National Incident
Management System
(NIMS)
Kevin J Molloy, MEP
Incident Management Systems
Integration Division
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
 Requires all Federal Departments and Agencies to adopt the
NIMS
 Requires State and local NIMS compliance as a condition for
Federal preparedness funds
NIMS Background
 Originally published in March 2004
 Provides national standard for incident management
 Based on the National Interagency Incident Management
System (NIIMS) Incident Command System (ICS)
 Initial review commenced in May 2006 and was
completed in May 2007; release was delayed pending
publication of the NRF
 Second review process was undertaken in January 2008
to ensure consistency with NRF
Review Process
 Led by FEMA through the NIC
 Involved more than 100 organizations from various levels
of government, the private sector and NGOs
 Work groups consisted of subject matter experts from
various disciplines and jurisdictions
 Three national comment periods (~6000 total comments)
 February 2007 (2,837 comments)
 March–April 2007 (2,707 comments)
 May-June 2008 (444 comments)
 National Advisory Committee (NAC) commented on the document
during this time period
Summary of Changes to NIMS
 Eliminated redundancy
 Reorganized document to emphasize that NIMS is more than the
Incident Command System (ICS)
 Clarified ICS concepts
 Increased emphasis on planning and added guidance on mutual aid
 Clarified roles of private sector, NGOs, and chief elected and
appointed officials
 Expanded the Intelligence/Investigation function
 Highlighted relationship between NIMS and NRF
NIMS: What it is and what it’s not
NIMS Is…
NIMS Is Not…
 Comprehensive, nationwide,
systematic approach to incident
management
 A response plan
 Set of preparedness concepts and
principles for all hazards
 Essential principles for a common
operating picture and
interoperability of communications
and information management
 A communication plan
 Something that is used only
during large incidents
 Only applicable to certain
emergency responders
 Standardized resource
management procedures for
coordination among different
jurisdictions/ organizations
 Only the Incident Command
System or an organizational
chart
 Scalable and applicable for all
incidents
 A static system
NIMS COMPONENTS
 Preparedness
 Communications and Information Management
 Resource Management
 Command and Management
 Incident Command System
 Multi-agency Coordination Systems
 Public Information Systems
 Ongoing Management and Maintenance
NIMS Components--Preparedness
Planning
Training
Equipping
Exercising
Evaluating
Taking corrective action
Mitigating
NIMS Components-- Communications
and Information Management
 Common operating picture
 Common communications and data
standards to assure accessibility and
interoperability
 Pre-incident information
NIMS Components-- Resource Management
 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
incidents
NIMS Resource Management
164 Positions with / KSAs
56 ICS Positions – Core
Competencies
120 Typed Resources
NIMS Guide 0001 on Resource
Typing
NIMS Guide 0002 on
Credentialing
NIMS Resource Management
Public Works
19 positions
34 resources
Emergency Medical Services
19 positions
6 resources
Incident Management
8 positions
22 resources
NIMS Resource Management
Fire/Hazardous Materials
20 positions
19 resources
Search and Rescue
36 positions
17 resources
Public Health / Medical
44 positions
9 resources
NIMS Resource Management
Law Enforcement
Animal Health
TBD positions
6 resources
14 positions
7 resources
NIMS Resource Management
NIMS Guide 0001 on Resource Typing
• Resource exists
• Has been deployed for Inter-State Mutual
Aid
• Delivered a valuable service
• Can not be ordered using plain language
NIMS Resource Management
NIMS Guide 0002 on Credentialing
• Deployable for Interstate Mutual Aid
• Voluntary
• Organization approves participation
NIMS Components-Command &
Management
 Incident Command System
 Multiagency Coordination Systems
 Public Information Systems
NIMS Components—Ongoing Management and
Maintenance
 National Integration Center
 Concepts & Principles
 NIMS Revision Process
 NIC Responsibilities
 Supporting Technologies
 Concepts and Principles
 Supporting Incident Management with Science
& Technology
NIMS Training
 IS-700 NIMS: An Introduction
All personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident management, or
response
 IS-800b NRF: An Introduction
All Federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local emergency managers or personnel whose
primary responsibility is emergency management
 ICS-100: Introduction to ICS
All Federal, State, territorial, tribal, local, private sector and non-governmental personnel at
the entry level, first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and
general staff level of emergency management operations
 ICS-200: Basic ICS
All Federal, State, territorial, tribal, local, private sector and non-governmental personnel at
the first line supervisor level, middle management level, and command and general staff
level of emergency management operations
NIMS Training (continued)
 IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100, ICS-200
 Base line training for all personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident
management, or response
 ICS-300 Intermediate (Required in FY08)
 All Federal, State, territorial, tribal, local, private sector and non-governmental personnel at the
middle management level, and command and general staff level of emergency management
operations
 ICS-400 Advanced (Required in FY09)
 All Federal, State, territorial, tribal, local, private sector and non-governmental personnel at the
command and general staff level of emergency management operations
 Additional NIMS Training (Recommended)
 Training available for all audiences in the following areas: NIMS Multi-agency Coordination
Systems, Public Information Systems, Communications and Information Management,
Resource Management, Resource Typing, Mutual Aid, and NIMS Preparedness
 ICS-Position Specific Training
 Training opportunities for ICS Command and General Staff positions: Incident Commander,
Safety Office, Liaison Officer, Public Information Officer, Operations Section Chief, Planning
Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Admin Section Chief
INTELLIGENCE/INVESTIGATION
 The collection, analysis and sharing of incident
related intelligence are important elements of ICS
 Normally, operational information and situational
intelligence are management functions located in
the Planning Section
 This information is used in the decision making
process
INTELLIGENCE/INVESTIGATION
 I&I information is defined as information that
either leads to the detection, prevention,
apprehension and prosecution of criminal
activities (or the individual (s) involved) including
terrorist incidents or information that leads to the
determination of the cause of a given incident
(regardless of the source) such as public health
events or fires with unknown origins.
