NIMs
Task Forces
Any combination of resources convened to accomplish a specific mission and can be planned. Include a designated leader and operate with common communications
Strategic Communicationns
High-level directions, including resource priority decision, roles and responsibilities determinations, and overall incident response courses of action.
Operational scientific support
Identifies and, on request mobilizes scientific and technical resources that can be used to support incident management activities.
Command and Managment
Incident Command System (ICS), Multiagency Coordination System (MACS) and Public Information are the fundamental elements of incident management.
Broad-Based Requirements
Needs for new technologies, procedures, protocols and standards to facilitate incident management are defined before, during and after an incident.
Communications And Information Management
Effective emergency management and incident response activities rely on flexible communications and information systems that provide a common operating picture to emergency management/response personnel and their affiliated organizations.
Continuity Capability
Ensuring that the right leadership, support staff, communications, facilities, infrastructures, and other resources with the right continuity planning and program management are available to support a jurisdiction is critical to the success of emergency management and incident response operations. Goal is to have the resiliency to confront any challenge, threat, or vulnerability.
Coordination
Facilitation and integration of resources for optimal benefit.
Understand the Situation
First phase includes gathering, recording, analyzing, and displaying situation, resource, and incident-potential information.
Resiliency
The ability of communications systems to withstand and continue to perform after damage or loss of infrastructure. Could include hardened dispatch centers and transmission systems or infrastructure that can withstand known risks.
Redundancy
The ability to communicate through diverse, alternative methods when standard capabilities suffer damage.
Credentialing
Use of criteria that ensure consistent training, licensure, and certification standards.
Branches
the recommended span of control for the Operations Section Chief is 1:5- as for all managers and supervisory personnel- or as high as 1:10 for larger scale law enforcement operations
NIMS Five major components system approach
1. Preparedness 2. Communications and Information Management 3. Resource Management 4. Command and Management 5. Ongoing Management and Maintenance.
Preparedness elements
1. Preparedness Planning 2. Procedures and Protocols 3. Training and Exercises 4. Personnel Qualifications and Certification 5. Equipment Certification
Standarization
Resource classification to improve the effectiveness of mutual aid agreements or assistance agreements.
NIMS Concepts and Principles
- FLEXIBILITY- Components of NIMS are adaptable to any situation. Flexibility in the NIMS framework facilitates scalability of emergency management and incident response activities. - STANDARDIZATION- Flexibility to manage incidents of any size requires coordination and standardization among responding personnel. NIMS also provides and promotes common terminology, which fosters more effective communication among agencies and organizations responding together to an incident.
Procedural documents
1. standard Operating Procedure or Operations Manual 2. Field Operations Guide or Incident Management Handbook 3. Mobilization Guide 4. Job Aid
Equipment Certificationn
A critical component of preparedness is the acquisition of equipment that will perform to certain standards (as designated by organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association or National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Personnel Qualifications and Certification
A critical element of NIMS preparedness is the use of national standards. Standards will help ensure that these personnel possess the minimum knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to execute incident management and emergency response activities safely and effectively.
Preparedness Planning
Essential that plans address training and exercising and allow for the incorporation of after-action reviews, lessons learned, and corrective actions, with responsibility agreements following any major incident or exercise. Should describe how personnel, equipment, and other governmental and nongovernmental resources will be used to support emergency management and incident response requirements.
National Integration Center (NIC)
Established to satisfy HSPD-5. Provides strategic direction for and oversight of NIMS. 1. NIMS Revision Process- NIMS document will be reviewed on a 2-year cycle and revised to incorporate new presidential directives, legislative changes, and procedural changes based on lessons learned from exercises. 2. NIC Responsibilities include- -Administration Compliance - Standards and Credentialing- - Training and Exercise Support - Publication Management
Preparedness
Focuses on the following elements: planning; procedures and protocols; training and exercises; personnel qualifications, licensure, and certifications; and equipment certifications. The inventorying and categorizing of resources available for an incident or planned events is a critical element of preparedness.
