National Incident Management System
Training Implementation Plan
Recently, Federal Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5 was issued which
adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The NIMS provides a
consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private sector and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. While most
incidents are managed using local resources, large-scale incidents require a multidisciplinary approach to incident management. Resources from fire, rescue, EMS will be
combined with law enforcement, public works, public health, emergency management,
transportation, and others in managing and controlling major emergencies, including
acts of terrorism.
While the NIMS contains many components, one of the first components is the
adoption of the NIMS Incident Command System. The concepts of the Incident
Command System are not foreign to Maryland’s fire, rescue, and EMS personnel. We
have been taught and have implemented ICS for decades and are recognized as the
public safety leader in this regard. It is expected that all response agencies will complete
appropriate ICS training during FY-2005. The adoption of NIMS by FY-2005 has been
specified as a condition of eligibility for federal preparedness grants, contracts, and
other activities. Other aspects of NIMS, such as credentialing, interoperability, resource
typing systems and others will be completed by FY-2007.
The attached document is the Training Implementation Plan of the Maryland
Fire and Rescue Institute regarding NIMS. This plan identifies appropriate levels of
training based on emergency scene responsibilities and identifies training courses that
MFRI can offer to achieve the required level of training. Please use these resources to
your fullest advantage and the Institute will work to bring on-line new courses as they
are available.
Sincerely,
Steven T. Edwards
Training Implementation Plan for the
National Incident Management System for
Maryland’s Fire/EMS Service
UNIVERSITY OF
MARYLAND
November 10, 2004
Introduction:
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a consistent nationwide
template to enable all government, private sector and non-governmental organizations to work
together during domestic incidents. Federal Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5
(HSPD-5) requires federal departments and agencies to make the adoption of NIMS by state,
tribal and local organizations a condition of eligibility for federal preparedness grants, contracts
and other activities by federal fiscal year 2007. Jurisdictions can comply in the short term by
adopting the NIMS Incident Command System.
In addition to the adoption of a national Incident Command System, NIMS identifies six
focus areas to improve the nation’s response capabilities for all kinds of hazards – no matter
what size, scope, cause or complexity. The six components of NIMS include:
• Command and Management
• Preparedness
• Resource Management/Mutual Aid
• Communications and Information Management
• Supporting Technologies
• Ongoing NIMS Management and Maintenance
The State of Maryland will comply with the Federal Homeland Security Presidential
Directive #5 (HSPD-5) by adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It is
projected that the initial education and training implementation will be completed by December
2005. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has developed planning
guidance for the implementation of NIMS across all state agencies. Major state agencies with
emergency response functions are partnering with MEMA and the Maryland Fire Rescue
Institute (MFRI) to develop the necessary training initiatives. This document identifies the
strategy for MFRI to deliver training to Maryland’s fire, rescue and EMS services to achieve the
implementation of the NIMS Incident Command System.
While this plan addresses a strategy for implementing a training program for short term
NIMS compliance through the adoption of the NIMS Incident Command System (ICS), planning
activities are already underway to assist in the adoption of other components. The other
components of NIMS require additional development and refinement to enable compliance at a
future date.
Incident Command System (ICS) Training Coordination:
MFRI is the lead state agency for the development and delivery of a comprehensive
training and education system to Maryland’s emergency services. MFRI also serves a wide
variety of industrial, public, and governmental clients with the delivery of emergency response
training programs. MFRI has already initiated planning activities for NIMS implementation as a
part of the development of a Terrorism Response Training Plan. This NIMS Training
Implementation Plan will serve as an adjunct to the Terrorism Response Training plan and as
MFRI’s planning document for the implementation of NIMS training across Maryland’s
fire/EMS/rescue response communities. MFRI’s Field Programs Section (FPS) will implement
NIMS training through their responsibility for the delivery of training to Maryland’s fire, rescue,
and EMS services. MFRI’s Special Programs Section (SPS) will be responsible for the onrequest delivery of training to public service personnel who may not have an internal capability
for training program delivery. MFRI’s role in the statewide implementation through both FPS
and SPS has the unique advantage of consistent training delivery across all of Maryland’s
response communities.
ICS Training Levels:
Maryland’s fire, EMS, and rescue response personnel include over 35,000 personnel from
a diverse community of volunteer departments, career departments, and a variety of combination
departments. Any of these responders may perform functions within an Incident Command
System and, therefore, require some level of understanding of ICS and its relationship to NIMS.
