National Incident Management System

National Incident Management System

Theoretical Analysis of National Incident Management System (NIMS)

The Federal Government established the National Incident Management System (NIMS) under the Homeland Security Presidential Directive number 5 in February 2003. The Secretary of Homeland Security played an important role of developing and administering national incident management system. NIMS provide a reliable and consistent approach to responding to all forms of incidents irrespective of size and scope (Walsh 2012). The emergency management organization integrates several parts that are key components of Homeland Security. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) play a critical role of directing the creation of a comprehensive approach to incident management. The federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local responders undertake the approach to incident management. The federal responders work closely with the federal government to ensure incident management. The state leadership in collaboration with state responders strives to ensure ample incident management measures at state level (Walsh 2012).

The territorial, tribal, and local responders have a role to play in managing incidents at their areas of control. The network of incident management from the federal government to local authority's level assures the state agencies, organizations and the public of safety in the event an incident occurs. The Presidential Directive has made NIMS a compulsory requirement for every entity that wishes to receive federal funds (Deal 2010). The Federal and State response agencies receiving Federal funding must adhere to the compliance guidelines and work towards training and educating respective organization to become NIMS compliant. The system began with California FIRESCOPE and later matured into Incident Command before expanding to fully integrated NIMS. Traditionally, the Federal government regarded the incident management agencies (first responder) to comprise the police and HAZMAT, and EMS to include public health, public works, emergency communications, and emergency management among other agencies. All these agencies collectively involve themselves in disaster preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery activities (Deal 2010).

The Federal government in cooperation with the states, territories and local authorities polished the integrated system. The system consists of a uniform set of processes, protocols, and procedure that the government would use to conduct response actions. The six components include Command and Management, Preparedness, Resource Management, Communications and Information Management, Supporting Technologies, and Ongoing Management and Maintenance (Walsh 2012).

NIMS have also identified a wide variety of Federal Preparedness programs which they availed to responders. These programs are destined towards ensuring proper integration of works of the responders apart from making their incident management duty much easier. Incident Commander controls all activities of NIMS (Walsh 2012). The Commander works closely with public Information officer, Safety officer, and Liaison Officer to facilitate activities of the Operation Section, Planning Section, Logistics Section, and Financial Administration Section. Depending on the composition of NIMS, factors such as efficient command systems and effective management provide a platform that would facilitate the process of managing emergencies properly (Walsh 2012). A correctly organized pre-planning helps the first responder in their bid to react to disaster swiftly and appropriately. The activities of first responders are pegged on information and communication, which essentially constitute the infrastructure. Barriers to information sharing may lead to inadequate or inappropriate responses to an incident. There is a need to resolve controversies, which might be surrounding the guidelines on privacy and security. Other technologies particularly devices with GIS, and sensors among others constitute the basic requirements that help in improving the efficiency of the response unit (Walsh 2012).

Command and Management systems are the command systems of the National Incident Management System. Generally, the incident command systems are the most common sets of command structures and terminologies, which are used on various incident scenes. They are important in providing efficient management of the resources that are involved during an incident resolution process. National Incident Management System is important in providing a national framework, which enables global responders work collectively on complex incidents. The National Incident Management systems command and management revolves around three key areas. The key areas are the Incident Command Systems, Public Information Systems and the Multiagency Coordination Systems. In this case, the National Incident Management System's Incident Command Systems revolves around the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. In contrast, the Incident Command Systems highly focuses on intelligence and information incorporation (Smoke, 2010).

National Incident Management System Public Information systems are the protocols and systems, which are essential for timely communication and perfect information to a given public in case there is an emergency or crisis. The public information systems entails a public information officer who may be within a given information center. As part of management processes in various organizations, post-incident analysis follows the Incident management processes in determination why a particular incident happened. Generally, organization's leadership overshadows the different post-incident analysis put in place in any given organization. This is with an intention of preventing future incidents through different precautionary measures. In most cases, the National Incident Management System works together with the NRF or the National Response Framework. In these situations, the National Response Framework provides a necessary template for incident management while the National Response Framework gives the necessary mechanism structure for incident management policies on a National level (Smoke, 2010).

