On June 11, 2018, FEMA released the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation Objectives for Local, State, Tribal, and Territorial Jurisdictions. NIMS is a key component of U.S. incident management efforts. It helps prepare the nation for catastrophic disasters by enabling organizations from across the country to work together during all incidents, regardless of size or type. Implementing NIMS across the nation is a fundamental part of building a culture of preparedness. The NIMS Implementation Objectives identify the specific activities that are involved in NIMS implementation for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) organizations and jurisdictions.
FEMA most recently revised the NIMS Implementation Objectives for these organizations and jurisdictions in 2009. This update ensures the objectives are consistent with the third edition of NIMS released in 2017 and incorporates stakeholder input, resulting in a more useful tool for organizations seeking to implement NIMS.
FEMA has developed implementation indicators for each Implementation Objective. These indicators serve as actionable activities that jurisdictions can use to demonstrate NIMS implementation. The indicators are not requirements or criteria, nor are the indicators intended as a checklist for achieving the objectives. The indicators are a tool to assist jurisdictions and organizations in meeting the new implementation objectives.
FEMA will host a series of webinars to discuss the NIMS Implementation Objectives and answer related questions. For more information on the webinars and to view the document, go to the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting.
Please note that federal departments and agencies use a separate set of Implementation Objectives. FEMA will work with Federal NIMS Coordinators to revise those later this year.