National Incident Management System (NIMS) Introduction

IS – 700

Craig R. Savageau, M.S. HCMG, EMT-P Educator Office of Disaster Preparedness Saint Barnabas Health Care System

Course Objectives • • • • • •

Describe key NIMS concepts Identify benefits of using ICS Describe AREA and UNIFIED Commands Describe the Multiagency Coordination System Describe benefits of using a Joint Information System Identify how NIMS affects preparedness

•

What is NIMS ?

A comprehensive, national approach to incident management

•

Applicable across ALL jurisdictional levels and across disciplines

•

A proven system that is based upon organizational “Best Practices”

NIMS Concepts & Principles

• FLEXIBLE framework to enable all responding organizations to work together under ANY and ALL situations • STANDARDIZED processes and systems to improve overall coordinated response and interoperability

NIMS Components • Command and management • Preparedness • Resource Management • Communications and Information Mgt.

• Supporting technologies • Ongoing management / maintenance

NIMS Standard Structures • Incident Command System • Multiagency Coordination Systems • Public Information Systems

Incident Facilities • Established as required by the incident • An INCIDENT COMMAND POST (ICP) is always established

Benefits of using ICS • It is a proven on-scene, all situation concept • It is interdisciplinary and organizationally flexible • Appropriate for all types of incidents

ICS Features • Common Terminology – “clear text” reduces confusion • Organizational resources • Manageable span of control  3 to 7 reporting elements per supervisor • Organizational facilities • Use of position titles • Reliance on Incident Action Plan • Integrated Communications • Accountability

Incident Action Plans • Communicate incident objectives • Are based on operational periods • Are disseminated throughout the incident organization • Depend on “Management by Objectives”

Accountability • Orderly chain of command • Check-in for ALL responders • Assignment of only one supervisor per individual (unity of command)

Use of Area Command • Multiple incidents within a jurisdiction • Large incidents that cross jurisdictions (i.e.: Public Health emergencies that are NOT site-specific)

What Does Area Command Do?

• Sets overall strategy and priorities • Allocates resources • Ensures proper management • Ensures objectives are met • Ensures strategies are followed

Area Command

AREA COMMAND PLANNING LOGISTICS FINANCE/ADMIN.

There is NO Operations Section (Operations are conducted on-scene)

ICP 1

Area Command

AREA COMMAND ICP 2 ICP 3

Unified Command • More than one responding agency within a jurisdiction (i.e.: hazardous materials spill) • Incidents cross jurisdictions

Unified Command

UNIFIED COMMAND (Representatives from Local Jurisdictions) OPERATIONS PLANNING LOGISTICS FINANCE/ ADMIN.

Multiagency Coordination Systems • A combination of resources • Integrated into a common framework • Used to coordinate and support incident management activities – Logistics – Resources – Information – Agencies – Issue Resolution

Multiagency Coordination Systems • EOC – Emergency Operations Center • Multiagency Coordination Entities

EOC Organization (Support Multiagency Coordination and Joint Information Activities

EOC Manager Coordination Communications Resource Mgt Information Mgt

EOC Organization • • •

Resources Priorities Strategic Coordination Multiagency Coordination Entity

•

Situation status

•

Resource needs Incident or Unified Command # 1 Incident or Unified Command # 2

• • •

Resources Priorities Strategic Coordination

Mutual Aid and EMAC’s • Jurisdictions at ALL levels are encouraged to enter into agreements with: – Other jurisdictions – Private-sector and NGO’s – Private organizations

* To facilitate the timely delivery of assistance during incidents

Public Information for Domestic Incidents • Advises the Incident Commander • Establishes and operates within the Joint Information System • Ensures that decision makers and the public are informed

Public Information for Domestic Incidents (cont’d.) • Ensures that information provided is – Accurate – Timely – Coordinated

Joint Information Center ( JIC ) • Physical location where public information staff operate • Provides the structure for coordinating and disseminating critical information

Joint Information Center Characteristics • Included representatives of all players/groups involved in response • Has procedures and protocols for communicating and coordinating with other JIC’s • Contributing agencies/organizations retain their organizational independence

JIC’s Joint Information Center Press Secretary (Jurisdictional) Liaison (As Required) Research Team Media Team Logistics Team

Joint Information System ( JIS ) • Establishes policies, procedures, and protocols for gathering and disseminating information • Multiple Joint Information Centers coordinate with each other using JIS protocols

Publication Management • Development of naming conventions • Management of publication distribution • Certification of publications • Methods for publications control • Identification of sources & suppliers for publications

What is Preparedness?

• Actions to establish and maintain prescribed levels of capability • Ensures mission integration and interoperability • NIMS focuses on guidelines, protocols, and standards

Responsibilities of Preparedness Organizations Establishing/coordinating plans, protocols, & guidelines for •

Integration Activities

•

Interoperability

• •

Resource Management Response priorities

•

Multiagency Coordination

Types of Plans • Emergency Operations Plans • Procedures • Preparedness Plans • Recovery Plans • Corrective Action & Mitigation Plans

(Based on actual events and lessons learned)

Resource Management Establish systems for: – Describing – Inventorying – Requesting – Tracking

From mobilization through recovery

Resource Management (cont’d) • Activating systems • Dispatching resources • Deactivating/recalling resources

Resource Management Concepts • Standardize identification, allocation, and tracking • Classify by kind and type based on performance • Implement credentialing system • Incorporate resources from private sector

Resource Management Principles • Advance planning • Resource identification and ordering • Resource categorization • Use of agreements • Effective management

Integrated Communications • Hardware systems • Planning for use of all frequencies and resources • Procedures for transferring information internally and externally

Communications and Information Management Principles: • Common operating picture for consistency among all who respond • Accessible across jurisdictions and agencies • Common communications and data standards

Managing Communications and Information • Incident management communications • Information management • Interoperability standards

Training and Exercises The NIMS Integration Center will: • Facilitate development of national standards/protocols • Facilitate use of modeling or simulation • Define and review training requirements and courses

Equipment Certifications • Facilitate development of national equipment standards and protocols • Review and approve equipment meeting national standards

Personnel Qualifications and Certifications Development of standards, including: • Training • Experience • Credentialing • Physical and medical fitness

Supporting Technologies Principles: 1. Interoperability and compatibilities 2. Technology support 3. Technology standards 4. Broad-based requirements 5. Strategic planning and R&D

Thank You

Saint Barnabas Health Care System Special Operations Division 95 Old Short Hills Road West Orange, New Jersey 07052