National Incident Management System Overview Briefing September, 2006 Shelley S. Boone, II DHS-FEMA, Region IV
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
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (Continued) National Response Plan (NRP) Provides structure and mechanisms for a comprehensive nationwide approach to domestic incident management Applicable to all Federal departments/agencies that may be involved in responding to an Incident of National Significance. Requires Federal D & As to adopt NIMS and NRP Requires Tribal, State and Local compliance to receive preparedness funds/assistance
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: NIMS Integration Center
NIMS Components Command and Management Incident Command System Multi-agency Coordination Systems Public Information Systems Preparedness Resource Management Communications and Information Management Supporting Technologies Ongoing Management and Maintenance
What does NIMS look like? Common incident management doctrine, practices, and principles to plan, protect, respond, and recover Use of ICS to organize and manage incidents Mandated as a condition of Federal preparedness grants & assistance to States, locals and Tribes
Key Components of ICS Common Terminology Modular organization Unified Command Structure Consolidated Action Plan Manageable Span-of-Control Comprehensive Resource Management Pre-designated Incident Facilities
What does NIMS look like? (Continued) Response operations capable of expanding to integrate additional, outside resources Ability to order and track resources using common terminology Staging and allocation plans for equipment, supplies, and aid Effective communications among responders, EOCs, and the public
NIMS Components Command and Management Incident Command System Based on USFS, USCG and local ICS systems and uses common terms, span of control and layered, flexible unified command principles Multi-agency Coordination principles all in support of the designated Incident Commander/Command Post Public Information unified, as with ICS principles, uses a Joint Information Center (JIC) concept one voice and one (consistent) message
NIMS Components - Preparedness Planning emphasis on forward planning Training emphasis on SME, NRP and ICS training Equipping response/life-saving needs, common typology Exercising exercises conducted using ICS and ICPs Evaluating against standards in NIMS Corrective Actions use of AARs, structured measures, NIMS Mitigating including mitigation in planning & response efforts
NIMS Components Resource Mgt. Systems/typologies for describing, requesting, tracking and the inventory of resources Activating systems pro-actively, during and after an incident Use of commonalities of terms, typologies, deployment & replacement of resources across operational periods (before, during, after, etc.) Using NIMS resource management concepts in de-activation and recall of resources Using NIMS concepts in procurement & acquisition of resources
NIMS Components Communications and Information Management Aimed at Common Operating Picture ( COP ) Common communications & data standards to assure the incident command and operations staff at ICPs & in field have same data, information & picture across operational periods Includes pre-incident information (much dependent upon local, State, Tribal, as well as NGO and private sector data)
NIMS Components Supporting Technologies and Concepts Interoperability & compatibility of hardware, software, use always an issue due to levels of government, history Technology support & standards Broad-based requirements not those based upon a single, isolated event or single-jurisdictional preference Strategic planning for R & D Disciplined planning and procurements
Phased Implementation Fiscal Year (FY) 2005: October 1, 2004- Sept. 30, 2005 Sept 2004 letter to Governors Initial requirements for States Suggested actions for local jurisdictions States self-certify compliance with minimum FY 05 requirements FY 2006: October 1, 2005- Sept. 30, 2006 Sept 2005 letter to the Governors Matrix with State/Territory requirements Matrix with Local/Tribal requirements Outreach to private sector training availability via www.fema.gov/nims FY 2007 and out-years: October 1, 2006 Full NIMS compliance required for all Federal preparedness assistance Update, improve, maintain system Leverages all federal preparedness funding/resources to support capability building at the State and local levels
Plain English and 10 Codes The ability of area commanders, State/Tribal/Local EOC personnel, Federal operational coordinators, and responders to communicate clearly with each other and effectively coordinate response activities, no matter what the size, scope or complexity of the incident. The ability of responders from different jurisdictions and different disciplines to work together depends greatly on their ability to communicate with each other. Incident response communications (during exercises and actual incidents) should feature plain English (use of Y all encouraged) commands Supports multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary response Key to interoperability 10 codes may continue to be used for internal department communications
Credentialing Is providing documentation to authenticate/verify the certification and identity of designated incident managers and emergency responders. A National Emergency Responder Credentialing System is under development as a means to routinely identify/dispatch emergency responders of all types to assist communities across the nation. That credentialing system will be a component of the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management System. The NIMS Integration Center is working with Local, State, Tribal and Federal partners, as well as discipline stakeholders, for national consensus on acceptable criteria for participation in a multi-jurisdictional response. Certification and Credentialing are different. Certification entails authoritatively attesting personnel meet occupational/professional standards. Credentials are issued upon verified certification. FEMA will not be issuing credentials, but guidance for same. The responsible government/tribe/private sector group will continue to do so.
The NIMS Integration Center (NIC) Strategic direction for and oversight of the NIMS and the NRP Services State, Territorial, Tribal, Local and all Federal departments and agencies Supports NIMS implementation through: Mutual Aid, Resource Management, Credentialing NIMS National Standard Training Curriculum Standards identification Guidance and publications Compliance/evaluation tools (NIMCAST) NRP: Strategic Direction and Coordination Federal Local Private Sector State Volunteer
The NIMS Integration Center Support NIMS implementation through (continued) : NIMS Advisory Committee NACO/ IAEM: Guide for Elected Officials IAFC: Template for Fire Service Intrastate Mutual Aid Coordination with Health and Medical Community NIMS EOP Guidance for States, Locals, Tribes NIMS Tools and Templates (Executive Order, Federal Plan) NIMS Communications NIMS Alerts & Frequently Asked Questions NIMS Integration Center NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov NIMS Web Site: www.fema.gov/nims (can be downloaded) Telephone NIMS Integration Center 202-646-3850