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 Department
of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge yesterday announced approval
of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the US's first
standardised management plan that creates a unified structure for
Federal, state, and local lines of government for incident response.
"NIMS gives all of our Nation's responders the same framework
for incident management," Ridge said.
According to the DHS, “NIMS aims to strengthen
US response capabilities by identifying and integrating core elements
and best practices for all responders and incident managers. Through
a balance between flexibility and standardisation, and use of common
doctrine, terminology, concepts, principles, and processes, execution
during a real incident will be consistent and seamless. Responders
will be able to focus more on response, instead of organising the
response, and teamwork and assignments among all authorities will
be clearly enhanced.”
Key elements and features of NIMS include:
* Incident Command System (ICS)
NIMS outlines a standard incident management organisation called
ICS that establishes five functional areas - command, operations,
planning, logistics, and finance/administration - for management
of all major incidents. To ensure further coordination and during
incidents involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies, the principle
of unified command has been universally incorporated into NIMS.
This unified command not only coordinates the efforts of many jurisdictions,
but provides for and assures joint decisions on objectives, strategies,
plans, priorities, and public communications.
* Preparedness
Responder readiness to manage and conduct incident actions is significantly
enhanced if professionals have worked together before an incident.
NIMS recognises this and defines advance preparedness measures such
as planning, training, exercises, qualification and certification,
equipment acquisition and certification, and publication management.
Preparedness also incorporates mitigation activities such as public
education, enforcement of building standards and codes, and preventive
measures to deter or lessen the loss of life or property.
* Communications and information management
Standardised communications during an incident are essential and
NIMS prescribes interoperable communications systems for both incident
and information management. Responders and managers across all agencies
and jurisdictions must have a common operating picture for a more
efficient and effective incident response.
* Joint Information System (JIS)
The Joint Information System provides the public with timely and
accurate incident information and unified public messages. This
system employs Joint Information Centers and brings incident communicators
together during an incident to develop, coordinate, and deliver
a unified message. This will ensure that Federal, state, tribal,
and local levels of government are releasing the same information
during an incident.
* NIMS Integration Center (NIC)
To ensure that NIMS remains an accurate and effective management
tool, the NIMS NIC will be established by the Secretary of Homeland
Security to assess proposed changes to NIMS, capture and evaluate
lessons learned, and employ best practices. The NIC will provide
strategic direction and oversight of the NIMS, supporting both routine
maintenance and continuous refinement of the system and its components
over the long term. The NIC will develop and facilitate national
standards for NIMS education and training, first responder communications
and equipment, typing of resources, qualification and ‘credentialing’
of incident management and responder personnel, and standardisation
of equipment maintenance and resources. The NIC will continue to
use the collaborative process of Federal, state, tribal, local,
multi-discipline and private authorities to assess prospective changes
and assure continuity and accuracy.
NIMS is available here
(PDF).
(Source: DHS)
•Date:
2nd March 2004 •Region: N.America •Type:
Article •Topic: Crisis
management
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