Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency: NIMS: Frequently Asked Questions
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NIMS: Frequently Asked Questions
 

The organization of the NIMS Integration Center reflects its critical focus on functions necessary for the nationwide implementation of the NIMS by incident managers and responders at all levels – federal, state, local and tribal. Its job is to manage and maintain the NIMS and to oversee the development of tools and resources that will help incident managers use the NIMS system to respond effectively to events, no matter what the size or scope.

Following are descriptions of the Center’s functional organization along with questions and answers that we believe NIMS network participants are likely to want information about at this point in the process. We invite you to ask the NIC questions you would like answered by writing to us at NIMS-INTEGRATION-CENTER@DHS.GOV.

 
A downloadable PDF version* version of these questions is also available.
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Can you please discuss in detail the kinds of national standards the NIC will help develop?
The NIC will facilitate the development of national standards needed in a range of areas to increase the effectiveness of incident response operations. For example, it will facilitate the development of national standards to ensure interoperability of equipment and communications and the certification of emergency response and incident management personnel. This means it will work on the development of standardized criteria for the qualification, training and certification of response personnel. It will promote compatibility among NIMS national level standards and those developed by other public, private and professional groups. And it will facilitate the development of a system of typed and categorized resources, to include equipment, teams and personnel. right
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What constitutes "full NIMS implementation" or "full NIMS compliance" in FY2007, starting 10/1/06? We've seen that phrase used in NIMS documents, but we can't find a specific description of what it means. Is it just completion of the activities begun in FY2005, or is it something more than that? What is "full NIMS implementation" is supposed to look like at the state, local and tribal government levels.
Specific NIMS requirements for "full NIMS compliance" to be completed during FY 2006 have not yet been released. Everything that is required for FY 2005 compliance activities is outlined on the NIMS page on the FEMA.GOV website, in a summary document that is derived from the Secretary's letter to the governors, and the letter itself. http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm 
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Do NIMS standards currently exist?
Standards are currently being developed specifically for NIMS by the NIC; however, there currently exist several standards for incident command or incident management systems, and these are being reviewed for consideration by the NIC. As NIMS standards are developed they will be posted on the NIC Web page and jurisdictions will be notified through information bulletins. 
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Isn't FEMA already working on a National Mutual Aid and Resource Management System?
Yes. This FEMA initiative supports the NIMS and is part of the Center's Standards and Resources effort. The system's work team, the National Resource Management Working Group, has been working on a national protocol for typing response resources. An initial 60 resources have been typed and can be found on the FEMA.GOV website at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/mutual_aid.shtm.The system will assist all federal, state and local jurisdictions to locate, request and order resources through mutual aid agreements when local capabilities are overwhelmed. 
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We currently use the ICS for our incident response operations. How will our current ICS system relate to the NIMS?
The NIMS utilizes ICS as a standard incident management organization for the management of all major incidents. These functional areas include command, operations, planning, logistics and finance/administration. Additionally, the principle of unified command has been incorporated into NIMS to ensure further coordination for incidents involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies. This unified command component not only coordinates the efforts of many jurisdictions, but also provides for and assures joint decision on objectives, strategies, plans, priorities and public communications. 
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What does "institutionalizing the use of ICS" mean?
To "institutionalize the use of ICS" means that government officials, incident managers and emergency response organizations at all jurisdictional levels adopt the Incident Command System and launch activities [in FY 2005] that will result in the use of the Incident Command System for all incident response operations. Actions to institutionalize the use of ICS take place at two levels - policy and organizational/operational.

At the policy level, institutionalizing the ICS means government officials, i.e., governors, mayors, county and city managers, tribal leaders and others: Adopt through the ICS through executive order, proclamation or legislation as the jurisdiction's official incident response system; and Direct that incident managers and response organizations in their jurisdictions train, exercise, and use the ICS in their response operations. At the organizational/operational level, evidence that incident managers and emergency response organizations are institutionalizing the ICS would include the following: ICS is being integrated into functional and system-wide emergency operations policies, plans and procedures; ICS training is planned or under way for responders, supervisors and command level officers; Responders at all levels are participating in and/or coordinating ICS-oriented exercises that involve responders from multi-disciplines and jurisdictions.

