ICS/ NIMS

ICS/ NIMS

Introduction

This research paper is based on National Incident Management System (NIMS) which is also known as Incident and Command Response Structure (ICS). Incident Command System was developed in response to wild fires that raged south California in the 1970's. During this time, various fire services decided to collaborate with each other to form FIRESCOPE. This collaboration identified various issues that needed to be resolved in order to better combat fires. It soon turned into a national model to combat fires and crime. It was also used during the bombing of the twin towers in Ney York. In 2003, an ordinance was passes requiring California's Standard Emergency Management (SEMS) to be mandatory in all States. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was a direct consequence of the September 11 incident (www.osha.gov).

In United States, National incident management system (NIMS) is an all-inclusive and methodical approach to the incident management on a national scale. It can be used and applied for any incident or disaster at all the levels. The incident command system or ICS is basically an important part of any response management structure and it a basic model tool for providing effective command, control and coordination for response management structure. It provides with efficient means of coordination between individual of different agencies who are working towards a common objective. The main aim behind every agency in emergency situation is to stabilize the situation, protect life, property and environment (Lucus-McEwen, 2011).

Discussion and Analysis

United States' Homeland Security department manages the functioning of National Incident Management System. This system guides and provides consistent support to entire nation so that government at the federal and state levels responds to domestic incidents regardless of cause, intensity, complexity etc. Achieving collaborative partnerships among different governmental level including state, federal and local levels, organizations which are nongovernmental and the organizations belonging to private sector is the biggest challenge in the stage of preparedness. All in all ICS is based upon effective and efficient principles that can be easily applied to any practical work or business setting as a reaction and response to emergency situations (Walsh, 2005).

The five components of National Incident Management System are Preparedness, Communications and Information Management, Resource Management, Command and Management and Ongoing Management and Maintenance. At various times, numerous changes have taken place in the National Incident Management System at the federal level. National Incident Management System incorporates the best ...