National Incident Management System

The National Incident Management System (NIMS), established March 1, 2004, outlines standard incident management processes, protocols, and procedures so that all local, state, federal, and private sector emergency responders can coordinate their responses and share a common focus.

Pennsylvania adopted NIMS on December 20, 2004.

All local governments and state agencies must comply with NIMS to be eligible for federal preparedness assistance.

NIMS Authorities and References

Below are compliance and training, federal, and state resources to help local governments and state agencies comply with and have a better understanding of NIMS.

Compliance and Training

A core principle of NIMS is training. Training is outlined in the NIMS Training Plan and must be reported for tracking compliance with NIMS annually.

• NIMS Compliance Checklist for Local Jurisdictions (DOC)
• Sample Municipal Resolution Adopting NIMS (PDF)
• FEMA Training Matrix for ICS Field Responders (PDF)
• FEMA Online IS Courses
• FEMA NIMS ICS Courses
• NIMS Implementation Objectives (PDF)

Federal 

• NIMS Core Document (PDF)
• Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness (PDF)
• DHS NIMS Training Program (May 2020) (PDF)
  
• National Prevention Framework (PDF)
• National Mitigation Framework (PDF)
• National Response Framework
• National Disaster Recovery Framework (PDF)

State

• Pennsylvania Governor NIMS Proclamation (December 2004) (PDF)
• Pennsylvania NIMS Implementation Strategy for 2022-27 (PDF)
  
• PEMA Directive 2022-03 National Incident Management System Implementation Directive (PDF)