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NIMS and ICS

Emergencies are managed within the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) framework using the Incident
Command System (ICS). Both governmental and non-
governmental agencies utilize NIMS and ICS to respond to all
types of emergencies, including natural and man-made
disasters and terrorist attacks.

Ideally, during an emergency your community health center

will utilize NIMS and ICS in its response. This applies to both
small- and large-scale disasters, internal and external, natural
and man-made. This is because emergency response and
governmental agencies work within the NIMS and ICS
structure when responding to an emergency. It allows
agencies and organizations to work cohesively to allow for an
efficient, coordinated and effective emergency response.

Being familiar with NIMS and ICS will allow for a more effective response to an emergency that affects
your health center. Additionally, NIMS and ICS concepts should be integrated into your center's
emergency management plan and all staff trained accordingly.

What is NIMS?
The National Incident Management System (NIMS), developed by
the Department of Homeland Security, is a core set of doctrines,
principles, and organizational processes. It provides a systematic,
proactive approach guiding departments and agencies at all levels
of government, the private sector, and nongovernmental
organizations to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against,
respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or
complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life, property, and harm to the environment.*

* National Incident Management System, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, December 2008

NIMS Covers:
(Click on the linked items to learn more.)

The Incident Command System (ICS)

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Multi-Agency Coordination Systems (MACS)

Unified Command

Training

Identification and Management of Resources (including systems for classifying types of resources)

Qualifications and Certification

Collection, Tracking and Reporting of Incident Information

Incident Resources

What NIMS Is/Is Not

What NIMS is: What NIMS is not:

A comprehensive, nationwide, systematic approach to A response plan

incident management, including the Incident Only used during large-scale incidents
Command system, Multiagency Coordination A communications plan
Systems, and Public Information Only applicable to certain emergency responders
A set of preparedness concepts and principles for all Only the Incident Command System or an
hazards organizational chart
Essential principles for a common operating picture A static system
and interoperability of communications and
information management
Standardized resource management procedures that
enable coordination

Command vs. Coordination

In reference to NIMS, FEMA defines command and coordination as the
following:

Command is the act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of

explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority at the field level. The
ICS command structure allows the authority to be delegated from the
agency administrator to the Incident Commander and/or Area Command
in response to an emergency.

Coordination is the process of providing support to the command

structure and may include incident prioritization, critical resource
allocation, communications systems integration, and information
exchange.

What is ICS?

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The Incident Command System (ICS) is a management tool of the National Incident Management System
(NIMS), the nation's first standardized management approach that unifies federal, state, and local lines of
government for incident response. The ICS was originally created by federal, state and local wild land fire
agencies during the 1970s. It has since been developed to be expanded and adapted to any size or type
of emergency, providing a structure to allow agencies with different legal, jurisdictional, and functional
responsibilities to work together during an incident. Since its inception, the ICS has been used to
successfully coordinate the resources and agencies needed to respond to a variety of emergencies or
disasters.

The implementation of ICS is required for all emergencies by the National Response Framework (NRF).
During an emergency, this system coordinates the efforts of responders under one chain of command and
communication with one common plan. This will ensure that the agencies involved have the single goal of
resolving the disaster as quickly and efficiently as possible. Please visit the National Response
Framework Resource Center for more information.

ICS Structure
The ICS is normally structured to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: command, operations,
planning, logistics and finance/administration. In some circumstances, intelligence and investigations may
be added as a sixth functional area.

Incident Command: entity responsible for overall management of the incident; consists of the Incident
Commander and any assigned supporting staff; coordinates and approves activities of command and
general staff.

Public Information Officer: member of the command staff, serves as the conduit for information to
internal and external stakeholders, including the media or other organizations seeking information directly

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from the incident or event.

Safety Officer: member of the command staff, monitors safety conditions and develops measures for
assuring safety of all assigned personnel.

Liaison Officer: member of the command staff, serves as the primary contact for supporting agencies
assisting at an incident.

Operations: implements the Incident Action Plan and includes additional branches or divisions that may
be added or deleted depending on the nature of the incident.

Planning: prepares and documents an Incident Action Plan; maintains information on the status of
resources assigned to the plan.

Logistics: section that sets up and maintains facility operations, including the ordering, delivery and
management of supplies and resources.

Finance/Administration: responsible for the financial management, monitoring, and tracking of all costs
relating to the incident; administrative side also handles all legal concerns, paperwork, and MOU’s
(Memoranda of Understanding).

Logistics Support: manages materials and supplies; maintains inventory and acquires additional
supplies as needed.

Logistics Services: maintains essential services needed for smooth operation of the incident (e.g. food
services, IT and other communication services).

ICS Adjusts to the Event

The ICS is designed to collapse or expand in proportion to
the magnitude of the emergency - to fit the needs of the
situation. In a small situation, the Incident Commander (IC)
may perform all necessary functions. Large incidents may
require additional people to staff the various sections within
the system.

Basic ICS operating guidelines designate the person at the

head of the organization as responsible until authority is
delegated to another person. Only the functions needed for
the response are activated in a given situation.

When multiple jurisdictions, multiple agencies, or multiple

technical needs are involved in a response, the concept of
“unified command” becomes an essential expansion of ICS. Unified command allows agencies with
different legal, geographic, and functional authorities and responsibilities to work together effectively
without affecting individual agency authority, responsibility or accountability.

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Unified command is the management tool that brings various Incident Commanders in a coordinated
response to an event.

What does this mean to you?

When the emergency management coordinator has activated the emergency management plan, ICS will
be activated. Once the emergency management or response team has arrived at the incident command
center, job action sheets and vests will likely be distributed. Vests help identify personnel involved in the
emergency response, as well as their role, such as EMC, Safety Officer, Information Officer, as well as
various clinical and support positions.

Incident Command System Organizational Chart

During an emergency, all staff will strictly follow a specific chain of command, as prescribed by the
Incident Command System. This will help cut down on chaos and confusion. The organizational chart
depicted here is an example of what the chain of command may look like within a community health
center. The positions within your CHC may differ from the ones depicted, and there may be additional,
positions, as well. It may not be necessary to fill all of the positions of the organizational chart. The
number of positions will be determined by the size and type of the disaster, as well as number and type of
staff available.

An example of a job action sheet will appear when the colored boxes are clicked. For additional examples
of job action sheets, please visit our Resources section and look for the CHCANYS manual under
“Emergency Management Plan Tools.”

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 © 2019 Center for Public Health Preparedness, University at Albany School of Public Health
Instructional Development by the Professional Development Program , University at Albany, New York

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