National Incident Management System Compliance

School districts that receive federal preparedness funds must require that the appropriate personnel complete the IS-700 NIMS (National Incident Management System) introductory course by September 30, 2006, in order to receive FY 2007 preparedness grants. It would also be useful for all faculty and staff likely to be involved in emergency activities to take the IS-700 NIMS introductory course, including those districts that do not currently receive preparedness funding. This free on-line course may be accessed at www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700.asp.

According to the NIMS Integration Center (www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims.shtm), school districts are required to be NIMS compliant. Since school districts are an integral part of the local community, the use of NIMS should be achieved in close coordination with other areas of the community. School districts are not traditional response organizations and more typically are recipients of first responder services provided by fire and rescue, emergency medical and law enforcement agencies. This relationship should be integrated within the local municipality’s plan for NIMS compliance. School district participation in the community’s NIMS preparedness program is essential to ensure that first responder services are delivered to schools in a timely and effective manner.

Given that CR155.17(e)(2)(v) (Project SAVE) requires building-level emergency plans define the chain of command using an incident command system (ICS) format, it would also be worthwhile for all school staff that are likely to be involved in emergency activities to complete the IS-100 course, including those districts that do not apply or receive preparedness funding – see www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp.

Additional information on NIMS, ICS, and federal school emergency planning grant programs is available at: