FEMA National Incident Management System 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NIMS component establishes the Incident Command System (ICS) as the standard incident management structure?
- Command and Coordination (Correct answer)
- Resource Management
- Preparedness
- Communications and Information Management
Correct answer: Command and Coordination
The Command and Coordination component of NIMS establishes ICS as the standardized on-scene incident management construct for all levels of government.
Question 2: Under NIMS, 'resource typing' refers to:
- Categorizing resources by capability to allow agencies to request specific types of resources during an incident (Correct answer)
- Recording how many of each resource type are available nationally
- Determining which federal agency owns specific emergency resources
- Classifying resources by their cost for reimbursement purposes
Correct answer: Categorizing resources by capability to allow agencies to request specific types of resources during an incident
Resource typing classifies resources by their capability and capacity so that requestors can accurately describe what they need and suppliers can provide the right resources.
Question 3: The NIMS principle of 'interoperability' primarily addresses which challenge?
- Enabling different agencies and jurisdictions to communicate and work effectively together (Correct answer)
- Ensuring that all agencies use the same brand of radio equipment
- Requiring all first responders to complete identical training programs
- Standardizing the salary and benefits of emergency management personnel
Correct answer: Enabling different agencies and jurisdictions to communicate and work effectively together
Interoperability under NIMS means that different agencies, jurisdictions, and disciplines can communicate and coordinate effectively, regardless of their different systems and technologies.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'common terminology' as used in NIMS?
- Using standard names for organizational functions, resource types, and facilities to avoid confusion among multiple responding agencies (Correct answer)
- Requiring all responders to speak only English during emergency operations
- Using numeric codes exclusively on all radio communications
- Standardizing legal terminology in mutual aid agreements
Correct answer: Using standard names for organizational functions, resource types, and facilities to avoid confusion among multiple responding agencies
Common terminology in NIMS ensures that all responding agencies use the same language for organizational elements, resources, and facilities, preventing miscommunication during complex operations.
Question 5: In the NIMS framework, who has overall responsibility for managing the on-scene response to an incident?
- The Incident Commander (Correct answer)
- The Emergency Manager
- The State Director of Emergency Management
- The FEMA Regional Administrator
Correct answer: The Incident Commander
Under NIMS and ICS, the Incident Commander has overall responsibility for managing on-scene incident response, including tactical operations and resource management.
Question 6: NIMS preparedness activities are designed to be accomplished through which of the following?
- Planning, training, exercises, personnel qualification and certification, equipment certification, and publication management (Correct answer)
- Purchasing new equipment, hiring additional staff, and building new emergency facilities
- Federal funding allocation, state grants, and municipal bond programs
- Memoranda of Understanding, Executive Orders, and Congressional mandates
Correct answer: Planning, training, exercises, personnel qualification and certification, equipment certification, and publication management
NIMS preparedness encompasses planning, organizing, equipping, training, and exercising to build and sustain capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from incidents.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the National Integration Center (NIC) in relation to NIMS?
- To maintain and administer NIMS, including publishing standards, guidelines, and compliance requirements (Correct answer)
- To serve as the operational command center during presidentially declared disasters
- To coordinate international emergency assistance during large-scale domestic disasters
- To manage the National Response Coordination Center during activations
Correct answer: To maintain and administer NIMS, including publishing standards, guidelines, and compliance requirements
The NIC, located within FEMA, maintains and administers NIMS by developing standards, guidelines, and compliance requirements that support nationwide implementation.
FEMA National Incident Management System 2
Which NIMS component establishes the Incident Command System (ICS) as the standard incident management structure?