The Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD 5), issued on February 28, 2003, directs the establishment of a single, comprehensive NIMS led by the Secretary of Homeland Security that covers the prevention, preparation, support, response, and recovery from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. The implementation of such a system includes plans, doctrine, resource typing credentialing, team and cadre formation, and other activities to enable all levels of government throughout the Nation to work together efficiently and effectively.

HSPD 5 requires all Federal departments and agencies to adopt NIMS and to use it in their individual incident management programs and activities as well as in support of all actions taken to assist State, tribal, and local governments. The directive requires Federal departments and agencies to make adoption of NIMS by State, tribal, and local organizations a condition for Federal preparedness assistance (through grants, contracts, and other activities). NIMS recognizes the role that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector have in preparedness and in activities to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents.

Select this link to learn more about NIMS (www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/NIMS_core.pdf).