Andrew Langstaff
Liberty University
HLSC500 Foundations of Homeland Security
Discussion Thread: Grasping the National Response Framework (NRF), The National Incident
Management System (NIMS), and the Incident Command System (ICS)
Dr. John Bentley
Succinctly create 3 tables for each of National Response Framework (NRF), The National
Incidence Management System (NIMS), and the Incident Command System (ICS). Refer to
assigned Read items for this module. In each table, list the primary functions, elements, or
components that each Read item or concept offers or requires. Next, pull 1 function,
element, or component from each table/document that you think does the most good in
accomplishing the mission faced by responders. Explain why you say this. Finally, do the
same for each table/document, but this time pick the least useful or most difficult if you
wish. Explain why and what would you suggest.
The National Incident Management system (NIMS), The Incident Command System (ICS), The
National Response Framework (NRF) are blueprints that our nation uses to improve the nation's
incident management and response capabilities. The ICS is the immediate response to an
incident. The ICS guides how to organize assets to respond to the incident and the process to
manage the response through its concept of the operation at the field level. NIMS is a unified
strategy, links multiple agencies in resource management; command and coordination;
communication, and information management.
The National Incident Management System
Resource Management Enables organizational elements to
collaborate in managing resources.
Command and Coordination Tactical activities, incident reports,
intelligence through information gathering,
analysis, and information sharing. Command
level guidance and decision-making.
Community involvement.
Communication and Information
Management
Interoperability; Reliability, Scalability, and
Portability; Resilience and Redundancy; and
Security.
Of the three functions, resource management; command and coordination; communication, and
information management, the function that is the most effective is communication and
information management. Communication and information management is the most effective
functions for responders because “Incident personnel relies on flexible communications and
information systems to obtain and provide accurate, timely, and relevant information.
Establishing and maintaining situational awareness and ensuring accessibility and voice and data
interoperability are the principal goals of the Communications and Information Management
component. Properly planned, established, and applied communications facilitate information
dissemination among command and support elements and cooperating jurisdictions and
organizations.” (NIMS, 2017, Pg. 50). To respond to an incident appropriately, key personnel
need up-to-date information constantly. Intercommunication between agencies lays the
groundwork for the allocation of resources and coordination amongst different commands and
personnel. Concerning the NRF’s core capabilities, communication and information gathering
has a direct impact on all national preparedness goals (Prevention, Protection, Mitigation,
Response, and Recovery). This is because to safeguard our nation from the next threat we need
intelligence.
In The National Incident Management System, the most difficult would have to be command and
coordination. These functions prove to be the most difficult out of the rest because of
coordination between agencies and the allocation of resources once an incident has occurred.
The Incident Command System
Command Has overall responsibility for the incident.
Sets goals and operational objectives.
Positions include the incident commander,
safety officer, public information officer,
senior liaisons, and senior advisors.
Operations Develops tactical organization and directs all
resources to carry out the incident action plan.
Logistics Assists the command and operations in the
use of resources to support the incident.
Planning Develops a deliberate plan to accomplish the
objectives set forth by the command.
Admin/Finance Tracks expenses and provides guidance.
Out of the ICS organizational structure and elements, operations do the best. Operations are the
ones that carry out the command team's intent, this element puts all the pieces in place.
Operations coordinate with logistics, planning, and admin/finance to get the mission rolling.
Without operations there would be no foundation, so the entire operation would crumble.
The least important function in the Incident Command System is planning. Planning is the least
important function because operations establish said plan from the command team. It just seems
like an extra step that is not needed and a step that would lead to a delay in response.
Biblical Reference
Proverbs 11:14
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
As government and nation leaders make hard decisions that impact those that they govern, we as
Christians are faced with choices or decisions every day. That decision may have a significant
impact on our life. It is important to always seek godly counsel when faced with a challenge.
References
Nemeth, C. P. (2017). Homeland security: An introduction to principles and practices (3rd ed.).
Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis (CRC Press). ISBN: 9781498749091.
FEMA. (2019). National Response Framework (4th ed). Department of Homeland Security.
