In March 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the country's first-ever standardized approach to incident management and response. While thousands of local, state, and federal agencies have created individual plans to prepare for and respond to emergencies in the past, response agencies nationwide will need to become NIMS compliant in 2005. National Incident Management System: Principles and Practice translates the goals of the original NIMS document from concepts into capabilities, and provides responders with a step-by-step process to understanding and implementing NIMS. Through the use of case studies, readers will gain valuable insight on how to effectively incorporate NIMS into their departments or jurisdictions. As responders are faced with the tasks of reforming training curricula and incorporating NIMS into Standard Operating Procedures, it is essential that they have a practical resource to guide them through the nation's homeland security strategies, as well as to assist them with NIMS implementation in their own locality. The NIMS Compliance Package is now available! Click here for information on this essential package which includes the Instructor's ToolKit CD-ROM and 20 copies of the NIMS student book at a substantial savings! The following sample chapters are available for preview: Chapter 11: Preparedness Chapter 16: Putting the NIMS All Together Are you NIMS compliant? Find out now. -Has every non-emergency department in your jurisdiction conducted ICS introduction courses?-Have your senior executives and elected officials completed the ICS executive level course?-Do your response agencies have formal unified command procedures and utilize unified command during inter-jurisdiction incidents or during incidents with multi-operational functions?-Has your elected body officially adopted the NIMS as a formal emergency management requirement?-Are equipment specifications for all agencies based on NIMS interoperability standards?-Has your jurisdiction planned and implemented a system for a common operational picture (COP) for all-hazard emergencies?-Has your jurisdiction implemented a comprehensive resource management program including resource typing, allocation, tracking, and recovery?-Has your jurisdiction developed a comprehensive all-agency NIMS preparedness program including training, exercises, and personnel qualification and certification?-Has your jurisdiction implemented a standardized framework for interoperable communication and information management?-Does your community and region have a multi-jurisdictional preparedness organization that meets regularly to ensure effective planning, training, and equipping for emergency operations?If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you are NOT compliant with NIMS standards.