NIMS COMPLIANCE

FY 2007

December 13, 2006

Dear County Official:

The purpose of this correspondence is to announce the FFY 07 Federally mandated activities for compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The deadline for submittal to the State is Friday, September 28, 2007. Achieving this compliance is critically important, as it will directly impact the distribution of 2007 homeland security grant monies to your county.

Local jurisdictions must complete several activities by the September 28, 2007 deadline to comply with Federal NIMS requirements which are outlined in detail in one of the attached documents. These actions include, but are not limited to the following topics:

· NIMS adoption and implementation at the community level for all government departments and agencies

· Utilization of NIMS-prescribed ICS during all hazards incident response

· NIMCAST baseline completion

· Participate/promote interagency mutual aid agreements

· Training requirements: to include ICS 300 and 400 where applicable

· Exercises, evaluations and corrective actions incorporating NIMS

· Inventory of response resources

· Interoperable standards for equipment, communications and data.

Helping local governments achieve this compliance by the stated deadline is a top priority of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. We are involved in several activities to provide this assistance and make sure local governments have access to the information and training they need. Much of this information is included in the attached documents.

Submittal of activities will continue through the Federal NIMCAST program. This Web-based program will help local governments set the necessary goals to achieve compliance. It will also serve as a reporting tool to help us stay up-to-date with the current status of compliance activities around the state so we can maximize our assistance efforts.

Listed below are the policies for compliance for FFY 07:

1. All Tier 1 metrics and questions must be answered as stated in the Federal Matrix:

Tier 1 metrics and questions (bold type) were deemed critical to measuring FY07 compliance. The Tier 1 metrics were derived from previously established NIMS requirements, and are fundamental to the success of NIMS implementation.

All Tier 1 questions require answers in the affirmative to achieve compliance by the end of FY 07.

• All other metrics and questions (not in bold type) were deemed necessary in establishing a clear path ahead. These metrics and questions form the basis of FY 08 NIMS requirements and will be deemed critical at the end of FY 08. At present, they should be used to assess current implementation activities and revise long-term planning to ensure compliance in FY 08.

All other questions do not require answers in the affirmative to achieve compliance by the end of FY 07.

2. County NIMCAST administrators need to review NIMCAST accounts and determine which accounts need to be separated into single agencies (example: fire associations that need to be separated into accounts for each fire department) and add accounts as they deem appropriate.

3. Agencies will review the “Legacy Questions” (questions from the previous year FFY06) and continue updating the responses.

4. Agencies will review and complete the new questions contained in the attached document “FY07 NIMS Compliance Metrics: Local/Tribal.” They are not all yes/no format questions and some will ask for quantitative information. These questions will NOT be available on line in the NIMCAST until they are released from the National Integration Center (projected to be March 2007). Until they are released we suggest preparing the answers on paper and transferring them when the online product is available.

Additionally, NIMS classes are offered through the IDHS Training Division. A list of currently scheduled classes is available on the consolidated calendar that is posted on our Web site at https://www.in.gov/dhs/training. Once you have accessed the calendar, you can select the NIMS courses from the column on the right hand side of the page. It should be noted that all training offered by IDHS meets NIMS compliance requirements.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also has staff available to assist you and answer any questions you may have related to NIMS compliance. Please feel free to contact Mr. David Barrabee at dbarrabee@dhs.in.gov concerning NIMS policy and NIMCAST queries.

As mentioned previously, achieving this NIMS compliance by the Federally mandated deadline is extremely important. Not only will it help ensure that your county will receive 2006, 2007 and 2008 Homeland Security grant funds, but the activities will also help improve the overall preparedness of your county for any possible disaster. I thank you for your support and look forward to growing our partnerships with all of you in the future.

Sincerely,

[signed]

J. Eric Dietz, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007)

Introduction

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) Management of Domestic Incidents called for the establishment of a single, comprehensive National Incident Management System (NIMS). The NIMS is a system that improves response operations through the use of the Incident Command System (ICS) and other standard procedures and preparedness measures. It also promotes development of multi-jurisdictional, statewide and interstate regional mechanisms for coordinating incident management and obtaining assistance during large-scale or complex incidents. HSPD-5 dictated that Federal departments and agencies shall make adoption of the NIMS a requirement for the provision of Federal preparedness assistance funds.

HSPD-5 also established and designated the NIMS Integration Center (NIC) as the lead Federal agency to coordinate NIMS compliance. One of the primary functions of the NIC is to ensure NIMS remains an accurate and effective management tool through refining and adapting compliance requirements to address ongoing preparedness needs. To accomplish this, the NIC relies on input from Federal, state, local, tribal, multi-discipline and private authorities to assure continuity and accuracy of ongoing efforts.

As recent events have illustrated, all levels of government as well as community-based organizations and the private-sector must work together to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any emergency or disaster. NIMS compliance must be an ongoing effort as new personnel must be trained and plans must be revised to reflect lessons learned.

Tribal and local authorities have the primary responsibility in emergencies and disasters situations as the overwhelming majority of emergency incidents are handled on a daily basis by a single jurisdiction. It is critically important that all jurisdictions comply with the NIMS because the challenges we face as a nation are far greater than the capabilities of any one jurisdiction. As such, NIMS compliance should be considered and undertaken as a community-wide and nationwide effort. The benefit of NIMS is most evident at the local level, when a community as a whole prepares for and provides an integrated response to an incident. Incident response organizations (to include local public health, public works, emergency management, fire, emergency medical services, law enforcement, hazardous materials, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations, medical organizations, utilities, and others) must work together to comply with NIMS components, policies, and procedures. Implementation of the NIMS in every tribal and local jurisdiction establishes a foundation upon which more advanced homeland security capabilities can be built.

