April 1, 2009 
Honorable (Governor First and Last Name) 
State/Territory 
Address 1 
Address 2 
Dear Governor (Last Name): 
The purpose of this memo is to provide you and your staff with federal fiscal year (FY) 
2009 National Incident Management System (NIMS) implementation objectives. In 
accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, the adoption of 
NIMS is a requirement to receive Federal preparedness assistance, through grants, 
contracts, and other activities. The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to 
enable all levels of government, nongovernmental organization, and private sector to 
work together to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from the effects of 
incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. 
For 2009, States should continue to follow all guidance contained in the 5-Year NIMS 
Training Plan, released in February 2008, to include implementation of ICS-400: 
Advanced ICS training. Implementing the NIMS objectives (reference Attachment 1) 
signifies that your State is working toward comprehensive NIMS implementation. States 
should address progress relating to NIMS Implementation within its NIMS Compliance 
Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST) to be eligible for Federal preparedness assistance 
in FY 2010. FEMA Regional NIMS Coordinators are available to assist with your 
State’s self-assessment, which needs to be submitted no later than September 30, 2009. 


States unable to meet implementation objectives may submit a Corrective Action Plan 
through the NIMSCAST no later than October 31, 2009. FEMA Regional NIMS 
Coordinators will work with you to review all Corrective Action Plans to ensure your 
State implements NIMS concepts and principles. For additional information concerning 
NIMS implementation, please contact your Regional NIMS Coordinator (reference 
Attachment 2). FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate welcomes your suggestions 
regarding the improvement of the NIMS implementation program. You may direct your 
comments to the National Preparedness Directorate at 500 C Street, SW, Washington, 
DC 20472 or via the NIMS Resource Center at www.fema.gov/nims. 



Thank you for your continued support in implementing NIMS. I look forward to 
continuing our collective efforts to secure the homeland and protect our citizens. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

 

 

Nancy Ward 

Administrator 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS 

 

cc: State Administrative Agency 

State Emergency Management Director 

State Homeland Security Advisor 

Tribal Association Chairs 

DHS Directorates and Offices 

Homeland Security Advisory Council