Local government handles most emergencies. However, when a major incident
overwhelms its resources, local government may need assistance from neighboring
jurisdictions, the State, and/or the Federal government. As part of the National
Preparedness System, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National
Response Plan (NRP) ensure that all levels of government, non-governmental agencies,
and the private sector are prepared to prevent, protect against, respond to, and
recover from any incident.
As required under Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, the NIMS enables
responders and authorities from different jurisdictions and disciplines to better work
together within a consistent framework for incident management. The NRP is an all-discipline,
all-hazards plan, which relies on the principles of the NIMS, to coordinate and integrate
incident management activities and emergency support functions across Federal, State,
territorial, tribal, and local governments, private sector, and non-governmental organizations.
HSPD-8 requires the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with other Federal Departments
and Agencies as well as State, tribal, and local governments to develop the National Preparedness
Goal. The Goal establishes readiness priorities, targets, and metrics, enabling the Nation to
easily recognize capabilities that need improvement and sustain capabilities to manage major events
using the protocols established in NIMS. Coupled with the NIMS and NRP, the Goal defines what
needs to be done to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from an incident, how it needs
to be done, and how well it needs to be done.
Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Integration Center - Incident Management Systems Division developed the NIMSCAST to help State,
territorial, tribal, and local jurisdictions to maintain their national baseline compliance, as
established in FYs 2005-2006, compliance with the NIMS.
What is the NIMSCAST
The NIMS Compliance Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST) is designed as the premier, web-based self-assessment
instrument for State, territorial, tribal, local governments to evaluate and report their jurisdictions
achievement of all NIMS implementation activities released since 2004.
The NIMSCAST is designed for the emergency management community as a comprehensive self-assessment support
tool. Using the NIMSCAST will assist the nations emergency management community to comply with NIMS
requirements, as determined by the National Integration Center.
Additionally, HSPD-5 requires Federal Departments and agencies to make adoption of the NIMS by State and
local organizations a condition for Federal preparedness assistance. The NIMSCAST facilitates the adoption
of the NIMS by State, local, and tribal governments in order to meet the requirement established in HSPD-5.
Authorities
Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-5, Management of Domestic Incidents.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-8, National Preparedness.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Incident Management System, March 1, 2004.
OMB NO.: 1660-0087
EXPIRATION DATE: 11/30/2009
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Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate and any suggestions
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