Managing in a Dangerous World—The National Incident Management System

:Systems engineering, project management, and organizational structure play important roles in the success of any organization. Now more than ever, these elements are vitally important for successful emergency response coordination and major security initiatives during any large-scale emergency response. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the successful implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS) by the Arlington County (Va.) Fire Department served as a catalyst for a later mandate by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). All DHS funding recipients are required to utilize the new National Incident Management System (NIMS) for organizing any critical emergency responses to a terrorist attack, disaster, or other critical response requirement. NIMS is the first standardized management approach that unifies Federal, state, and local lines of government for incident response. The NIMS system evolved from the Incident Command concepts pioneered by the Phoenix, Arizona Fire Department and the State of California. This article outlines and overviews the background, history, use, and applications of the NIMS system, with a focus on the ICS within NIMS. This management effort's goal is to continue to protect our citizens from natural disasters and acts of terrorism. This article identifies areas where the engineering management field can make a contribution to this important endeavor.