Which NIMS Structure Makes Cooperative Multi-Agency Decisions?
NIMS defines operational systems, including Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) structures, and Multiagency Coordination Groups (MAC Groups) that guide how personnel work together during incidents.
MAC Groups support incident personnel in prioritizing and allocating resources to ensure that essential human needs are met. They also provide a forum for coordination and information sharing among Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies responsible for implementing the NIMS. Here we will discuss about Which Nims Structure Makes Cooperative Multi-Agency Decisions_.
Also Read: Topic in property law colloquially crossword clue
MAC Group
The Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MAC Group) is one of the four NIMS structures that make cooperative multi-agency decisions. It is comprised of elected and senior public safety officials and decision-makers, as well as high-level subject matter experts. These individuals are involved in incident management within the National Incident Management System.
These individuals are responsible for implementing policy guidance and senior-level decision-making during incidents. They must be trained in the NIMS and have an understanding of their roles and responsibilities to achieve the desired outcomes.
This group makes decisions for the entire region and may include members from non-governmental organizations, such as businesses or volunteer organizations. They are also involved in the allocation and re-allocation of resources needed to respond to incidents.
MAC Group members will attend routine meetings via conference calls and in person, as appropriate. They will be supported by the host County ECC ISO and a MAC Group Coordinator.
Each MAC Group meeting will begin with a predetermined agenda and may include a variety of topics, depending on the type of response activities happening in the region. All routine MAC Group meetings should be no longer than 2 hours.
Issues and Policy Recommendations will be identified by the H/M MAC Group Coordinator before each H/M MAC Group meeting and conveyed to the entire group in one of the following ways: conference call, written before a meeting or at the beginning of a meeting for last-minute issues.
In addition, Agency Representatives will identify issues for H/M MAC Group resolution at the end of each H/M MAC Group meeting. They will prepare a written summary with supporting information for presentation to the H/M MAC Group at the next H/M MAC Group meeting.
Resolved issues will be recorded in a written MAC Group decision that will be immediately disseminated to the Host County ECC Manager and other public ECC managers, as required. The MAC Group Coordinator will promptly sign all official MAC Group decisions, as approved by Agency Administrators.
All MAC Group decisions and other MAC Group information will be disseminated to the public through the host County PIO who will coordinate with the Joint Information System (JIS). The JIS is a NIMS structure that integrates incident information and public affairs into a unified organization that provides consistent, coordinated, accurate, accessible, timely and complete information to the public and stakeholders during incident operations.
Joint Information System (JIS)
A joint information system (JIS) is one of four NIMS Command and Coordination structures that develops, recommends, and executes public information plans and strategies. It also ensures that accurate information is being transferred to the public and stakeholders during incident operations.
The NIMS includes a set of core concepts, principles, and terminology that provide for consistent response to incidents across the country. Its systems and processes are designed to strengthen America’s response capabilities and help all emergency management and incident responders communicate clearly, coordinate effectively, and work efficiently.
When an incident occurs or threatens, local emergency personnel manage response using NIMS principles and the Incident Command System (ICS). If the incident becomes large or complex, a Unified Command is established, and Mutual Aid Agreements are executed.
ICS identifies and implements a standard incident management organization, which includes five functional areas: command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration. It allows jurisdictions and agencies to adopt an organizational structure that will allow each to manage an incident on an equal basis.
To ensure further coordination, a unified command is implemented, which enables the transfer of information between multiple agencies that have jurisdiction over various aspects of an incident. This allows all involved to manage an incident from one location, allowing for consistent and reliable information dissemination to the public.
Another NIMS concept is the MAC Group, which is an offsite location that brings incident communicators together during an incident to develop, coordinate, and deliver public messages. It provides a forum for policy-level officials to interact and coordinate, enhancing unity of effort at the senior level.
It can also serve as an open line for communication between DHS and the Federal Government, State, and local governments. It can work as a call-in conference or as an open line that can be monitored 24 hours a day for the exchange of information and updates.
A JIS can also operate as a virtual JIS or Joint Information Center, which means that the same level of functionality is available to staff without requiring the physical presence of a location. This reduces costs by removing the need for space and a staff member’s need to travel to an offsite location.
Incident Command System (ICS)
The Incident Command System (ICS) is a management method that helps to establish cooperative multi-agency decisions when responding to large-scale incidents. ICS is used to organize incident response personnel and equipment to ensure a rapid response that addresses incident priorities while maintaining the flexibility needed for the successful resolution of the incident.
Several factors contribute to effective ICS operations. For example, ICS relies on the basic management principle of span of control that limits the ratio of subordinates to one manager for efficient coordination and leadership. ICS is also sensitive to the need for flexibility in incident operations and the availability of resources.
In ICS, a first responder assumes the role of Incident Commander and sets objectives for the incident. This person also establishes the initial Incident Action Plan (IAP) that outlines the objectives and strategies of the incident.
Once the incident is underway, a series of face-to-face briefings are conducted to update key staff and all on-scene incident personnel. These briefings are necessary for evaluating the incident situation and determining appropriate revisions in response to real-time conditions.
During the progression of an incident, new organizational elements are added to the ICS organization chain of command in a modular, top-down fashion. These elements are typically chiefs or directors, who receive their tasks and responsibilities from Command and delegate them to leaders of divisions/groups, resources, and other organizational elements that they have functional authority over.
These leaders may be from the same department, or they may come from other departments and be assigned to different organizations within the ICS organization. These leaders are responsible for ensuring that each organizational element maintains a clear line of communication with other organizational elements and has sufficient resources to meet its operational responsibilities.
A second type of organizational element is a Strike Team or Task Force that manages single resources, such as fire, law enforcement, highway patrol, emergency medical services, and emergency communications. These resources are based on the same organizational level, below divisions and groups, in the ICS organization chain of command.
The Transportation Agency is an integral part of the ICS structure due to its role in traffic incident removal and the need for roadway operations to be restored as soon as possible after a disruption occurs. Several States have mandated that their highway agencies participate in ICS.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a centralized location where representatives from various departments and agencies work together to support disaster response and recovery. It helps first responders save lives and protect property while stabilizing the incident, preserving the environment, and beginning the recovery process.
EOCs are used by jurisdictions and organizations across the Nation to help them prepare for, manage, and respond to emergencies of all kinds, including disasters, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, fires, floods, hurricanes, disease outbreaks, and more. They may be located in fixed locations, temporary facilities, or virtual structures with staff participating remotely.
Regardless of how an EOC is built, it must have a central location where information and resources are coordinated to support on-scene incident management activities. It also needs to be staffed by trained and experienced personnel who are familiar with emergency management operations, and it must provide sufficient space for team members to share information in a variety of formats.
When building an EOC, you should build a planning team that includes representatives from each agency or group who will use the EOC. The group can then work with architects, communication technology providers and furniture companies to build an EOC that will meet their needs.
You will need a checklist of all the equipment and furnishings that your agency wants in the center, so you can ensure the right items are purchased for each area of responsibility. This will ensure that the center is properly outfitted and that it can function efficiently when needed.
An EOC may be a permanent, dedicated facility, or it may be a portable unit containing an array of communications and information systems. It can be located in a city, county, state, or federal facility, or it may operate as a joint facility between different jurisdictions.
The EOC also serves as a liaison between local government and public safety agencies, and provides situational awareness for senior officials and elected officials. In addition, it is often the site of Joint Information System (JIS) operations and public information management functions. It is a crucial part of the National Incident Management System.
