Lesson 2: NIMS Resource Management

This lesson presents an overview of NIMS Resource Management.

Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Describe the four key activities of NIMS Resource Management Preparedness.
  • Identify the methods for Managing Resources during an Incident.
  • Describe features of Mutual Aid.

(National Incident Management System, Third Edition, October 2017)

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/148019

Checkmark next to NIMS Introduction, checkmark next to Fundamentals and Concepts of NIMS, arrow next to NIMS Resource Management, bullet next to NIMS Management Characteristics, bullet next to Incident Command System, bullet next to Emergency Operations Centers, bullet next to Other NIMS Structures and Interconnectivity, bullet next to Communications and Information Management, bullet next to Course Summary.
What Is NIMS Resource Management?

During an incident, getting the right resources, to the right place, at the right time, can be a matter of life and death.

 

Transcript - What is NIMS Resource Management?

During an incident, getting the right resources, to the right place, at the right time, can be a matter of life and death.

Resource management involves collaboration and coordination across jurisdictions and organizations to systematically manage resources—including personnel, equipment, teams, supplies and facilities.

Since most jurisdictions or organizations cannot own and maintain all of the resources necessary to address all potential threats and hazards, effective resource management includes leveraging each jurisdiction’s resources and encouraging the further development of mutual aid agreements.

Resource management preparedness involves four key activities: identifying and typing resources; qualifying, certifying, and credentialing personnel; planning for resources; and acquiring, storing, and inventorying resources.

Prior to an incident, resources are inventoried and categorized based on the characteristics of capability, category, kind and type.

Mutual aid partners exchange information about resource assets and needs. Resource readiness and credentialing are maintained through periodic training and exercises.

When an incident occurs, standardized procedures are used to:

  • Identify resource requirements,
  • Order and acquire resources, and
  • Mobilize resources.

The purpose of tracking and reporting is accountability. Resource accountability helps ensure responder safety and effective use of incident resources. As incident objectives are reached, resources may no longer be necessary. At this point, the demobilization process begins.

Demobilization is the orderly, safe, and efficient return of an incident resource to its original location and status. Finally, reimbursement and restocking activities ensure that resource providers are paid for their expenses and resources that have been depleted are replenished.

When disaster strikes, we must be able to take full advantage of all available and qualified resources. In this lesson you will learn how NIMS provides the mechanisms for ensuring that we can be inclusive and integrate resources from all levels of government, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations.

Resource Management Key Activities Overview

Resource management preparedness involves four key activities:
  • Identifying and typing resources
  • Qualifying, certifying, and credentialing personnel
  • Planning for resources
  • Acquiring, storing, and inventorying resources
Qualifying, Certifying and Credentialing Personnel

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the authority and responsibility for qualification, certification, and credentialing within its organization or jurisdiction.

The establishment of national standards provide common, compatible structures for the qualification and certification of emergency management personnel.

Qualification, certification, and credentialing are the essential steps to help ensure that personnel deploying under mutual aid agreements can perform their assigned roles.

  • Qualifying: Personnel meet the minimum established standards (including training, experience, physical and medical fitness) to fill specific positions.
  • Certification: recognition from an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or a third party that an individual has completed qualification for a position (one example of a third party is an accredited body such as a state licensure board for medical professionals).
  • Credentialing: documentation – typically an identification card or badge – that identifies personnel and verifies their qualifications for a particular position.

NIMS Overview of Supporting Tools and Aids

NIMS Guidelines for Credentialing Personnel (PDF)

NIMS Qualification process showing qualification, certification, and credentialing.
Planning for Resources

Coordinated planning provides a foundation for interoperability and compatibility of resources.

Jurisdictions and organizations work together before incidents to develop plans that identify, manage, estimate, allocate, order, deploy and demobilize resources.

The planning process includes identifying resource requirements to meet anticipated threats and vulnerabilities.

Resource management planning should consider resources needed to support all mission areas: Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery.

