IS-700 The NIMS Introductory Course - Who Needs to Take It?

Last September when the Secretary of Homeland Security sent a letter
to the nation’s governors, he outlined a series of steps that must
be taken and actions that should be taken in FY 2005 to become
compliant with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Specifically the letter said that state, territorial, tribal and
local level jurisdictions should support NIMS implementation by
completing the NIMS awareness course National Incident Management
System, An Introduction - IS 700. This independent study course
explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits
of NIMS. The Secretary clearly intended to provide discretion to
state, territorial, tribal and local governments in deciding who
should take the course. As further guidance, the NIMS Integration
Center encourages all emergency personnel with a direct role in
emergency preparedness, incident management or response take the NIMS
course by Oct. 1, 2005. It is offered free-of-charge through the Emergency
Management Institute at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE IN FY'05?

Executive Level – Political and government leaders, agency and organization
administrators and department heads; personnel that fill ICS roles as Unified
Commanders, Incident Commanders, Command Staff, General Staff in either Area
Command or single incidents; senior level Multi-Agency Coordination System
personnel; senior emergency managers; and Emergency Operations Center Command
or General Staff.

Managerial Level – Agency and organization management between the executive
level and first level supervision; personnel who fill ICS roles as Branch
Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Unit Leaders, technical specialists,
strike team and task force leaders, single resource leaders and field
supervisors; midlevel Multi-Agency Coordination System personnel;
EOC Section Chiefs, Branch Directors, Unit Leaders; and other emergency
management/response personnel who require a higher level of ICS/NIMS Training.

Responder Level – Emergency response providers and disaster workers, entry
level to managerial level including Emergency Medical Service personnel;
firefighters; medical personnel; police officers; public health personnel;
public works/utility personnel; and other emergency management response
personnel.

The NIMS introductory course very likely will be a required in FY'06 for
state, territorial, tribal and local personnel who have emergency assignments
at any level of government. Full NIMS compliance is required by Oct. 1, 2006,
(FY 2007).

NOTE: We recognize that some online independent study participants are
experiencing delays in gaining access to the IS-700 course. The Emergency
Management Institute is addressing this and the problem will be alleviated.

THE NIMS INTEGRATION CENTER - MARCH 4, 2005