FYs 2007-2008 NIMS Compliance 
 
 
The intent of this NIMS Alert is to inform States, territories, tribal nations, and local government with regards to FY 2007 NIMS compliance and the pending release of FY 2008 NIMS compliance materials. 
 
As you are aware, FEMA’s Incident Management Systems Division (IMSD) determined State, territory, tribal nation and local government NIMS compliance through State, territory, tribal nation and local government responses to performance-based compliance “metrics”.  IMSD developed these metrics from previously required implementation actions specified in FYs 2005 and 2006.  Additionally, IMSD furnished the NIMS Compliance Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST) as a principle means for States and territories to collect, track, and report NIMS implementation data.  As a result, IMSD has begun to analyze the data it has received to make 2007 NIMS compliance determinations.   
 
Further, as widely discussed at the NIMS Point of Contact Workshop held at the Noble Training Facility on October 22-25, responses to the FY 2007 compliance metrics will be considered to shape the future of the NIMS compliance program.  Based on input from stakeholders at the Workshop, IMSD has decided to eliminate the use of “tiering” in future NIMS compliance requirements.  Additionally, the requirement to complete ICS-400: Advanced ICS in FY08 will now actually be a FY09 requirement.  (Note:  ICS-300: Intermediate ICS will remain a FY08 requirement) 
 
Unfortunately, as a result of the NIMS workshop in October and the significant and constructive input provided to IMSD by our stakeholders, a minor delay in the release of the FY 2008 NIMS compliance materials is expected.  IMSD anticipates releasing the materials in January, 2008. 
 
As we look toward NIMS compliance for FY 2008, State, territory, tribal nations, and local governments will continue to address specific compliance objectives, which will, again, outline necessary actions to be accomplished prior to the end of FY 2008.  As with FY 2007 implementation activities, each objective will have corresponding metrics that address expected achievements for FY 2008 and out years.  The FY 2008 metrics will clearly outline year-end expectations, where as the out-year metrics will provide actions that can be implemented in FY 2008 and beyond.   Providing out-year metrics now will allow stakeholders to work within their current level of NIMS implementation and compliance and move ahead in implementation objectives, where appropriate.