ICS Operations Section
Operations section is responsible for managing operations directed toward reducing the immediate hazard at the incident site, saving lives and property, establishing situation control, and restoring normal conditions. The types of agencies that could be included in the operations section include fire, law enforcement, public health, public works, and emergency services. 1. Operations Section Chief- Operations Section Chief directly manages all incident tactical activities and implements the IAP. 2. Branches- May be established to meet several challenges: A) the recommended span of control for the Operations Section Chief is 1:5- as for all managers and supervisory personnel- or as high as 1:10 for larger scale law enforcement operations. When this is exceeded, the Operations Section Chief should set up two branches. 3. Divisions and Groups- are established when the number of resources exceeds the Operations Section Chief's manageable span of control. Divisions separate physical or geographical areas of operation within the incident area. Groups separate functional areas of operation for the incident. A) Geographical Divisions- one way to create geographical Divisions is to separate an area according to natural terrain boundaries or other prominent geographical features, such as rivers. B) Functional Groups- Can be used to describe areas of like activity like rescue, evacuation, or medical. C) Combined Geographical Divisions and Functional Groups- It is also possible to have both Divisions and Groups within the Operations Section. 4. Resource Organization- will report directly to the IC/UC. A) Single Resources- May be employed on a single basis, such as individual personnel, equipment, and any associated operation. B) Task Forces- Any combination of resources convened to accomplish a specific mission and can be planned. Include a designated leader and operate with common communications. C) Strike Teams- Consists of a set number of resources of the same kind and type operating under a designated leader with common communications between them.
NIMS
This System provides a consistent Nationwide template to enable Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, NGOs to work together to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardelss of cause, size, location, or complexity. - Fosters the development of specialized technologies that facilitate emergency management and incident response activities, and allows for the adoption of new approaches that will enable continuous refinement of the system over time. Provides the template for the management of incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity.
Training and Exercise
To improve NIMS performance, emergency management/response personnel should also participate in realistic exercises. Exercises should contain a mechanism for incorporating corrective actions and lessons learned from incidents into the planning process.
Ongoing Management and Maintenance
Two components: 1. National Integration Center (NIC)- Provides strategic direction, oversight, and coordination of NIMS and supports both routine maintenance and the continuous refinement of NIMS and its components. 2. Supporting Technologies- Oversees and coordinates the ongoing development of incident management-related technology, including strategic research and development.
Groups
separate functional areas of operation for the incident.
Divisions
separate physical or geographical areas of operation within the incident area
HSPD-5
"Management of Domestic Incidents" directed the Secretary of Homeland security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). - Requires all Federal departments and agencies to adopt NIMS and to use it in their individual incident management programs and activities. - Established a single, comprehensive approach to incident management, with the objective of ensuring that all levels of government across the Nation have the capability to work together efficiently and effectively.
Resource Management Principles
1. Planning 2. Use of Agreements 3. categorizing resources 4. Resource Identification and Ordering 5. Resource identification and Ordering. 6. Effective Management or Resources
Command and Management
Designed to enable effective and efficient incident management and coordination by providing a flexible, standardized incident management structure. Based on three key Organizational constructs: 1. Incident Command System 2. Multiagency Command System 3. Public Information.
Develop the Plan
Determining the tactical direction and the specific resources, reserves, and support requirements for implementing the selected strategies and tactics for the operational period.
Tactical Communications
Communications between command and support segments and, as appropriate, cooperating agencies and organizations.
Unified Approach
Components of NIMS should be integrated within a jurisdictions' or organization's emergency management and incident response structures. Specifically, preparedness should be integrated into communications and information management, resource management, and command and management to form an effective system.
Support Communications
Coordination in support of strategic and tactical communications.
HSPD-8
Directed DHS to lead a national initiative to develop a National Preparedness System-a common, unified approach to "strengthen the preparedness of the United States to prevent and respond to threatened or actual domestic terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies" The esquire nets of HSPD-8 led to the National Preparedness Guidelines. Requires DHS to develop mechanisms for the improved delivery of Federal preparedness assistance to state.
HSPD-7
Directed the department of Homeland Security to establish a national policy for Federal departments and agencies to identify and prioritize critical infrastructure and key resources.
