...NIMS and the Incident Command System The way this nation prepares for and responds to domestic incidents is about to change. It won't be an abrupt change; best practices that have been developed over the years are part of this new comprehensive national approach to incident management known as the National Incident Management System (NIMS). But it will change � and for the better. Developed by the Department of Homeland Security and issued in March 2004, the NIMS will enable responders at all jurisdictional levels and across all disciplines to work together more effectively and efficiently. Beginning in FY 2006, federal funding for state, local and tribal preparedness grants will be tied to compliance with the NIMS. One of the most important 'best practices' that has been incorporated into the NIMS is the Incident Command System (ICS), a standard, on-scene, all-hazards incident management system already in use by firefighters, hazardous materials teams, rescuers and emergency medical teams. The ICS has been established by the NIMS as the standardized incident organizational structure for the management of all incidents. Although many agencies now use various forms of ICS, there is considerable uncertainty about NIMS ICS and the impact it will have on systems and processes currently in place. These are important questions because one of the FY 2005 requirements for implementing NIMS is "institutionalizing the use of ICS, across the entire response...
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...below. When you are ready to proceed, click on the Next button. Review the summary below of "What NIMS is" and "What NIMS is NOT." What NIMS is: | What NIMS is NOT: | * 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 | * A response plan * Only used during large-scale incidents * A communications plan * Only applicable to certain emergency management/incident response personnel * Only the Incident Command System or an organization chart * A static system | Correct. Review the feedback below. When you are ready to proceed, click on the Next button. Review the correct answers below: CONSISTENT WITH NIMS: A jurisdiction is inventorying and categorizing resources (e.g, personnel, equipment, supplies, and facilities) to establish and verify levels of capability prior to an incident. Explanation: Inventorying and categorizing of resources is a critical element of preparedness because...
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...The National Incident Management System Our experiences of domestic terrorist attacks have taught us many things. For one, it showed how the localized structures and preparedness are not sufficient to effectively and efficiently respond to actual events and threats. It showed how the involvement of agencies at various levels of government could have increased response capacity and how a national approach could have ensured a level of preparedness that is proportionate to the levels of threat that may be experienced. Thus, the National Incident Management System developed standards operating procedures or codes to enhance the different areas of incident management, principles, planning, organization, training, logistics and actual practice that have been implemented nationwide as a requisite for obtaining preparedness budgets FEMA. The result was the formation of the Integrated Command System, Multi Agency Support Systems as well as public information systems (NIMS 2008 Page 1). . These systems ensure the harnessing of resources from the different agencies, levels of government and stakeholders in terms of capacities personnel, finances, logistics or technology. It also enables the smooth working relationship and coordination among these entities in jointly responding to incidents under a common framework and organizational structure NIMS Online. This increased the quality of response to much higher levels, especially which current practices are regularly assessed in to determine...
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...agreements, mutual aid agreements and/or other counties, organizations, private sector, or from/through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. National Incident Management System (NIMS) The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a unified approach to incident command, standard command and management structures and an emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid, and resource management. NIMS is structured to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: command, operations, planning, logistics, finance, and administration. NIMS implementation includes process, operational and technical standards integrated into emergency response plans, procedures, and policies....
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...website, the Incident Command System (ICS) was developed “in the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in California” (NIMS, 2004) in 1970. During the fire “16 lives were lost, 700 structures were destroyed, and over one-half million acres burned” at the expense of “$18 million per day” (NIMS, 2004) in overall costs. The responding agencies worked as well as they could together but they had many communications issues. Three years after the incident, in 1973 a system known as “FIRESCOPE” (NIMS, 2004) (Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies) was developed. This is where the ICS and Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) were developed. Soon there was “agreed upon ICS common terminology and procedures and conducted limited field-testing of ICS” (NIMS, 2004) the system was used on several fires and adopted by the Los Angeles Fire Department. During the 1980’s it was realized that the ICS could be used on many different large scale incidents to manage personnel and so all responders used the same terminology to create easier communications between responding agencies. Characteristics of the ICS include: • Common Terminology • Modular Organization • Management by Objectives • Reliance on an Incident Action Plan • Manageable Span of Control • Pre-designated Incident Mobilization Center Locations & Facilities • Comprehensive Resource Management • Integrated Communications • Establishment and Transfer of Command • Chain of Command and Unity...
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...problem is that you have no expertise in the field of emergency management. You are unaware of neither local nor federal operating procedures in response to such a devastating attack. If only there were a uniform set of processes and procedures that enabled all emergency responders at all levels to work together effectively and efficiently in the management of domestic incidents regardless of their size and complexity. Unfortunately for first responders, emergency management personnel and 168 unfortunate souls in Oklahoma City on that fateful day, there wasn’t. Derived from the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) was developed by the Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, to develop a consistent nationwide approach for federal, state, tribal and local governments to prepare for and respond to disaster. (NIMS and the Incident Command System, 2004) This systematic approach to incident management was set up with focus on five key areas to practice in the emergency management and incident response. These five focus points used in conjunction with the Incident...
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...Emergency Management Plan for Daytona State College Incident Command System (ICS) ICS provides a standardized incident response preplanning that is on-scene and caters for all hazards. ICS is based on a flexible and scalable response to hazards that can expand or contract as the need arises. At the scene of the incident, responders may come from multiple agencies that do not normally work together but can work efficiently due to the standardization of ICS (Porter 21). There are two classifications of ICS activities. These are incident and events. Incidents are the unplanned situations that necessitate response from various parties. Incidences include terrorism, natural disasters, and hazardous material spills. On the other hand, events are planned situations. Events require the emergency responders to preplan how to respond to emergencies. Some examples of events include parades, inaugurations, parties, concerts, and other state fairs. In ICS, all individuals participating in the operations report to only one supervisor. This helps in eliminating conflicting orders to the individuals (Porter 21). This greatly aids in improving the efficiency of the activities especially if the emergency responders have to expand them. Main Components of NIMS Preparedness Effective emergency management activities should have preparedness activities that are continuously undertaken prior to any potential incident. NIMS focus on five elements of preparedness: “planning; procedures...
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...What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS)? NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. It is intended to: • Be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents, hazards, and impacts, regardless of size, location or complexity. • Improve coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety of incident management activities. • Provide a common standard for overall incident management. Why do we need NIMS? NIMS provides a consistent nationwide framework and approach to enable government at all levels (Federal, State, tribal, and local), the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to work together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents regardless of the incident’s cause, size, location, or complexity. Consistent application of NIMS lays the groundwork for efficient and effective responses, from a single agency fire response to a multiagency, multijurisdictional natural disaster or terrorism response. Entities that have integrated NIMS into their planning and incident management structure can arrive at an incident with little notice and still understand the procedures and protocols governing the response, as well as the expectations for equipment and personnel. NIMS provides commonality in preparedness and response efforts that allow diverse entities to readily integrate...
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...National Incident Management System 1 RUNNING HEAD: National Incident Management System National Incident Management System February 15, 2012 National Incident Management System 2 National Incident Management System The National Management System provides the template for the management of agencies on all government levels. They provide a proactive and systematic approach to guiding all departments, agencies, all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to work together in prevention, protection, response, recovery and mitigation of the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location or complexity in order to reduce the loss of life and harm to the environment. The National Incident Management System works together with the National Response Framework. While the NIMS handles the management of incidents, the National Response Framework (NRF) provides the structure and mechanisms for national level policy for incident management (http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/AboutNIMS.shtm). According to the Department of Homeland Security website, on February 28, 2003, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5 which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It was stated in HSPD-5 that the system will provide a consistent nationwide approach on the Federal, State and Local levels of government in regards to domestic...
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...all-hazards response in the five preparedness mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and disaster recovery. NIMS * When would a Deputy Incident Commander (Deputy IC) be necessary? Give examples. * In The missing piece of NIMS: Teaching incident commanders how to function in the edge of Chaos, the author notes that first responders have to deal with a disaster situation already unfolding, and not “all the pieces fit together nicely.” The author writes about the Five Tenets of Working in Chaos. Please paraphrase each one using your own words. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a master plan for departments and agencies of all levels of government, nongovernment and private sector agencies to work together to handle an event, natural disaster or man-made terrorist attack regardless of scope, reason, or location.3 The NIMS is the heart of the National Preparedness System (NPS) which is a collection of frameworks created to make the handling of disasters uniform. Emergency management personnel trained in NIMS will handle a terrorist attack in Washington, D.C. the same way that an Incident Commander is handling a massive hurricane on the Gulf Coast. Any disaster has an inherent level of chaos from the very beginning. Having a framework to follow prevents the first responders from adding to the confusion. If NIMS is considered the big picture, the playbook is the National Response Framework. The NRF is scalable, flexible and adaptable...
