Why does a Ham Operator need to understand NIMS/ICS?

http://www2.arrl.org/arrlletter/00/0616/#colorado

What is NIMS?
The National Incident Management System
"While most emergency situations are handled locally, when there's a major incident help may be needed from other jurisdictions, the state and the federal government. NIMS was developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together better to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. NIMS benefits include a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid and resource management." - from http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/

What is ICS? More detailed information here
The Incident Command System
"The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept in the United States. It is a management protocol originally designed for emergency management agencies and later federalized. ICS is based upon a flexible, scalable response organization providing a common framework within which people can work together effectively. These people may be drawn from multiple agencies that do not routinely work together, and ICS is designed to give standard response and operation procedures to reduce the problems and potential for miscommunication on such incidents. ICS has been summarized as a "first-on-scene" structure, where the first responder on a scene has charge of the scene until the incident is resolved or the initial responder transitions incident command to an arriving, more-qualified individual." -from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_of_c ... of_Command

Where do i get the training?
I'ts free, it's easy and its online!

ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Click here and go to "Take the Course": http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp

Just in case you haven't heard, our friends at DHS/FEMA Independent
Study Program Office have more information for us. An old course has
been renewed; the IS-120.A An Introduction to Exercises introduces the
basics of emergency management exercises. And, a new course is being
offered; the IS-130 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning
introduces the basics of emergency management exercise evaluation and
improvement planning.

Please take the opportunity to accomplish this training. The attached
flyers provide more information and a link to the FEMA website.

IS-120.A AN INTRODUCTION TO EXERCISES

Course: IS-120.A, AN INTRODUCTION TO EXERCISES

Course Information: IS-120.A, An Introduction To Exercises introduces the basics of emergency management exercises. This independent study (IS) course also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC). The IS120.A replaces the IS120 An Orientation to Community Disaster Exercises on this date of issuance.
Independent Studies will continue to accept OPSCAN answer sheets for the original IS 120 examination until March 15, 2008. For new students, you are required to complete the IS 120.A examination to ensure student learning.
Pre-requisite: None.
Course Length: The overall length of the course will vary for each individual. IS120.A takes approximately 5.0 hours to complete.

Continuing Education Unites (CEUs): the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) awards 0.5 CEUs for successful completion of this course.

Audience: IS120.A An Introduction To Exercises is designed for local, State, trust territories, tribal nations, Federal, volunteer organizations, and private industry emergency management/response personnel with the responsibility for exercise program management and/or serve as members of an exercise planning team.

Course Objectives: At the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Identify the five phases of the exercise process.
• Distinguish the tasks necessary to complete each phase of the exercise process.
• Understand how exercises complete the emergency preparedness cycle.
• Comprehend the role of exercises in the testing of facilities, equipment, and personnel in a performance base environment.
• Recognize how exercises prepare communities to respond to and recover from major emergencies.

Course Completion: The course is available at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is120A.asp . When you have completed the course, you may take the online test, fill out the student information and submit the test for scoring. FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute’s Independent Study Office will notify you via email of your successful completion of the course and a link will be included in the email for you to access and print your course certificate.

Questions: You may contact the Independent Study office via email Independent.Study@dhs.gov or contact the call center at 301-447-1200. Independent Study Program office hours are 7:30a.m.-7:30p.m. (EDT). You may also contact the course manager, Lowell Ezersky, at Lowell.Ezersky@dhs.gov , toll free at 1-800-238-3358, extension 1355 or (301) 447-1355.


IS-130: Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning

Course: IS-130: Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning

Course Information: IS-130: Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning is a new independent study (IS) offering which introduces the basics of emergency management exercise evaluation and improvement planning. It also provides the foundation for exercise evaluation concepts and practices as identified in the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
Pre-requisite: Individuals who wish to enroll in the IS-130: Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning must complete the IS120.A An Introduction To Exercises.
Course Length: The overall length of the course will vary for each individual. IS130 takes approximately 5.0 hours to complete.

Continuing Education Unites (CEUs): the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) awards 0.5 CEUs for successful completion of this course.

Audience: IS-130: Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning is designed for local, State, trust territories, tribal nations, Federal, volunteer organizations, and private industry emergency management/response personnel with the responsibility for exercise evaluation.

Course Objectives: At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the exercise, evaluation, and improvement planning steps.
• Comprehend the process of designing and developing exercise evaluation criteria.
• Identify the necessary tasks in conducting and exercise evaluation.
• Understand methods of analyzing exercise data’
• Identify the steps necessary to prepare an After Action Report (AAR) and conduct an After Action Conference (AAC).

Course Completion: The course is available at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is130.asp . When you have completed the course, you may take the online test, fill out the student information and submit the test for scoring. FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute’s Independent Study Office will notify you via email of your successful completion of the course and a link will be included in the email for you to access and print your course certificate.

Questions: You may contact the Independent Study office via email Independent.Study@dhs.gov or contact the call center at 301-447-1200. Independent Study Program office hours are 7:30a.m.-7:30p.m. (EDT). You may also contact the course manager, Lowell Ezersky, at email Lowell.Ezersky@dhs.gov , toll free at 1-800-238-3358, extension 1355 or (301) 447-1355.