Maryland’s Implementation Strategy for NIMS defines five levels of response personnel
requiring NIMS training. Specific training is required at each level to prepare individuals to
perform within the Incident Command System.
Awareness Level: Individuals who may be involved in an incident, and/or perform a
direct or supporting role, will be trained in the following components of ICS:
Organizational Structure
Positions and Responsibilities
Facilities
Operations Level: Individuals who may be involved in or with ICS general functions will
be trained in the following components of ICS:
Principles and Features of ICS
Organizational Overview
Incident Facilities
Common Responsibilities Associated with ICS Assignments
Supervisory Level: Individuals who may be assigned to ICS supervisory positions for
incidents will be trained in the following components of ICS:
Essential Principles of ICS
Air Operations (if applicable)
Special Events Planning
Resources Management
Command Level: Individuals who may be expected to perform in a management
capacity, incident commander and/or area commanders in a complex incident
environment:
Large-scale Incidents
Unified/Area Command
Complex Incident Management
Interagency Coordination
Executive Level: Local and state elected/appointed officials who should have an
understanding of ICS principles and who, at the time of ICS implementation, participate
at the policy level.
The first four levels are all components of Maryland’s fire, EMS, and rescue response
system. The fifth level is generally not applicable for the fire, EMS, and rescue services.
However, as a part of this plan, MFRI will plan and schedule training for personnel in each of the
five levels.
Incident Management in a Multi-disciplined Environment:
While most incidents are managed using local resources, large-scale incidents require a
multi-disciplinary approach to incident management. Resources from the fire, EMS, and rescue
services will be combined with law enforcement, public works, public health, and others in
managing and controlling the incident. Operating in this environment will require higher levels
of ICS training. MFRI will deliver upper-level ICS training programs to a multi-disciplined
audience and support the development of regional Incident Management Teams where requested.
Integrating multiple services in a single training program will provide opportunities to exercise
large-scale incident management under a unified command structure and promote an all-hazards
response capability.
MFRI’s Training Strategy:
The concepts of an Incident Command System (ICS) are not foreign to Maryland’s fire,
EMS, and rescue response personnel. ICS concepts have been taught and implemented within
these services for over 25 years. ICS training begins in the entry-level training programs with an
introduction to the Incident Command System during Firefighter I or EMT-Basic training.
Incrementally advanced levels of Incident Command System training are integrated into Fire
Officer training programs.
As a first step in the implementation of NIMS across Maryland’s fire, EMS, and rescue
response communities, MFRI has promoted the completion of “IS-700: An Introduction to the
National Incident Management System”, for all faculty/staff employees and field instructors.
This introductory course will provide each participant with a basic understanding of the NIMS
ICS. By completing this course, staff members and instructors will be able to respond to
questions concerning NIMS and be better prepared for the delivery of NIMS ICS training
modules. A further promotion of IS-700 throughout the response community will serve as a
learning bridge for those responders who already have a basic understanding of the ICS and need
to understand the requirements for transition to the NIMS ICS. MFRI will facilitate the
availability of the NIMS IS-700 training program by providing a direct link to the on-line
training from the Internet web page at www.mfri.org. MFRI will also develop and deliver a
company-level drill program that will introduce the concepts of NIMS through the use of IS-700
modules.
In order to assist departments with the implementation of a NIMS-compliant ICS
organization, MFRI’s primary objective will be to evaluate/modify the current training
curriculum and schedule the delivery of training programs to provide an understanding of NIMS
ICS concepts. MFRI’s Institute Development Section (IDS) will be responsible for the
assessment of the impact of NIMS to existing MFRI training programs and develop curriculum
revisions as required.
