The Importance Of NIMS To Campus Emergency Response

The Importance of NIMS to Campus Emergency Response

Too often, evil acts seem to occur anywhere in society. Recently, some of the most shocking incidents have taken place on the grounds of highly esteemed colleges and universities, institutions that exist to better society. These occurrences have highlighted the need for authorities to have effective countermeasures in place to address threats to campus safety. Understanding the importance of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to colleges and universities requires a recognition of what it means to emergency response capabilities. NIMS was developed in March 2004 by the Department of Homeland Security to provide a systematic, proactive approach for government agencies at all levels, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents—regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity—to reduce the loss of life, destruction of property, and harm to the environment.

NIMS gives campuses a much-needed method of protection.

Understanding NIMS: What It Offers

A recent report funded through the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority examined the relationship between local law enforcement and postsecondary institutions in Illinois and across the nation. One of its key findings revealed that many campuses have experienced critical incidents within the past five years. Considering this fact, along with the importance of NIMS to effective and efficient emergency planning and response, every college and university should become compliant.

Institutions also can reap important financial benefits. Responding to and recovering from an emergency can cost substantial amounts of money. Only organizations that have implemented NIMS can recoup some of these expenses from the federal government. Additionally, NIMS offers a predefined, yet flexible, organizational structure that can be adapted to ensure maximum effectiveness during small operations or complex responses, and it can be scaled if an incident grows in size. NIMS can adapt based on geographical boundaries, operational function, or a combination of both.

How NIMS Operates

NIMS allocates responsibilities among four main areas: planning, operations, logistics and administration, and finance. Each has its core and secondary functions, which can be further subdivided into branches, divisions, groups, task forces, or strike teams as needed. An incident commander is necessary in any operation, but staffing in each of these areas is determined by the scope of the incident. The establishment of uniform titles and responsibilities facilitates an understandable command structure, enabling emergency responders from different communities to work together effectively under a unified operational banner.

For example, two fire department officers from opposite regions could understand the responsibilities of a planning section chief if they are NIMS-compliant. Common terminology, acronyms, and standardized resource typing—such as defining a tanker as a fire truck tanker rather than an aircraft tanker—help prevent confusion and ensure appropriate resource requests. NIMS also employs standardized forms to document various aspects of the response, from resource deployment to safety precautions, media messages, and equipment requests—important for both operational effectiveness and reimbursement processes. Proper documentation can also be crucial for legal defense if lawsuits arise from emergency responses.

Achieving NIMS Compliance

Institutions aiming to implement NIMS must follow a five-step process for compliance. This begins with the governing board's initiation, typically through a resolution that incorporates NIMS into policies and procedures. Encouraging non-governmental partners to pursue compliance is also advised.

The next step involves comprehensive training of personnel. NIMS training includes several Incident Command System (ICS) classes, the level of which depends on each individual's role during a crisis. These courses include ICS-100 (Introduction to ICS), ICS-200 (ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents), IS-700 (NIMS Introduction), and IS-800 (National Response Plan Introduction). For those in decision-making positions like incident commanders or section chiefs, additional coursework such as ICS-300 and ICS-400 is necessary. Support staff and administrators should at least complete ICS-100 and IS-700 courses to understand system basics. Specialized training, such as NIMS Public Information courses (IS-702), can enhance specific functions.

To reduce costs, institutions may consider training trainers internally, enabling in-house instruction and minimizing travel and time away from campus. This approach promotes ongoing staff development and cost-effective training dissemination.

Developing and Testing Emergency Plans

Developing an all-hazard emergency operations plan is central to NIMS compliance. A dedicated committee representing all campus stakeholders—including police, fire, medical personnel, administrators, and students—should craft and review the plan, which aligns with NIMS principles. Resources such as online templates and consultations with local emergency management agencies are invaluable during this phase.

Once finalized, the plan must be distributed widely to ensure all stakeholders are familiar with procedures. Regular testing through various exercises—tabletop, functional, and full-scale drills—are crucial to validate and refine the plan. Tabletop exercises simulate responses to scenarios, encouraging collaborative problem-solving; functional exercises test specific components such as communication systems; and full-scale drills mobilize real resources and personnel to replicate actual incident responses, providing maximum preparedness feedback.

Campuses that actively participate in joint exercises with community partners enhance their response capabilities markedly. The College of DuPage exemplifies this approach by collaborating with neighboring municipalities to form the Tri-City Crisis Response Group. This group conducts regular training sessions and simulated exercises, such as medical distribution drills and evacuation operations, broadening overall readiness and coordination.

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

Effective emergency preparedness is a continuous process. Regular review and updates of the emergency operations plan, resource typing, and training records are essential to accommodate personnel changes, infrastructure modifications, and evolving threats. Institutions should aim to review, at minimum, annually, and to conduct periodic drills to ensure plan efficacy and staff proficiency.

Constant monitoring and review not only improve response times and coordination but also build institutional confidence in handling various emergencies, from planned events like concerts to unexpected crises such as active shooter situations or natural disasters. The dynamic nature of threats necessitates an adaptable approach, underpinned by ongoing training and assessment.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, unthinkable events can happen anywhere, including on college campuses. Recognizing this risk, and understanding the benefits that NIMS provides, every higher education institution should commit to becoming fully compliant with the system. Campus authorities have numerous resources available, including online training modules, local emergency management agencies, and federal support, to guide this process. Implementing NIMS enhances emergency response capabilities, ensuring that campuses can efficiently plan, respond, and recover from incidents, thereby safeguarding students, faculty, and facilities. Ultimately, NIMS helps foster a safer educational environment and demonstrates a proactive stance toward campus security in an unpredictable world.

References

• Department of Homeland Security. (2004). National Incident Management System. Official DHS Publication.
• Illinois Criminal Justice Authority. (2009). Critical incident preparedness and response on campuses. Report.
• FEMA. (2017). Incident Command System (ICS) overview. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Rice, J., & Maletta, G. (2019). Campus emergency management planning and NIMS compliance. Journal of Homeland Security Education.
• U.S. Department of Education. (2020). Higher Education Campus Safety Guidelines. DOE Publication.
• Wooten, L., & Zipkin, R. (2018). Disaster response coordination: The role of NIMS on campuses. International Journal of Emergency Management.
• National Fire Protection Association. (2016). Emergency preparedness in higher education. NFPA Report.
• Lawrence, M., & Barrett, K. (2021). Effectiveness of collaborative campus safety drills. Journal of Emergency Management.
• American Council on Education. (2019). Promoting campus resilience through emergency planning. ACE Reports.
• FEMA. (2022). NIMS compliance checklist for higher education institutions. FEMA Resource Guide.