While it is not expected that all these activities would be completed in FY 2005, it is expected that where possible they will be and that, at a minimum, planning for such activities would be initiated and actions taken to put them into practice. 
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Our 911 center, which receives and dispatches all emergency and non-emergency calls has told us that we may not use 10-codes at all. I gather we must use plain language when using NIMS ICS. Is that correct?
The ability to communicate when responding to an emergency or disaster and using standard or common terminology is essential to ensuring efficient, clear communication. Common terminology in communications is necessary to support mutual aid and the infusion of new responders coming to an event so they will be able to communicate with one another. All exercises that responders participate in should feature plain English commands so they can function in a multi-jurisdiction environment. Field manuals and training should be revised to reflect the plain English standard. However, in normal, day-to-day operations, those organizations that prefer to may use 10-codes. The use of plain English is required when responding to an event involving multi-jurisdictions and multi-disciplines. 
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Are school districts required to be NIMS compliant? Has there been any clarification as to the need for public school district personnel to take any NIMS courses?
Since school districts are an integral part of local government, their use of NIMS should be achieved in close coordination with other components of the local government. School districts are not traditional response organizations and more typically are recipients of first responder services provided by fire and rescue, emergency medical and law enforcement agencies. This traditional relationship should be acknowledged in achieving NIMS compliance within an integrated local government plan for NIMS compliance. School district participation in local government's NIMS preparedness program is essential to ensure that first responder services are delivered to schools in a timely and effective manner. It would be useful for staff and teachers to take the IS-700 NIMS introductory course, but not required by the NIMS Integration Center. 
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What is the relationship between NIMS, the NRP and COOP?
Continuity of Operations (COOP) missions, plans and guidance are not directly affected by the National Incident Management System and the National Response System, although some essential functions within COOP plans may be impacted. Although it is not required, agencies may want to update their COOP plans to incorporate NIMS and NRP- related operations terms and position titles. COOP refers to activities of government departments and agencies and their sub-components to ensure that essential functions are carried out in times of emergencies and disasters. While federal agencies are required to do so, state and local entities may want to put plans into place to establish alternate operational sites during emergencies. 
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Could you please discuss the relationship between NIMS and the Emergency Support Functions?
NIMS provides a consistent nationwide approach that allows federal, state, local and tribal governments as well as private-sector and nongovernmental organizations to work together manage incidents and disasters of all kinds. The National Response Plan is an all-discipline, all-hazards plan that provides the structure and mechanisms for coordinating federal support to state and local jurisdictions. Emergency Support Functions are the way that the NRP groups the capabilities and functional expertise of federal departments and agencies and the American Red Cross. This helps them provide the resources and emergency services needed during a major disaster. Each ESF is composed of primary and support agencies. While NIMS and NRP are closely related, ESFs are associated only with the NRP. They are NRP coordinating mechanisms for providing federal assistance to states and local and tribal governments in an emergency or disaster. 
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Are public universities, colleges and community colleges required to comply with the NIMS requirements? What about colleges that don't have a police agency but may provide shelters through their local county emergency management office. In this case would a college need to be NIMS compliant?
Colleges and universities are not first response organizations, however they are important components of the communities in which they are located. The NIMS Integration Center highly recommends NIMS compliance at the community level, including NIMS and ICS training, exercises and evaluation. All educational institutions should be involved in a community's emergency planning process. And those persons with emergency responsibilities at the university should work with the community's emergency response community and be knowledgeable about NIMS and ICS. 
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Can you give us some information about the appropriate evacuation signals for fire service personnel under NIMS?
While the NIMS adopted the FIRESCOPE ICS, there was no specific activity to adopt the Field Operating Guide (FOG), which spells out evacuation signals for fire service personnel. The following are two systems that currently are in use, among others. However, a particular system for use under NIMS has not yet been adopted. When the NIMS Integration Center Advisory Committee is stood up, this will be one of the first agenda items for their consideration.
