About National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)
Developed by the Department of Homeland Security and issued in March 2004, the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) will enable responders at all jurisdictional levels and across all disciplines to work together more effectively and efficiently. Beginning in FY 2006, federal funding for state, local and tribal preparedness grants will be tied to compliance with the NIMS.

Incident Command System (ICS)
One of the best practices that has been incorporated into the NIMS is the Incident Command System (ICS), a standard, on-scene, all-hazards incident management system already in use by firefighters, hazardous materials teams, rescuers and emergency medical teams. It is a management protocol originally designed for emergency management agencies and later federalized. ICS is based upon a flexible, scalable response organization providing a common framework within which people can work together effectively. These people may be drawn from multiple agencies that do not routinely work together, and ICS is designed to give standard response and operation procedures to reduce the problems and potential for miscommunication in such incidents.

Related Training & Safety Resources

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  
  • Disasters Preparedness Information
  • Training Information
• NIMS Resource Center
• Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ICS Information
• Online Safety Library (Oklahoma State University)
• Safety Pages