MFRI will also provide regional deliveries of the National Fire Academy (NFA) courses
that offer additional opportunities to develop advanced-level skills in the Incident Command
System. The NFA has modified several existing training programs or developed new programs
that introduce the Incident Command System (ICS) component of NIMS. The Office for
Domestic Preparedness (ODP) supports the delivery of NIMS training and is currently assessing
the NFA training programs for eligibility to apply homeland security grant funding to the
personnel costs associated with acquiring this training. MFRI will adopt the following NFA
training programs as a part of the MFRI curriculum to assist in the implementation of NIMS:
o
o
o
o
o
NIMS and the Incident Command System for the Fire Service
NIMS and the Incident Command System for EMS Responders
Introduction to Command and General Staff Functions
Command and General Staff Functions in the Incident Command System
Introduction to Unified Command for Multi-agency and Catastrophic Incidents
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the National Emergency
Training Center (NETC), has developed several independent study training options for personnel
to acquire an understanding of the Incident Command System and NIMS. Personnel who have
previously taken MFRI training programs may utilize these independent study options as a
learning bridge to acquire updated ICS and NIMS training:
○
○
○
○
IS-100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System
IS-200 – Basic Incident Command System
IS-300 – Intermediate Incident Command System (under development)
IS-700 – An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
The following table summarizes the training options available to Maryland’s fire, EMS,
and rescue response communities in acquiring the required levels of understanding of the NIMS
ICS:
Response Level
Awareness
Personnel
Entry-level fire, rescue, and EMS
personnel
Recommended Training
Personnel at the Awareness level
should complete one of the following
training options:
○ Introduction to the Incident
Command System as provided
within Firefighter-I and EMTBasic training programs
○ Independent study completion of
IS-100 and IS-700
Operations
Experienced fire, rescue, and
EMS personnel
In addition to the requirements at the
Awareness level, one of the following
training options is recommended for
the Operations level:
○ NIMS and the Incident Command
System for the Fire Service
○ NIMS and the Incident Command
System for EMS Responders
○ Independent study completion of
IS-200
Supervisory
First line fire, rescue, and EMS
officers (i.e., Sergeant,
Lieutenant, Captain); or senior
line personnel who may be
required to fill a supervisor/lead
role within the Incident
Command System
In addition to the requirements at the
Operations level, one of the following
training options are recommended for
the Supervisory level:
○ Incident Command System
training conducted as part of the
MFRI Fire Officer I program
○ Independent study completion of
IS-300
Supervisory officers who may be
required to function within a staff
position of a Unified Command ICS
structure are recommended to
complete the following training:
○ Introduction to Unified Command
for Multi-agency and
Catastrophic Incidents
Command
Command level officers,
including Chief Officers
In addition to the requirements at the
Supervisory level, both of the
following training programs are
recommended for the Command
level:
○ Introduction to Command and
General Staff Functions
○ Command and General Staff
Functions in the Incident
Command System
Command officers who may be
required to function within a staff
position of an Incident Management
Team are recommended to complete
the following training:
○ Region-specific Incident
Management Team Training
Course
Drills and Exercises – A Vital Component of Emergency Preparedness:
Drills and exercises provide a means of evaluating emergency preparedness of the
emergency services organization. Participants learn in a scenario-driven environment while
applying skills acquired through formal education and training programs. The implementation of
drills and exercises provide the opportunity for teams from multiple response organizations to
operate in a unified command environment with the goal of improving overall mission
performance. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has the lead role in
supporting drills and exercises across the state. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) has made funding available to organizations for the planning, design, conduct, and
evaluation of exercises. MFRI will provide training support to the state’s emergency response
community to better prepare them for participation in drills and exercises.
Timetable for Implementation:
The following is the recommended implementation schedule to provide for the
curriculum review, revision, and delivery to meet the objectives of this plan. Implementation is
contingent upon available staffing and delivery of NIMS-compliant training modules from the
National Fire Academy.
Implementation Item
MFRI Curriculum Review
0
N
4
D
J
F
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
5
J
--- Review
--- Update
--- Instructor training
--- Implementation
A
S
O
N
D
•
•
•
•
•
NFA Curriculum
--- NIMS ICS for the Fire Service
------- Train the Trainer
------- Implementation
•
•
•
•
--- Unified Command MA/Cat
------- Train the Trainer
------- Implementation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
--- NIMS ICS for EMS Responders
------- Train the Trainer
------- Implementation
•
--- Command/General Staff
------- Implementation
A
S
R
E
Q
U
I
R
E
D
Summary:
The adoption of NIMS and implementation of a NIMS ICS training program by federal
fiscal year 2007 has been specified as a condition of eligibility for federal preparedness grants,
contracts and other activities. This implementation plan has defined an approach to the delivery
of training to ensure that Maryland’s fire, EMS, and rescue response organizations are successful
in meeting that requirement. More importantly, this plan will ensure that Maryland’s emergency
response personnel are adequately prepared to fulfill their all-hazards response role in a unified
command environment.
Appendix
Course Descriptions
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) Courses
Firefighter I
MFRI Course Designator: FFI
Course description: This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills to safely and
effectively perform basic firefighting operations as a part of a firefighting team. Major topics
covered in the course are the fire department organization, communications, incident command
system, ropes and knots, fire behavior, safety, fire prevention, personal protective equipment,
fire extinguishers, respiratory protection, ventilation, hoselines, forcible entry, search and rescue
procedures, ladders, and sprinkler systems.
