Developed by the Secretary of Homeland Security at the request of the President, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) integrates effective practices in emergency preparedness and response into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. The NIMS will enable responders at all levels to work together more effectively to manage domestic incidents no matter what the cause, size or complexity. The benefits of the NIMS system will be significant:

• Standardized organizational structures, processes and procedures;

• Standards for planning, training and exercising, and personnel qualification standards;

• Equipment acquisition and certification standards;

• Interoperable communications processes, procedures and systems;

• Information management systems; and

• Supporting technologies – voice and data communications systems, information systems, data display systems and specialized technologies.
   

Specifically the requirements for this program said that state, territorial, tribal and local level jurisdictions should support NIMS implementation by completing the NIMS awareness course (IS-700) and basic Incident Command System (ICS) (IS-100) training. This independent study course explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS.

Advanced courses are available for supervisors and managers. EOC representatives should take the National Response Framework course (IS-800). Course websites are listed below. For more information, call Seminole County Emergency Management at 407-665-5102.

IS-100 Basic Incident Command System

• All employees, non-profits, EOC staff and support agencies

IS-200 ICS for Initial Response

• All supervisors, managers, EOC staff, and support agencies managers

IS-700 National Incident Management System

• All employees, non-profits, EOC staff and support agencies

IS-800 National Response Framework

• All EOC staff and managers