NIMS Command and Coordination Structures

NIMS structures enable incident managers to manage incidents in a unified, consistent manner.

When an incident occurs or threatens, local emergency personnel manage response using ICS.

If the incident is large or complex, off-site EOCs activate to support on-scene operations.

The incident personnel in the field and in EOCs receive policy guidance from MAC Groups.

A Joint Information Center manages the Joint Information System (JIS) to ensure coordinated and accurate public messaging among all levels: ICS, EOC and MAC Group.

The first NIMS structure we will examine is ICS.

Graphic showing NIMS Command and Coordination Structures: MAC Group, EOC, and ICS with JIS spanning across all three. MAC Group: Multi Agency Coordination Group: Offsite support of ICS and EOCs through Policy Guicance & Sarce Resource Allocation. EOC: Emergency Operations Centers: Off Site Emergency Operations Centers Support On-Scene ICS Operations. ICS: Incident Command System - On-Scene Management of Incidents. JIS spanning all 3: Joint Information System - Integrate Incident Information and Public Affairs across ICS, EOCs, and MAC Groups.