National Incident Management System (NIMS) Preparedness and Incident Management Standards Purpose of the Guide: This NIMS Guide is to provide a brief overview of two recommended standards that support NIMS implementation. The Incident Management Systems Integration Division (IMSI) is charged with identifying and evaluating standards applicable to NIMS. According to NIMS, “[s]tandards appropriate for NIMS users will be designated by the National Integration Center (NIC) in partnership with recognized standards development organizations.” Through evaluation and practitioner review conducted in 2006, IMSD has identified and recommends that emergency management/response organizations voluntarily adopt the following two standards: • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1600: Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1561: Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System The following pages provide a description of their relationship to NIMS and contact information for the standards development organizations. NFPA 1600 may be downloaded free of charge or for a fee if hardcopies of the standard are needed. NFPA 1561 may be viewed online for free or downloaded or purchased for a fee if hardcopies of the standard are needed. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1600: Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs 1. Overview: This standard establishes a common set of criteria for disaster/emergency management and business continuity programs. Specifically, this standard provides disaster/emergency management and business continuity programs the criteria to assess current programs or to develop, implement, and maintain aspects for prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery from emergencies. This standard applies to public, nongovernmental, and private entities. 2. Relationship to NIMS: NFPA 1600 provides a preparedness structure and benchmark for organizing an effective emergency management program. The standard provides an organization for all aspects of NIMS, and there is a direct link between the standard and the preparedness roles and elements outlined in NIMS. The standard also requires that response operations be guided by incident action plan or management by objectives. NIMS Component I: Preparedness NFPA 1600 Components Preparedness Roles Chapter 4: Program Management Preparedness Elements a. Preparedness Planning i. Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government Plans ii. Mutual Aid Agreements and/or Assistance Agreements b. Procedures and Protocols c. Training and Exercises Chapter 5: Program Elements a. Section 5.8: Planning i. Standard 5.8.3.8: Continuity Plan ii. Section 5.7: Mutual Aid/Assistance b. Section 5.11: Operation Procedures c. Section 5.13: Training Section 5.14: Exercises, Evaluations, and Corrective Actions Mitigation Section 5.5: Mitigation Standard 5.8.3.6: Mitigation Plan The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) standard – the Emergency Management Standard by EMAP – is based on the NFPA 1600 standards. EMAP offers emergency management programs accreditation and self assessment tools. Federal grant programs provide assistance towards meeting these standards. For example, the FY 2007 Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) program guidance required that work plans address various criteria, including NIMS and EMAP standards. Standard Development Organization: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee: Emergency Management and Business Continuity Edition Number and/or Date: 2007 Edition Web site: http://www.nfpa.org National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1561: Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System 1. Overview: This standard establishes the minimum requirements for an incident management system to be used by emergency services to manage all incidents/planned events. Requirements are established for operating systems, implementation, and communications. Furthermore, the standard provides a description of key positions and roles within the incident management system, including the functions of the Incident Commander, Command Staff, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The standard also addresses requirements for multi-agency coordination and training and staffing for Incident Management Teams. 2. Relationship to NIMS: NFPA 1561 provides an organizational structure for managing incidents, which are consistent with the command and management component of NIMS. The NFPA 1561 standard addresses these command and management components as a list of essential elements for an incident management system. NIMS Component IV: Command and Management NFPA 1561 Components Management Characteristics Chapters 4: Incident Management Systems Chapter 5: System Implementation Incident Command and Command Staff Chapter 7: Position Descriptions and Roles Section 7.1: Incident Commander Section 7.2: Command Staff General Staff Chapter 7: Position Descriptions and Roles Section 7.9: General Staff Incident Management Teams Chapter 9: Incident Management Team(s) Multiagency Coordination Systems Chapter 8: Multi-Agency Incidents Similar to the management characteristics of NIMS ICS, the NFPA 1561 elements are applicable to incidents regardless of cause, size, or complexity. Section 7.16 (Command Structure) of NFPA 1561 outlines the NIMS concepts of the modular organization and span of control, among others. Standard Development Organization: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee: Fire Service Occupational Safety and Health Edition Number and/or Date: 2005 Edition Web site: http://www.nfpa.org