Mutual Aid Agreements
Agreements between agencies, organizations, and jurisdictions that provide a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services. Primary objective is to facilitate rapid, short-term deployment of emergency support prior to, during, and after an incident. Memorandums of understanding and memorandums of agreement are needed with the private sector and NGOs, including community-based, faith based, and national organizations.
Common Operating Picture
An overview of an incident created by collating and gathering information, and disseminating incident information to all appropriate parties.
Procedures and Protocols
Are documented and implemented with checklists; resource listings; maps, charts, and other pertinent data; mechanisms for notifying staff; processes for obtaining and using equipment.
Job Aid
Checklist or other visual aid intended to ensure that steps for completing a task or assignment are accomplished. Job aids serve as training aids to teach individuals how to complete specific job tasks.
Reliability, Scalability, and Portability
Communications and information systems should be designed to be flexible, reliable, and scalable in order to function in any type of incident, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity.
Standard Operating Procedure or Operations Manual
Complete reference document that provides the purpose, authorities, duration, and details for the preferred method of performing a single function or a number of interrelated functions in a uniform manner.
Strike Teams-
Consists of a set number of resources of the same kind and type operating under a designated leader with common communications between them.
Finance/Administration Section
Consists of the following: 1. Time Unit- Responsible primarily for ensuring proper daily recording of personnel time, in accordance with the policies of the relevant agencies. 2. Procurement Unit- Administers all financial matters pertaining to vendor contracts. 3- Compensation and Claims Unit- 4- Cost Unit- provides cost analysis data for the incident.
Ongoing Management and maintenance
Contains two subsections: 1. National Integration Center (NIC)- Provides strategic direction for and oversight of NIMS, supporting routine maintenance and continuous refinement of the system and its components over the long term. Administers NIMS compliance requirements, facilitates teh development of guidance standards for typing and credentialing, supports NIMS training and exercises. 2. Supporting Technologies- Ongoing development of science and technology is integral to the continual improvement and refinement of NIMS.
Target Capabilities List (TCL)
DHS developed this designed to guide efforts to build a national network of capabilities that will be available when and where they are needed. Outlines an all-hazards approach to development of capabilities that will be needed for natural or manmade disaster or other major incidents, and defines the primary roles that all levels of government have in national preparedness.
Field Operations guide or Incident Management Handbook
Durable pocket or desk guide that contains essential information required to perform specific assignments or functions.
Public Address Communications
Emergency alerts and warnings, press conferences, etc.
Technical Standards Support
Enables the development and coordination of technology standards for IMS to ensure that personnel, organizations, communications and information systems, and other equipment coordinate and perform consistently, effectively, and reliably without disrupting one another.
Planning Process and Incident Action Plan (IAC)
Five primary phases should be followed in sequence to ensure a comprehensive IAP. 1. Understand the Situation- First phase includes gathering, recording, analyzing, and displaying situation, resource, and incident-potential information. 2. Establish Incident Objectives and Strategy- Includes formulating and prioritizing measurable incident objectives and identifying an appropriate strategy. 3. Develop the Plan- Determining the tactical direction and the specific resources, reserves, and support requirements for implementing the selected strategies and tactics for the operational period. 4. Prepare and Disseminate the Plan- Preparing the plan in a format that is appropriate for the level of complexity f the incident 5. Execute, Evaluate, and Revise the Plan- Includes the requirement to execute and evaluate planned activities and check the accuracy of information to be used in planning for subsequent operational periods.
Establish Incident Objectives and Strategy
Includes formulating and prioritizing measurable incident objectives and identifying an appropriate strategy.
Incident information
Includes the following: 1. Incident notification, situation, and status reports- Information should be standardized to ensure that situational wariness is maintained and that emergency management/response personnel have easy access to critical information. 2. Analytical data- information should be collected in a manner that observes standard data collection techniques and definitions. 3. Geospatial information- Is defined as information pertaining to the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries.
