Fact Sheet: Measuring NIMS Compliance
The NIMS Integration Center
DHS/FEMA - May 2006
NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov
202-646-3850
WASHINGTON - The NIMS Integration Center, in collaboration with the DHS Office of Grants and Training (OG&T) and with the assistance of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), has launched an initiative that will result in a system for measuring NIMS compliance beginning in FY 2007. The Center has a cooperative agreement with EKU to help it identify and evaluate NIMS-related operational and technology-based standards, among other things. The endeavor also involves a review of the states? implementation of the FY 2005 NIMS compliance requirements by the Office of Grants and Training. The data gathered and the analyses and reports that will follow will be used to develop the foundations of a formalized system for measuring NIMS compliance.
System Development Activities In FY 06: Evaluate FY 2005 NIMS Compliance Actions
Incorporate NIMS into existing training programs and exercises.
OG&T will review this requirement by asking states and territories to provide concrete examples of how NIMS policy and concepts were incorporated into existing training and exercise programs.
Ensure that federal preparedness funding, including DHS Homeland Security Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative funds support NIMS implementation at the state and local levels, in accordance with the eligibility and allowable uses of the grants. DHS OG&T Preparedness Officers, who evaluate biannual and quarterly financial reports that states are required to submit to DHS, will provide concrete examples of how the federal preparedness funding has supported NIMS implementation at the state and local level.
Incorporate NIMS into Emergency Operations Plans (EOP).
Under an agreement between the NIMS Integration Center and EKU and in collaboration with the Office of Grants and Training, the Support Center is conducting an evaluation of all 50 State Emergency Operations Plans as submitted under the OG&T Nationwide Plan Review to look at how states are incorporating NIMS into their emergency operations plans.
Promote intrastate mutual aid agreements.
EKU is conducting an evaluation of all 50 State Emergency Operations Plans as submitted under the OG&T Nationwide Plan Review to see how states are promoting intrastate mutual aid.
Coordinate and provide technical assistance to local entities regarding NIMS.
The OG&T will ask states to provide concrete examples of their technical assistance to local entities on NIMS implementation.
Institutionalize the use of the Incident Command System.
In collaboration with the NIMS Center and OG&T, EKU is conducting an evaluation of all 50 State Emergency Operations Plans as submitted under the OG&T Nationwide Plan Review to see how states are institutionalizing ICS.
Establish a baseline for NIMS requirements already met.
EKU is conducting an evaluation of several information sources including NIMCAST data, all 56 State Homeland Security Strategies, state enhancement plans, and investment plans being administered by OG&T.
Execute legislation, executive order, ordinance or resolution that implements NIMS at the state level.
DHS OG&T Preparedness Officers will request that a copy of the official document adopting the NIMS be provided at least 30 days before the monitoring visit.
NOTE: At the end of FY05, the states and territories submitted a form attesting that "taken as a whole," they had met the minimum '05 requirements. The "taken as a whole" standard reflects a recognition that not every department or agency, local or tribal jurisdiction, community or individual responder will have completed all the requirements, but, that taken as a whole, most did and that good faith efforts were underway to achieve full compliance. The same "self-certification/taken as a whole" process will be utilized by the NIMS Integration Center for FY06 NIMS compliance activities. Details on this process will be released in June.
Last Modified: Friday, 13-Jul-2007 15:23:38 EDT