FIRESCOPE
Evacuate the Area: Short signals repeated for 10 seconds, then a 10-second pause. Repeat sequence three times for a total of 50 seconds of signal time Cease: Ops/All Quiet: One long signal of eight to 10 seconds Resume: Ops: One long and one short signal
FEMA Urban Search and Rescue
Evacuate the Area: Three short blasts of one second each Cease Ops/All Quiet: One long blast of three seconds Resume Ops: One long and one short blast 
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I read with interest your statement that independently developed typing systems are not compliant with NIMS. What about DHS's Pre-positioned Equipment Program, ODP's Authorized Equipment List (AEL), and the Standardized Equipment List (SEL), which use nomenclatures not common with resource typing?
Our recent NIMS Alert and new resource typing guidance were developed in response to several new or proposed resource typing initiatives that were recently brought to our attention. FEMA and now the NIMS Center, have been leading a national resource typing effort for several years. However with the release of the NIMS and the focus on NIMS compliance, many more at the state and local level are revisiting the resource typing definitions. In some cases, when it seems that the existing definitions don't fit their resources, they are initiating new resource typing efforts. This really defeats the purpose of common resource typing definitions. The current 120 resource typing definitions were created to reflect the resources that are most commonly exchanged via mutual aid during a disaster. The resource typing definitions are not meant to be an exhaustive list of every resource that the federal, state, or local government might have. At the federal level, we are working to develop a comprehensive inventory of our resources, consistent with the resource typing definitions. Where additional resource typing definitions may be needed, we will work with the appropriate agencies to develop those definitions. This effort would include resources in the Pre-positioned Equipment Program (PEP). The Authorized Equipment List (AEL) and the Standardized Equipment List (SEL) include numerous resources that will likely not be typed, like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) because they are not commonly shared via mutual aid. However, where there are resources on the AEL or SEL that should be typed because they are often requested during an incident and the resource capabilities and capacities need to be commonly defined, we can expand the resource typing definitions to include such resources. We worked with ODP on the development of the current 120 resource typed definitions and we will continue to work with ODP to refine these definitions, create new definitions and look at what changes may need to be made to other documents (such as the equipment lists) to reflect the NIMS Resource Typing. We will be working with the Resource Typing Working Group on a quarterly basis to review and address the suggestions and issues that are raised through this process. For more information about the NIMS Resource Typing initiative see http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm. 
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The NIMS document mentions a credentialing system tied to training and certification standards. Is there a national credentialing system in place that we need to follow?
The creation of a nationwide credentialing system is a fundamental component of the National Incident Management System (http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm) and the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management initiative. This system will recognize both availability and capability, including qualifications, certifications and accreditations of response personnel. This will further reinforce current state-to-state relationships in existing mutual aid systems. Establishing a national credentialing system will incorporate existing governmental and non-governmental standards of all disciplines into a "national standard." This will allow the nation to adopt a uniform credentialing system that facilitates immediate and routine identification and dispatch of the appropriate and qualified personnel resources to any incident. The credentialing initiative will focus initially on the following disciplines-Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Fighting and Hazardous Materials Response, Law Enforcement, Health Care, Public Health, Public Works, and Search and Rescue. The Center also is working to identify existing credentialing efforts and stakeholders at the federal, state and local levels. If you have additional questions or are interested in participating in the initiative, contact the NIMS Integration Center at NIMS-Integration-Center@DHS.gov.

The development of a nationwide credentialing system is a fundamental component of NIMS. The NIMS Integration Center has launched an effort to develop a National Emergency Responder Credentialing System that will provide incident commanders and supporting multi-agency coordination systems with the means to verify, quickly and accurately, the identity and qualifications of emergency personnel responding to an incident. A national credentialing system can document minimum professional qualifications, certifications, training and education requirements that define baseline criteria expected of emergency response professionals and volunteers. While such a system is meant to verify the identity and qualifications of emergency responders, it does not provide automatic access to an incident site. The NIMS Integration Center's credentialing system can help prevent unauthorized, i.e., self-dispatched or unqualified personnel, access to an incident site. To support this credentialing initiative, the Center will use working groups to identify positions that should be credentialed and the minimum qualification, certification, training and education requirements for each position.

