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www.fema.gov/emergency/nims
NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov

September 12, 2006
NA:013-06
NIMS Integration Center
202-646-3850

NIMS Alert


NIMS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES FOR HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

The NIMS Integration Center (NIC) in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce the release of the NIMS Implementation Activities for Hospitals and Healthcare Systems.  In recent years, America has endured a variety of all-hazards incidents, requiring hospital and healthcare systems to receive and provide proper care for an astronomical number of patients.  These activities are designed to assist hospital and healthcare systems with its implementation of NIMS, further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of its response and recovery role.  In FY2005 and FY2006 NIMS compliance requirements have been directed towards those primary agencies with initial response and recovery roles.

Although hospitals and healthcare systems were not specifically addressed in the inaugural NIMS implementation activities in October 2004, they began to undertake NIMS implementation as members of the private sector community.  Additionally, over the last two years, State and local government and public health agencies have worked to better incorporate hospitals and healthcare systems into their implementation activities.

The implementation activities detailed in the present NIMS Implementation Activities for Hospital and Healthcare Systems resemble those requirement activities that local agencies that have worked to adopt since October 2004.  Ultimately, the implementation of these activities enhances the relationship between hospitals and their respective local government, public health and other emergency response agencies.

Hospitals and healthcare systems are strongly encouraged to coordinate with local public health agencies to work through these implementation activities.  The National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (NBHPP), administered through the State Department of Health, has clearly outlined the components that hospitals and healthcare systems are required to meet met during the FY 2006 funding cycle.  Developing a relationship with local public health and other emergency management agencies enables hospitals to gain further insight regarding the availability of training as well as capabilities (equipment and procedures) provided by local agencies.

The 17 NIMS Implementation Activities for Hospital and Healthcare Systems are as follows:

• Organizational Adoption
o Adoption of NIMS
• Command and Management
o Incident Command System (ICS)
o Multi-agency Coordination System (MACS)
o Public Information System (PIS)
• Preparedness Planning
o NIMS Implementation Tracking
o Preparedness Funding
o Revise and Update Plans
o Mutual-Aid Agreements
• Preparedness Training
o IS 700 NIMS
o IS 800 NRP
o ICS 100 and 200

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• Preparedness Exercises
o Training and Exercises
o All Hazard Exercise Program
o Corrective Actions
• Resource Management
o Response Inventory
o Resource Acquisition
• Communication and Information Management
o Standard and Consistent Terminology

A more detailed description of the NIMS implementation activities for hospitals and healthcare systems, to include ‘Fact Sheets” for each implementation activity, can be accessed at:
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm

Questions and comments can be directed to the NIMS Integration Center at: NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov or 202-646-3850.

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www.fema.gov/emergency/nims
NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov