EMS Providers should become familiar with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as they play crucial roles in emergency management.
1. FEMA: FEMA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that coordinates response and recovery efforts in major disasters and emergencies.
EMS providers should understand FEMA's role in disaster response, including resource allocation, funding, and support for local agencies.
2. NIMS: NIMS is a comprehensive framework for managing incidents, regardless of their size or complexity. It provides a standardized approach to incident management, including organizational structures, protocols, and terminology.
EMS providers should be familiar with NIMS principles and terminology to effectively collaborate with other response agencies during incidents.
3. Incident Command System (ICS): ICS is a key component of NIMS and establishes a standardized organizational structure for incident management.
EMS providers should understand ICS roles and functions, including the Incident Commander (IC), to effectively integrate into the overall incident response structure.
4. Coordination and Communication: EMS providers should know how to communicate and coordinate with FEMA and other response agencies during emergencies.
This includes understanding how to request resources, share information, and participate in multi-agency coordination systems established under NIMS.
5. Training and Certifications: FEMA offers various training courses and certifications related to emergency management and incident response.
EMS providers should consider taking relevant courses, such as ICS training, to enhance their knowledge and capabilities in working within the NIMS framework.
Almost all EMS organizations, ski patrols, SAR teams, etc., and certainly fire services, will also ask you to have done these also:
Further Reading:
Alexander, M. & Belle, R. (2017) Advanced EMT: A Clinical Reasoning Approach (2nd Ed). Hoboken, New Jersey: Pearson Education
Bledsoe, B. E., Cherry, R. A. & Porter, R. S (2023) Paramedic Care: Principles and Practice (6th Ed) Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson
Congressional Research Service (2019) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): An Overview. CRS Report. Accessed October 12, 2024
Haddow, G D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola, D. P. (2020) Introduction to Emergency Management (6th Ed). Waltham, Massachusetts: Butterworth-Heinemann
Jones, J., & Schenk, T. (2017) NIMS Incident Command System Field Guide. Burlington, Massachusettes: Jones & Bartlett Learning
McEntire, D A. (2015) Disaster Response and Recovery: Strategies & Tactics for Resilience (2nd Ed). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell
Mistovich, J. J. & Karren, K. J. (2014) Prehospital Emergency Care (11th Ed). Hoboken, New Jersey: Pearson Education
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