The Role and Purpose of NIMS and ICS
The national incident management system (NIMS), is a standardized comprehensive national approach to incident management that operationalizes response to national disasters under set policies and response means (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). NIMS framework, developed by the US department of homeland security, cuts across and applies to different jurisdictions (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). The purpose of NIMS is to spearhead over the coordination and cooperation between all incident responders (all levels of government, private sector, and NGOs) (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). Besides, NIMS provides a common national standard for general response and incident management across all the spectrums of potential incidents, hazards, their impacts, or even the dimension of their complexity (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). Furthermore, NIMS improves co-acting and cooperation between a governmental and non-governmental organization in general response and management of general incident activities.
NIMS framework also provides a blueprint for balancing standards with flexible measures to respond to any incidence such as technological, material, and natural disasters (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). Notably, NIMS does not provide specific plans for dealing with incidents to achieve the best incident management practice. Instead, the NIMS stipulates fundamental principles and essential concepts that should be followed by anyone involved in emergency and recovery response (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). On the other hand, the Incident Command System (ICS) is designed to operationalize the response and management of emergency incidents effectively. The ICS in its system description stipulates the guidelines for organizing assets to respond to emergency incidents (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). Furthermore, in its concept of operationalization, the ICS provides measures to mitigate the management of responding to incidents following stipulated and established standards.
The ICS formal a hierarchical structure to enable corporate response along correspondence lines such as operations, planning, logistics, command, finance, and administration (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). In its mandate, ICS guarantees the proper utilization of resources while fulfilling most of the pressing needs. Essentially, the ICS’s primary role is to integrate different incidence response organs in various jurisdictions to provide a standardized, systematic approach (“Homeland security/ frequently asked questions,” 2018). In the case of an incident, the ICS incorporates the use of technology, communication media, command structure, resource allocation, planning, and coordinating all response partners.
Tabletop Exercise
Background. It’s in the winter. The national threat advisory level is in the yellow domain, pointing out to a possible terrorist attack. Furthermore, two months ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received intelligence information from unconfirmed sources that a major terrorist attack of the water supply system in several states in the US was imminent. For most Americans, it’s just winter, though the FBI shares this information with homeland security.
The actual event. On 12th may 2020, at around 11.00 AM, four men (wearing formal clothes and official budges) in a blue cargo vehicle, park outside the Deluxe Apartment at 22 Boulder road street. After that, they unload several well-covered boxes and enter into the building through the main entrance. After checking at the receptionist’s desk, they enter elevator number three and alight on the 3rd floor. Once there, they proceed to apartment 3G, where they had a room booked earlier. Once inside, they unpack the boxes which contain chemical feed pumps, hydrochloric water contamination chemicals, and chemical hoses. Typically, their main aim is to contaminate the city water supply system with Campylobacter bacterium, which kills people instantly upon consumption. After ensuring the operational ability of their contamination system, the three men take the elevator and embark from the building.
Results. Three hours later, people start complaining of water-related illness and deaths.
Response. The intended agencies to respond to this scenario is water emergency agencies, federal agencies (EPA and FBI), local law enforcement agencies (United States department of homeland security and fire/emergency medical services (EMS). In this scenario, water emergency entities will provide services related to water sampling, water engineering, SCADA operation, administrative heads and proper water standard and test parameters. The FBI and EPA will be tasked with using available links whenever possible to trace the suspects. The homeland security will be tasked with implementing the NIMS and ICS to ensure Proper cooperation between the different entities responding to this disaster. The health sector with provide emergency health related response to affected people. Table top exercises are essential since they prepare the learners with possible practical case scenarios in the near future.
Works Cited
Homeland security/ frequently asked questions, 2018. https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nimsfaqs.pdf