The groups will represent the following disciplines:

  • Incident Management
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Fire Fighting and Hazardous Materials Response
  • Law Enforcement
  • Health Care
  • Public Health
  • Public Works
  • Search & Rescue
Although the NIMS Integration Center recently concluded the process of identifying subject matter experts for its working groups, we still would like to learn of all existing credentialing efforts, regardless of discipline, and welcome your participation into our stakeholder review group. As a stakeholder, you will receive updates concerning the working group process and be able to review and provide feedback on the draft products that are developed. If you are interested in participating as a stakeholder, please contact the NIC via phone at 202.646.3850 or send an e-mail to: nims-integration-center@dhs.gov Training and Exercises The Training and Exercises Branch will develop a national program for NIMS education and awareness, including specific instruction on the purpose and content of the document and NIMS in general. It will facilitate the definition of general training requirements and national-level training standards as well as course curricula associated with the NIMS. It will facilitate the development of national standards, guidelines and protocols for incident management training and exercises, including consideration of existing exercise and training programs at all jurisdictional levels.
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Why must the District of Columbia conduct National Incident Management System (NIMS) training and exercises?
HSPD-5 requires federal departments and agencies to make adoption of NIMS by state and local organizations a condition for federal preparedness assistance by FY 2005. Organizations and personnel at all governmental levels and in the private sector must be trained to improve all-hazard incident management capability. These organizations and personnel must also participate in realistic exercises to improve integration and interoperability.
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How will the NIMS Integration Center (NIC) assist the District of Columbia in meeting NIMS training and exercise needs?
The NIMS Integration Center will: Facilitate the development of and the dissemination of national standards, guidelines and protocols for incident management training; Facilitate the use of modeling and simulation in training and exercise programs; Define general training requirements and approved training courses for all NIMS users, including instructor qualifications and course completion documentation; and Review and approve, with the assistance of key stakeholders, discipline-specific training requirements and courses.
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What role does the NIC have in determining emergency response personnel NIMS qualification and certification?
Under NIMS, preparedness is based on national standards for qualification and certification of emergency response personnel. Managed by the NIC, standards will help ensure that the participating agencies' and organizations' field personnel possess the minimum knowledge, skills and experience necessary to perform activities safely and effectively.
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Will NIMS training be one of the NIMS-related standards?
Yes. The standards will include training, experience, credentialing, currency and physical and medical fitness. Personnel who are certified to support interstate incidents will be required to meet national qualification and certification standards.
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What NIMS training is currently available to the District of Columbia?
The Emergency Management Institute (A DHS/FEMA component) has developed a Web-based course that is entitled The National Incident Management System, an Introduction. The course is available free of charge to US residents via the FEMA training website http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp. The course describes the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS. Also included in the course are on-line "Planning Activity" tools that help the user to measure how compliant his/her organization is with NIMS.
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What percentages of members from a given responder discipline absolutely needs the NIMS/ICS training to prove they are in compliance? 50%, 85%, 90%, 100%?
At this time a baseline needs to be established; do not worry about percentages; instead work on getting the first responders trained and establish a baseline number, this is how many are trained, and then proceed from there. A percentage can then be addressed as to improve upon.
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What information does the National Incident Management System, an Introduction course provide?
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
  • Describe the key concepts and principles underlying NIMS; o Identify the benefits of using ICS as the national incident management model;
  • Describe when it is appropriate to institute an Area Command;
  • Describe when it is appropriate to institute a Multi-agency Coordination System;
  • Describe the benefits of using a Joint Information system (JIS) for public information;
  • Identify the ways in which NIMS affects preparedness;
  • Describe how NIMS affects how resources are managed;
  • Describe the advantages of common communication and information management systems;
  • Explain how NIMS influences technology and technology systems; and
  • Describe the purpose of the NIMS Integration Center.
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Last September when the Secretary of Homeland Security sent a letter to the nation's governors, he outlined a series of steps that must be taken and actions that should be taken in FY 2005 to become compliant with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Specifically the letter said that state, territorial, tribal and local level jurisdictions should support NIMS implementation by completing the NIMS awareness course National Incident management System, An Introduction - IS 700. This independent study course explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS. The Secretary clearly intended to provide discretion to state, territorial, tribal and local governments in deciding who should take the course. As further guidance, the NIMS Integration Center encourages all emergency personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident management or response take the NIMS course by Oct. 1, 2005. It is offered free-of-charge through the Emergency Management Institute at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.
