Coordinated Incident Management System
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) is New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

's system for managing the response to an incident involving multiple responding agencies. Its developers based the system on California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

's Incident Command System
Incident Command System
The Incident Command System is "a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response" according to the United States Federal Highway Administration...

 (ICS) developed in the 1970s and other countries' adaptions of ICS, such as Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

's Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System
Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System
In Australia, the Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System is the nationally recognised system of organizational principles and structure used to manage wildfires and other large emergencies utilizing the All Agencies approach...

 (AIIMS).

CIMS is a generic framework that can be adapted for each situation that arises. For example, while there are four management functions, the incident itself determines the size of the incident management team. In an isolated incident, a single officer may perform all of functions and in a very complex incident each function could be subdivided. Instead, CIMS emphasises consistent terminology
Terminology
Terminology is the study of terms and their use. Terms are words and compound words that in specific contexts are given specific meanings, meanings that may deviate from the meaning the same words have in other contexts and in everyday language. The discipline Terminology studies among other...

, a single Incident Control Point and planning tools across all agencies. For example, the term "Assembly Area" means the same thing in every event. Likewise, all trained responders know the roles and responsibilities of the Logistics Manager.

CIMS was initially designed for all levels of emergency management, similar to the UK's Gold Silver Bronze command system
Gold Silver Bronze command structure
A gold–silver–bronze command structure is used by emergency services of the United Kingdom to establish a hierarchical framework for the command and control of major incidents and disasters...

, however only the bronze level has become entrenched. At higher levels, New Zealand's arrangements are outlined in the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan (the National Plan). In some senses, the National Plan is similar to the Department of Homeland Security's National Response Framework
National Response Framework
The United States National Response Framework is part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security that presents the guiding principles enabling all levels of domestic response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies...

.

A distinguishing factor from other English-speaking systems is the use of the term control rather than command, such as the term "Incident Controller" for "Incident Commander
Incident Commander
The incident commander is the person responsible for all aspects of an emergency response; including quickly developing incident objectives, managing all incident operations, application of resources as well as responsibility for all persons involved. The incident commander sets priorities and...

". By implication, this was designed to emphasise that the incident management team is primarily a focused on coordinating the response by independent agencies, rather than ordering responders in a militaristic manner. This is complicated to a degree, as the person in charge of the Operations function, usually an Operations Manager, does have the authority to command agencies to act.

Background Concepts

CIMS is based around several background concepts that provide the basis for the operational elements.

Vision and Mission

CIMS aims to deliver:
Vision: Safer communities through integrated emergency management.


Mission: CIMS will create a legacy of safer communities through a proven, reliable, user-friendly, effective and efficient up-to-date [incident management] system. The system will be fully integrated and flexible and have the confidence of the public.

Seven Principles of CIMS

  1. Common Terminology
  2. Modular Organisation
  3. Integrated Communications
  4. Consolidated Incident Action Plans (IAPs)
  5. Manageable Span of Control
  6. Designated Incident Facilities
  7. Comprehensive Resource Management

Common Terminology

Incident facilities, allocated positions and other terms are consistent amongst responding agencies. For example, the term "Incident Control Point" may have been previously known as the "Forward Headquarters", a "Command Post" or another term depending on which agency was responding. Now, all CIMS agencies use the same jargon
Jargon
Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, group, or event. The philosophe Condillac observed in 1782 that "Every science requires a special language because every science has its own ideas." As a rationalist member of the Enlightenment he...

.

Modular Organisation

In the context of CIMS, modular organisation primarily means that the management structure can expand and contract depending on the nature of the incident or series of incidents that the agencies are responsible to. This means that at small, isolated incidents a single person may be in charge. At large, complex incidents, such as a major weather event, there will be multiple incident management teams coordinated by an overall emergency operations centre.
This modular model primarily contrasts with developing pre-defined structures. The focus is on maintaining flexibility to each incident as it arises, rather than rote learning specific structures for every type of incident.
Modular organisation also means that incident facilities can be established and removed as the incident develops.

Integrated Communications

In practice, integrated communications means having a communications plan between all of the responding agencies. In a broader sense, it can be defined as attempting to unify all communications between agencies with the use of common frequencies, inter-operable equipment and developing consistent standard operating procedures.

Consolidated Incident Action Plans

Rather than having each agency develop its own plan of how the incident is likely to develop, CIMS implies that a single plan is developed that is then shared with each responding agency.

