The National Incident Management System (NIMS) guides all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents.

NIMS provides stakeholders across the whole community with the shared vocabulary, systems and processes to successfully deliver the capabilities described in the National Preparedness System. NIMS defines operational systems that guide how personnel work together during incidents. (Federal Emergency Management Agency, https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims).

The NIMS training program covers the implementation of the system at all levels of emergency service. There are several courses (offered online) that are required as part of the qualifications for Search and Rescue. The basic courses are also helpful to any other member for an understanding of the Incident Command System and common terminology.

Call-Out Qualified Requirements: IS-100, IS-700

Search Team Member Requirements: IS-100, IS-700, IS-800, IS-809

Search Team Leader Requirements: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, IS-809

IS-100b - Introduction to Incident Command System

Course Overview: This course introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Course Length: 3 hours

IS-200b - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

Course Overview: This course is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS. Course Length: 3 hours

IS-700a - A National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction

Course Overview: This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

Course Objectives: At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the intent of NIMS.

  2. Describe the key concepts and principles underlying NIMS.

  3. Describe the purpose of the NIMS Components including: Preparedness, Communications and Information Management, Resource Management, and Command and Management.

  4. Describe the purpose of the National Integration Center.

Note: This course provides a basic introduction to NIMS. It is not designed to replace Incident Command System and position-specific training. Course Length: 3 hours

IS-800b - National Response Framework, An Introduction

Course Overview: The course introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.

Course Objectives: At the end of this course, you will be able to describe:

  1. The purpose of the National Response Framework.

  2. The response doctrine established by the National Response Framework.

  3. The roles and responsibilities of entities as specified in the National Response Framework.

  4. The actions that support national response.

  5. The response organizations used for multiagency coordination.

  6. How planning relates to national preparedness.

This site has more information about the National Response Framework. Course Length: 3 hours

IS-809 - ESF#9 Search and Rescue

Course Overview: The National Response Framework (NRF) presents the guiding principles that enable all response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies – from the smallest incident to the largest catastrophe. As part of the NRF, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) are primary mechanisms at the operational level used to organize and provide assistance. This series of courses is designed to overview each of the 15 ESFs. This course provides an introduction to Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 Search and Rescue.

Course Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the overall purpose and scope of ESF #9.

  2. Identify the supplemental assistance ESF #9 provides to State, tribal, and local governments.

  3. Identify typical actions accomplished by ESF #9 resources and teams.

  4. Describe the types of partnerships formed between ESF #9 and other response agencies and organizations.

Course Length: 0.5 hours