Theoretical Analysis of the Incident Command System

The incident command system is methodical scheme in use for passing authority; organize, in addition to the harmonization during, cases of emergency for quick response by individuals. ICS is present on many organizations to assist in the cases of safety management. With poor strategies put forward in an organization, it becomes hard managing workers at times of danger. The system entails a wide range of aspects that guarantee its effectiveness starting from the personnel, the measures, and part of the facilities to use at times of danger (Smoke, 2010). Setting up the system plays a significant role in the improving personnel reaction at times of emergency.

The system is not built for a single emergency but meant for all types of emergency that can take place in an organization. The incident command system is an outcome component from the National Incident Management System. There development was by United State's division responsible of homeland protection. Most organization that has the system present is those offering a common work platform for all personnel. This is effective since the employees at the organization can easily coordinate at times of emergency. The first person to respond in an emergency has the responsibility of taking charge until the end of the whole incident (Fosher, 2009). It is a way of avoiding miscommunication among the responders.

The system entails a basic management chain of command to follow in order to administer to any incident that arises in an organization. It requires exceptional preparation thus, a pre-establishment for the establishment that is taking part in an organization. The training is always depending on the area of establishment to all personnel where sanctioning takes place by the authorities that are part of the system setup (Walsh, 2012). The system is always effective during emergencies up to the point where there is no more incident management is necessary. A bendable system chooses no disciplinary not selecting any organization.

ICS come to term with requirements for a jurisdiction to correspond with incidents of any caliber, as well as the complexity. The system allows a growth or contraction depending on the organization applicable. It sorts the management of challenges present in emergency incidents like availing logistical and managerial support to the staff available during an operation (Fosher, 2009). This is one of the most effective systems in terms of expenditure since it limits the duplication of labor. Considering the procedures with an inclusion of the training on an application of the system in an organization, ICS gives an amalgamated emergency organization.

There are plenty of occurrences that are manageable with the incident command system in any organization. The systems organization refers to such incidents as situations that occur unexpectedly requiring a reaction. Some of the incidents likely to occur in an association that has a numerous working force include an urgent situation requiring an ambulance overhaul for the incident would be medically interconnected (Smoke, 2010). In manufacturing industries, there are several cases of spills especially when dealing with corrosive chemicals. The system has the ability to train the workers on such an organization on the procedures to undertake in such a situation.

Individuals at any emergency response situation have concepts trained to put in mind such as reporting to a single superintendent on the operation. This is a way to limiting numerous orders that conflict and cause confusion during the response procedure. There must be the use of common terminologies that the personnel are familiar with in order to increase the level of communication, as well as panel cohesion (Smoke, 2010). ICS has limitations on the number of individuals on a span at a time of crises where the number is three to seven people. This means that, for every manager in an incident, there should be at least seven persons.

National Incident Management System analysis

Command and Management systems are the command systems of the National Incident Management System. Generally, the incident command systems are the most common sets of command structures and terminologies, which are used on various incident scenes. They are important in providing efficient management of the resources that are involved during an incident resolution process. National Incident Management System is important in providing a national framework, which enables global responders work collectively on complex incidents. The National Incident Management systems command and management revolves around three key areas. The key areas are the Incident Command Systems, Public Information Systems and the Multiagency Coordination Systems. In this case, the National Incident Management System's Incident Command Systems revolves around the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. In contrast, the Incident Command Systems highly focuses on intelligence and information incorporation.

National Incident Management System Public Information systems are the protocols and systems, which are essential for timely communication and perfect information to a given public in case there is an emergency or crisis. The public information systems entails a public information officer who may be within a given information center. As part of management processes in various organizations, post-incident analysis follows the Incident management processes in determination why a particular incident happened. Generally, organization's leadership overshadows the different post-incident analysis put in place in any given organization. This is with an intention of preventing future incidents through different precautionary measures. In most cases, the National Incident Management System works together with the NRF or the National Response Framework. In these situations, the National Response Framework provides a necessary template for incident management while the National Response Framework gives the necessary mechanism structure for incident management policies on a National level.

