Important NIMS Compliance Information Update

Press Release From FEMA
IS-700 The NIMS Introductory Course - Who Needs to Take It?
Originally Published on USFA, Mar. 7, 2005
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FEMA: National Incident Management System

Last September when the Secretary of Homeland Security sent a letter to the nation's governors, he outlined a series of steps that must be taken and actions that should be taken in FY 2005 to become compliant with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Specifically the letter said that state, territorial, tribal and local level jurisdictions should support NIMS implementation by completing the NIMS awareness course National Incident Management System, An Introduction - IS 700. This independent study course explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS. The Secretary clearly intended to provide discretion to state, territorial, tribal and local governments in deciding who should take the course. As further guidance, the NIMS Integration Center encourages all emergency personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident management or response take the NIMS course by Oct. 1, 2005. It is offered free-of-charge through the Emergency Management Institute at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE IN FY'05?

• Executive Level - Political and government leaders, agency and organization administrators and department heads; personnel that fill ICS roles as Unified Commanders, Incident Commanders, Command Staff, General Staff in either Area Command or single incidents; senior level Multi-Agency Coordination System personnel; senior emergency managers; and Emergency Operations Center Command or General Staff.
• Managerial Level - Agency and organization management between the executive level and first level supervision; personnel who fill ICS roles as Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Unit Leaders, technical specialists, strike team and task force leaders, single resource leaders and field supervisors; midlevel Multi-Agency Coordination System personnel; EOC Section Chiefs, Branch Directors, Unit Leaders; and other emergency management/response personnel who require a higher level of ICS/NIMS Training.
• Responder Level - Emergency response providers and disaster workers, entry level to managerial level including Emergency Medical Service personnel; firefighters; medical personnel; police officers; public health personnel; public works/utility personnel; and other emergency management response personnel.

The NIMS introductory course very likely will be a required in FY'06 for state, territorial, tribal and local personnel who have emergency assignments at any level of government. Full NIMS compliance is required by Oct. 1, 2007.

NOTE: We recognize that some online independent study participants are experiencing delays in gaining access to the IS-700 course. The Emergency Management Institute is addressing this and the problem will be alleviated.

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