Resource management strategies for planners to consider include:

  • Stockpiling resources
  • Establishing mutual aid agreements to obtain resources from neighboring jurisdictions
  • Determining how and where to reassign resources performing non-essential tasks
  • Developing contracts to acquire resources from vendors

Estimating resource needs is a key activity in resource planning that enables jurisdictions to assess their ability to take a course of action.

Acquiring, Storing and Inventorying Resources

Organizations acquire, store, and inventory resources for both normal operations and incidents.

 

Effective resource management requires a current, accurate resource inventory to track resource status and availability.

 

This inventory can be as simple as a paper spreadsheet or as advanced as computer-based inventory systems.

 

Accurate resource inventories:

  • Enable organizations to resource incidents promptly when needed
  • Support day-to-day resource management

In NIMS, resource inventorying refers to preparedness activities conducted outside of incident response; resource tracking occurs during an incident. 

Voices of Experience: Resource Management Words of Advice
Click on an image to learn about each person's perspectives on NIMS Resource Management.
Voice of Experience: Resource Management Words of Advice

Kristy Plourde, Emergency Management Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard

Click on the image to hear this Voice of Experience perspective on NIMS Resource Management:

"With standardized resource management of type and kind you know, when I order a type 2 law enforcement vessel and I've standardized that vessel, I know what capability I’m getting and because I’ve standardized it before the incident, I know exactly what I am getting and it is, it is very cool."
Voice of Experience: Resource Management Words of Advice (Continued)

Daryl Lee Spiewak, Former Emergency Programs Manager, Brazos River Authority, TX

Click on the image to hear this Voice of Experience perspective on NIMS Resource Management:

"Resource management is certainly important. We know each jurisdiction is going to have to have some resources available but they’re never going to have enough, there is always going to be shortfalls, and part of resource management is to manage those gaps in the availability of the resources. So, resource management under NIMS gives us a structure and a process to be able to do that. Part of it was the resource typing, so it streamlines the requesting of equipment, particularly among different jurisdictions and agencies. If I ask for a particular type of vehicle with certain equipment and with the right number of people, then I only need to make one request and I’ll get all of that. If there is something else, I ask for a different type of equipment. So the typing is going to help us tremendously under resource management. It also requires that we do inventories. Inventories let us know what equipment we have on hand. We compare that to what we think we’re going to need based on our planning and our exercising, we identified some of the gaps, and then we start looking for ways of filling those shortfalls. Mutual aid is one of those activities under resource management that is important in helping us use resources across levels, among different agencies, helps the taxpayers, helps the responders, helps the whole Nation."
Voice of Experience: Resource Management Words of Advice (Continued)

Ron Britton, Former NIMS Coordinator, FEMA, Region 10

Click on the image to hear this Voice of Experience perspective on NIMS Resource Management:

"Resource management is much bigger than just identifying and moving vehicles or planes or so forth, that really, really involves the entire credentialing process of knowing all of our personnel resources capabilities and training background and so forth, that all needs to be done in a prior preparation event, so that we really know that when those folks arrive on scene, they’re capable of doing the job we’re asking them to do. So it starts with those folks, their credentialing, their qualifications, and then as well knowing the types of equipment that we would need to have on scene. So the equipment and the things that need to be there, and that would go under the communications as well because resource typing would involve the radios, the satellite phones, and all of the kinds of support communications that we would need for something to respond. So resource management is huge, and it really has to be done prior to the event."
Resource Management During an Incident Overview

The graphic depicts the resource management process during an incident; this process describes the six resource management tasks performed in an incident.

 

The resource management process includes methods to identify, order, mobilize, track, demobilize, and reimburse and restock resources during an incident.

 

While in a small incident the Incident Commander may order resources directly, in more complex incidents the Incident Commander relies on the resource management process and personnel to identify and meet resource needs.  

Incident Objectives pointing down to Strategies pointing down to Tactics pointing down to circle with six steps: Identify Requirements, Order and Acquire, Mobilize, Track and Report, Demobilize, Reimburse and Restock.
Identify Requirements

During an incident, personnel continually identify, validate, and refine resource needs. The process involves identifying:

  • Type and quantity of resources needed
  • Location where resources should be sent
  • Who will receive and use the resources

Because the type and quantity of resources required and their availability changes as an incident progresses, incident management personnel and organizations should identify and coordinate resources as closely and as early as possible, both in advance of and during incidents.  

