National Incident Management System
In accordance with Presidential Directives, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has developed the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to address domestic incidents. NIMS provides a standardized framework to manage incidents or events and is used nationwide by emergency responders. The system allows assisting agencies and jurisdictions to assimilate into a single or unified command system, thereby enhancing the efficiency, coordination, and management of an emergency.
As an agency that accepts federal preparedness dollars, The University of Alabama has adopted NIMS as part of our Emergency Operation Plan.
However, just adopting NIMS is not enough. The University maintains NIMS compliance by requiring key personnel to successfully complete selective courses that satisfy the NIMS standards. More information regarding specific position training can be found at the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center web site.
Courses
The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Education recommend that key personnel involved in school emergency management take the appropriate NIMS courses. For simplification, key personnel have been classified into three groups: General, Critical, and Leadership. The level of required training depends upon the role one serves in an emergency. Most of the courses are available online; however, the Office of Emergency Management can present them in a classroom setting.
The Office of Emergency Management is also responsible for documenting NIMS compliance. Key personnel from The University of Alabama who successfully complete required NIMS training should send an electronic copy of their certificate along with their position, department, and division to donald.keith@fa.ua.edu.
Recommended courses by group:
General Personnel
Personnel with a role in emergency preparedness, incident management, or response should complete these courses:
- IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-700.B: NIMS: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Critical Personnel
Personnel that have a critical role in response, such as command or general staff personnel, or members of the campus emergency management team, should complete the following courses:
- IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-200.C: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- IS-700.B: NIMS: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
- IS-800.C: National Response Framework, An Introduction
Leadership Personnel
Personnel who are obligated to command and manage incidents should complete the following courses:
- IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-200.C: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System (classroom instruction only)
- ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System (classroom instruction only)
- IS-700.B: NIMS: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
- IS-800.C: National Response Framework, An Introduction
View this document for more information on NIMS training.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, offers many additional courses related to emergency management and preparedness. Learn more at FEMA's National Disaster & Emergency Management University's website.