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Who should take the IS-700 NIMS, An Introduction course?
By the end of FY06, federal, state, local, tribal, private sector and non-governmental first responders and disaster workers at the entry level must take FEMA's IS-700 NIMS, An Introduction and ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or equivalent, including Emergency Medical Service personnel, firefighters, hospital staff, law enforcement personnel, public health personnel, public works/utility personnel, skilled support personnel, and other emergency management response, support, volunteer personnel at all levels. Additionally, first line supervisors, single resource leaders, field supervisors and other emergency management/ response personnel that require a higher level of ICS/NIMS training must take all of the above listed courses plus ICS-200, Basic or its equivalent. The NIMS Integration Center suggests that the following take the course in FY'05:
  • Executive Level - Political and government leaders, agency and organization administrators and department heads; personnel that fill ICS roles as Unified Commanders, Incident Commanders, Command Staff, General Staff in either Area Command or single incidents; senior level Multi-Agency Coordination System personnel; senior emergency managers; and Emergency Operations Center Command or General Staff.
  • Managerial Level - Agency and organization management between the executive level and first level supervision; personnel who fill ICS roles as Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Unit Leaders, technical specialists, strike team and task force leaders, single resource leaders and field supervisors; midlevel Multi-Agency Coordination System personnel; EOC Section Chiefs, Branch Directors, Unit Leaders; and other emergency management/response personnel who require a higher level of ICS/NIMS Training.
  • Responder Level - Emergency response providers and disaster workers, entry level to managerial level including Emergency Medical Service personnel; firefighters; medical personnel; police officers; public health personnel; public works/utility personnel; and other emergency management response personnel.
The NIMS introductory course very likely will be a requirement in FY'06 for state, territorial, tribal and local personnel who have emergency assignments at any level of government. Full NIMS compliance is required by Oct. 1, 2006, (FY 2007). For more information see http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtmor send questions via e-mail to NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov.
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Do all first responders in every level of government need to take the EMI IS 800 National Response Plan Course in order to meet FY 06 compliance requirements?
All federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local emergency managers or personnel whose primary responsibility is emergency management must complete IS-800 National Response Plan (NRP) during FY06. See FY 2006 NIMS Training Requirements at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm Who SHOULD take it? Federal Level - Officials in federal government departments and agencies with emergency management responsibilities under the NRP. State/Territorial Level - Officials in state and territorial governments with emergency management responsibilities to include personnel from state and territorial emergency management agencies and from agencies who support and interact with the 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) in the NRP. Tribal/Local Level - Officials in tribal and local jurisdictions with overall emergency management responsibilities as dictated by law or ordinance; those officials with overall emergency management responsibilities through delegation; and those officials primarily involved in emergency planning.
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In the NIMS Implementation Plan Template that is posted on your Web page, the term "employees" is used in reference to staff training. Should unpaid volunteers and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members be included in NIMS and ICS training?
We strongly recommend that volunteers and CERT team members receive NIMS and ICS training. They are part of the emergency response community.
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Is current Incident Command System (ICS) training applicable to NIMS?
The NIMS recognizes the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) ICS training as a model for course curricula and materials applicable to the NIMS:
  • ICS-100, Introduction to ICS
  • ICS-200, Basic ICS
  • ICS-300, Intermediate ICS
  • ICS-400, Advanced ICS
The USFA's National Fire Academy and Emergency Management Institute both follow this model in their ICS training curricula. At the local level, agencies may contact the fire department for information and training on ICS.
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IS-700: Do responders already ICS trained have to take it?