Incident Objectives pointing down to Strategies pointing down to Tactics pointing down to circle with six steps: Identify Requirements, Order and Acquire, Mobilize, Track and Report, Demobilize, Reimburse and Restock. Identify Requirements is highlighted.
Order & Acquire

Both incident command and emergency operations center staffs make initial and ongoing assessments of resource requirements based on incident priorities and objectives.

 

If identified resource requirements are available locally they will be activated or ordered.

 

Resources that are not available locally can be ordered by executing contracts, implementing mutual aid agreements, or requesting assistance from another level of government (local government to a State, State to the Federal Government).

 

An external jurisdiction or organization that is requested to provide resources must consent to the request. 

 

NIMS resource typing (discussed previously) is designed for use when ordering resources to ensure the resource provided meets the mission needs. A jurisdiction can use these resource type definitions to clearly define their resource requirements.

Incident Objectives pointing down to Strategies pointing down to Tactics pointing down to circle with six steps: Identify Requirements, Order and Acquire, Mobilize, Track and Report, Demobilize, Reimburse and Restock. Order and Acquire is highlighted.
Mobilize

Personnel and other resources begin mobilizing when notified through established channels.

Upon notification, deploying personnel receive information to include:

  • Date, time, and place of departure 
  • Mode of transportation to the incident
  • Estimated date and time of arrival
  • Reporting location and assigned supervisor
  • Anticipated incident assignment
  • Anticipated duration of deployment
  • Resource order number
  • Incident number
  • Applicable cost and funding codes

Resource tracking directly links to the mobilization process.

Resources arriving on scene check in according to the receiving organization’s check-in process.

The mobilization of fixed facility resources is referred to as activation rather than deployment.

Mobilize

Unrequested Resources

During incidents responders sometimes arrive at the incident site without being requested.

This can interfere with incident management by:

  • Creating additional supervisory, logistical and safety needs
  • Depleting available resources
  • Complicating resource tracking and accountability
  • Interfering with access to the site by formally requested resources

Responders should wait for official deployment notification rather than self-deploying to an incident.

Incident Objectives pointing down to Strategies pointing down to Tactics pointing down to circle with six steps: Identify Requirements, Order and Acquire, Mobilize, Track and Report, Demobilize, Reimburse and Restock. Mobilize is highlighted.
Track and Report

Incident personnel track resources from mobilization through demobilization using established resource tracking procedures.

 

This process:

  • Tracks the location of resources
  • Helps staff prepare to receive and use resources
  • Protects the safety and security of personnel, equipment, teams and facilities
  • Enables resource coordination and movement

Information management systems can aid in collecting, updating, and processing resource-related data and in real-time tracking of resources.

Incident Objectives pointing down to Strategies pointing down to Tactics pointing down to circle with six steps: Identify Requirements, Order and Acquire, Mobilize, Track and Report, Demobilize, Reimburse and Restock. Track and Report is highlighted.
Demobilize

Managers begin planning and preparation for the demobilization process at the same time they begin mobilizing resources.

 

Those responsible for resources in an incident should either reassign or demobilize resources as soon as they are no longer needed.

 

Prior to demobilization, incident planning and logistics personnel plan for rehabilitation, replenishment, disposal of, and/ or return or restoration to operational condition for incident resources.


The goal of demobilization is the orderly, safe, and efficient return of a resource to its original location and status.

Incident Objectives pointing down to Strategies pointing down to Tactics pointing down to circle with six steps: Identify Requirements, Order and Acquire, Mobilize, Track and Report, Demobilize, Reimburse and Restock. Demobilize is highlighted.
Reimburse and Restock

Reimbursement provides for payment of expenses incurred by resource providers.

