Incident Command System Information

1. On February 28, 2003, President Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5. HSPD-5 directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and non-governmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

Information about NIMS can be found at: www.fema.gov/nims/ 

2. The Independent Study Program (ISP) is an on-line distance learning program offered free of charge. Each year the ISP issues more 200,000 individual course completion certificates.

The fastest way to begin taking courses is to visit the web-site. You can learn about each course, download materials, submit your final exams all from the convenience of your office. http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/home.cfm?program_id=8

3. EMI’s Incident Command System (ICS) training is offered at four course levels:
          • ICS 100-Introduction to ICS
          • ICS 200-Basic ICS
          • ICS 300-Intermediate ICS
          • ICS 400-Advanced ICS

The 100 and 200 level courses are available in a Web-based independent study format and as classroom delivered courses. The 300 and 400 level courses are classroom based multi-discipline or multi-jurisdiction courses intended for persons with supervisory responsibilities, such as the incident commander or planning section chief. ICS- 402 for executives: Elected & appointed officials, senior executives, senior managers and agency administrators with policy responsibility, but without specific ICS or Multi-Agency Coordination System functions/roles or responsibilities

4. ICS 100 can be used for any type of emergency, from minor incidents to major multi-jurisdictional events. Procedures for controlling personnel, facilities, equipment and communications are covered. At the state and county levels ICS 100 is available from the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management as well an ICS train the trainer program. These programs are taught by the ICS County Coordinator. Contact your county’s Emergency Management Coordinator for this information. For a list of county coordinators go to: www.State.NJ.US/NJOEM/association.html