HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2005-012 National Incident Management System (NIMS)RESOLUTION NO. R-2005- 12
A RESOLUTION adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the
standard for incident management by the City of Yakima, as required
by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5.
WHEREAS, in February 2003 President George W. Bush signed Homeland
Security Presidential Directive 5 mandating the development of the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) and requiring State and local entities to adopt the NIMS in
order to receive federal preparedness grants, contracts, and other assistance; and
WHEREAS, the NIMS establishes a single, comprehensive approach to domestic
incident management to ensure that all levels of government across the Nation have
the capability to work efficiently and effectively together using a national approach to
domestic incident management, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City of Yakima hereby adopts the attached and incorporated "National
Incident Management System" as its standard for incident management as required by
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 18th day of January 2005.
ATTEST:
Paul P. George, Mayor
City Clerk
MEMORANDUM FOR:
March 1, 2004
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Homeland
Security
Cabinet Secretaries
Agency Directors
Members of Congress
Governors
Tribal Leaders
Mayors
County, Township, and Parish Officials
State Homeland Security Advisors
Homeland Security Advisory Council
State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal First Responders
FROM: Tom Ridge
SUBJECT: National Incident Management System
In Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, Management ("Domestic Incidents, the President
directed me to develop, submit for review to the Homeland Security Council, and administer a National Incident
Management System (NIMS). This system will provide a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State,
local, and tribal governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and
recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity.
The NIMS has undergone extensive vetting and coordination within the Federal family. The development
process has also included extensive outreach to State, local, and tribal officials; to the emergency response
community; and to the private sector. As a result, the NIMS incorporates the best -practices currently in use by
incident managers at alt levels. In addition, effective incident management in the homeland security
environment we now face involves new concepts, processes, and protocols that will require additional
development and refinement over time. The collective input and guidance from all of our homeland security
partners has been, and will continue to be, vital to the further development of an effective and comprehensive
NIMS.
HSPD-5 requires all Federal departments and agencies to adopt the NIMS and to use it in their individual
domestic incident management and emergency prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation
programs and activities, as well as in support of those actions taken to assist State, local, or tribal entities. The
directive also requires Federal departments and agencies to make adoption of the NIMS by State, tribal and
local organizations a condition for Federal preparedness assistance beginning in FY 2005. Compliance with
certain aspects of the NIMS will be possible in the short-term, such as adopting the basic tenets of the Incident
Command System identified in this document. Other aspects of the NIMS, however, will require further
development and refinement to enable compliance at future dates.
I ask for your continued cooperation and assistance as we further develop and implement the NIMS and the
associated National Response Plan (NRP). I look forward to working with you as we continue our collective
efforts to better secure the homeland and protect our citizens from both natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
www.dhs.gov
PREFACE
On February 28, 2003, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive
(HSPD)-5, Management of Domestic Incidents, which directs the Secretary of Homeland
Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS).
This system provides a consistent nationwide template to enable Federal, State, local, and
tribal governments and private -sector and nongovernmental organizations to work
together effectively and efficiently to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from
domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity, including acts of catastrophic
terrorism. This document establishes the basic elements of the NIMS and provides
mechanisms for the further development and refinement of supporting national standards,
guidelines, protocols, systems, and technologies.
Building on the foundation provided by existing incident management and emergency
response systems used by jurisdictions and functional disciplines at all levels, this
document integrates best practices that have proven effective over the years into a
comprehensive framework for use by incident management organizations in an all -
hazards context (terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies) nationwide. It
also sets in motion the mechanisms necessary to leverage new technologies and adopt
new approaches that will enable continuous refinement of the NIMS over time. This
document was developed through a collaborative, intergovernmental partnership with
significant input from the incident management functional disciplines, the private sector,
and nongovernmental organizations.