Description of Components of NIMS

The national incident management system (NIMS) outlines an effective approach guiding all organization governmental and non-governmental on how to respond to and take care of an emergency at all times regardless of place and time. There are six components of National Incident Management System they include the following: Command and management, Preparedness, Resource management, Communications and information management, Supporting technologies, Ongoing management and maintenance, Command and management (Walsh et al. 2011)

Command and management

This is the incident command system for the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The incident command system is a set of terminology and structure of commands used during an emergency to provide effective management of all resources involved in resolving the incident during that crisis or happening. The National Incident Management System outlines a common national framework. Responders from across the nation follow this system, who collectively works together in solving issues on a large scale or complex incidents. This ensures faster solving of the incident since it is a collective work and there is collective solution of issues.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) command and management revolves around three main area, the incident command system (ICS), multiagency coordination and public information system. The Basis of National Incident Management System (ICS) is the national wildfire-coordinating group also known as FIRESCOPE ICS. This system has been in place in the U.S. states for about 30 years. Its main emphases are on Incorporation of intelligence and information sharing as one component of incident command structure, and liaise to the incident commander or at the field operations level.

Facilities, equipments, personnel, procedures and communications make up National Incident Management System Multiagency coordination systems (MACS). These components operate from a common base, which coordinates and supports local/domestic incidents management activities. Its existence ensures that there is an effective solution for local or domestic incidents. This step ensures maintenance of maximum safety at all times. National Incident Management System (NIMS) public information systems and protocols for communication ensure fast, accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public in the event of a crisis or emergency. It has a support centre under incident commander or unified command.

Preparedness

National Incident Management System (NIMS) preparedness is its ability and capability to sustain a certain level of incident in times of an emergency. These involves its plans of action and actions to be taken during emergency and prevent any danger it posses to the people. National Incident Management System has a unified strategy of approaches in place for preparedness purposes. To ensure its success, there is always a continuous planning, training, exercising, evaluating, equipping and preferred action to suitable in times of an incident. For minimal error, there are continuous reviews of the processes over time. National Incident Management System coordinates with all the stakeholders concerned to ensure such operations are smooth and run without much difficulty and interferences. It involves both the government and private sectors in these processes since in times of emergency both involved in a way or the other (Molino luis 2008).

The basis for National Incident Management System's (NIMS) ability to handle any emergency. Emergency operations plan (EOP). This plan outlines and explains the strength and level of preparedness and management activities, which are crucial for that task/job. Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) covers many organizations, tasked to come up with measures to be used in the event of emergency incident handling. The strategies should include how the organization will accomplish the task its assignment solution. To achieve this is the organization has to develop four standard levels of procedural documents; field operation guide; and job aids other plans include corrective action, mitigation and recovery. All these measures should always be up-to-date and effective. Personnel to undertake this assignment should always know what and how to do in whatever incident. When one prepares for an emergency the intensity of the actual occurrence of the incident is not heavily felt since measures are in place to solve the emergency. This is better than waiting for a solution after the incident.

Resource management

For effective management of an incident, there must be proper management of available resources (Elsevier 2009). These are to be used during times of emergency to curb loss and minimize the damage that could have resulted from the incident. The national incident management system provides only the basic concepts and principles for resource management. These basic concepts and principle are a consequence of the National Incident Management's Document. The review always occurs over time to ensure their maximized effectiveness when implemented. Chapter vii of that the document contains cross-disciplinary effort led by National Incident Management System integration centre and has widely description and explanation. (Walsh et al. 2011)

National Incident Management System resource management concept bases on; networking of strategies, measures, plans and a system that provide incident managers with effective and timely resources during an emergency. These resources include personnel, teams, facilities, equipment, and supplies. It coordinates activities, which take place within the emergency operations plan (EOP) (Deal and Tim, 2011).