INTELLIGENCE/INVESTIGATION
 ICS allows for organization flexibility, examples include:
Within Planning Section: Incidents with little or no investigative
information requirements
As a Separate General Staff Section: May be appropriate
when there is a significant I&I component to the incident for
criminal or epidemiological purposes or when multiple
investigative agencies are involved.
INTELLIGENCE/INVESTIGATION
Within the Operations Section: May be appropriate for
incidents that require a high degree of linkage and coordination
between the investigative information and the operational
tactics that are being employed.
Within the Command Staff: This option may be appropriate for
incidents with little need for tactical information or classified
intelligence and where supporting Agency Representatives are
providing real-time information to the Command Element
INTELLIGENCE/INVESTIGATION
MISSION
 The mission of I&I is to ensure that all I&I operations, functions
and activities within the incident response are properly
managed, coordinated, and directed in order to Prevent/deter additional activity, incidents, and/or ;
 Collect, process, analyze, and appropriately disseminate
intelligence information;
 Conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation; and
 Identify, process, collect, create a chain of custody for, safeguard,
examine/analyze, and store all situational intelligence and/or
probative evidence.
INTELLIGENCE/INVESTIGATION
 We currently have developed guidance and other information
on Intelligence and Investigation designed to assist all
disciplines in understanding the role of I&I and how it impacts
them
 Under review at this time to insure it’s content is consistent
with the NRF/NIMS and the I&I community
 When approved, this information will be posted on web and all
will be advised through a variety or means.
Summary
 Incidents typically begin and end locally and are managed on a daily basis at
the lowest possible geographical, organizational, and jurisdictional level
 Successful incident management operations may depend on the involvement
of multiple jurisdictions, levels of government, functional agencies, and/or
emergency responder disciplines
 Such incidents require effective and efficient coordination across this broad
spectrum of organizations and activities
 NIMS enhances interoperability through use of a systematic approach to
integrating the best existing processes and methods into a unified national
framework for incident management
 NIMS does this through a core set of concepts, principles, procedures,
organizational processes, terminology, and standards requirements
applicable to a broad community of NIMS users
National Response Framework
an Overview
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Topics
 NRF purpose, key concepts
 Focus on response
 How the Framework is organized
 What has changed
 Applying the NRF
 Leadership and the NRF (Federal, State, Local, Private Sector,
Nongovernmental Organizations)
 Building new capability
 Implementing the NRF
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National Response Framework
 Purpose
 Guides how the nation conducts all-hazards incident response
 Key Concepts
 Builds on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) with its
flexible, scalable, and adaptable coordinating structures
 Aligns key roles and responsibilities across jurisdictions
 Links all levels of government, private sector, and nongovernmental
organizations in a unified approach to emergency management
 Always in effect: can be partially or fully implemented
 Coordinates Federal assistance without need for formal trigger
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Focused on Response
Achieving a Goal Within a Broader Strategy
 National Strategy for Homeland Security – guides, organizes
and unifies our National homeland security efforts
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Prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks;
Protect the American people, our critical infrastructure, and key resources;
Respond to and recover from incidents that do occur; and
Continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure our long-term success.
