Fact Sheet
NIMS-IRIS
May 16, 2007
NIMS RM02
202-646-3850


NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - INCIDENT RESOURCE INVENTORY SYSTEM (NIMS-IRIS)

The National Integration Center (NIC) is supporting the development of a database management tool for Federal, State, local and tribal officials, which will be available to them at no cost. The software will allow emergency responders to enter typed resources and select specific resources for mutual aid purposes based upon mission requirements, capability of resources, and response time. The National Incident Management System - Incident Resource Inventory System (NIMS-IRIS) tool will be rolled out to the emergency response community in phases. Phase One will provide the basic database management tool to enter a community’s 120 typed resources1 into a common database, which can be housed locally and shared between jurisdictions and states. Future builds will provide additional functionality which may include resource requesting, mobilization, and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking. NIMS-IRIS Build 1 will be available June 15, 2007, for general use by any interested parties.

NIMS-IRIS will: 
* Systematically assist communities in inventorying and typing resources in accordance with NIMS protocols and provide quick access to resources to support emergency response operations. 
* Ensure that a “no-cost” database tool is available to support response operations. 
* Improve the Nation’s capability to identify, mobilize, and dispatch a typed resource. 

Key Features of NIMS-IRIS:
* A simple resource management solution for all agencies, jurisdictions, and users
* Easy-to-use and intuitive user interface
* Forms-based construct – mirrored after the Incident Command System (ICS)
* Scalable screen (for use on computer or PDA) for browse, select, and input
* Tracks:
	o Equipment
	o Communications
	o Contracts
	o Facilities
	o Responders
	o Services
	o Supplies
	o Teams
* Requires no licensure fees	
* Uses the interoperable Emergency Data Exchange Language (EDXL) data messaging construct
* Compatible, not competitive, with existing agency systems and existing and future commercial applications
	o Is easily converted to proprietary systems if necessary
	o Compatible with Oracle, MS SQL, and MS Access
	o Uses annotated and modularized code

Benefits of this Initiative:
* Allows emergency responders to inventory, categorize type, locate, request, and track all internal and external resources from a single integrated system, which will help facilitate the response of requested resources during an incident.
* Provides a local database that is scalable to higher jurisdiction levels for the identification of all typed resources.
* Can be upgraded as additional typed resources are added, keeping pace with the rapid evolution of the NIMS and the National Response Plan.


Point of Contact:
Dr. Pam Collins – NIMS SC Principal Investigator
The Justice and Safety Center, Eastern Kentucky University, 50 Stratton Building, 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475.  E-mail: NIMSSC@eku.edu Phone: 859-622-8853 (Office), 859-622-8038 (Fax).


1 Document: FEMA National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Initiative Resource Definitions, September 2004 (http://www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/resource_typing_qadoc.pdf) 


Incident Management Systems
www.fema.gov/emergency/nims
FEMA-NIMS@dhs.gov