The NIMS represents a core set of doctrine, concepts, principles, terminology, and
organizational processes to enable effective, efficient, and collaborative incident
management at all levels. It is not an operational incident management or resource
allocation plan. To this end, HSPD-5 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to
develop a National Response Plan (NRP) that integrates Federal government domestic
prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery plans into a single, all -disciplines, all -
hazards plan. The NRP, using the comprehensive framework provided by the NIMS, will
provide the structure and mechanisms for national -level policy and operational direction
for Federal support to State, local, and tribal incident managers and for exercising direct
Federal authorities andresponsibilities as appropriate under the law.
HSPD-5 requires all Federal departments and agencies to adopt the NIMS and to use it in
their individual domestic incident management and emergency prevention, preparedness,
response, recovery, and mitigation programs and activities, as well as in support of all
actions taken to assist State, local, or tribal entities. The directive also requires Federal
departments and agencies to make adoption of the NIMS by State and local organisations
a condition for Federal preparedness assistance (through grants, contracts, and other
activities) beginning in FY 2005. Jurisdictional compliance with certain aspects of the
NIMS will be possible in the short term, such as adopting the basic tenets of the Incident
ix
i
0
x National Incident Management System
Command System (ICS) identified in this document. Other aspects of the NIMS,
however, will require additional development and refinement to enable compliance at a
future date (e g riata anti rnmmnnicatinns systems interoperability). The Secretary of
Homeland Security, through the NIMS Integration Center discussed in Chapter VII, will
publish separately the standards, guidelines, and compliance protocols for determining
whether a Federal, State, local, or tribal entity has adopted the aspects of the NIMS that
are in place by October I, 2004. The Secretary, through the NIMS Integration Center,
will also publish, on an ongoing basis, additional standards, guidelines, and compliance
protocols for the aspects of the NIMS not yet fully developed.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
A. INTRODUCTION.
Since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,
much has been done to improve prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and
mitigation capabilities and coordination processes across the country. A comprehensive
national approach to incident management, applicable at all jurisdictional levels and
across functional disciplines, would further improve the effectiveness of' emergency
response providers1 and incident management organizations across a full spectrum of
potential incidents and hazard scenarios. Such an approach would also improve
coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety of domestic
incident management activities. For purposes of this document, incidents can include acts
of terrorism, wildland and urban fires, floods, hazardous materials spills, nuclear
accidents, aircraft accidents, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, war -related
disasters, etc.
On February 28, 2003, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive
(HSPD)-5, which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a
National Incident Management System (NIMS). According to HSPD-5:
This system will provide a consistent nationwide approach for Federal,
State,2 and local3 governments to work effectively and efficiently together to
prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of
cause, size, or complexity. To provide for interoperability and compatibility
1 As defined in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 2(6), "The term `emergency response
providers' includes Federal, State, and local emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency
response, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and
authorities." 6 U.S.C. 101(6)
2 As defined in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the term "State" means any State of the United States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, and any possession of the United States. 6 U.S.C. 101(14).
3 As defined in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 2(10), the term," local government" means
"(A) county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district,
intrastate district, council of governments (regardless of whether the council of governments is
incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law), regional or interstate government entity, or
agency or instrumentality of a local government; an Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or in
Alaska a Native village or Alaska Regional Native Corporation; and a rural community, unincorporated
town or village, or other public entity." 6 U.S.C. 101(10).
1
1
m
1
1
1
1
1
1
2 National Incident Management System
among Federal, State, and local capabilities, the NIMS will include a core set
of concepts, principles, terminology, and technologies covering the incident
command system; mYlntlSt*ageUcy coorVr.i3-t14tinnSS syutVmL1Y-,Wcommona,
training; identification and management of resources (including systems for
classifying types of resources); qualifications and certification; and the
collection, tracking, and reporting of incident information and incident
resp rceg.
While most incidents are generally handled on a daily basis by a single jurisdiction at the
local level, there are important instances in which successful domestic incident
management operationsdepend on the involvement of multiple jurisdictions, functional
agencies, and emergency responder disciplines. These instances require effective and
efficient coordination across this broad spectrum of organizations and activities. The
NIMS uses a systems approach to integrate the best of existing processes and methods
into a unified national framework for incident management. This framework forms the
basis for interoperability and compatibility that will, in turn, enable a diverse set of public
and private organizations to conduct well -integrated and effective incident management
operations. It does this through a core set of concepts, principles, procedures,
organizational processes, terminology, and standards requirements applicable to a broad
community of NIMS users.
B. CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES.
To provide this framework for interoperability and compatibility, the NIMS is based on
an appropriate balance of flexibility and standardization_
'. Flexibility.
The NIMS provides a consistent, flexible, and adjustable national framework within
which government and private entities at all levels can work together to manage
domestic incidents, regardless of their cause, size, location, or complexity. This
flexibility applies across all phases of incident management: prevention,
preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
2. Standardization.
The NIMS provides a set of standardized organizational structures—such as the
Incident Command System (ICS), multiagency coordination systems, and public
information systems—as well as requirements for processes, procedures, and
systems designed to improve interoperability among jurisdictions and disciplines in
various areas, including: training; resource management; personnel qualification and
certification; equipment certification; communications and information
management; technology support; and continuous system improvement.
Introduction and Overview 3
C. OVERVIEW.
The NIMS integrates existing best practices into a consistent, nationwide approach to
domestic incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across
functional disciplines in an all -hazards context. Six major components make up this
systems approach. Each is addressed in a separate chapter of this document. Of these
components, the concepts and practices for Command and Management (Chapter II) and
Preparedness (Chapter III) are the most fully developed, reflecting their regular use by
many jurisdictional levels and agencies responsible for incident management across the
country. Chapters IV -VII, which cover Resource Management, Communications and
Information Management, Supporting Technologies, and Ongoing Management and
Maintenance, introduce many concepts and requirements that are also integral to the
NIMS but that will require further collaborative development and refinement over time.
1. NIMS Components.
The following discussion provides a synopsis of each major component of the
NIMS, as well as how these components work together as a system to provide the
national framework for preparing for, preventing, responding to, and recovering
from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. A more detailed
discussion of each component is included in subsequent chapters of this document.
a. Command and Management.
NIMS standard incident command structures are based on three key
organizational systems:
(1) The ICS.
The ICS defines the operating characteristics, interactive management
components, and structure of incident management and emergency
response organizations engaged throughout the life cycle of an incident;
(2) Multiagency Coordination Systems.
These define the operating characteristics, interactive management
components, and organizational structure of supporting incident
management entities engaged at the Federal, State, local, tribal, and
regional levels through mutual -aid agreements and other assistance
arrangements; and
Public Information Systems.
These refer to processes, procedures, and systems for communicating
timely and accurate information to the public during crisis or emergency
situations.
(3)
1
1
1
5
■
1
Q
1
1
i
i
i
■
1
1
1
i
i
l
t
4 National Incident Management System
b. Preparedness.
Effective incident management begins with a host of preparedness activities
conducted on a "steady-state" basis, well in advance of any potential incident.
Preparedness involves an integrated combination of planning, training,
exercises, personnel qualification and certification standards, equipment
acquisition and certification standards, and publication management prucesses
and activities.
(1) Planning
Plans describe how personnel, equipment, and other resources are used to
support incident management and emergency response activities Plans
provide mechanisms and systems for setting priorities, integrating multiple
entities and functions, and ensuring that communications and other systems
are available and integrated in support of a full spectrum of incident
management requirements.
(2) ;raining
Training includes standard courses on multiagency incident command and
management, organizational structure, and operational procedures;
discipline -specific and agency -specific incident management courses; and
courses on the integration and use of supporting technologies.
(3) Exercises
Incident management organi7atinnc and personnel must participate in
realistic exercises—including multidisciplinary, multijurisdictional, and
multisector interaction—to improve integration and interoperability and
optimize resource utilization during incident operations.
(4) Personnel Qualification and Certification
Qualification and certification activities are undertaken to identify and
publish national -level standards and measure performance against these
standards to ensure that incident management and emergency responder
personnel are appropriately qualified and officially certified to perform
NIMS-related functions.
(5)
Equipment Acquisition and Certification
Incident management organizations and emergency responders at all levels
rely on various types of' equipment to perform mission essential tasks. A
critical component of operational preparedness is the acquisition of
equipment that will perform to certain standards, including the capability to
be interoperable with similar equipment used by other jurisdictions.
