How can you align your contingency plan with the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?

1 Identify the NIMS components

The first step to align your contingency plan with NIMS is to understand its five components: preparedness, communications and information management, resource management, command and coordination, and ongoing management and maintenance. Each component has specific principles, processes, and tools that you can use to enhance your contingency planning and execution. For example, preparedness involves conducting risk assessments, developing objectives and strategies, training and exercising, and evaluating and improving your plan. Communications and information management involves establishing common terminology, protocols, and systems for sharing information and maintaining situational awareness. Resource management involves identifying, typing, ordering, tracking, and mobilizing resources that you may need during an incident. Command and coordination involves setting up an organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities for managing the incident, as well as coordinating with other stakeholders. Ongoing management and maintenance involves reviewing and updating your plan regularly, as well as incorporating lessons learned and best practices from previous incidents.

2 Adopt the NIMS concepts and principles

The second step to align your contingency plan with NIMS is to adopt its core concepts and principles, which are based on flexibility, scalability, adaptability, and standardization. Flexibility means that your plan should be able to accommodate different types and sizes of incidents, as well as changing conditions and needs. Scalability means that your plan should be able to expand or contract according to the complexity and severity of the incident. Adaptability means that your plan should be able to adjust to new information, challenges, and opportunities. Standardization means that your plan should follow common terminology, formats, and procedures that are consistent with NIMS and compatible with other entities. By adopting these concepts and principles, you can ensure that your plan is effective, efficient, and interoperable.

3 Integrate the NIMS processes and tools

The third step to align your contingency plan with NIMS is to integrate its processes and tools into your plan. These include the Incident Command System (ICS), the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Multiagency Coordination System (MACS), the Joint Information System (JIS), and the National Response Framework (NRF). The ICS is a modular and hierarchical system that defines the roles, responsibilities, and relationships of the personnel involved in managing the incident. The EOC is a centralized location where you can coordinate your operations, resources, and information with other entities. The MACS is a network of EOCs and other agencies that support the incident management and provide policy guidance. The JIS is a mechanism for delivering consistent and coordinated public information and messages across different platforms and audiences. The NRF is a guide that outlines the roles and responsibilities of the federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations, in responding to incidents of national significance.

4 Collaborate with the NIMS stakeholders

The fourth step to align your contingency plan with NIMS is to collaborate with the various stakeholders that are involved in or affected by the incident. These include other organizations within your sector, as well as cross-sector partners, such as emergency management agencies, public safety agencies, public health agencies, utilities, media, and community groups. Collaboration involves establishing and maintaining relationships, communication channels, and mutual aid agreements with these stakeholders, as well as participating in joint planning, training, exercising, and evaluation activities. Collaboration also involves respecting the roles, authorities, and jurisdictions of each stakeholder, as well as sharing information, resources, and best practices. By collaborating with the NIMS stakeholders, you can enhance your situational awareness, decision making, and resource allocation, as well as build trust and confidence among the public and the media.

5 Align your contingency plan with NIMS

The final step to align your contingency plan with NIMS is to document and communicate how your plan incorporates the NIMS components, concepts, principles, processes, and tools, as well as how you collaborate with the NIMS stakeholders. You can use the NIMS Implementation Objectives, which are a set of criteria that measure the extent to which you have adopted and integrated NIMS into your plan. You can also use the NIMS Resource Center, which is a website that provides various resources, such as templates, guides, checklists, and training courses, that can help you align your plan with NIMS. You should also communicate your plan to your staff, partners, and customers, and explain how it benefits them and what they need to do in case of an incident. By aligning your contingency plan with NIMS, you can improve your preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities, as well as contribute to the overall emergency management system in the country.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?