 Response
 Immediate actions to save lives, protect property and the environment,
and meet basic human needs
 Execution of emergency plans and actions to support short-term recovery
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Development and Review Process
Since the Review Began in October 2006…
•
More than 400 stakeholders from Federal, State, tribal, local,
private sector, academia, and nongovernmental organizations
participated in a year-long process to develop the NRF
•
Draft NRF was released for public review in September 2007;
DHS/FEMA leadership encouraged all stakeholders to comment
on the draft NRF core and supporting documents
•
DHS/FEMA received and adjudicated more than 5,700 comments
and revised the NRF accordingly
•
NRF was approved by the President on January 8, 2008
•
NRF went into effect March 22, 2008
32
Development and Review Process
Changes Resulting from National Comment Period
(Sep-Oct 2007)
• Ensured consistency with Post-Katrina Emergency Management
Reform Act
• Revised planning chapter
• Integrates Federal and State/tribal/local planning systems
• Institutionalizes the Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis approach
• Consolidates National Planning Scenarios
• Improved the document’s look and feel
• Simplified language, streamlined format, enhanced readability
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How the Framework is Organized
Core
Document
Doctrine, organization, roles and
responsibilities, response actions
and planning requirements that
guide national response
Emergency Support
Function Annexes
Mechanisms to group and provide Federal
resources and capabilities to support State
and local responders
Support
Annexes
Essential supporting aspects of the Federal
response common to all incidents
Incident
Annexes
Incident-specific applications of the
Framework
Partner
Guides
Next level of detail in response actions
tailored to the actionable entity
www.fema.gov/nrf
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What Has Changed
 A Framework … not a Plan
 Written for two audiences
 Senior elected and appointed officials
 Emergency Management practitioners
 Emphasizes roles of the local governments, States, NGOs,
individuals and the private sector
 Establishes Response Doctrine
•
•
•
•
•
Engaged partnership
Tiered response
Scalable, flexible, and adaptable operational capabilities
Unity of effort through unified command
Readiness to act
 Establishes planning as a critical element of effective response
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How Has the NRF Evolved?
Terms and Structures
• Incident Advisory Council: eliminated
• Incident of National Significance: eliminated
• Unified Coordination Group and Staff: replace the terms, “JFO
Coordination Group” and “JFO Coordination Staff”
• Senior Officials: replaces the term, “Senior Federal Officials,” in the
Unified Coordination Group
• Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT): replaces
Emergency Response Teams (ERT) and the Federal Incident
Response Support Teams (FIRST)
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Emergency Support Functions / Annexes
•
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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ESF #1 - Transportation
ESF #2 - Communications
ESF #3 - Public Works and Engineering
ESF #4 - Firefighting
ESF #5 - Emergency Management
ESF #6 - Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing and Human Services
ESF #7 - Logistics Management and Resource Support
ESF #8 - Public Health and Medical Services
ESF #9 - Search and Rescue
ESF #10 - Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
ESF #11 - Agriculture and Natural Resources
ESF #12 - Energy
ESF #13 - Public Safety and Security
ESF #14 - Long-Term Community Recovery
ESF #15 - External Affairs
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Major Changes to ESF Annexes
• ESF #6 – Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing and Human Services:
Expanded to include emergency assistance; FEMA replaces the American
Red Cross as the primary agency
• ESF #7 – Logistics Management and Resource Support: Expanded to
incorporate the Logistics Management Support Annex which was eliminated
• ESF #9 – Search and Rescue: Expanded from urban search and rescue to
include waterborne, inland/wilderness, and aeronautical search and rescue
• ESF #10 – Oil and Hazardous Materials Response: Expanded to incorporate
Oil and Hazardous Materials Incident Annex which was eliminated
• ESF #11 – Agriculture and Natural Resources: Added responsibility for
“Safety and Well-Being of Household Pets”
• ESF #13 – Public Safety and Security: Expanded to include general law
enforcement
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Incident Annexes
Support Annexes
• Critical Infrastructure and
Key Resources*
• Financial Management
• International Coordination
• Private Sector Coordination
• Public Affairs
• Tribal Relations
• Volunteer and Donations
Management
• Worker Safety and Health
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Biological Incident
Catastrophic Incident
Cyber Incident
Food and Agriculture Incident
Mass Evacuation Incident*
Nuclear/Radiological Incident
Terrorism Incident Law
Enforcement and Investigation
*New annexes.
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Major Changes to Support and Incident Annexes
Added
• Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources (CI/KR) Support Annex
• Mass Evacuation Incident Annex
Expanded
• Volunteer & Donations Management Support Annex: Expanded to include
collection and tracking of offers of goods and services and international donations
Eliminated
• Logistics Management Support Annex: information incorporated into ESF #7
Resource Support Annex
• Science and Technology Support Annex
• Oil and Hazardous Materials Incident Annex: information incorporated into the
ESF #10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response Annex
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Applying the Framework
 Most incidents wholly managed locally
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
Some require additional support
Small number require Federal support
State Governor must request Federal support
Catastrophic requires significant Federal support
 Minor event might be initial phase of larger, rapidly growing threat
 Accelerate assessment and response
 Federal Department/Agency acting on own authority may be initial
Federal responder
 Integrated, systematic Federal response intended to occur
seamlessly
41
Federal Leadership and the Framework
 Secretary of Homeland Security:
Principal Federal official for domestic
incident management
 FEMA Administrator:
Principal advisor to the President, Secretary of Homeland
Security, and Homeland Security Council regarding emergency management.
