Some IMTs are referred to as Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) to clarify that they support on-scene personnel and/or the affected jurisdiction(s).

IMATs ensure that federal activities align with local priorities through participation in Unified Command or a Unified Coordination Group with representatives from local, state, and/or tribal government.

IMATs exist at various levels of government and within the private sector.

Regardless of who owns particular IMATs or their specific missions, IMATs operate using the principles and practices of ICS. 

Example: FEMA IMATs deploy to an incident or venue to assist in the identification and provision of Federal assistance, and coordinate and integrate inter-jurisdictional response in support of an affected state or tribe.