This
section of the website provides information on the National Incident
Management System (NIMS). NIMS is intended to be used by the whole
community. The intended audience for this section is individuals,
families, communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based
organizations, and local, state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and
Federal governments.
The
National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a systematic, proactive
approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government,
nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together
seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats
and hazards—regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity—in order
to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment. The NIMS
is the essential foundation to the National Preparedness System (NPS)
and provides the template for the management of incidents and
operations in support of all five National Planning Frameworks. Use the
images below for direct links to all pages within the NIMS website.
The
purpose of the NIMS is to provide a common approach for managing
incidents. The concepts contained herein provide for a flexible but
standardized set of incident management practices with emphasis on
common principles, a consistent approach to operational structures and
supporting mechanisms, and an integrated approach to resource
management.
Incidents typically begin and end locally, and they
are managed daily at the lowest possible geographical, organizational,
and jurisdictional level. There are other instances where success
depends on the involvement of multiple jurisdictions, levels of
government, functional agencies, and/or emergency-responder disciplines.
These instances necessitate effective and efficient coordination across
this broad spectrum of organizations and activities. By using NIMS,
communities are part of a comprehensive national approach that improves
the effectiveness of emergency management and response personnel across
the full spectrum of potential threats and hazards (including natural
hazards, terrorist activities, and other human-caused disasters)
regardless of size or complexity.
Please refer to the descriptions below to gain an understanding of where to locate certain information.
NIMS Doctrine Supporting Guides & Tools:
The National Integration Center develops supporting guides and tools to
assist jurisdictions in their implementation of the National Incident
Management System (NIMS).
Training:
The NIMS Training Program defines the national NIMS training program.
It specifies National Integration Center and stakeholder
responsibilities and activities for developing, maintaining and
sustaining NIMS training.
Resource Management & Mutual Aid:
National resource management efforts aid a unified approach in building
and delivering the core capabilities across all five mission areas
(Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery). Effective
resource management is founded on the guiding principles of the NIMS.
Implementation Guidance & Reporting:
Federal Departments and agencies are required to make adoption of NIMS
by local, state, territorial, and tribal nation jurisdictions a
condition to receive Federal Preparedness grants and awards.
NIMS Alerts:
The National Integration center announces the release of new NIMS
guidance, tools, and other resources through the distribution of NIMS
Alerts.
FEMA NIMS Regional Contacts:
The FEMA Regional NIMS Coordinators act as subject matter experts
regarding NIMS for the local, state, territorial, and tribal
nation governments within their FEMA Region, as well as for the FEMA
Regional Administrator and staff.
Incident Command System Resources:
The Incident Command System (ICS) is a fundamental element of incident
management. The use of ICS provides standardization through consistent
terminology and established organizational structures.