There are several source materials that can help answer this question, including the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website. However, in short, the answer is that there is no definitive answer, as it depends on the situation.
The NIMS is a comprehensive, all-hazards approach to incident management that is used by federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector partners. The system is used to coordinate response and recovery efforts in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other major event.
There are four key components to the NIMS:
1. Command and Coordination: This component includes the organizational structure and processes necessary to ensure effective and efficient incident management.
2. Communications and Information Management: This component includes the systems and processes necessary to exchange information between responders and other stakeholders.
3. Resource Management: This component includes the systems and processes necessary to identify, acquire, and deploy the resources needed to support incident response and recovery operations.
4. Training and Education: This component includes the programs and activities necessary to ensure that personnel have the knowledge and skills needed to effectively perform their roles and responsibilities during incident response and recovery operations.
While the NIMS provides a framework for incident management, it is important to note that the specific details of how the system is implemented will vary based on the nature and scope of the incident. For example, during a large-scale natural disaster, the command and coordination structure may be significantly different than during a more localized event.
In general, the NIMS is organized around the Incident Command System (ICS), which is a standardized system for managing emergencies. The ICS has a well-defined organizational structure that can be adjusted to fit the needs of any incident. The ICS also includes a clear hierarchy of authority, which helps ensure that decision-making is efficient and that critical resources are used in the most effective way possible.
The ICS is typically activated when an incident exceeds the resources of a single jurisdiction or when multiple jurisdictions are involved. In these cases, an incident commander is appointed to oversee the overall response effort. The incident commander has the authority to make decisions about the incident and to direct the activities of all responding personnel.
Below the incident commander, there are typically four other key positions in the ICS:
1. Operations Section Chief
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the NIMS command and coordination structures?
NIMS command and coordination structures are offsite locations where staff from multiple agencies come together to manage emergency response efforts.
What are the four Nims structures?
The four Nims structures are the incident command system, emergency operations centers, multi-agency coordination groups, and joint information systems. Together, these four elements comprise the NIMS Command and Coordination structures.
What is the National Incident Management System (Nims)?
Nims is an incident management system that helps government, business and first responders organize, manage and report incidents. Nims defines an interoperable approach to sharing resources, coordinating and managing incidents and communicating information.
What is the difference between Nims and C&C?
NIMS is a national standard for incident management, while C&C provides systems, principles and structures for a standard, national framework for incident management.
What is incident C&C in NIMS?
The incident C&C component of NIMS provides you with systems, principles and structures for a standard, national framework for incident management. Incident C&C consists of four area of responsibility: the information needs assessment (INA), the identification of incidents, the response plan development and implementation, and the post-incident review.
