Which NIMS Component Includes the Incident Command System (ICS)?
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a worldwide and systematic approach to incident management. It is composed of three core components: NIMS Command and Management, NIMS Credentialing, and NIMS Ongoing Management and Maintenance. The three components are interrelated and can be used separately or in combination.
NIMS Command and Management
NIMS Command and Management is an important tool to help emergency management agencies coordinate response efforts to any type of incident. Whether a single agency is responding to a fire or a large organization is responding to a large natural disaster, NIMS can guide both government and nonprofit responders by creating a shared language and process. The system also defines operational systems, incident command systems, Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), and Multiagency Coordination Groups (MACGs). These systems help responders from various agencies and organizations work together. They also help them know what to do when they arrive on the scene of an incident.
Emergency management organizations have become aware of the importance of a standardized approach to incident management. With a standardized incident management system, resources are used most efficiently. Incidents involving multiple local response agencies require cross-jurisdictional coordination to make sure that resources are utilized effectively.
The September 11th terrorist attacks highlighted the need for a national incident management system. In response, President Bush issued HSPD-5, which directed the development of one national incident management system. Both ICS and MACS were adopted as cornerstones of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in 2004. These systems are designed to manage all kinds of incidents, including wildland fires and other all-hazard incidents. Initially, NIMS was tied to federal emergency preparedness grant funding.
The NIMS Command and Management training program has three general levels of courses. The first two levels of training, ICS-200, and ICS-300 focus on the tactical activities on-scene, while the third level, ICS-400, teaches large-scale incidents.
The National Incident Management System was launched by the Secretary of Homeland Security in March 2004 to help government agencies better coordinate response efforts. It uses the Incident Command System to promote cross-jurisdictional, statewide, and interstate coordination. NIMS provides an organizational framework and common language that all responders can use.
As incidents become increasingly complex, the Incident Commander may delegate his or her authority to a member of the Command Staff, such as the Safety and Information Officers. These individuals also report to the Incident Commander. Moreover, an Incident Commander must be fully briefed on the incident to ensure that all necessary resources are being deployed.
The process of preparing Incident Action Plans (IAPs) is usually organized to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: planning, logistics, administration, and operations. These five functions are crucial to the overall management of an incident. NIMS Command and Management also includes a variety of other functions, such as providing food and water to personnel and assessing the status of resources.
The first step in the incident management process is to select an Incident Commander. This individual will oversee the incident and determine if additional staffing is necessary. Once he has identified the need for a Planning Section, the Planning Section Chief will activate additional staffing. This person must have extensive knowledge of the assigned responsibilities and will be responsible for long-range and contingency planning. The Planning Section Chief will also track resources assigned to the incident.
NIMS Credentialing
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a system of incident management and response. Its objective is to ensure rapid, accurate, and centralized information distribution to the public during an incident. NIMS has developed a national typing protocol that defines resources by type, function, and capability. This standardized terminology enables effective inventory control, improved interoperability, and integration of tactical operations. Type descriptions must communicate the capability levels of the resource, allowing rapid assignment of personnel.
The National Incident Management System is designed to minimize loss of life, property, and the environment by using a systematic, proactive approach to incident management. It guides the actions of all levels of government, non-government organizations, and the private sector to minimize the effects of a crisis.
NIMS Credentialing includes incident command systems (ICS) and emergency operations centers (EOCs). The training covers the concepts of incident management, multiagency coordination, and unified command. In addition, it includes a course that aims to train policymakers, educators, and volunteer agencies active in disasters.
ICS is a systematic approach to emergency response that involves agencies working together to manage personnel, equipment, and communications. NIMS Credentialing requires agencies to comply with NIMS guidelines, and the adoption of ICS basics is a first step to becoming compliant. ICS is especially useful for highway incident response, where different stakeholders, including transportation management centers, towing companies, and highway maintenance agencies, play a role.
Planning is important for the effective application of ICS in highway incidents. Proper planning can prevent inefficiencies in response and minimize costly secondary incidents. Moreover, it can prevent recurring incident management problems. Further, effective planning and preparation can also minimize resources and time spent on inefficient responses.
Ongoing Management and Maintenance
An effective incident command system is essential to the effective management of a disaster or emergency. An incident command system should limit the number of responders to seven or fewer. The IC oversees the entire emergency response, including communications and public information. He or she also serves as the incident safety officer. All responders must use good judgment and be responsible for their actions. A qualified incident commander must be able to supervise his or her subordinates, effectively communicate with them, and manage all resources in the incident.
A command and control system should be well-defined. The system should be based on an established methodology, and participants must be trained. Training will minimize confusion among the participants. An effective incident command system will have a clear process and a clear hierarchy of responsibilities. A properly designed incident command system should be able to support emergency responses and mitigate damage.
One of the most important elements of a successful incident command system is its ability to handle multiple jurisdictions. Multiple jurisdictions often contribute resources to major wildfires, and ICS was designed to coordinate and manage these resources. It was first developed in California where major wildfires often required a combination of resources from several jurisdictions. As a result, incident managers recognized a problem that needed to be addressed: the multi-jurisdictional context created a lot of confusion about who was responsible for what, how resources should be allocated, and how to conduct operations planning.
In the United States, ICS has been the primary standard for emergency management and response since the 1970s. While public organizations have long relied on ICS to handle a range of emergencies, private businesses can benefit by using the same system to coordinate plans with local public emergency services. The extent to which an incident command system can be implemented within a business depends on its size and complexity. Depending on the complexity of the business, several functions or roles may be assigned to different employees.
An ICS includes modules that can be expanded from the top down. Five different functional areas can be implemented within an ICS system. Each section should have a clear objective. Communications within the system are coordinated and interoperable. This is essential to ensure effective response and recovery.
Incident management starts before an incident. Planning and training must be conducted before an incident. Developing an incident command system is an integral part of effective incident management. The NIMS promotes unified incident management, also known as “Unified Command”. By integrating all relevant systems, an incident management system can help respond to all types of incidents and coordinate resources.
An ICS is a comprehensive system that integrates all public safety responders and non-public safety personnel. It uses organizational terminology that is acceptable at all levels of government and is designed to act as the basic operating system for highway incidents within each jurisdiction. It is also designed to allow for a smooth transition to larger operations and multi-agency coordination. An ICS structure is typically small at first, but it grows and adapts as it becomes increasingly important.
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