Communications and information management

Just like any other system, the emergency management and incident responses depend on communication and information management, which provides a universal operating picture. The operating picture is provided to all the coordination and command sites. National Incident Management System offers a reliable nationwide template, which enables different governments, non-governmental institutions and the private sector to work collectively during the domestic incidents. Maintaining and establishing a universal operating picture, opera ability and guaranteeing accessibility are the main goals of this system in the NIMS (Schottke, 2007). Well planned, established, and a communication that is well applied will enable information dissemination among the support elements and commands.

National Incident Management System Communications and Information management is a vital area under development. The emphasis here is the working towards a common communication and information systems and standards. Working towards collaborative efforts will help in providing an accomplished interoperability and this will be facilitated by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center. Upon the establishment of a full development in this system, system interoperability and maximum communications may be needed of the local jurisdictions (Schottke, 2007).

In order to have a successful communication and data, the management will require that the emergency responses personnel and their associated organizations various types of communications which are standardized. Some of the standardized communications include; the strategic communications, tactical communications, support communications and the public communications. The strategic communications entails a high level of directions, which includes the roles, responsibility determinations and resource priority decisions. It also includes an overall incident response strategy (Jacobs, 2009).

Tactical communications are the communications that occur between the support elements command and the support elements. They also entail an appropriate and cooperating organizations and agencies.

The support communications entails the coordination, which supports the tactical and strategic communications. Finally, the public address communications are press conferences, warnings and emergency alerts (Jacobs, 2009).

Supporting technologies

In National Incident Management Systems, supporting technologies means the technological systems and technology in providing support, which are essential in refining and implementing the National Incident Management System. They generally include the voice and information communication systems such as resource tracking and record keeping. They also include various display systems, specialized technologies that help in facilitating incident management activities and incident operations. They come in handy in situations, which need exclusive technological capabilities. Global advance in science and technology is vital in the continual improvement of the National Incident Management System. Strategic research and development is vital in ensuring that this type of development takes place (Anandarajan, 2008).

The National Incident Management System depends on the scientifically-based technological standards, which fully support the ability of the nation in the preparation, response and recovery of domestic incidents. Maintaining a suitable focus on technological solutions, which associate with incident management, will be necessary in involving long-term joint efforts among the partners of National Incident Management System (Cannon, 2007).The foundation of most of these technological systems is the transportation's Intelligent Transportation systems. Most of the accomplishments used for fighting nonrecurring congestion entail the execution and the utilization of ITS at TMC or rather the transportation management centers. These technologies are created for the daily operations, can be simply adapted to handle both the unplanned incidents, and planned events (Cannon, 2007).

The NIC in conjunction with the Homeland Security of Science and Technology department coordinates and oversees various ongoing developments during the management of incidents that relate to technology. These include the strategic development and research.

Ongoing management and maintenance

National Incident Management Systems ongoing management and maintenance, is usually realized by NIMS center through a multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdiction collaborative systems. The mechanism behind the ongoing management and maintenance is to ensure a proper maintenance of National Incident Management Systems as a Homeland security presidential Directive thus (HSPD). This directive requires the Homeland security secretary to create a multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional National Incident Management Systems integration center (Thompson,2009). The center is built in a way in which it can support the continuous refinement and routine maintenance of the systems and the system components in years to come.

The structure of the center will include different mechanisms for consultation or participation with different federal agencies and departments, incident management organizations and emergency response groups. Examples of federal agencies and departments include the management of tribal incident local and State. Local departments and State of transportation are beneficial in offering expertise in incident management, which will be necessary in ensuring the center attains its goals. Without an active participation of DOTs, the ongoing management and maintenance of National Incident Management Systems will be seen as incomplete (Cannon, 2007). For a successful continuous in the ongoing management and maintenance, there is the need to have proper transportation aspects in the system.

