Incident management system to galvanize response

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said today that all levels of government might soon use the same procedures to respond to national, regional and local emergencies. Ridge unveiled a standardized management approach to such incidents at the annual conference of the National Association of Counties in Washington. He called upon county officials to use the system to further domestic security. “We seek nothing less than the integration of a nation,” Ridge said, adding, “New funds and new technology will not be enough—we need partnerships.” The National Incident Management Systems, known as NIMS, will serve as a template for a national response plan and can be used to respond to any incident, no matter how large or small, Ridge said. What’s more, it can be used to leverage future technology initiatives, he said. NIMS incorporates incident management best practices developed by thousands of first responders and other authorities throughout the nation, Ridge said. The system’s key components are an incident command system, communications and information management, preparedness, a joint information system and an integration center. The system uses common terminology, protocol and processes, he said. Full Story