Communications Standards and Formats
Includes the following: 1. Radio Usage Procedures- Should be restricted to those messages necessary for the effective execution of emergency management. 2. Common Terminology, Plain Language- Use of plain language in emergency management and incident response is a matter of public safety. 3. Encryption or Tactical Language- Tactical language is occasionally warranted due to the nature of the incident. 4. Joint Information System and Joint Information Center- JIS and JIC are designed to foster the use of common information formats. 5. Internet/web Procedures- Can be used, as appropriate, during incidents to help with situational awareness. 6. Information Security- Procedures and protocols must be established to ensure information security.
Execute, Evaluate, and Revise the Plan
Includes the requirement to execute and evaluate planned activities and check the accuracy of information to be used in planning for subsequent operational periods.
Use
Incorporating available resources from all levels of government, NGOs, and the private sector, where appropriate, in a jurisdiction's resource management planning effort.
Single Resources
May be employed on a single basis, such as individual personnel, equipment, and any associated operation.
Supporting Technologies
Ongoing development of science and technology is integral to the continual improvement and refinement of NIMS. 1. Concepts and Principles- NIMS leverages science and technology to improve capabilities and lower costs. It observes the five key principles defined below: A) Interoperability and Compatibility- Is achieved through the use of tools such as common communications and data standards, digital data formats, equipment standards, and design standards. B) Technology Support- Is the use and incorporation of new and existing technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of incident management. Facilitates incident operations and sustains the R&D programs that underpin the long-term investment in the Nation's future incident management capabilities. c) Technology Standards- Supporting systems and Technologies are based on requirements developed in collaboration with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as NGOS the private sector and national professional organizations. D) Broad-Based Requirements- Needs for new technologies, procedures, protocols and standards to facilitate incident management are defined before, during and after an incident. E) Strategic R&D Planning- Identifies future technologies that can improve or lower the cost of existing incident management capabilities. 2. supporting Incident Management with Science and Technology- Enhance incident management capabilities or lower costs through three principal activities, which are more fully defined below: A) Operational scientific support- Identifies and, on request mobilizes scientific and technical resources that can be used to support incident management activities. B) Technical Standards Support- Enables the development and coordination of technology standards for IMS to ensure that personnel, organizations, communications and information systems, and other equipment coordinate and perform consistently, effectively, and reliably without disrupting one another. C) R&D Support- Will be based on the operational needs of the entire range of NIMS users. These needs represent key inputs as the Nation formulates its R&D agenda for developing new and improved incident management capabilities.
Prepare and Disseminate the Plan
Preparing the plan in a format that is appropriate for the level of complexity of the incident
The Logistics Section
Provides for all the support needs for the incident, such as ordering resources and providing facilities, transportation, supplies, equipment maintenance and fuel, food service, communications, and medical services for incident personnel. 1. Supply Unit- Orders, receives, processes, stores, inventories, and distributes all incident related resources and supplies. 2. Facilities Unit- Sets up, maintains, and demobilizes all facilities used in support of incident operations. 3. Ground Support Unit- Primary functions of maintaining and servicing vehicle and mobile equipment, the Ground Support Unit maintains a transportation pool for major incidents. 4. Communications Unit- Develops the Communications Plan 5. Food Unit- Determines food and hydration requirements of the responders. 6. Medical Unit- Responsible for the effective and efficient provision of medical services to incident personnel, and reports directly to the Logistics section Chief.
Technology Standards
Supporting systems and Technologies are based on requirements developed in collaboration with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as NGOS the private sector and national professional organizations.
R&D Support
Will be based on the operational needs of the entire range of NIMS users. These needs represent key inputs as the Nation formulates its R&D agenda for developing new and improved incident management capabilities.
Divisions and Groups
are established when the number of resources exceeds the Operations Section Chief's manageable span of control.