Explaining how NIMS Component can be integrated with and/or compliment ICS

1. Command and Management

This component sketches out the processes and systems that form the basis for information sharing. Regular application of certain terminology along with a well-established organizational structure facilitates achievement of Command and Management. Command and Management complements Incident Command System to enhance control and coordination of emergency responses (Molino 2006). It particularly outlines the systems of coordination thus facilitating information sharing. Since ICS is applicable in incidents of different forms, scope and complexity, it is necessary important the Command and Management agency to ensure there is compatibility between systematic tool for command (ICS) and the Command and Management itself. The tools of Command and Management such as established organizational structure and consistent terminology use will substantially help in providing a suitable framework (Molino 2006).

The framework would fundamentally assist in inducing swift response in the event that emergency situation occurs. In addition, the framework provides a platform for efficient and effective incident command and management via ICS. It also actively involved in management of and documentation of any type of incident. Therefore, each incident would exhibit proper documentation and positive management among other roles and responsibilities for which the command and management system is designed (Walsh 2012). Besides integrating with ICS as well as complementing it, the command and management also play a vital role in Multi-Agency Coordination Systems. In essence, the systematic tool helps in managing various components for successful coordination of multiple resources alongside jurisdiction. The public information systems in cooperation with the command and management provide protocols and procedures for timely and accurate communication to the public. The public would therefore become alert in the event of occurrence of emergency (Walsh 2012).

2. Preparedness

This is essential tool for successful incident and emergency management. In order to accomplish nationwide preparedness for emergency and incident, it is necessary for the country to exercise partnership among all levels of the government (Walsh 2012). The Federal, state, territorial, and local leadership have a role to play to ensure adequate preparedness among all Federal organs for any possible occurrence of an emergency. Apart from different levels of the government's participation in attaining national preparedness, the private sectors as well as nongovernmental organizations have a role to play as far as effective incident and emergency management are concerned. Preparedness of NIMS entails continuous cycle of planning, training, equipping, organizing, and taking corrective action (Walsh 2012). The action taken will determine the capacity of the government and state agencies to combat emergency and ensure the public of security of their lives and property. Sufficient preparedness integrates so well with the Incident Command System to allow for accurate incorporation of facilities, equipment, personnel, communications and procedures within a common organizational structure.

The organizational structure will influence the level of preparedness in case of an emergency. Adequate preparedness will ease coordination of response among different forms of jurisdiction and functional agencies. The jurisdictions and functional agencies can be both private and public. Similarly, adequate preparedness would enhance the establishment of common processes for planning and managing resources (Walsh 2012). Flexibility of ICS aids its use in incidents of any type, scope and complexity. It will also allow users to adopt an organizational structure that is fully integrated to match the demand and complexities of either single or even multiple incidents.

As far as government departments, the state and local authorities are concerned, level of preparedness is the basis on which the response team manages or completely fails to combat incidents or emergencies (Walsh 2012). Overall, the ICS is usually structured to enhance activities in five main functional areas, which include Command, operations, Logistics, planning, and Finance. However, depending on the level of preparedness, the functional areas may or may not be utilized depending on the needs of the incident. NIMS would also enhance the understanding of terrorist attacks and domestic incidents (Phelan 2008). The Federal and state agencies have the capacity to analyze the essence of response, preparedness, and prevention as well as the procedure to follow in their approach. In general, preparedness aids the process of planning, training and exercises, personnel management, mutual aid and publication management. It involves conducting exercises for ICS along with agency-specific training. Publication procedure encompasses naming and numbering conventions to accomplish ICs with ease (Phelan 2008).

3. Resource management

It is essential to have a system that aid in identification of available resources at the levels of jurisdiction to realize efficiency in incident management. This would effectively aid in unimpeded and timely access to different resources that are necessary for preparation or recovery from an incident. These resources may be financial, human skills, IT, or inventory. Resource management is essential in describing the relationship between the advance planning of the jurisdiction and resource requirements (Phelan 2008). It will also help determine the availability of resources during the incidents with the resources of emergency comprising the public, private, and non-governmental organizations. Resource management aids in integrating the relationship between various entities concerning managing their resources alongside enabling mechanisms that provide the opportunity for seamless integration. Resource Management entails standardization, mobilization, skills justification, and deactivation (Phelan 2008).