NIMS Management Characteristics

This NIMS Management Characteristics course builds on the knowledge you gained during ICS 100. Below are the main topics that are covered during the class.

• Common Terminology
• Modular Organization
• Management by Objectives
• Incident Action Planning
• Manageable Span of Control
• Incident Facilities and Locations
• Comprehensive Resource Management
• Integrated Communications
• Establishment and Transfer of Command
• Unified Command
• Chain of Command and Unity of Command
• Accountability
• Dispatch/Deployment
• Information and Intelligence Management

1) Common Terminology

The Incident Command System (ICS) defines a common Terminology that allows a variety of organizations to support and manage incidents to cooperate across a range of emergency operations and risk situations.

2) Modular Organization

Based on the size of the incident and its complexity, The Incident Command System (ICS) organization structure is developed modularly.

3) Management by Objectives

In the event of an incident, Incident Commands (also known as Unified Commands (which will be reviewed in the future) define incident objectives that guide the activities of incident response.

One of the goals in Management by Objectives is:

• Establishing specific, quantifiable event goals.
• The process of determining strategies, tactics, tasks, and actions to meet goals.
• You have identified, developed, and distributed instructions, plans, processes, and procedures to complete the tasks.
• Recording the outcomes of the incident’s objectives.

ICS utilizes incident goals to ensure that every person in the organization knows what needs to be achieved. In general, a set of Priorities helps a team decide how to complete their task. To help make choices,

4) Incident Action Planning

The incident action plan should govern an effective incident management strategy. An Incident Action Plan (IAP) outlines the incident’s goals, priorities, strategies, tactics, and tasks for both support and operational tasks. The necessity for further timeframes (referred to by the term operational timeframes) must be considered in the IAP.

5) Manageable Span of Control

It could be required to oversee other’ actions within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, based on your role. During an incident, a span of control is the number of resources or people the supervisor can manage effectively. The designs of the Operations Section are often based on the span of control.

6) Incident Facilities and Locations

Depending on the incident’s size and complexity, different types of support facilities can be developed through Incident Command. These facilities are typically the following:* Incident Post (ICP): Post(ICP)

• Camps and Incident bases
• Joint Information Centers (JIC)
• Staging Areas
• Helicopter (Helo) Spots and Helibases (Air and UAV)

7) Comprehensive Resource Management

When an incident occurs, the situation must be evaluated and a response plan developed. Resources should be planned and assigned to meet the goals of the incident. When they perform their duties, they must be managed to accommodate environmental changes. The management of resources safely and efficiently is the main aspect to consider in the event of an incident. The formalized process for managing resources in ICS ensures that the management principles are implemented during the incident.

8) Integrated Communications

Incident communications are eased by creating and implementing a common communication plan and interoperable communication methods and systems that incorporate data and voice links.

Integrated Communications are necessary to:

• Ensure your connectivity
• Obtain awareness of situations
• Facilitate sharing of information

9) Establishment and Transfer of Command

The role of the Command should be established at the start of the incident. The authority or the organization that holds the primary responsibility for the incident determines the Incident Commander and the procedure for transfer of the Command. The transfer of Command could happen during an incident. If a Command is transferred, the process should be accompanied by an explanation that outlines all the necessary information to ensure secure and efficient operations.

10) Unified Command

In the context of a Unified Command, there is no one “Commander.” Instead, the Unified Command manages the incident through jointly-approved objectives. Unified Command allows entities with distinct legal, geographical, and functional responsibilities to effectively collaborate without affecting the individual agency’s power, authority, or accountability.

11) Chain of Command

The chain of Command is an organized line that defines how authority is distributed throughout the hierarchy. Management company. Chain of Command:

• allows an Incident Commander to control and direct the actions of every employee in the incident.
• Reduces confusion by the requirement that orders are derived from

Chain of Command allows personnel to communicate directly with one another to inquire for information or exchange it. While formal guidance and control adhere to the chain of Command, informal information sharing occurs throughout the ICS structure.

12) Unity of Command

The chain of Command is related to the overall structure of the company. Unity of Command means all employees have a designated person to report to.

13) Accountability

The importance of accountability during incident-related operations can’t be overstated. To adhere to the agency’s guidelines and policies and all applicable legislation and rules, you’ll have to be part of the Incident Command System (ICS).

The success of the response is on more than just the specific incident. However, it also depends on individual accountability. The team members are accountable for maintaining situational awareness of their surroundings and communicating security concerns to the chain of Command.

14) Dispatch/Deployment

An efficient resource management program must be set up to send resources only when required or ordered by an authority with the appropriate power. To prevent overloading with the Command for an incident, resources that are not needed should be resisted from self-dispatching. One of the most important features of ICS is its ability to manage resources to adapt to changing circumstances. In the event of an incident, you must be assigned or dispatched to assist in the incident response. However, as long as you’re not transferred to the organization responsible for the incident, you will remain in your regular job. Once you’re posted, you have to be able to check in and receive an assignment.

15) Information and Intelligence Management

The Incident Command System (ICS) heavily depends on intelligence and information. Information and information relevant to incidents need to be collected, analyzed, as well as shared, and controlled. NIMS defines intelligence as information about threats gathered by law enforcement agencies, medical surveillance, or other investigative agencies.