 Principal Federal Official (PFO):
Secretary’s primary representative to ensure
consistency of Federal support as well as the overall effectiveness of Federal incident
management.

For catastrophic or unusually complex incidents requiring extraordinary coordination

Interfaces with Federal, State, tribal, and local officials regarding Federal incident
management strategy; primary Federal spokesperson for coordinated public communications
 Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO):
For Stafford Act events, the primary
Federal representative to interface with the SCO and other State, tribal, and local
response officials to determine most urgent needs and set objectives.
 Federal Departments and Agencies: play primary, coordinating, and support
roles based on their authorities and resources and the nature of the threat or incident
Note: Consistent with the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act
42
Federal Department & Agency Responsibilities
• Understand Key Framework Concepts
• Structure, organization, roles and responsibilities
• Attain and Maintain a High Level of Preparedness
• Plan
• Organize
• Equip and Train
• Exercise
• Evaluate/Improve
• Build Capabilities
• Execute an Effective Response
“The effectiveness of our efforts will be
determined by the people who fulfill key
roles and how they carry out their
responsibilities, including their
commitment to develop plans and
partnerships, conduct joint training and
exercises, and achieve shared goals.”
National Strategy for Homeland
Security
• Gain and maintain situational awareness
• Activate and deploy resources and capabilities
• Coordinate response actions
• Demobilize
43
State & Local Leadership and the Framework
Effective, unified national response requires layered, mutually supporting capabilities
 States are sovereign entities, and the Governor has responsibility for public
safety and welfare; States are the main players in coordinating resources and
capabilities and obtaining support from other States and the Federal government
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

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Governor
Homeland Security Advisor
Director State Emergency Management Agency
State Coordinating Officer
 Local officials have primary responsibility for
community preparedness and response
State & Tribal
Governments
 Elected/Appointed Officials (Mayor)
 Emergency Manager
 Public Safety Officials
 Individuals and Households are key starting
points for emergency preparedness and
support community efforts
Local
Governments
NRF
Federal
Government
Private
Sector
& NGO
44
Private Sector & NGOs and the Framework
Effective, unified national response requires layered, mutually supporting capabilities
 The Private Sector supports community
response, organizes business to ensure
resiliency, and protects and restores
critical infrastructure and commercial
activity
 NGOs perform vital service missions
 Assist individuals who have special
needs
 Coordinate volunteers
 Interface with government response
officials at all levels
State & Tribal
Governments
Local
Governments
NRF
Federal
Government
Private
Sector
& NGO
45
The Framework: Building New Capability
 Preparedness Cycle–a system
that builds the right capabilities



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Introduces National Planning System
Defines response organization
Requires training
Advocates interoperability and typing
of equipment
 Emphasizes exercising with broadbased participation
 Describes process for continuous
evaluation and improvement
 Aligning Risk-Based Planning
Plan
Evaluate &
Improve
Capability
Building
Organize,
Train &
Equip
Exercise
 National Planning Scenarios
 Hazard Identification and Risk
Analysis
46
The NRF Moving Forward
 Public release to wide audience with support
of key partners
 Informed stakeholders on key improvements
 Ensure all partners understand doctrine,
structures, and roles and responsibilities
 Promotes coordination of planning efforts
47
Moving Forward with the NRF
Training Education and Exercises
•
Awareness Training: IS-800, An Introduction to the NRF, was released
on February 5, 2008. Other general orientation courses for ESFs and
Support and Incident Annexes will be available soon thereafter
•
Position Specific Training: Training for all personnel assigned to
NRF/NIMS structures (National Response Coordination Center,
Regional Response Coordination Center, Joint Field Office, etc.) will
ensure those staff are able to perform tasks assigned to them
•
Exercises: National and regional tabletop and functional exercises, as
well as exercise-based training, will be organized to promote
understanding of NRF concepts, roles and responsibilities,
organizational elements and communications. Exercises will assess the
effectiveness of interagency coordination, the ability to develop a
common operating picture, and resource management decisions
48
The NRF Resource Center
www.fema.gov/nrf
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National Integration Center
Incident Management Systems Integration Division
 NIMS Website
 http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims
 National Response Framework Resource Center
 http://www.fema.gov/nrf
 NIMS Training
 http://www.training.fema.gov
 Contacts
 FEMA-NIMS@dhs.gov
 FEMA-NRF@dhs.gov
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