National Incident Management System (NIMS)

About NIMS

On February 28, 2003, President George W. Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, Management of Domestic Incidents, which directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer the National Incident Management System.

After the proposed system had gone through extensive vetting and coordination from federal agencies, NIMS was released by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on March 1, 2004.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Logo
Command Chart

Purpose

The NIMS is intended to provide a consistent, flexible, and adjustable national framework to enable federal, state, local, and tribal governments; the private sector; and nongovernmental organizations to work together effectively and efficiently to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity, including acts of catastrophic terrorism.

Based upon this goal, the NIMS consists of the following components:

  • Command and Management (ICS)
  • Preparedness
  • Resource Management
  • Communications & Information Management
  • Supporting Technologies
  • Ongoing Management and Maintenance

Get information on private sector involvement and training.