Which NIMS structures makes cooperative multi-agency decisions?

What is NIMS structure?

It is short for the National Incident management system. NIMS is a comprehensive approach for handling incidents and their management by federal, state, tribal or local responders.

The federal agencies or any other agencies which are receiving funds from the federal government are required to be compliant to the NIMS structure. The federal government has expanded its horizon. Now, beyond traditional fire departments, police, HAZMAT, and EMS, other locals such as public health, emergency communications, and disaster management departments are also included in this.

There are 3 main components of NIMS structure:

• Resource management
• Command and coordination
• Communications and information system

Resource Management 

The resources are systematically managed. This includes personnel, equipment, teams, supplies and facilities before as well as during the incident, which will make organizations to smoothly share the resources at the time of need.

Command and Coordination

It describes leadership responsibilities and organizational structures for incident management at operational and incident support levels. Moreover, it explains how to deal and interact and delegate duties amongst departments for apt communication and smooth management during an incident.

Communication and Information Management 

It is a system or a method which helps ensure that incident individuals and decision-makers have information to communicate and make decisions.

Moreover, NIMS has various programs with guidelines for the responders to take advantage of and seek guidance.

Which NIMS structures make cooperative multi-agency decisions?

Choose from the options below:

1. Incident command system (ICS)
2. Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
3. MAC groups
4. Joint Information System (JIS)

The answer is option C; let’s have a look at the explanation:

MAC or multi-agency coordination groups from the NIMS structure makes multi-agency decisions. They are a part of the incident management system IMS, also known as policy groups.

The members of MAC are either agency administrative, executives, stakeholder’s agencies, or organizations. Moreover, multi-agency coordination groups may have representatives from NGOs or volunteer organizations.

Steps Followed during an incident – MAC Group

• Acts as a policy level body.
• Support and understanding of prioritizing resources and their allocation.
• Make cooperative decisions of the MAC
• Decision making between the people elected and other appointed officials and the incident commander for management.

MAC or multi-agency coordination is a marketing and sales company therefore doesn’t execute incident command functions. With that, it does not replace the required necessary functions of the EOC or any other coordination operation.