Emergency Number: 911, Emergency Management Office 859-257-3815 or 859-257-6655

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS)

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment.

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach that:

Allows for the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure.
Enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private.
Establishes common processes for planning and managing resources.

ICS is flexible and can be used for incidents of any type, scope, and complexity. ICS allows its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure to match the complexities and demands of single or multiple incidents.

ICS is used by all levels of government – Federal, State, tribal, and local – as well as by many nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. ICS is also applicable across disciplines.

As a system, ICS is extremely useful; not only does it provide an organization structure for incident management, but it also guides the process for planning, building, and adapting that structure. Using ICS for every incident or planned event helps hone and maintain skills needed for the large-scale incidents.

In a focused effort to promote a safe and secure campus environment for student, staff, faculty, and visitors, the University of Kentucky Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness encourages individuals in a leadership role, within the University, to complete the following three online training courses presented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): IS-100.HE Introduction to the Incident Command System for Higher Education, IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, and IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction.

Those interested in furthering their education, with regards to incident response, are encouraged to complete the above listed training courses by visiting the link below.

http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp

If you have any questions about the courses listed above, or wish to acquire information regarding additional training opportunities, please contact Sergeant Brad Kinckiner with the Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness by email at brad.kinckiner@uky.edu.

University of Kentucky Emergency Management