NIMS Preparedness 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which planning element describes the sequence of actions a jurisdiction will take to address a specific threat or hazard?
- Concept of Operations (CONOPS) (Correct answer)
- Hazard Vulnerability Analysis
- Continuity of Operations Plan
- Resource Typing Matrix
Correct answer: Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
The Concept of Operations describes how a jurisdiction plans to execute its response, including the sequence and scope of actions for a given scenario.
Question 2: A Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is used primarily to:
- Train first responders on hazardous materials handling
- Identify threats and hazards and assess the capability gaps that need to be addressed (Correct answer)
- Establish mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions
- Certify emergency management personnel at the local level
Correct answer: Identify threats and hazards and assess the capability gaps that need to be addressed
A THIRA helps communities identify the threats and hazards they face and determine what capabilities are needed to address them, revealing gaps to be closed.
Question 3: Mutual aid agreements in NIMS preparedness are designed to:
- Replace local emergency plans during large-scale disasters
- Allow jurisdictions to request and provide resources, facilities, and services across boundaries (Correct answer)
- Transfer legal authority for incident command to federal agencies
- Standardize the chain of command across all responding agencies
Correct answer: Allow jurisdictions to request and provide resources, facilities, and services across boundaries
Mutual aid agreements establish the terms under which jurisdictions can share resources, personnel, and capabilities when local resources are overwhelmed.
Question 4: Which of the five mission areas in the National Preparedness Goal focuses on actions taken before a disaster to reduce its impact?
- Response
- Recovery
- Mitigation (Correct answer)
- Protection
Correct answer: Mitigation
Mitigation involves actions taken to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters before they occur.
Question 5: The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is best described as:
- A federal program that provides grant funding to states for preparedness
- A state-to-state mutual aid agreement ratified by Congress enabling interstate assistance during disasters (Correct answer)
- A local ordinance authorizing emergency spending without legislative approval
- A federal law mandating evacuation planning for coastal communities
Correct answer: A state-to-state mutual aid agreement ratified by Congress enabling interstate assistance during disasters
EMAC is a congressionally ratified interstate mutual aid compact that allows states to share resources during declared emergencies and disasters.
Question 6: In the context of NIMS preparedness, 'capability' is best defined as:
- The number of personnel available to respond to an incident
- The provision of the means to accomplish a mission, function, or objective (Correct answer)
- A jurisdiction's annual emergency management budget
- The number of mutual aid agreements a jurisdiction has signed
Correct answer: The provision of the means to accomplish a mission, function, or objective
In NIMS, capability refers to the means to accomplish a mission or function and achieve desired outcomes through combinations of planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises.
Question 7: Which NIMS principle ensures that preparedness activities are coordinated across all levels of government to avoid duplication of effort?
- Accountability
- Scalability
- Unity of effort (Correct answer)
- Flexibility
Correct answer: Unity of effort
Unity of effort ensures that all organizations work cooperatively toward shared objectives, coordinating activities to avoid duplication and maximize efficiency.
NIMS Preparedness 3
Which planning element describes the sequence of actions a jurisdiction will take to address a specific threat or hazard?