National Incident Management System Refresh:
National Engagement Period
FEMA’s National Integration
Center is currently soliciting public feedback for the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) refresh. This National Engagement Period will conclude at 5:00 pm EDT on May 9, 2016. National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft of the refreshed NIMS, so that it reflects the collective expertise and experience of the whole community.
NIMS provides a consistent and common approach and vocabulary to enable the whole community to work together seamlessly and manage all threats and hazards. NIMS applies to all incidents, regardless of cause, size, location or complexity.
The draft NIMS:
- Reiterates
the concepts and principles of the original 2004 version and the updated
2008 version;
- Reflects
and incorporates lessons learned from exercises and real world incidents
and policy updates, such as the National
Preparedness System and the 2013 NIMS
Intelligence/Investigation Function Guidance and Field Operations Guide;
- Reflects
progress in resource typing and mutual aid and builds a foundation for the
development of a national qualification system;
- Clarifies
that NIMS is more than just the Incident Command System (ICS) and that it
applies to all stakeholders with roles in incident management across all
five mission areas (Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and
Recovery);
- Provides
guidance on a common structure and activation levels for operations and
coordination centers, including Emergency Operations Centers (EOC),
through new Center Management System (CMS) guidance;
- Note
that while we will continue to track NIMS implementation, the adoption of
CMS is not mandatory as part of preparedness grants;
- Explains
the relationship among ICS, CMS, and Multiagency Coordination Groups (MAC
Groups); and
- Enhances
guidance on information management processes to improve data collection
plans, social media integration and the use of geographic information
systems (GIS).
To review the draft of the refreshed NIMS and for additional webinar information, visit: https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system/national-engagement.
To provide comments on the draft, complete the feedback form and submit it to FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov.