Manageable Span of Control

Span of control is the number of direct reports any one person can effectively manage, 1:5 being best practice and 1:3 being the optimum for tactical command roles.

Designated Incident Facilities

Established incident facilities are known to all responding agencies.

Comprehensive Resource Management

Comprehensive resource management means that resources are tracked, accounted for and made available between organisations for the most effective use at the incident.

Command, Control and Coordination

The terms command, control and coordination play a big role within CIMS. These terms help define the roles and responsibilities between incident managers that may direct responders from multiple organisations and line managers that act within a single agency.
Control operates horizontally between agencies, whereas Command operates vertically within an agency. Coordination describes the overall cohesion of agencies working together with defined responsibilities.

Lead Agency

Every incident is managed by a lead agency. This agency has overall control of the incident, and is responsible for overall coordination. Lead Agency status is usually bestowed by primary legislation
Primary legislation
Primary legislation is law made by the legislative branch of government. This contrasts with secondary legislation, which is usually made by the executive branch...

 (an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...

), but the common law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...

, secondary legislation (regulation
Regulation
Regulation is administrative legislation that constitutes or constrains rights and allocates responsibilities. It can be distinguished from primary legislation on the one hand and judge-made law on the other...

s) and prior agreement are also used.
Some general examples of lead agencies:
General Examples of Lead Agencies at Incidents
Incident Type Lead Agency Basis
House Fire New Zealand Fire Service
New Zealand Fire Service
The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

Fire Service Act 1975
Crime Involving Injury New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...

Common law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...

, Policing Act 2008
Outbreak of biological organism Biosecurity New Zealand, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the state sector organisation of New Zealand which deals with matters relating to agriculture, forestry and biosecurity...

Biosecurity Act 1993
Structural Collapse New Zealand Fire Service
New Zealand Fire Service
The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan Order 2005

Support Agencies

Support agencies are those agencies which assist the lead agency with the incident.
General Examples of Support Agencies at Incidents
Incident Type Lead Agency Support Agencies
Whale Stranding Department of Conservation Community organisations, iwi
Iwi
In New Zealand society, iwi form the largest everyday social units in Māori culture. The word iwi means "'peoples' or 'nations'. In "the work of European writers which treat iwi and hapū as parts of a hierarchical structure", it has been used to mean "tribe" , or confederation of tribes,...

, hapū
Hapu
A hapū is sometimes described as "the basic political unit within Maori society".A named division of a Māori iwi , membership is determined by genealogical descent; a hapū is made up of a number of whānau groups. Generally hapū range in size from 150-200 although there is no upper limit...

 and whānau
Whanau
Whānau , is a Māori-language word for extended family, now increasingly entering New Zealand English, particularly in official publications.In Māori society, the whānau is also a political unit, below the level of hapū and iwi, and the word itself also has other meanings: as a verb meaning to give...

, Local Government
Territorial authorities of New Zealand
Territorial authorities are the second tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils. There are 67 territorial authorities: 13 city councils, 53 district councils, and the Chatham Islands Council...

Overturned bus New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...

 or New Zealand Fire Service
New Zealand Fire Service
The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

 depending on the situation
Local ambulance service, local District health board, Victim Support, on-scene first aiders,

Management Structure

A very important consideration within CIMS is that incident management has four functions, not necessarily four positions. Therefore, some incidents will have multiple functions performed by a single manager. Likewise, some functions may become complex enough to warrant separation of one function to two managers. People performing these roles are known collectively as the Incident Management Team (IMT).
Incident Controller Operations Logistics Planning / Intelligence
Abbreviation / Known As IC Ops Logs Planning / Intel
Responsibilities
Ensures overall incident resolution, this includes responsibility for:
  • Safety of Responders
  • Incident Stability: doing the most effective job while being financially responsible
  • Property Conservation: minimising the impact of the incident

Ensures that responders are active by:
  • Allocating tasks to agencies on the ground
  • Monitoring progress of incident against IAP goals
  • Communicating between responding agencies and the Incident Management Team on progress

Ensures that responders can perform by:
  • Monitoring and providing resources
  • Establishing and maintain incident facilities
  • Creating the communications plan
  • Maintaining financial records

'Ensures that there is an overall strategy by:
  • Collecting and analysing information
  • Drafting the Incident Action Plan
  • Liaising with technical experts
Reports To Emergency Operations Centre (In multi-incident events) IC IC IC
Direct Reports
(situation dependent)
  • Ops, Logs, Planning/Intel
  • Safety Officer
  • Information Officer
  • Liaision Officer

