NIMS Activity 14: Incorporate NIMS and ICS into training and exercises

K-12 schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) incorporate the NIMS and ICS frameworks, principles, and approaches into all trainings and exercises (e.g., table-tops, full-scale drills etc.).

PREPAREDNESS: EXERCISES

Activity 14: Incorporate NIMS and ICS into all emergency management training and exercises.

K-12 schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) incorporate the NIMS and ICS frameworks, principles, and approaches into all trainings and exercises (e.g., table-tops, full-scale drills etc.).

Association to NIMS

School and campus incident response personnel must be adequately trained and practiced in the systematic implementation of NIMS and the ICS. Continual training, practice, and updates to the plan are critical components. Every opportunity should be provided to better integrate NIMS and ICS into these activities. School staff needs practical exposure to NIMS and its tenets, in both their school emergency management activities and day to day activities when possible. Because of NIMS reliance on multiple organizations conducting themselves in a similar manner, everyone will need to practice the system developed in conjunction with partners. The strength of NIMS and ICS as foundations for effective response are dependent on training, exercises, and updates to the plan.

K-12 schools' and IHEs' participation in realistic multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional exercises improve integration, interoperability, and response. Functional exercises provide opportunities for realistic practice using the standardized NIMS approach for building relationships and increasing integration with partners.

Implementation Guidance

Schools and IHEs should include NIMS and ICS policies and practices in all internal and external trainings and exercises. During trainings and exercises, plans should be reviewed to ensure school officials are knowledgeable and able to carry out properly their roles and responsibilities during an incident. This is especially critical for scenarios that require a transfer of command. All staff must know, at all times, who is in charge and how to respond under the new command.

In addition to training and practice directly with first responder partners, schools should consider conducting activities that involve the greater community - students, staff, families, and the media. Everyone needs to be informed and trained on their responsibilities in advance of an emergency. For example, families should know how to get information (i.e., website, local radio or TV station) for reunification during an event at a K-12 school. If there is an evacuation or a lockdown in progress, parents and guardians arriving at the school door will impede effective responses. With prior instructions, emergency response and reunification can take place safely and smoothly.

Sample activities demonstrating that schools and IHEs are incorporating NIMS and ICS principles into all emergency management training and exercises include:

• Documenting the use of NIMS and ICS in all training and exercise programs;
• Creating a timeline for providing appropriate training in collaboration with community partners; and
• Creating a timeline for conducting an exercise(s) with community partners.