By the end of FY06, federal/state/local/tribal/private sector and non-governmental first responders and disaster workers at the entry level must take FEMA's IS-700 NIMS, An Introduction and ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or equivalent. They include: Emergency Medical Service personnel, firefighters, hospital staff, law enforcement personnel, public health personnel, public works/utility personnel, skilled support personnel, and other emergency management response, support, volunteer personnel at all levels. Additionally, first line supervisors, single resource leaders, field supervisors, and other emergency management/ response personnel that require a higher level of ICS/NIMS training must take all of the above listed courses plus ICS-200, Basic or equivalent. Middle management personnel including strike team leaders, task force leaders, unit leaders, division/group supervisors, branch directors and multi-agency coordination system/emergency operations center staff must take all the courses listed so far and ICS-300, Intermediate or equivalent during FY07. Command and general staff, select department heads with multi-agency coordination system responsibilities, area commanders, emergency managers and multi-agency coordination system/emergency operations center managers must take all of the above listed courses as well as ICS-400: Advanced during FY07. Personnel who have already had ICS training should also take the NIMS awareness course. It will help them understand the NIMS, its principles and underlying components. IS-700 is basically an introduction to the NIMS. It's true that the course also focuses on ICS basics; however the course places ICS within the context of NIMS. It is up to the states to determine who in their jurisdictions should have the training, but we are urging that all emergency response/emergency management personnel take the introductory NIMS training. It is provided free of charge through the Emergency Management Institute Virtual Campus, at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp. It is an independent online study course that takes about three hours to complete.
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In the NIMS Implementation Plan Template that is posted on your Web page, the term "employees" is used in reference to staff training. We have a question concerning unpaid volunteers and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members. Should they be included in the projected training? We strongly recommend that volunteers and CERT team members receive NIMS and ICS training. They are part of the emergency response community.
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Do all elected officials in city or county government need to take NIMS training?
The NIMS Integration Center recommends that state, local and tribal political and government leaders, agency and organization administrators and department heads all take IS-700 NIMS, An Introduction. This independent study course explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS. It also briefly covers ICS, which is of particular benefit for those who are less familiar with it. The Center encourages also all emergency personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident management or response take the NIMS course. It is offered free-of-charge through the Emergency Management Institute at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.
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Do private industrial emergency response teams -- those involved in off-site incident response -- need to take IS-700?
Private industrial emergency response teams most likely will be working with local emergency response agencies when it comes to large emergency incidents. By the end of FY06, federal/state/local/tribal/private sector and non-governmental first responders and disaster workers at the entry level must take FEMA's IS-700 NIMS, An Introduction and ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or its equivalent. Evaluation and Compliance This part of the NIC will develop the assessment criteria for the various components of the NIMS, as well as compliance requirements and compliance timelines for federal, state, local and tribal entities regarding NIMS standards and guidelines. It will establish and maintain a repository and clearinghouse for reports and lessons learned from actual incidents, training and exercises, as well as for best practices, model structures and model processes for NIMS-related functions.
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How long do jurisdictions have to adopt NIMS?
Adoption of NIMS will progress in stages. Each stage will be referenced against standards; training criteria associated with the functions or tasks; the availability of training programs and technical assistance, and the provision of evaluation methods that jurisdictions may use to review and assess their programs against NIMS requirements. Implementing the NIMS is a dynamic process and maintenance will be required on an ongoing basis, not a single action program.
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When is the deadline for NIMS compliance?
The deadline for NIMS compliance was Sept. 30, 2006, the end of FY 2006. However, full NIMS implementation is a dynamic process and changes should be expected to the NIMS as technical and policy issues are further refined at the national level. More information on this will be forthcoming. The NIMS compliance requirements for FY 2006 have been released and posted on the NIMS Homepage at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm.
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Is adoption of NIMS a requirement for receipt of grant funds?
As mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, beginning in FY 2005, adoption of NIMS will be a condition for the receipt of federal preparedness funds, including grants, contracts and other activities.
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What grants are included in the term "preparedness funding"? Are these limited to the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), the Citizen Corps Program (CCP), the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) and the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Program Grants? Or, does the NIMS requirement also pertain to those jurisdictions that would participate in the Public Assistance Grants after a Presidential Disaster Declaration?
All future federal preparedness grants will be contingent upon NIMS compliance by the end of FY 2006. This includes preparedness grants from the Department of Homeland Security as well as other federal departments that award preparedness grants and other types of funding. This does not affect disaster assistance as money awarded to help jurisdictions that have suffered disasters is not classified as preparedness funds. For more information about federal preparedness funding see the NIMS webpage at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm.