  • The Ops function can be organised by agency, task or geography at the discretion of the Ops Manager
    • Sector Commanders
    • Police
    • Fire
    • Ambulance
    • Other agencies responding
  • Supply Unit
  • Facilities Unit
  • Communications
  • Medical
  • Catering
  • Finance
  • Situation Unit
  • Resources Unit
  • Management Support
  • Intelligence Unit
  • Advanced Planning

  • Incident Control

    Incident Control is responsible for the overall incident progression. The Incident Controller (IC) has overall accountability for the incident. This function is performed by the Lead Agency. The IC has three main responsibilities:
    • Safety
    • Incident Stability, meaning to implement the strategy that will be the most effective at resolving the incident while maintaining economical use of resources. This strategy is issued through the use of Incident Action Plans (IAPs).
    • Property Conservation, which relates to minimising damage generally.

    Operations

    The Operations function enacts the Incident Action Plan. This means making sure that responders are being as productive as possible. The Operations Manager (Ops Manager) is generally responsible for operational command of resources, in order to fulfil the objectives set by the IC. This means allocating agencies specific functions in their areas of expertise, monitoring their performance, and providing a communication link between the responders and the other elements of the IMT, especially Logistics.

    Planning / Intelligence

    The Planning / Intelligence Manager (Planning/Intel Manager) function is responsible for forecasting the incident development, anticipating likely needs and drafting the Incident Action Plan. This role of the IMT is strategic scope. "This event will go on for another 12 hours, we will need lighting, food and shelter for the expected rain".

    Logistics

    The Logistics (Logs Manager) function ensures that the operation can continue by ensuring that there are sufficient resources on-site and related functions.

    SitRep (Sitation Report)

    The SitRep is a report from responders what is happening now. This information is gathered by the Incident Management Team (IMT) to develop the Incident Action Plan (IAP).

    Incident Action Plan

    The Incident Action Plan (IAP) is a template for ensuring that the IMT have a consistent approach to the incident. It is the single plan that all agencies and responders work to.

    Pre-1990s

    Despite having had a national fire service
    New Zealand Fire Service
    The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

     since 1975, and a national police
    New Zealand Police
    The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...

     force since the late 19th Century, there was no consistency in the management of the response to emergencies. Each agency had its own communication system, jargon, hierarchy and attitude towards a particular type of emergency.

    Development of CIMS was also indirectly influenced by a major review of New Zealand's emergency services, which took place in the mid-1990s. This review recommended that agencies should look at working closer together, in order to provide a more integrated service to New Zealand communities.

    Example of Issue

    Road vehicle crashes that did not involve fire show how confusion could arise. The Fire Service Act 1975 grants authority to the New Zealand Fire Service for fires, as well as all other emergencies where it feels it can render assistance. The Police however have a common law
    Common law
    Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...

     duty to protect life and property, as well as statutory enforcement authority of transport legislation. Likewise, the local ambulance service may feel it has primary responsibility, because it is responsible for the wellbeing of anyone injured by the incident. With each agency thinking that it is in charge, effective coordination is difficult.

    1996: CIMS conceived

    In 1996, the New Zealand Fire Service
    New Zealand Fire Service
    The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

     began to promote the idea of implementing an incident management system that was common across all emergency response and management agencies. In March 1997, a workshop of 25 representatives from the New Zealand Police
    New Zealand Police
    The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...

    , New Zealand Fire Service
    New Zealand Fire Service
    The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

    , the National Rural Fire Authority, New Zealand Ambulance Board, Civil Defence, local government
    Territorial authorities of New Zealand
    Territorial authorities are the second tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils. There are 67 territorial authorities: 13 city councils, 53 district councils, and the Chatham Islands Council...

    , New Zealand Defence Force
    New Zealand Defence Force
    The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...

    , New Zealand Forest Owners Association and the Department of Conservation was held.

    This initial workshop developed the vision, mission and project scope. Since then, the system, nation-wide training using consistent training materials and the system’s implementation have been carried out.

    Nationally consistent training

    By 1998, much of the system was developed. Two levels of training were decided upon, at awareness and practitioner levels. Training was develivered through the NZQA's National Qualifications Framework
    National Qualifications Framework
    The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....