Introduction and Overview 5
(6) Mutual Aid
Mutual -aid agreements are the means for one jurisdiction to provide
resources, facilities, services, and other required support to another
jurisdiction during an incident. Each jurisdiction shouldbeparty to a
mutual -aid agreement with appropriate jurisdictions from which they
expect to receive or to which they expect to provide assistance during an
incident.
(7) Publications Management
Publications management refers to forms and forms standardization,
developing publication materials, administering publications—including
establishing naming and numbering conventions, managing the publication
and promulgation of documents, and exercising control over sensitive
documents—and revising publications when necessary.
c. Resource Management.
The NIMS defines standardized mechanisms and establishes requirements for
processes to describe, inventory, mobilize, dispatch, track, and recover
resources over the life cycle of an incident.
d. Communications and information Management.
The NIMS identifies the requirement for a standardized framework for
communications, information management (collection, analysis, and
dissemination), and information -sharing at all levels of incident management.
These elements are briefly described as follows:
(1)
Incident Management Communications.
Incident management organizations must ensure that effective,
interoperable communications processes, procedures, and systems exist to
support a wide variety of incident management activities across agencies
and jurisdictions.
(2) Information Management.
Information management processes, procedures, and systems help ensure
that information, including communications and data, flows efficiently
through a commonly accepted architecture supporting numerous agencies
and jurisdictions responsible for managing or directing domestic incidents,
those impacted by the incident, and those contributing resources to the
incident management effort. Effective information management enhances
incident management and response and helps insure that crisis decision-
making is better informed.
r
r
6 National Incident Management System
e. Supporting Technologies.
Technology and technological systems provide supporting capabilities essential
to implementing and continuously refining the NIMS. These include voice and
data communications systems, informstion management systems (i_e„ record
keeping and resource tracking), and data display systems. Also included are
specialized technologies that facilitate ongoing operations and incident
management activities in situations that call for unique technology-based
capabilities.
f. Ongoing Management and Maintenance.
hiFi component is:t.ab'rs:Laes an. aciiviry to provide r°.. ateg, c direction ectiion for and
oversight of the NIMS, supporting both routine review and the continuous
refinement of the system and its components over the long term.
2. Appendices.
Tluc appendices to +L1.4.'30 4VVLL.L.1IeL+ pro -vide ad\AL'lt4oaL system details regarding +4
M
ICS and resource typing.
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
ITEM NO.
FOR MEETING OF: 1-18-05
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of a resolution adopting the National Incident Management
System (NIMS).
SUBMITTED BY: Dennis Mayo, Fire Chief
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Brian Schaeffer, Deputy Fire Chief
575-6079
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In February 2003,. President George W. Bush signed Homeland Security Presidential Directive
5 (HSPD-5), an order mandating the development of the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) and requiring State and local entities to adopt the NIMS in order to receive
federal preparedness grants, contracts, and other assistance.
The NIMS is intended to provide a consistent, flexible and adjustable national framework within
which government and private entities at all levels can work together to manage domestic
incidents, regardless of their cause, size, location or complexity. This flexibility applies across
all phases of incident management: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and
mitigation.
The overwhelming majority of emergency incidents are handled on a daily basis by a single
jurisdiction at the local level. However, the challenges we face as a nation are far greater than
the capabilities of any one community or state, and there will be instances in which successful
domestic incident management operations will depend on the involvement of emergency
responders from multiple jurisdictions as well as personnel and equipment from other states
and the federal government. These instances will require effective and efficient coordination
across a broad spectrum of organizations and activities, and the success of such operations
will depend on the ability to mobilize and effectively utilize multiple outside resources. These
resources should come together in an organizational framework that is understood by
everyone. This will be possible if we unite, plan, exercise, and respond using a common
National Incident Management System.
There are no anticipated additional costs forecasted for this resolution.
Resolution X Ordinance Contract _ Other (Specify)
Funding Source: Within current budget
Approved For Submittal:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt proposed resolution.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2005-12