What is NIMS?
NIMS is the latest buzzword in emergency services yet many people are still unfamiliar with exactly what it is. NIMS stands for National Incident Management System and is a standardized national system for managing emergency incidents. The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide approach for federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity. This integrated system establishes a uniform set of process, protocols, and procedures that all emergency responders, at every level of government, will use to conduct response actions. NIMS is not to be confused with Incident Command System (ICS). Although ICS is a component of NIMS, the two are not interchangeable terms.
Within the area of emergency services, personnel are required to complete certain levels of NIMS training. IS-700, ICS 100 and 200 can be taken online through the FEMA Independent Study Program website. The Warren County NIMS point of contact is Deputy Director, Amy Manney.
The components of NIMS include command and management (ICS), preparedness, resource management, communications and information management, supporting technologies and ongoing management and maintenance. NIMS is a federal mandate and any locality that is not compliant will not be eligible for any federal funds.