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How will compliance be measured against NIMS evaluation criteria?
Compliance protocols, standards and guidelines for determining whether jurisdictions are compliant are currently under development. NIC customers will be notified and these materials are completed and posted on the NIMS Integration Center Web page.
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How will jurisdictions be measured against NIMS during the period 2005 to 2009?
The NIC will be developing additional NIMS compliance guidance as time progresses and jurisdictions will be provided resources to help them through the NIMS compliance process. The NIMS should be seen as a living document that will require continuous maintenance by the jurisdictions implementing it.

National Incident Management System Compliance Assurance Support Tool (NIMCAST)

We mentioned complete the NIMCAST to establish a baseline; this is our way to comply with the requirement "in order to receive FY 2006 preparedness funding, applicants will need to certify as part of their FY 2006 grant applications that they have met the FY 2005 NIMS requirements."
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What is the NIMCAST?
NIMCAST stands for National Incident Management System Capability Assessment Support Tool. The NIMCAST is a web-based self-assessment tool designed to aid state, local and tribal organizations and jurisdictions in determining their capabilities and compliance against the requirements established in the recently released National Incident Management System (NIMS). The NIMCAST is designed for incident and resource managers as a comprehensive self-assessment support tool. It helps users assess the current level of their jurisdiction or organization's incident preparedness against the requirements outlined in the NIMS. Using the NIMCAST to identify weaknesses in incident preparedness will help incident and resource managers become compliant with NIMS by FY 2006, as required by the NIMS. As a self-assessment support tool, the NIMCAST not only aids users to become compliant with the NIMS, but also supports incident and resource managers seeking to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of their incident preparedness as a central point for identifying and acquiring resources. For more information, go to: https://www.fema.gov/nimcast/index.jsp.
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What does the NIMCAST do?
The NIMCAST is designed for incident and resource managers as a comprehensive self-assessment support tool. The NIMCAST allows users to assess the current status/level of their respective jurisdictions or organization's incident preparedness against the requirements outlined in the NIMS. Using the NIMCAST as a method of identifying weaknesses in incident preparedness will assist incident and resource managers to become compliant with NIMS by FY 2006, as required by the NIMS. As a self-assessment support tool, the NIMCAST not only aids users to become compliant with the NIMS, but also supports incident and resource managers seeking to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of their incident preparedness as a central point for identifying and acquiring resources.
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How is the NIMCAST assembled?
The NIMCAST is based on the requirements found in the NIMS document. All questions are in a "Yes/No" format. Each chapter of NIMS is broken down by sections that include compliance requirements. The language found in NIMS that outlines the requirement(s) accompanies each question in the NIMCAST. Some questions include information providing help or clarification for answering the particular question. Credentialing
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What is credentialing?
As stated in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) document, credentialing involves "providing documentation that can authenticate and verify the certification and identity of designated incident managers and emergency responders. This system helps ensure that personnel representing various jurisdictional levels and functional disciplines possess a minimum common level of training, currency, experience, physical and medical fitness, and capability for the incident management or emergency responder position they are tasked to fill."
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What is the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System?
The National Emergency Responder Credentialing System is currently under development by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's NIMS Integration Center. As a means to routinely identify and dispatch emergency responders, the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System will help mobilize the swift, safe and successful support of qualified responders who are called upon to assist communities across the nation. Ultimately, credentials verifying an emergency responder's identity and qualifications may be documented through a nationally accepted form of identification and/or through a record-keeping system, as required by NIMS.
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Why is a national credentialing system necessary?
A national credentialing system will improve the methods, capabilities and coordination of emergency responders to deal with domestic incidents. Mandated by NIMS and in accord with Homeland Security Presidential Directive - 5, Management of Domestic Incidents, this initiative will allow quick and accurate verification of emergency responders' identities and qualifications. Incidents such the Oklahoma City Bombing, the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the recent responses to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita highlight the need for a national system to verify the qualifications and identity of emergency responders. A national credentialing system will not provide automatic access to an incident site. In fact, it can serve to prevent unauthorized (i.e., self-dispatched or unqualified personnel) access to an incident and help maintain perimeter control of and access to that incident, while ensuring that those requested to respond to an incident meet the required criteria for participating in such an effort.
