
receiving Federal preparedness assistance at all levels of government by September 30, 2005. [Assigned
to DHS/SLGCPj.
5. Allocate Assistance Based on Assessment Reports. The Secretary, Attorney General, Secretary of
HHS, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency, and the heads of other Federal D/As that provide assistance for
fIrst responder preparedness will base allocations [of Federal preparedness assistance to the States] on
assessments of population concentrations, critical infrastructures, and other signifIcant risk factors.
[Assigned to DHS/SLGCPj.
6. Report Annuallv on Assistance Prol!rams. Federal D/As will develop appropriate mechanisms to
ensure rapid obligation and disbursement of funds from their programs. Federal D/As will report
annually to the Secretary on the obligation, expenditure status, and use of funds associated with Federal
preparedness assistance programs. [Assigned to DHS/SLGCP}.
7. Develop First Responder Eauipment Standards. The Secretary, in coordination with S/L
off¡cials, fIrst responder organizations, the private sector and other Federal civilian D/As, shall establish
as of April 23, 2004
Page I of 1
þ
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVEIHSPD-8
Fact Sheet
and implement streamlined procedures for the ongoing development and adoption of appropriate first
responder équipment standards that support nationwide interoperability and other capabilities consistent
with the goal. [Assigned to DHS NIMS Integration Center).
8. Plan for EQuiument Research and Develoument. The Secretary, in coordination with other
appropriate Federal DI As and in consultation with S/L governments, will develop plans to identifY and
address national first responder equipment research and development needs based upon assessments of
current and future threats. [Assigned to DHS Science and Technology Directorate).
9. Establish a National Traininl! Prol!fam. The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary ofHHS,
Attorney General, and other appropriate Federal DI As and in consultation with S/L governments, shall
establish and maintain a comprehensive training program to meet the goal. [Assigned to DHS/SLGCP).
/0. Establish a National Exercise Prol!ram. The Secretary, in coordination with other appropriate
Federal D/A's, shall establish a national program and a multi-year planning system to conduct homeland
security exercises. The Secretary will develop a multi-year national homeland security exercise plan and
submit the plan to the President through the HSC for review and approval. [Established by the Secretary
and HSC Deputies Committee on November 14, 2003, and assigned to DHS/SLGCP).
11. Develou a National Lessons Learned I Best Practices System. The Secretary shall develop and
maintain a system to collect, analyze, and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and infonnation
from exercises, training evenis, research, and other sources, including actual incidents, and establish
procedures to improve national preparedness to prevent, respond to, and recover from major events. The
Secretary, in coordination with other Federal D/As and S/L governments, will identifY relevant classes of
infonnation and appropriate means of transmission. Federal D/As are directed, and S/L governments are
requested, to provide this infonnation to the Secretary to the extent pennitted by law. [Established via
the DHS SLGCP Lessons Learned Information Sharing System (formerly Ready-Net) on April 19, 2004).
12. Adout Federal Performance Measures. The head of each Federal DI A shall undertake actions to
support the goal, including adoption of quantifiable perfonnance measurements in the areas of training,
planning, equipment, and exercises for Federal preparedness. [Assigned to DHS SLGCP to col/ectfor the
National Preparedness Assessment and Reporting System).
13. Maintain Suecialized Federal Assets. Specialized Federal assets shall be maintained at levels
consistent with the goal and be available for response activities as set forth in the National Response Plan,
other appropriate operational documents, and applicable authorities or guidance. [Assigned to DHS
Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Directotate to monitor and submit information to
DHS/SLGCP for the National Preparedness Assessment and Reporting System].
14. Maintain a Federal Resuonse Cauabilitv Inventorv. The Secretary, in coordination with other
appropriate Federal civilian D/As, shall develop and maintain a Federal response capability inventory that
includes the perfonnance parameters of the capability, the timeframe within which the capability can be
brought to bear on an incident, and the readiness of the capability to respond. [Assigned to DHS/EP&R to
maintain and submit to DHS/SLGCPfor the National Preparedness Assessment and Reporting System].
15. Encoural!e Citizen Particiuation. The Secretary shall work with other appropriate Federal D/As as
well as S/L governments and the private sector to encourage active citizen participation and involvement
in preparedness efforts. The Secretary shall periodically review and identifY the best community
practices. [Assigned to DHS/SLGCP, which manages the Citizen Corps program].
16. Plan to Provide Preuaredness Information. The Secretary, in consultation with other Federal
DI As, S/L governments, and non-governmental organizations, shall develop a comprehensive plan to
provide preparedness information to public citizens, first responders, units of government, the private
sector, and other interested parties and mechanisms for coordination at all levels of government.
[Assigned to the DHS Office of Public Affairs, which manages the Ready.Gov program].
as of April 23, 2004
Page 2 of2
7
Homeland·
Securi ty
NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all
jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. The intent of NIMS is to be applicable
across a full spectrum of potential incidents and hazard scenarios, regardless of size or
complexity, and to improve coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a
variety of domestic incident management activities. HSPD-5 requires Federal departments and
agencies to make the adoption of NIMS by State and local jurisdictions a condition for Federal
preparedness assistance (grants, contracts, and other activities) beginning in FY 2005.