Incident Command System
Widely applicable management system designed to enable effective, efficient incident management by integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure. Structured to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: 1. Management Characteristics 2. Incident command and command staff- is responsible for overall management of the incident. May function in two different ways: A) Single Incident Commander- when an incident occurs within a single jurisdiction and there is no jurisdictional or agency overlap. B) Unified Command- Exact composition of the UC structure will depend on the location of the incident, and the type of the incident. Command staff will typically include: A) Public Information officer- Is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies. Only one per incident. B) Safety Officer- Monitors incident operations and advises the IC/UC on all matters relating to operational safety. C) Liaison Officer- Is IC point of contact for representatives of other agencies, NGOs, to provide input on their agency's policies. 3. General Staff- Responsible for the functional aspects of the IC structureTypically consists of the Operations, Planning, Logistics, and structure A) Operations Section- Responsible for all tactical activities focused on reducing the immediate hazard, saving lives and property, establishing situational control, and restoring normal operations. Broken down into the following: 1) Operations Section Chief- Responsible to incident Command for the direct Management of all Incident-related tac activities. 2) Branches- May be functional, geographic, or both, depending on the circumstances of the incident Are established when the number of divisions or groups exceeds the recommended span of control. 3) Divisions and Groups- Established when the number of resources exceeds the manageable span of control of IC and the Ops Sec Chief. Divisions established to divide an incident into physical or geographical areas of operations. Groups are established to divide the incident into functional areas of operation. B) Planning Section- Collects, evaluates, and disseminates incident situation information and intelligence to the IC/UC. C) Logistics Section- Is responsible for all service support requirements needed to facilitate effective and efficient incident management, Including ordering resources from off-incident locations. Within this unit six units fulfill functional requirements: 1) Supply Unit- Orders, receives, stores, and processes all incident- related resources, personnel, and supplies. 2) Ground Support Unit- Provides all ground transportation during an incident. Also responsible for maintaining vehicles. 3) Facilities Unit- Sets up, maintains, and demobilized all facilities used in support of incident operations. Also maintains facilities. 4) Food Unit- Determines food and water requirements, plans menus, orders food, provides cooking facilities, etc. 5) Communications Unit- Major responsibilities include effective comms planning as well as acquiring, setting up, maintaining, etc. 6) Medical Unit- Responsible for the effective and efficient provision of medical services to incident personnel. D) Finance/Admin Section- Recording personnel time, maintaining vendor contacts, administering comps and claims, etc. 4. Incident Management Teams- Made up of the Command and General Staff members. 5. Incident Complex- refers to two or more individual incidents located in the same general area that are assigned to a IC or a UC. 6. Area Command- Organization to oversee the management of multiple incidents handled individually by separate ICS.
Resource Management Concepts
1. Consistency- Provision of a standard method for identifying, acquiring, allocating, and tracking resources. 2. Standardization- Resource classification to improve the effectiveness of mutual aid agreements or assistance agreements. 3. Coordination- Facilitation and integration of resources for optimal benefits. 4. Use- Incorporating available resources from all levels of government, NGOs, and the private sector, where appropriate, in a jurisdiction's resource management planning efforts. 5. Information Management- Provisions for the thorough integration of communications and information management elements into resource management organizations, processes, technologies, and decision support. 6. Credentialing- Use of criteria that ensure consistent training, licensure, and certification standards.
Interoperability
Allows emergency management/response personnel and their affiliated organizations to communicate within and across agencies and jurisdictions via voice, data, or video in real time, when needed, and when authorized.
Communications and Information Management Concepts and Principles
1. Common Operating Picture- Is established and maintained by gathering, collating, synthesizing, and disseminating incident information to all appropriate parties 2. Interoperability- Allows emergency management/response personnel and their affiliated organizations to communicate within and across agencies and jurisdictions via voice, data, or video in real time. 3. Reliability, Scalability, and Portability- Communications and information systems should be designed to be flexible, reliable, and scalable in order to function in any type of incident, regardless of cause, size, location or complexity. 4. Resiliency and Redundancy- Resiliency is the ability of communications systems to withstand and continue to perform after damage or loss of infrastructure.