    , with the Fire & Rescue Services Industry Training Organisation (FRISTO) nominated as the Standards Setting Body and holding authority for national moderation.

    One unique element of CIMS, is that the practitioner level programmes must be delivered in a multi-agency environment.

    Coordination between the emergency services

    As well as training individual responders, a wider level of coordination between the emergency services was required in order for New Zealand's emergency services to develop towards the model of comprehensive emergency management
    Comprehensive Emergency Management
    Comprehensive emergency management, as defined in various laws throughout the United States, is the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible, to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from...

    , as envisaged by the 1995 civil defence emergency management review. During the late 1990s, territorial authorities
    Territorial authorities of New Zealand
    Territorial authorities are the second tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils. There are 67 territorial authorities: 13 city councils, 53 district councils, and the Chatham Islands Council...

     aligned to form Emergency Management Groups (now known as Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups), in anticipation of legislative change promoting a move away from purely response-focused planning.

    In addition to efforts by local government
    Territorial authorities of New Zealand
    Territorial authorities are the second tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils. There are 67 territorial authorities: 13 city councils, 53 district councils, and the Chatham Islands Council...

    , Emergency Services Coordination Committees were established to enhance operational effectiveness, clarify local capabilities and establish lead agencies for circumstances where statutory authority was unclear, as in the example above. Two examples of committees that remain in existence include those in the Counties-Manakau
    Franklin District
    The territorial authority of Franklin District was abolished on 31 October 2010 and was divided between Auckland Council in the Auckland Region to the north and Waikato and Hauraki districts in the Waikato Region to the south and east. It was administered from the town of Pukekohe...

     and Central Hawkes Bay areas.

    Emergency Services

    CIMS is now used by all emergency services, government agencies and management agencies. These organisations include:
    • AREC - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
    • Department of Conservation - with responsibility for emergencies in national park
      National park
      A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...

      s
    • LandSAR New Zealand
    • New Zealand Fire Service
      New Zealand Fire Service
      The New Zealand Fire Service is New Zealand's national fire fighting body. While its founding legislation, the Fire Service Act 1975, only provides for this role, the organisation has assumed responsibility for several other areas.-Strategic Direction:The New Zealand Fire Service has defined for...

    • New Zealand Police
      New Zealand Police
      The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...

    • National Rural Fire Authority
    • New Zealand's civil defence emergency management sector, including the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and the nationwide network of Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups
    • St John New Zealand
    • USAR (Urban Search and Rescue)
    • Wellington Free Ambulance
      Wellington Free Ambulance
      The Wellington Free Ambulance provides free to the patient ambulance services in the Wellington Region of New Zealand.-History:The ambulance service was created on 9 November 1927 by the mayor of Wellington, Sir Charles Norwood, and initially operated out of the Old Navals boatshed...

    • Other Government Agencies


    It is not strictly used by the New Zealand Defence Force
    New Zealand Defence Force
    The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...

    , but the core components slot into the military
    Military
    A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...

     command structure neatly.

    Business Continuity / Crisis Management

    In recent years, CIMS has also been recognised as best practice for implementing management structures for response and recovery. Many organisations outside of those identified above are now adopting CIMS - including lifeline utilities, universities, and businesses. The key benefits are adopting a recognised standard, and being able to interoperate with other agencies during response to complex events that involve more than one agency.

    Land Search and Rescue

    New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Inc (LandSAR) has widely adopted the use of CIMS.

    Access to CIMS training

    Training is provided by a number of public sector, commercial organisations and NZQA private training establishments. CIMS 2 is widely available from a number of vendors. CIMS 4 can only be delivered as a multi-agency course - usually lead in rotation by Police, Fire, Ambulance or the local Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) authority. For more information, contact your local Civil Defence Emergency Management authority for more information.

    CIMS training is registered on the National Qualifications Framework
    National Qualifications Framework
    The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....

    , run by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
    New Zealand Qualifications Authority
    The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is the New Zealand government crown entity tasked with providing leadership in assessment and qualifications....

    .
    • NZQA Unit Standard 17279 (Level 2, 2 Credits) - Demonstrate knowledge of the coordinated incident management system (CIMS) (NZQA 17279 reference document)
    • NZQA Unit Standard 22445 (Level 4, 4 Credits) - Describe the roles and functions of a CIMS Incident Management Team (IMT) at an incident (NZQA 22445 reference document)

    External links

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