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Will a national credentialing system be established under the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Initiative?
Yes. A national credentialing system is a component of the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management System. In recognition that these efforts must be nationally applicable and widely accepted, the NIMS Integration Center is working closely with existing state, local, territorial and federal partners, as well as discipline-specific stakeholders, to reach a national consensus on what constitutes acceptable criteria for participation in a multi-jurisdictional response.
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Does certification differ from credentialing?
Yes. Personnel certification entails authoritatively attesting that individuals meet professional standards for the training, experience, and performance required for key incident management functions. Credentials may be issued as a result of certification through testing or evaluation.
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What are the requirements for a national credentialing system?
A national credentialing system must:
  • Function within existing federal, state, tribal and local identification and qualification protocols, where feasible;
  • Not place undue burden on federal, state, tribal or local governments;
  • Support (primarily) interstate augmentation of state and local resources;
  • Conform to ICS protocols; and
  • Use current credentialing emergency responder systems, where possible.
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Will new training, qualifications, and certifications standards be developed for the nationwide credentialing system?
Yes. Existing training, qualifications, and certifications standards will be reviewed in light of a capabilities-based analysis of emergency responders' ability to achieve mission critical tasks. Using the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Planning Scenarios as a starting point, seven discipline-specific working groups will identify critical activities needed to save lives and protect property in major incidents. The working groups will identify the specific types of emergency responders who would perform these tasks; assign titles to these roles; and detail their required professional qualifications, certifications, training, and education. Gaps in existing training, education and experiences will be identified for further review by the NIMS Center. Additionally, NIMS awareness training for all levels will be incorporated in course curricula for credentialing personnel for selected incident management roles. Core curricula will include general awareness courses for all emergency management professionals such as NIMS training, ICS, and emergency management courses.
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Will DHS/FEMA issue credentials?
No. Current governmental and non-governmental credentialing bodies at the federal, state, territorial and local levels will continue to issue credentials. Many of these credentialing systems are rooted in state licensure statutes and other well-established requirements and processes. Where no processes or requirements presently exist, those elements listed in Q6 will be important for participation in a national system.
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Who can participate in the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System?
Responders from federal, state, territorial, tribal and local agencies, as well as qualified individuals from the private sector, are encouraged to participate in the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System. The purpose is to develop an integrated and comprehensive system that will assist emergency managers in acquiring those qualified resources necessary to deal with an incident when local resources are overwhelmed.
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Why should a state, territory, tribal or local jurisdiction or private vendor participate in the National Credentialing Initiative?
As a critical component of NIMS, a national credentialing system will provide the nation with an increased capability to rapidly and easily deploy emergency responder during times of need. It will also ensure the capability, qualification and certification of any emergency responder called upon to assist dealing with an incident.
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Is participation in the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System mandatory?
No. Participation in the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System is voluntary. However, emergency responders who volunteer must meet the requirements to support an incident. Who is involved in the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System? Federal, state and local officials, as well as subject matter experts from private non-governmental organizations and other emergency response management organizations and associations, are participating in this initiative.
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Is the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) part of National Emergency Responder Credentialing System?
Yes. NEMA is actively involved in this credentialing initiative and is participating in the working group discussions. The credentialing initiative builds on a mutual-aid framework pioneered by NEMA through the establishment of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
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What will happen to existing state or discipline-specific credentialing programs?
One requirement of this initiative is to work with the various disciplines in national, state, territory and/or local jurisdictions to bring current credentialing efforts into a national system while avoiding the duplication of efforts already in place.
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Should state and local programs under development slow down or halt their progress until new standards and procedures are identified by the National Emergency Responder Credentialing System?
No. Though the NIMS Integration Center would like to know about ongoing or existing credentialing efforts, it encourages all credentialing efforts to proceed as normal. It is the intention of the Center to facilitate interstate mutual aid requests when local emergency responders are overwhelmed and request assistance from other jurisdictions.
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