Homeland Security
According to Molino (2006), the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is defined as a system that is used within the United States of America for the purposes of coordinating incident management and emergency preparedness among various local, state, and federal agencies.
This structured framework is used all over the nation for both nongovernmental and governmental agencies to address the issues of terrorist attacks and natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and hurricanes, droughts, landslides and floods, at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The NIMS was devised and implemented in the United States of America following the terrorist attacks events at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in 2001. The system is devised to ameliorate preparation, reaction, and prevention of subsequent attacks which are equally devastating. NIMS as a new system believed to better the communication between public and private entities in their attempt to react positively toward various domestic emergency management services. The benefits of the NIMS system will be discussed regarding the Homeland Security.
It is apparent from the Homeland Security Presidential Directive that the new system will allow for a consistent approach across the nation, concerning local governments and Federal State to work efficiently and effectively together with an aim of preparing for respond to, as well as recovering from domestic events, regardless of the size, cause, or complexity. So as to allow for compatibility and interoperability aong local, State, and Federal capabilities, it is clear that the NIMS will consider a set of principles, technologies, terminology, and concepts that address the incident command system.It has been found that the local authorities are concerned with addressing and containing most of the incidents, but there are some occasions in which multiple jurisdictions are required to help deal with the management systems concerning a domestic disaster. This system was devised to employ the most effective that are available within the currently existent protocols which are then integrated into a system meant to maximize interoperability across the nation. Initially, both private and public organizations will be able to carry out an organized and coordinated incident management system, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness during the event of an emergency. The achievements can be attained through a core set of procedures and principles.
Becker (2008) argues that, to incorporate an effective emergency system, a firm balance has been set up within the NIMS system of standardization and flexibility. While it is essential to possess a standard code of conduct when addressing a time-sensitive and a dangerous situation, it is necessary to establish flexibility. The occurrence of different situations is dynamic, such that in case of a unique situation and there is no room for flexibility, then the standard code will be useless. The NIMS system offers an adjustable and a flexible national structure that is used to encompass both private entities and govvernment organizations at all levels. The two can be able to use an open line of communication for the purposes of working together in case of a domestic incident of any size, location, or complexity. This is crucial in all stages of a national emergency or disaster in the course of preparing, responding, and recovering.
According to Christen et al. (2005), the NIMS incorporates many tiers of protocol as well as emergency response systems which include Incident Command Systems (ICS). For the purposes of determining reliable and useful mediums of communication, public information systems and multiagency coordination systems have been put in place; this qualifies to be among the crucial factors during any disaster. Standardization procedures are seen to improve coordination and interoperability between various disciplines such as personnel qualification and certification, resource management, training, technology support, and communication management (Molino, 2006).Therefore the NIMS is very essential for the Homeland Security since it address the issues of terrorist attacks and natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and hurricanes, droughts, landslides and floods, at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
The NIMS considers a set of principles, technologies, terminology, and concepts that address the incident command system. It is believed that NIMS improves the communication between public and private entities in their attempt to react positively toward various domestic emergency management services.
