NIMS

There have been recent questions concerning the NIMS compliance required by FEMA. Here's that question answered…straight from FEMA's website.

Q - What constitutes "full NIMS implementation" or "full NIMS compliance" in FY2007, starting 10/1/06? We've seen that phrase used in NIMS documents, but we can't find a specific description of what it means. What is "full NIMS implementation"? What is compliance supposed to look like at the state, local and tribal government levels?

A - Beginning in FY 2007, which starts on Oct.1, 2006, all federal preparedness funding will be conditioned upon full compliance with the NIMS. By completing the FY05 activities as well as the FY06 activities, which are outlined in the State/Territories compliance matrix on the NIMS Homepage, states and territories will achieve what is considered to be full NIMS implementation by FY07. Local and tribal jurisdictions will achieve what is considered to be full NIMS implementation by completing the FY06 activities outlined in the Local/Tribal matrix, which also may be found on the NIMS Homepage at www.fema.gov/nims.

NIMS TRAINING GUIDELINES FOR FY 2006: IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100-400
Required Training: Entry Level - Federal/State/Local/Tribal/Private Sector & Non-governmental personnel to include entry level first responders and disaster workers such as: Emergency Medical Service personnel, Firefighters, Hospital staff, Law Enforcement personnel, Public Health personnel, Public Works/Utility personnel, Skilled Support Personnel, Other emergency management response, support, volunteer personnel at all levels
* FEMA IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction
* ICS-100: Introduction to ICS or equivalent

Required Training: First Line, Single Resource, Field Supervisors - Federal/State/Local/Tribal/ Private Sector & Non-governmental personnel to include: First line supervisors, Single resource leaders, Field supervisors, Other emergency management/response personnel that require a higher level of ICS Training
* FEMA IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction
* ICS-100: Introduction to ICS or equivalent
* ICS-200: Basic ICS or equivalent

Required Training: Middle Management - Federal/State/Local/Tribal/Private Sector & Non-governmental personnel to include: Strike team leaders, Task force leaders, Unit leaders, Division/group supervisors, Branch directors, Emergency operations center and multi-agency coordination system staff
* FEMA IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction
* FEMA IS-800: National Response Plan, An Introduction
* ICS-100: Introduction to ICS or equivalent
* ICS-200: Basic ICS or equivalent
* ICS-300: Intermediate ICS or equivalent (FY07 Requirement)

Required Training: Command and General Staff - Federal/State/Local/Tribal/Private Sector & Non-governmental personnel to include: Select department heads with multi-agency coordination system responsibilities, Area commanders Emergency managers, Emergency operations center and multi-agency coordination system managers
* FEMA IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction
* FEMA IS-800: National Response Plan, An Introduction
* ICS-100: Introduction to ICS or equivalent
* ICS-200: Basic ICS or equivalent
* ICS-300: Intermediate ICS or equivalent (FY07 Requirement)
* ICS-400: Advanced ICS or equivalent (FY07 Requirement)

The best way to have this completed, is to go onto the web site and take the courses there. You may go to http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/crslist.asp and follow the login instructions, print out the test questions and go through the materials. This is really user friendly and can be done at your own pace. If you submit your exam online, you should receive your certificate within ten business days. When you receive your certificate - please give a copy to Kim Vernon.