NATIONAL NIMS RESOURCE TYPING CRITERIA 
 
 
This NIMS Guide expands upon DHS-FEMA NIMS #501, Chapter 4, Resource Management – dated March 24, 2006.   
 
Purpose of the Guide and Overview:  
 
The purpose of this NIMS Guide is to communicate the criteria that were used to define and identify the current typed 120 NIMS national resource requirements typing definitions requirements.   In addition, the same criteria will serve as the basis for future national resource typing definitions requirements. This NIMS alert augments the DHS-FEMA NIMS #501, Chapter 4, Resource Management - dated March 24, 2006.  The NIMS Integration Center recognizes that the NIMS is a evolving process, especially as new capabilities are identified to enhance the nation’s ability to manage all-hazard incidents (i.e. including Incidents of National Significance and National Special Security Events).   
 
Background: 
 
When addressing the 2006 NIMS compliance requirements (i.e. to inventory the national 120 resource typing definitions), many states chose voluntarily to expand the effort to inventory and type state-specific response resources and assets.  This additional level of typing supports intra-state (i.e. within a state) as well as regional mutual aid plans, agreements, and compacts involving adjacent states or neighboring inter-state (i.e. between states) local jurisdictions.   As a result, states have identified and typed response resources and assets that exceed the current national 120 Resources typed.  The NIMS Integration Center encourages and supports such efforts whenever states and territories determine it is necessary to go beyond the NIMS National Resource Typing Definitions to meet the states and territories unique needs, especially as such efforts are necessary to address the unique needs as identified by the states and territories.   
 
Guide Statement: 
 
The NIMS Integration Center therefore recognizes the need to revise its former policy position, and add the capacity to recognize “Tier One” and “Tier Two” resource typing definitions.  “Tier One” will continue to be national in its scope and consist of the current 120 and resource typing definitions.  “Tier Two” will be those resources defined and inventoried by the states, tribal, and local jurisdictions that are not “Tier One” resources, but rather those that are specific and limited to intra-state mutual aid request, and to limited specific in regional mutual aid assistance (i.e. resources which may cross state lines, but which would not be “Tier One” resources).  Also under “Tier Two” would be first responder resources that would not be deployable nationally, or are so common that national definitions are not required as they can be ordered using common language (i.e. pick-up trucks, etc.).    
 
States are not obligated to submit “Tier Two” resource typing definitions for review or approval by the NIMS Integration Center.  However, the NIMS Integration Center will accept voluntary submissions of “Tier Two” resource typing definitions for consideration as additions to the “Tier One” NIMS National Resource Typing Definitions.  The NIMS Integration Center will not publish, either in print or online “Tier Two” resources typing definitions.  Rather our office will be working in partnership with National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) to gain consensus from the states and territories on how to best distribute “Tier Two” resource typing definitions.  In addition, all “Tier One” resources will undergo periodical review to ensure they remain essential for interstate mutual aid and compacts. 
Text Box: NIMS Guide
 
From a national perspective, the following criteria have been developed for “Tier One” level resource typing definitions and included within the NIMS National Resource Typing Definitions.  Also, where applicable, the same criteria may serve as a useful guide for states when developing their “Tier Two” resource typing definitions for other resources used within their state or for regional mutual aid.  “Tier Two” resources are not required to be inventoried for the purpose of NIMS compliance or to be reported to the NIMS Integration Center. 
 
A) “Tier One” Criteria for the NIMS National Resource Typing Definitions: 
  
The Resource must: 
 
1. Already exist as a defined, or readily organized, deployable interstate response resource or first responder asset;     


 
2. Be exchanged and deployed with usage governed through interstate mutual aid agreements or compacts; 


 
3. Be of sufficient capability to warrant being allocated and/or physically deployed nationally, if requested;     


 
4. Must have performance capability levels that can be identifiable as to “Category,”  “Kind” and “Type;”      


a. Category – function for which the resource is most useful (firefighting, law enforcement, health and medical, etc.);  


 

b. Kind – broad class of characterization, such as teams, personnel, equipment, and supplies.  Metrics have been developed for each kind and are measurements of capability or capacity; and  


 

c. Type – measure of minimum capabilities to perform its function – Type 1 implies a higher capability than Type II.  



 
5. Be identified, inventoried, and tracked to determine availability status for response operations by the jurisdiction having authority;   


6. Allow for command and control utilization under the NIMS Incident Command System (ICS);  


7. Be sufficiently interoperable or compatible to allow for deployment through a standard system for resource ordering as authorized under interstate mutual aid  agreements, compacts, and appropriate contracting mechanisms.      


 
 
B) Steps To Submit Recommendation Additions or Adjustments to the “Tier One” NIMS National Resource Typing Definitions:  
 
States and territories wishing to submit their  “Tier Two” resource typing definitions for consideration to be added to the “Tier One” NIMS national resource typing definitions, will need to:                
1. E-mail the NIMS Integration Center at:  NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov;     


2. Have an accompanying a narrative that sufficiently explains the justification regarding an addition or a modification should be made to the “Tier One” resources; 



 
3. Include, where appropriate, the category, kind, and types as well as any credentialing requirements related to personnel or teams; 


 
4. An electronic document that addresses points one through seven under Part A (i.e. using the format found in Appendix B of the National Incident Management System document - FEMA publication #501 issued March 1, 2004);  


5. Point of contact information for the NIMS Integration Center.   


 
Upon receipt of the above information, the NIMS Integration Center will: 
 
1. Conduct an internal review to reach a decision or to determine if any further guidance is needed by the appropriate external subject matter experts;  


 
2. If the decision is to proceed, a public notification will be issued along with a period for public comments, followed by an additional review process and then formal issuance of any addition or a modification to “Tier One” NIMS national resource typing definitions.    


             
If requested, such request and decision notifications on a case-by-case basis will be kept confidential and not released, without the written authorization by the requesting organization, agency, or individual.  The NIMS Integration Center will notify, by e-mail its decision to the point of contact of the requesting organization, agency, or individual.