NIMS Implementation Activities For Schools and Higher Education Institutions

The U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) is pleased to announce the release of the "NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)."

As recipients of Federal preparedness funding through the ED's Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) and Emergency Management for Higher Education (EMHE) Discretionary Grant Program, local educational agencies and schools are required to fulfill NIMS implementation activities in close coordination with members of their local government and emergency response community. Additionally, it is recommended that all schools and HEIs review and implement these activities as they are key steps any school or HEI can take in advance of an emergency, and may also formalize many activities already being conducted by schools or HEIs.

"NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions" presents a set of key school and campus emergency management activities that will enhance the relationship between schools and campuses, their respective local governments, and their community partners as they communicate, collaborate, and coordinate on these NIMS activities. The following NIMS implementation activities are required for schools and HEIs receiving Federal preparedness funds:

1. Adopt NIMS at the school and campus community level.
2. Institutionalize the Incident Command System (ICS) for managing all emergency incidents and pre-planned school and campus events.
3. Coordinate and support the development and use of integrated Multi-agency Coordination Systems (MACS).
4. Establish the Public Information System (PIS) within the ICS framework.
5. Establish NIMS strategy and timeline for full implementation.
6. Develop and implement a system to coordinate and leverage Federal preparedness funding to implement NIMS.
7. Update emergency management plans to incorporate NIMS and reflect National Response Framework.
8. Participate in and promote mutual aid agreements.
9. Key school and campus personnel complete NIMS training.
10. Incorporate NIMS and ICS into all emergency management training and exercises.
11. Participate in an all-hazard exercise program based on NIMS that involves first responders from multiple disciplines and jurisdictions.
12. Incorporate corrective actions into preparedness and response plans and procedures.
13. Maintain an inventory of organizational response assets-equipment, resources, and supplies.
14. To the extent permissible by law, ensure that relevant national standards and guidance to achieve equipment, communication, and data interoperability are incorporated into acquisition programs.
15. Apply standardized and consistent terminology for school and campus incidents, including the establishment of plain English communication standards across the public safety sector.

OSDFS, in close consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has created the following online tools to support K-12 schools and HEIs as they work with their community partners to implement NIMS:

1. NIMS Implementation Activities Checklist for Schools and HEIs [PDF 60KB]
   (allows schools and HEIs to track their own progress towards implementation)
2. Interactive Activity-by-Activity Descriptions of NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and HEIs
   (allows schools and HEIs to click on each specific NIMS activity to gather more information)
3. NIMS Training for Key Educational Personnel summary document [PDF 172KB]
   (provides a summary of training recommendations and requirements for NIMS)
4. NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) [PDF 316KB]
   (provides a full text version of all implementation guidance and resources)
5. Frequently Asked Questions about NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and HEIs [PDF 60KB]
   
6. Resources Supporting Schools' and HEIs' Implementation of NIMS
   

For additional information on school and HEI emergency management please visit the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Emergency Planning Website at: www.ed.gov/emergencyplan.