What Is the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. NIMS works hand in hand with the National Response Framework (NRF). NIMS provides the template for the management of incidents, while the NRF provides the structure and mechanisms for national-level policy for incident management.
For more information on the training requirements for emergency first responders, check out:
Baseline Courses
- IS-700 NIMS, an Introduction: This independent study course introduces the NIMS concept. NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.
- ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System: This independent study course introduces ICS and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. It describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the system. This course also explains the relationship between ICS and NIMS.
Additional Courses
- ICS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents: This independent study course is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the ICS. ICS-200 provides training and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS.
- IS-800 National Response Framework (NRF), an Introduction: The course introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the NRF.
- ICS-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents: ICS-300 provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced knowledge and application of the ICS. This course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses.
- ICS-400 Advanced ICS: This course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of ICS. This course expands upon information covered in ICS-100 through ICS-300.
- Position-Specific Training: These courses are designed to provide State and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of Command and General Staff members. Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable participants to process and apply their new knowledge. Position-specific training courses include:
- E/L 950: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Incident Commander
- E/L 952: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Public Information Officer
- E/L 954: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Safety Officer
- E/L 956: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Liaison Officer
- E/L 958: All-Hazards Position Specific Operations Section Chief
- E/L 960: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Division/Group Supervisor
- E/L 962: All-Hazards Position Specific Planning Section Chief
- E/L 964: All-Hazards Position Specific Situation Unit Leader
- E/L 965: All-Hazards Position Specific Resources Unit Leader
- E/L 967: All-Hazards Position Specific Logistics Section Chief
- E/L 969: All-Hazards Position Specific Communications Unit Leader
- E/L 970: All-Hazards Position Specific Supply Unit Leader
- E/L 971: All-Hazards Position Specific Facilities Unit Leader
- E/L 973: All-Hazards Position Specific Finance/Admin. Section Chief
- E/L 975: All-Hazards Position Specific Finance/Admin. Unit Leader Course