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...Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) inside the Washington Navy Yard. Aaron Alexis, a contractor working at the Naval Sea Systems Command, began a shooting spree which lasted a little over 60 minutes and resulted in 12 deaths and several injuries. Alexis seemed to engage targets of opportunity and did not seem to target specific individuals. A report created by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Review Team (2014) found that Alexis’ last exchange of gunfire was with a local law enforcement officer who was shot, but “was able to return fire, killing Alexis and ending his rampage” (p. 3). This incident was handled in a commendable manner, however there were some things that may...
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...name] | 10/23/2011 | Table of Contents PURPOSE OF EMERGENCY PLAN.................................................................................. PLANNING FOR EMERGENCY....................................................................................... PROCEDURES............................................................................................................... RESPONDERS SAFETY................................................................................................... DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS................................................................................. INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER .................................................................................... INCEDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ISC) FIRE DEPARTMENT....................................................................................................... INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION EVACUATION PROCEDURES.......................................................................................... POLICE DEPARTMENT .................................................................................................. EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONCE................................................................................. STAGING MANAGER COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES.................................................................................. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGINCY RESPONSE PLAN PURPOSE OF EMERGENCY PLAN This plan is to serves as a guide-line for city of Chula...
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...Financial/Administrative Section Chief is responsible for making sure that the team follows necessary contractual and financial processes. The Liaison officer is responsible for providing information by answering questions from all the agencies and acts as go-between them. The Public Nurse duty is to secure the well being of the people in the community to provide quality health care through the utilization of the multidisciplinary team available. In this disaster, the severe thunderstorm left the community heavy damaged. The flooding and power outage raises concern regarding drinkable water, food sources and septic system. There is also concern about deaths and those whom have become homeless due to the flood damages in their homes. The city set up the Incident Command Center where they can tackle the mirage of issues presented to them. Thankfully, the public personal available at...
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...establish consistent, often times comprehensive changes to the way it accomplishes Emergency Response operations. The catastrophic events of both September 11, 2001 and the lingering tragedy of Hurricane Katrina proved to be instantaneous prompts for the evolution of governmental amendment to and eventual restructure of the overarching procedural standard for incident response in the country. One of the many important after-effects would become what was labeled the National Response Framework, or NRF. A detailed outline of the NRF structure and intent follows. The template is a doctrinal approach to the domestic partnerships and implementation of resources above and beyond those rules set by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) (FEMA, 2012). The sole purpose of the 90-page document is to ensure that government executives, private sector, nongovernmental organization (NGO) leaders, and emergency management practitioners across the nation understand domestic incident response roles, responsibilities and relationships in order to respond more effectively to any type of incident. General administrators of NRF-specific guidance will typically be policy-level personnel or heads-of-agencies, who directly or strategically coordinate echelon and subordinate agencies at all eventual layers of government emergency response. It is guided mainly by the data and regulatory information offered to emergency managers at the NRF Resource Center...
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...In the town of Beslan located in North Ossetia, Russia on September 1, 2004 School number one experienced one of their most devastating terror attacks imaginable. The day was planned to begin with festivities to mark a new year also known as the Day of Knowledge. The celebrations came to an immediate halt as a terrorist group, later discovered to contain Ingush and Chechen militants stormed the school. The 3 day siege left a devastating impact on the Russians as well as the entire world who then questioned their own vulnerability. America who had been increasing security measures since 2001 now needed to re-evaluate the school security system. Following the separation of the Soviet Union a Muslim group located in the Caucus Mountains started an independence movement. Resisting Russian rule, this group has been responsible for many terror attacks including, bombings, suicide bombings, sieges and the killing of innocent people. (Mcevers 2006) The group is well known for violent tactics and having absolutely no regard for human life including their own. The extreme measures taken over the years have shown to be true especially at School number one in Beslan. At approximately 9:00 AM almost 1,200 individuals at the celebration were forced into the school by masked armed militants. Immediately upon entering they began killing a group of boys while wiring the gymnasium area with explosives. Children were used as human shields to cover exposed windows and more boys who may have...
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