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Referencing the content of incident command, NIMS, and National Response Framework readiness

ICS Readiness · Chapter 7

NIMS Overview and Guiding Principles

B3 — NIMS (IS-700)

Why this chapter matters

NIMS aligns the whole community with flexible, standardized, unified incident management nationwide.

Learning objectives (3)

  1. Define NIMS — National framework for incident management across hazards and disciplines.
  2. Apply guiding principles — Flexibility, standardization, unity of effort.
  3. Name NIMS components — Resource management; command and coordination; communications and information management.

Chapter outline

  1. Engage: incompatible plans between neighboring counties
  2. What NIMS is/is not
  3. Guiding principles
  4. Components overview
  5. Whole community

Vocabulary (16)

National Incident Management System
Nationwide template for incident management.
flexibility
NIMS scales from routine to catastrophic incidents.
standardization
Common processes and terminology enable interoperability.
unity of effort
Coordinated action with preserved authority.
whole community
Inclusive approach engaging all partners.
National Preparedness System
Framework for achieving preparedness outcomes.
resource management component
Mechanisms to identify, order, mobilize, track, recover resources.
command and coordination component
ICS, EOC, MAC Group, and related structures.
communications and information management
Systems to share timely, accurate information.
preparedness
Activities to build capability before incidents.
mitigation
Reducing loss from future incidents.
response
Immediate actions to save lives and stabilize.
recovery
Restoring community functions.
prevention
Actions to avoid incidents where applicable.
protection
Safeguarding against threats to people and assets.
common operating picture
Shared understanding of incident and resources.

Sequence practice (1 puzzles on Quiz Me)

NIMS Overview and Guiding Principles

Put these ICS readiness steps in a logical order.

  1. What NIMS is/is not
  2. Engage: incompatible plans between neighboring counties
  3. Guiding principles
  4. Components overview
  5. Whole community

Quick fire sample (15 of 28 on Quiz Me)

NIMS applies to:
  1. All incidents and planned events
  2. Only nuclear
  3. Only aviation
  4. Only cyber
NIMS is NOT:
  1. ICS only
  2. A complete national framework
  3. Scalable
  4. For multiagency use
Flexibility means:
  1. Scales to incident size and type
  2. One rigid org always
  3. No local authority
  4. No adaptation
Standardization promotes:
  1. Interoperability
  2. Isolation
  3. Unique jargon per agency only
  4. No training
Unity of effort ensures:
  1. Coordinated action toward shared goals
  2. Single dictator
  3. No agency authority
  4. No objectives
Three NIMS components include:
  1. Resources, command/coordination, communications
  2. Only finance
  3. Only media
  4. Only courts
Whole community includes:
  1. Government, NGOs, private sector, public
  2. Only federal staff
  3. Only military
  4. Only vendors
Common operating picture supports:
  1. Better decisions
  2. Secrecy from all partners
  3. No coordination
  4. No ICS
NIMS supports mission areas including:
  1. Preparedness and response
  2. Only sports
  3. Only zoning
  4. Only tax
Standardization includes:
  1. Common terminology
  2. Random titles per shift
  3. No documentation
  4. No briefings
Resource management is:
  1. A NIMS component
  2. Unrelated to NIMS
  3. Only NRF
  4. Only OSHA
Communications component ensures:
  1. Timely information for decisions
  2. No radios
  3. No data
  4. No PIO
Nationwide template for incident management.
  1. response
  2. recovery
  3. resource management component
  4. National Incident Management System
NIMS scales from routine to catastrophic incidents.
  1. response
  2. protection
  3. flexibility
  4. preparedness
Common processes and terminology enable interoperability.
  1. flexibility
  2. protection
  3. prevention
  4. standardization

Full scored drills are on Quiz Me at /courses/ics-readiness/chapters/07/print/. Answers are not marked on this sheet.