National Incident Management System (NIMS) Frequently Asked Questions
What is NIMS?
NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines.
Why is NIMS important?
NIMS provides a consistent nationwide framework and approach to enable government at all levels (Federal, State, tribal, and local), the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to work together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents regardless of the incident’s cause, size, location, or complexity.
What ICS classes do I need to take?
General personnel – personnel with any role in emergency preparedness, incident management, or response. Anyone with a potential to interface with first responders in an official capacity for their department. Examples of General Personnel include, but are not limited to, Police and Security Officers, EMTs, Building Proctors, Facility Managers, Environmental Health and Safety personnel, Transportation Services supervisors, information technology professionals, Utilities & Energy Services supervisors, and Residence Hall Advisors.
- IS – 700 NIMS, An Introduction (online)
- IS – 100 An Introduction to ICS (online)
Command Staff – personnel assigned to lead any key campus emergency management effort. Anyone with the potential to have a lead role for their department in emergency response. Examples of Command Staff include, but are not limited to, General Personnel supervisors, Directors and Assistant Directors in Transportation Services, Marketing and Communications and members of the EHS Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team.
- IS – 700 NIMS, An Introduction (online)
- IS – 100 An Introduction to ICS (online)
- IS – 800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction (online)
- IS – 200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Actions Incidents (online)
Incident Managers – personnel with a leadership role in command. Anyone who may be assigned to the incident command post and assume a key leadership position within the response. Examples of Incident Managers include, but are not limited to, UPD Lieutenants and above, EHS Managers and above, EMS Assistant Managers and above, and anyone assigned to be public information officers, safety officers, and liaison officers.
- IS – 700 NIMS, An Introduction (online)
- IS – 100 An Introduction to ICS (online)
- IS – 800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction (online)
- IS – 200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Actions Incidents (online)
- IS – 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (in-class)
- IS – 400 Advanced Incident Command (in-class)
Executive Leaders – personnel responsible for making financial, administrative, and managerial decisions supporting the emergency response. Anyone responsible for making policy-level decisions related to emergency preparedness and response. Examples of Executive Leaders include, but is not limited to, the University President, Provost, and Vice Presidents.
- G-402 – Incident Command System Overview for Executive/Senior Officials (in-class)
- IS – 700 NIMS, An Introduction (online)
Where do I go to take these courses?
What do I do with my certificate once I have completed a course?
- Send a copy of the certification to your departmental training officer* including your name, title, the department you work for, and campus location.
- Departmental Training Officers
- Complete the NIMS Training Matrix Template
- Send a copy of the matrix annually, or upon request, to emergencymanagement@tamu.edu
*Note: If you do not have a departmental training officer, you can send your certificate directly to emergencymanagement@tamu.edu with your name, title, the department you work for, and campus location.