Fire Officer I
MFRI Course Designator: FOTIR
Course description: This course will provide entry-level training in company operations and
administration at the first-line supervisory level. Major topics covered in the course are the role
of the fire officer, the fire officer’s responsibility in facing compliance and accountability,
recognition and managing cultural diversity, safety and wellness of fire personnel, quality
management within the organizational structure, community awareness, public relations, fire
safety education, functional leadership, problem solving, performance appraisal, building
construction, fire cause determination, effective communication skills, and the incident
command system with strategy and tactics.
Emergency Medical Technician Basic
MFRI Course Designator: EMTB
Course description: This course will provide students with the skills to recognize, assess, and
manage medical and trauma signs and symptoms in patients of emergency situations; to
determine and use appropriate equipment for patient management and care; to communicate and
work with other emergency service personnel in the care, transport, and transfer of patients; and
maintain patient and department records. As a part of the module on ambulance and special
operations, the student is introduced to the components of the incident command system.
National Fire Academy (NFA) Courses
NIMS and the Incident Command System for the Fire Service
NFA Course Designator: F806
Course description: This course is used to develop an understanding of the Incident Command
System (ICS) and its application to both emergency and non-emergency situations. This course
addresses the need for an ICS, and overview of the structure and flexibility of the ICS, and an
understanding of the skills necessary to function effectively within an ICS organization.
NIMS and the Incident Command System for Emergency Medical Services
NFA Course Designator: F160
Course description: In this course, students will be introduced to the concepts of EMS-specific
incident command through lecture and guided discussion. They will use scenarios, case studies,
graphics, audio-visuals, and role-play to demonstrate understanding of the concepts.
Introduction to Unified Command for Multi-agency and Catastrophic Incidents
NFA Course Designator: F315
Course description: This two-day seminar is designed to assist emergency response personnel in
the understanding of, and the ability to apply, the Incident Command System (ICS) when
multiple agencies are involved at major and catastrophic incidents, and to provide a better
understanding of operations under a Unified Command (UC). The student will develop a better
understanding of the complexities of multi-agency incidents, and the skills necessary to operate
in that environment.
Introduction to Command and General Staff Functions
NFA Course Designator: Q316
Course description: This self-study course is designed for the Nation’s emergency services
providers who may assume Command and General Staff functions during a large complex
incident. This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of ICS and the
Command and General Staff positions. The student can expect to spend 7 to 14 hours completing
this course.
Command and General Staff Functions in the Incident Command System
NFA Course Designator: R317
Course description: This six-day course is activity intensive and is designed to better prepare
response personnel to manage large, complex incidents effectively by using the functional
components of the Incident Command System. The focus of the course is to enhance the skills
necessary to operate as a team in various Command and General Staff positions and to promote a
better understanding of team operations through application during various simulations.
Region-specific Incident Management Team Training Course
NFA Course Designator: not assigned
Course description: This seven-day course is designed to develop state and regional Incident
Management Teams (IMTs) to function under the National Incident Management System
(NIMS) during a large-scale and/or complex incident or a major event. This course will use
region-specific scenarios to assist participants in assessing Command and General Staff
functions operating in a local environment.
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Courses
Introduction to the Incident Command System
EMI Course Designator: IS-100
Course description: This course is designed to give an introduction to the principles, common
terminology and position responsibilities when responding to an event using the Incident
Command System (ICS). The course specifically discusses major ICS functions and their
primary responsibilities, ICS organizational units, span of control, major incident facilities and
the function of each, what an Incident Action Plan is and how it is used, and the common
responsibilities associated with incident assignments.
Basic Incident Command System
EMI Course Designator: IS-200
Course description: This course has been developed to compliment the IS-100 course for the
emergency responders, and to take the student’s education to the Operations level. A disaster
scenario threads throughout the course to describe the common responsibilities associated with
incident assignments. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the
principle features of the ICS and describe how the ICS is used to meet the organizational needs
of both small and large incidents.
Intermediate Incident Command System
EMI Course Designator: IS-300 (under development)
Course description: This course provides a greater description and detail of the ICS organization
and operations. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify and describe the
range of ICS users, and the responsibilities and organization for each.
The National Incident Management System: An Introduction
EMI Course Designator: IS-700
Course description: This course introduces NIMS and takes approximately three hours to
complete. It explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS. The course
also contains "Planning Activity" screens giving you an opportunity to complete some planning
tasks during this course. The planning activity screens are printable so that you can use them
after you complete the course.