NIMS provides a flexible framework that facilitates government and private entities at all levels
working together to manage domestic incidents. This flexibility applies to all phases of incident
management, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. NIMS provides a set of
standardized organizational structures, as well as requirements for processes, procedures, and
systems designed to improve interoperability. NIMS is comprised of the following components
to make up the framework:
Command and Management - based on three organizational systems:
· The Incident Command Svstem (lCSJ, which defines the operating characteristics,
management components, and structure of incident management organizations
throughout the life cycle of an incident. ICS is a standard, on-scene, all-hazard incident
management concept. ICS utilizes:
o Common terminology - use of "clear text";
o Organizational resources - personnel, facilities, major equipment and
supply items used to support incident management activities, are assigned
common designations;
o Manageable span of control- a ratio of one supervisor to five reporting
elements is recommended;
o Organizational facilities - common terminology is used to identify what
members of the organization can be found there;]
o Use of position titles - Only the Incident Commander is called
Commander, and there is only one per incident. Only the heads of
Sections are called Chiefs;
o Reliance on an Incident Action Plan - provide a coherent means to
communicate the overall incident objectives in the context of both
operational and support activities;
o Integrated communications - include the "hardware" systems that transfer
information, planning for the use of all available communications
frequencies and resources, and the procedures and processes for
transferring information internally and externally;
o Accountability - ICS requires an orderly chain of command, check-in for
all responders - regardless of agency affiliation, and each individual
involved in incident operations to be assigned only one supervisor.
g
While ICS has proven itself to be effective for all types of incidents, other levels of
coordination may be required to facilitate management of multiple concurrent incidents;
incidents that are nonsite specific, such as biological terrorist incidents; incidents that are
geographically dispersed; or, incidents that evolve over time.
In some situations, NIMS recommends variations in incident management. The two most
common variations involve the use of Unified Command and Area Command.
Unified Command is used when there is more than on responding agency with responsibility
for the incident; or, incidents cross political jurisdictions. Under Unified Command,
agencies work together through the designated members of the Unified Command to analyze
intelligence information, and establish a common set of objectives and strategies for a singled
Incident Action Plan.
An Area Command is an organization established to oversee the management of multiple
incidents that are each being managed by an ICS organization; or, to oversee the
management of large incidents that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Area Commands are
particularly relevant to public health emergencies because these incidents are typically not
site specific, not immediately identifiable, or, geographically dispersed and evolve over time.
. Mu/Íial!encv Coordination Svstems, which define the operating characteristics,
management components, and organizational structure of supporting entities. They are a
combination offacilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications
integrated into a common framework for coordinating and supporting incident
management.
The primary functions of Multiagency Coordination Systems are to:
o Support incident management policies and priorities;
o Facilitate logistics support and resource tracking;
o Make resource allocation decision based on incident management
priorities;
o Coordinate incident-related information;
o Coordinate interagency and intergovernmental issues regarding incident
management policies, priorities, and strategies.
Multiagency Coordination Systems include Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and,
in certain multijurisdictional or complex incidents, Multiagency Coordination Entities.
o EOCs are the locations from which the coordination of information and
resources to support incident activities takes place. EOCs are typically
established by the emergency management agency at the local and State
levels.
. Public Information Svstems, which include the processes, procedures, and systems for
communicating timely and accurate information to the public during emergency
situations. Under the ICS, the Public Information Officer (PIO) is a key member of the
command staff. The PIO advises the incident Command on all public information
matters related to the management of the incident, including media and public inquiries,
emergency public information and warnings, rumor monitoring and control, media
2
"f
:ii
monitoring, and other functions to coordinate, clear with proper authorities, and
disseminate accurate and timely information related to the incident. The PIO established
and operates within the parameters established for the Joint Information System (JIS).
NIMS organizational measures enhance the public communication effort. The Joint
Information System provides the public with timely and accurate incident information
and unified public messages. This system employs Joint Information Centers (JIC) and
brings incident communicators together during an incident to develop, coordinate, and
deliver a unified message. This will ensure that Federal, state, and local levels of
government are releasing the same information during an incident.
Ensuring the coordination of public information is helped by establishing a JIC. A JIC is
the physical location where public information staff involved in incident management
activities can collocate to perform critical emergency information, crisis communications,
and public affairs functions. JICs provide the organizational structure for coordinating
and disseminating official information. JICs have several characteristics in common:
o Includes representatives of all players in managing the response. This
may include jurisdictions, agencies, private entities, and nongovernmental
organizations.
o Must have procedures and protocols for communicating and coordinating
effectively with other JICs, and with the appropriate components of the
ICS organization.
