Communities across the nation experience a diverse set of threats, hazards and events. The size, frequency, complexity and scope of these incidents vary, but all involve a range of personnel and organizations to coordinate efforts to save lives, stabilize the incident, and protect property and the environment.
It is critical that jurisdictions and organizations work together to share resources, integrate tactics and act collaboratively. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) can help you plan your organization's comprehensive approach.
Most jurisdictions or organizations do not own and maintain all the resources necessary to address all potential threats and hazards. To prepare for and respond to a wide range of emergencies, they need to leverage resources from within the community — public, private and volunteer — and enter into mutual aid agreements with other jurisdictions or organizations.
NIMS provides for 3 ways to manage your resources so that you can effectively share with and leverage the resources of others.
NIMS supports the Incident Command System
NIMS supports the Incident Command System characteristics of unity of effort, common terminology, organizational structures, span of control, transfer of command, chain of command and other organizational characteristics.
NIMS also supports
Preparedness activities
- Threat and hazard identification/risk assessment.
- National Qualifications System.
- Credentialing of personnel.
- Planning to deliver capabilities.
- Training and exercise.
- Public information.
- Communications and information management.
- Mutual aid.
Incident management activities
- Command and Coordination.
- Capacity building and sustaining capabilities.
- Information sharing.
- Intelligence/Investigations function.
- Critical infrastructure and key resources.
NIMS provides the framework to integrate all your planning and incident support mechanisms. For information on how to implement NIMS in your community, visit FEMA.gov.