Improving Disaster Response Coordination

While most emergency situations are handled locally, a major incident may require help from other jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth and the federal government. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was developed so that responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines could work together more efficiently when responding to natural disasters and emergencies. NIMS benefits include a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid, and resource management.