Preparedness - Involves all of the actions required to establish and sustain the level of
capability necessary to execute a wide range of incident management operations. A major
objective of preparedness is to ensure mission integration and interoperability in response to
emergent crises across functional and jurisdictional. Involves a combination of:
· Planning, training, and exercises;
· Personnel qualification and certification standards;
· . Equipment acquisition and certification standards;
· Publication management processes and activities;
· Mutual aid agreements and Emergency Management Assistance Compacts.
National level preparedness standards related to NIMS will be maintained and managed
through a multijurisdictional, multidiscipline center, using a collaborative process at the
NIMS Integration Center.
Preparedness organizations at all levels should follow NIMS standards and undertake the
following tasks:
o
o
o
Establishing and coordinating emergency plans and protocols;
Integrating and coordinating the activities and jurisdictions within their
purview;
Establishing guidelines and protocols to promote interoperability among
jurisdictions and agencies;
Adopting guidelines and protocols for resource management
Establishing priorities for resources and other response requirements;
Establishing and maintaining multi agency coordination mechanisms.
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Jurisdictions must develop several types of Dlans that describe how personnel, equipment,
and other governmental and nongovernmental resources will be used to support incident
management requirements. These types of plans include:
o Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) - describe how the jurisdiction will
respond to emergencies;
o Procedures - may include overviews, standard operating procedures, field
operations guides, job aids, or other critical information needed for a
response;
o Preparedness Plans - describe how training needs will be identified and
met, how resources will be obtained through mutual aid agreements, and
the facilities and equipment required for the hazards faced by the
jurisdiction;
o Corrective Action or Mitigation Plans - includes activities required to
implement procedures based on lessons learned from actual incidents or
training and exercises;
o Recovery Plans - describe the actions to be taken to facilitate long-term
recovery.
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Resource Management - will define standardized mechanisms and establish requirements for
describing, inventorying, mobilizing, dispatching, tracking, and recovering resources over the
life cycle of an incident. Involves four 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.
Resource management under NIMS is based on:
o Providing a uniform method of identifying, acquiring, allocating, and tracking
resources;
o ' Classifying kinds and types of resources required to support incident management;
o Using a credentialing system tied to uniform training and certification standards;
o Incorporating resources contributed by private sector and nongovernmental
organizations.
Principles of resource management under NIMS:
o Advance planning - Preparedness organizations working together before an incident
to develop plans for managing and using resources;
o Resource identification and ordering - Using standard processes and methods to
identify, order, mobilize, dispatch, and track resources;
o Resource categorization - Categorizing by size, capacity, capability, skill, or other
characteristics to make resource ordering and dispatch more efficient;
o Use of agreements - Developing preincident agreements for providing or requesting
resources;
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o Effective management - Using validated practices to perform key resource
management tasks.
Communications and Information Management - identifies the requirements for a
standardized framework for communications, information management, and information-
sharing support at all levels of incident management.
· Incident management organizations must ensure that effective, interoperable
communications processes, procedures. and systems exist across all agencies and
jurisdictions.
· Information management systems help ensure that information flows efficiently through a
commonly accepted architecture. Effective information management enhances incident
management and response by helping to ensure that decision-making is better informed.
Principles of Communications and Information Management:
o A common operating picture that is accessible across jurisdictions and agencies is
necessary. This helps to ensure consistency at all levels, among all who respond to or
manage incident response.
o Common communications and data standards are fundamental. Effective
communications, both within and outside the incident response structure, are enhanced by
adherence to standards.
NIMS communications and information systems enable to essential functions needed to
provide a common operating picture and interoperability for:
o Incident management communications;
o Information management;
o Interoperability standards.
Supporting Technologies - Technology and technological systems provide supporting
capabilities essential to implementing and refining NIMS. Examples:
· Voice and data communication systems;
· Information management systems, such as recordkeeping and resource tracking;
. Data display systems.
Principles of supporting technologies:
o Interoperability and compatibility - Systems must be able to work
together;
o Technology support - All organizations using NIMS will be able to
enhance all aspects of incident management and emergency response;
o Broad-based requirements - NIMS provides a mechanism for aggregating
and prioritizing new technologies, procedures, protocols, and standards.
o Strategic planning and R&D - The NIMS Integration Center will
coordinate with DHS to create a national R&D agenda.
Ongoing Management and Maintenance - To ensure that NIMS remains an accurate and
effective management tool, the NlMS Integration Center (NIe) was established by the
Secretary of Homeland Security to assess proposed changes to NlMS, capture, and evaluate
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lessons leamed, and employ best practices. The NIC will provide strategic direction and
oversight of the NIMS, supporting both routine maintenance and continuous refinement of
the system and its components over the long term. The NIC will develop and facilitate
national standards for NIMS education and training, first responder communications and
equipment, typing of resources, qualification and credentialing of incident management and
responder personnel, and standardization of equipment maintenance and resources. The NIC
will continue to use the collaborative process of Federal, state, tribal, local, multi-discipline
and private authorities to assess prospective changes and assure continuity and accuracy.
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