Reimbursement processes:

  • Establish and maintain the readiness of resources
  • Collect bills and validate costs
  • Ensure that resource providers are paid in a timely manner
  • Restock through replacement or repair of damaged equipment

Reimbursement procedures are often specified in mutual aid and assistance agreements.

Mutual Aid Overview

Mutual aid is the sharing of resources and services between jurisdictions or organizations.

 

Mutual aid occurs routinely and is based on the resource needs identified by the requesting organization.

 

This assistance can range from routine dispatch of resources between local communities up to movement of resources across state lines for large-scale incidents.

 

Voice of Experience: Mutual Aid Agreements and Assistance Agreements

Bill Bullock, Retired Battalion Chief, Fairfax County Fire Department, VA

Click on the image to hear this Voice of Experience perspective on Mutual Aid Agreements and Assistance Agreements:

"Traditionally we’ve always considered mutual aid between fire departments, EMS agencies, or law enforcement agencies. In today’s world it is expanded to virtually every emergency function identified in either the national, State, or local response plan. It includes communications assets, public health assets. Some cases may include military affairs, may include animal refuge, may include search and rescue assets, and a host of others."
Voice of Experience: Mutual Aid Agreements and Assistance Agreements (Continued)

Bill Metcalf, Former Fire Chief, North County Fire Protection District, CA

Click on the image to hear this Voice of Experience perspective on Mutual Aid Agreements and Assistance Agreements:

"At its simplest level, mutual aid is neighbor helping neighbor. It is adjoining fire departments sharing resources to suppress a fire that’s bigger than one agency can handle. It’s adjoining water companies helping each other replace a broken pipeline in an emergency because they don’t have sufficient manpower or equipment to do it. It’s anytime that neighboring agencies leave their jurisdictions to help each other."
Voice of Experience: Mutual Aid Agreements and Assistance Agreements (Continued)

Leon Shaifer, Senior EMAC Advisor, National Emergency Management Association

Click on the image to hear this Voice of Experience perspective on Mutual Aid Agreements and Assistance Agreements:

"NIMS has proposed a number of solutions that could be applied very readily to mutual aid. One of the problems with mutual aid in the past has been a common terminology, a common nomenclature, speaking the same language. One term to one particular level of government doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing to another, and NIMS addresses those particular types of issues. We all try to speak in a common language, plain English. The other real benefit that NIMS can bring is resource typing. We all know that when you need something that is not readily available within your jurisdiction, you need it fast. It speeds up the process when a person that has an asset can understand very quickly what you are asking for, and if those resources are typed, the benefit to one of the NIMS requirements is that a person requesting something and asks for it knows what they are going to get when they follow a typing scheme."
Mutual Aid Agreements and Compacts

Mutual aid agreements establish the legal basis for two or more entities to share resources.

 

Various forms of mutual aid agreements and compacts exist among and between all levels of government in the United States.

 

These agreements may authorize mutual aid:

  • Between two or more neighboring communities
  • Among all jurisdictions within an state
  • Between States, Territories and Tribal Governments
  • Between Federal agencies
  • Internationally
  • Between government and NGOs and/or the private sector
  • Among NGOs and/or private sector entities

 

Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)

 

EMAC is a congressionally ratified mutual aid compact that defines a non-Federal, state-to-state system for sharing resources across state lines during an emergency or disaster. Signatories include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. EMAC enables the movement of a wide variety of resources to meet the needs of impacted jurisdictions.

Mutual Aid Process

Upon receipt of a mutual aid request, the supporting jurisdiction evaluates the request against its capacity.

 

The supporting jurisdiction determines if it is able to meet its own requirements during the temporary loss of the resource(s).

If the providing jurisdiction determines it can accommodate the deployment of resources, it will identify and arrange the deployment of these resources in accordance with the mutual aid agreement.

The receiving jurisdiction can decline resources if they do not meet its needs.

Lesson 2: NIMS Resource Management Summary

This lesson presented an overview of NIMS Resource Management.

The lesson specifically discussed:

  • Resource Management Preparedness 
  • Resource Management During an Incident 
  • Mutual Aid

The next lesson will introduce you to NIMS Management Characteristics.

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