Resource Management During an Incident
1. Identify Requirements- Identify, refine, and validate resource requirements. Involves accurately identifying what and how much is needed, where and when it is needed, and who will be receiving or using it. 2. Order and acquire- Requested resources will be mobilized only with the consent of the jurisdiction that is being asked to provide the resources. 3. Mobilize- emergency management/response personnel begin mobilizing when notified through established channels. 4. Track and Report- Standardized, integrated process conducted prior to, during, and after an incident. 5. Recover/Demobilize- Recovery involves the final disposition of all resources, including those located at the incident set and fixed facilities. 6. Reimburse- Provides a mechanism to recoup fund expended for incident specific activities. 7. Inventory- Uses various resource inventory systems to assess the availability of assets provided by jurisdictions.
Facilities and Location
1. Incident Command Post- Is located at or in the immediate vicinity of the incident site and is the location for the conduct of direct, on-scene control of tactical operations. 2. Incident Base- Location at which primary support activities are conducted. 3. Camps- Are sperate from the Incident Base and are located as satellites to the incident Base. Camps provide support such as food, sleeping areas, and sanitation. 4. Staging Areas- Any location in which personnel, supplies, and equipment can be temporarily housed or parked while awaiting operational assignment.
Standardized Communication Types
1. Strategic Communications- High level directions, including resource priority decisions, roles and responsibilities determinations, and overall incident response courses of actions. 2. Tactical Communications- Communications between command and support elements and, as appropriate, cooperating agencies and organizations. 3. Support Communications- Coordination in support of strategic and tactical communications. 4. Public Address Communications- Emergency alerts and warnings, press conferences, etc.
Public Information
Consists of the processes, procedures, and systems to communicate timely, accurate, and accessible information on the incident's cause, size, and current situation to the public, responders and additional stakeholders. DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS- 1. Public information Officer- supports the incident command structure as a member of the command staff. Advises the IC/UC on all public information matters relating to the management of the incident. 2. Joint Information System (JIS)- provides the mechanism to organize, integrate, and coordinate information to ensure timely, accurate, accessible, and consistent messaging across multiple jurisdictions and/or disciplines. Includes the plans, protocols, procedures, and structures used to provide public information. 3. Joint Information Center (JIC)- Central location that facilitates operation of the JIS, where personnel with public information responsibilities perform critical emergency information functions, crisis communications, and public affairs functions. Single JIC location is preferable, but the system is flexible and adaptable enough to accommodate multiple physical or virtual JIC locations. Examples include; A- Incident- Easy media access is paramount to success. Optimal physical location for local and IC-assigned Public information Officers to locate. B- Virtual- Established when physical co-location is not feasible. Incorporates technology and comms protocols. C- Satellite- Smaller in scale then other JICs. Established primarily to support the incident JIC. Operates under the control of the primary JIC for that incident. Is not independent of that direction. D- Area- supports wide-area multiple-incidents ICS structures. could be established on a local or statewide basis. Media Access is paramount. E- Support- Established to support several incidents JICs in multiple states. Offers supplemental staff and resources outside of the disaster area. F- National- Established for long-duration incidents. Media access is paramount. 4- Getting Information to the public and additional Stakeholders- A- Gathering Information- is the first step in the process of getting information to the public and additional stakeholders, collected from: - On-scene Command- ongoing, official information on the response effort. - Media Monitoring- assess the accuracy and content of news media reports. B- Verifying information- Verify the accuracy of the information that has been collected. - Other Public information officers in the JIC - EOC Sources - On-scene public information officers. C- Coordinating Information- process is to coordinate with other PIO who are part of the JIS. - Establishing key messages. - Obtaining approval/clearance from those with authority. D- Disseminating Information- Disseminate information to the public and additional stakeholders. - Using multiple methods - Monitoring the Media- Ensure that the message is understood by the news media.
National Response Framework (NRF)
Guide to how the Nation conducts all-hazards response. With NIMS is designed to improve the Nation's incident management capabilities and overall efficiency. Basic premise along with NIMS is that incidents typically be managed at the local level first.
The Planning Section
Is responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating operational information pertaining to the incident. This Section maintains information and intelligence on the current and forecasted situation, as well as the status of resources assigned to the incident. 1. Planning Section Chief- overseas all incident related data gathering and analysis. Will normally come from the jurisdiction with primary incident responsibility. 2. Resources Unit- Makes certain that all assigned personnel and resources have checked in the incident. 3. Situation Unit- Collects, processes, and organizes ongoing situation. information; prepares situation summaries; and develops projections and forecasts of future events related to the incident. 4. Documentation Unit- Maintains accurate and complete incident files. 5. Demobilization Unit 6. Technical Specialist- Personnel have special skills and are activated only when needed.
Credentialing
Is the administrative process for validating personnel qualifications and providing authorization to perform specific functions and to have specific access to an incident involving mutual aid.
Preparedness
Involves an integrated combination of assessment; planning' procedures and protocols; training and exercises; personnel qualifications, licensure, and certification; equipment certification; and evaluation and revision.
Multiagency Coordination Systems (MCS)
Is a Process that allows all levels of government and all disciplines to work together more efficiently and effectively. Occurs on a regular basis whenever personnel from different agencies interact. A. Definition- Primary function of MACS is to coordinate activities above the field level and to prioritize the incident demands for critical or competing resources, thereby assisting the coordination of the operation in the field. In some instances, MACS is informal and based on oral agreements between jurisdictions but usually it is more formalized and supported by written agreements, operational procedures, and protocols. B. System Elements- MACS includes a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel and procedures integrated into a common system with responsibility for coordination of resources and support to emergency operations. 1. Facilities- the need for locations, such as communications/dispatch center, EOC, to house system activities will depend on the anticipated functions of the system. 2. Equipment- Computers and phones must be identified and procured. 3. Personnel Include Agency administrators/executives, or their appointed representatives. 4. Procedures- Include processes, protocols, agreements, and business practices that prescribes the activities relationships, and functionality of the MACS. C. Examples of System Elements- The Two most commonly used elements of the Multiagency Coordination System are EOCs and MAC groups.. 1. Emergency Operations Center- a physical location, staffed with personnel trained for and authorized to represent their agency, equipped with mechanisms for communicating with the incident site, managed through protocols. 2. MAC group- does not have any direct incident involvement and will often be located some distance from the incident site. Can function virtually to accomplish its assigned tasks. D. Primary functions of MACS- Will generally perform common functions during an incident; however, not all of the system's functions will be performed during every incident, and functions may not occur in any particular order. Includes the following: - Situation assessment - incident priority determination - Critical resource acquisition and allocation - Support for relevant incident management policies and interagency activities. - Coordination with other MACS elements- Critical part of MACS is outlining how each system element will communicate and coordinate. - Coordination with elected and appointed officials - coordination of summary information
Interoperability and Compatibility
Is achieved through the use of tools such as common communications and data standards, digital data formats, equipment standards, and design standards
Mitigation
Is an important element of emergency management and incident response. It provides a critical foundation in the effort to reduce the loss of life and property and to minimize damage to the environment from natural or manmade disasters.
Identifying and typing resources
Is categorizing, by capability, the resources requested, deployed, and used in incidents. Includes the following: 1. Category- This is the function for which a resource would be most useful. 2. Kind- Kind refers to broad classes that characterize like resources a) Components- Components are the elements that make up a resource. B) Measures- measures are standards that identify capability and or/capacity. 3. Type- refers to the level of resource capability. 4. Additional Information- Provide the capability to use additional information that is pertinent to resource decision making.
Resource Management
Is needed to support critical incident objectives. Identify requirements, order and acquires, mobilize, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse, and inventory resources.
Technology Support
Is the use and incorporation of new and existing technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of incident management. Facilitates incident operations and sustains the R&D programs that underpin the long-term investment in the Nation's future incident management capabilities
Consistency
Provision of a standard method for identifying, acquiring, allocating and tracking resources.
Information Management
Provisions for the thorough integration of communications and information management elements into resource management organizations, processes, technologies, and decision support.
Mobilization Guide
Reference document used by agencies/organizations outlining agreements, processes, and procedures used by all participating organizations for activating, assembling, and transporting resources.
Communications and Information Management
Relies on communications and information systems that provide a common operating picture. Based on the concepts of interoperability, reliability, scalability, and portability, as well as the resiliency and redundancy of communications and information systems.