Goal

As NIMS becomes more incorporated into incident management, state/territorial and tribal/local jurisdictions will be able to:

• Ensure common and proven incident management doctrine, practices and principles are used to plan for, protect against, respond to and recover from emergency incidents and preplanned events;

• Maintain a response operation capable of expanding to meet an escalating situation and the ability to integrate resources and equipment from intrastate and interstate mutual aid agreements, state-provided assistance and federal government response;

1 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007)

• Order and track response assets using common resource typing and definitions, and draw on mutual aid agreements for additional assistance;

• Establish staging and allocation plans for the re-distribution of equipment, supplies and aid coming into the area from other localities, states or the federal government through mutual aid agreements;

• Conduct situational assessments and establish the appropriate ICS organizational structure to effectively manage the incident; and

• Establish communication processes, procedures and protocols that will ensure effective interoperable communications among emergency responders, 9-1-1 centers and multi-agency coordination systems such as Emergency Operations Centers (EOC).

The long-term goal of NIMS is to provide state, territorial, local, and tribal jurisdictions with a consistent operational framework for all aspects of incident management. This framework should be sustainable, flexible, and scalable to meet changing incident needs and allow for integration of other resources from various partners through mutual aid agreements.

NIMS Compliance

In previous years, the NIC took steps toward achieving this goal of NIMS implementation and compliance. In October 2005, the NIC disseminated the FY06 NIMS Compliance Requirements Matrices to the state, territory, tribal and local partners. Included was a letter to the nation’s governors emphasizing the need to take the initial actions (as described in the matrices) to build a consistent operational framework for the nation. During FY06, states/territories were asked to self-certify their NIMS compliance by completing a NIMS certification form. Some states utilized the National Incident Management Capability Assessment Support Tool (NIMCAST) to assist in determining their NIMS compliance baseline.

The current NIMCAST tool is being redesigned to better meet stakeholder needs. Once released (in early 2007), the NIMCAST will be the preferred tool for use by states to assess NIMS compliance. All jurisdictions will be encouraged to use the NIMCAST to assess their compliance; however, other independently-developed electronic tools may be used for this purpose, provided that those tools can replicate the questions and metrics NIMCAST will assess.

In FY07, the self-certification approach will transition to performance-based questions and a measurement system of “metrics” which were derived, in part, from the required actions for compliance specified in the FY06 matrices. A collaborative approach with various state and local stakeholders was used to develop the metrics. This approach was based on the broad experiences of the subject matter experts from within the stakeholder group. Overall these metrics will measure the specific compliance requirements of state, territorial, tribal, and local jurisdictions for NIMS implementation in a consistent and achievable manner.

The metrics were separated into two categories:

6 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007)

FY07 Compliance Activities
Required Actions for Compliance	Specific Areas of Measure	Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources
Command and Management
Incident Command System (ICS): Manage all emergency incidents and preplanned (recurring/special) events in accordance with ICS organizational structures, doctrine, and procedures, as defined in NIMS. ICS implementation must include the consistent application of Incident Action Planning (IAP) and Common Communications Plans (CCP), as appropriate.	• Tribal/local responders utilize NIMS-prescribed ICS during all-hazards incident response. • Tribal/local responders utilize NIMS-prescribed ICS during preplanned events. • Tribal/local jurisdiction consistently applies NIMS-prescribed ICS to IAPs. • Tribal/local jurisdiction consistently applies NIMS-prescribed ICS to CCPs. • Utilization of ICS verified by exercises.	• Institutionalize ICS: Terms and definitions: www.fema.gov/txt/nims/institutionalizing_ics.txt • Incorporate concepts and principles of NIMS Chapter II, Command and Management including ICS characteristics such as: • common terminology • modular organization • management by objectives • incident action planning • manageable span of control • pre-designated incident facilities • comprehensive resource management • integrated communications • transfer of command • unity of command • unified command • personnel and resource accountability • information and intelligence management

7 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007) FY07 Compliance Activities Required Actions for Compliance Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources Specific Areas of Measure

Multi-agency Coordination System:

Coordinate and support emergency incident and event management through the development and use of integrated multi-agency coordination systems, i.e. develop and maintain connectivity capability between local Incident Command Posts (ICPs), local 911 Centers, local Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and state/territorial EOC.

• MACS utilized for preplanned (recurring/special) events, incident-specific hazards, no-notice events and/or specific events.

• NIMS Chapter II, Command and Management.

• IS-701 NIMS Multi-agency Coordination System:

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is701.asp

• FEMA NIMS Training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_training.shtm

• National Emergency Training Center 2006-2007 Training Catalog: Introduction to Unified Command for Multi-Agency and Catastrophic Incidents: www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/nfa/fa-273-nfa.pdf

• Multi-agency Coordination System Best Practices will be available at: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

Public Information System:

Implement processes, procedures, and/or plans to communicate timely, accurate information to the public during an incident through a Joint Information System and Joint Information Center.

• The tribal/local jurisdictions preparedness and emergency plans have provisions for utilizing a NIMS-prescribed PIS including the establishment of:

• Joint Information System (JIS)

• Joint Information Center (JIC)

• NIMS Chapter II, Command and Management.

• IS-702 National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Public Information Systems: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is702.asp

• Public Information Training (E388, Advanced Public Information Officers and G290, Basic Public Information Officers).

• Public Information System Best Practices will be available at: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

NEW FOR FY07: Ensure that the Public Information System can gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate information during an incident.

• Public Information System can gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate information during an incident.

• Public Information System capability verified by exercises.

• Utilize existing Public Information System and/or other communication systems for best practices and technical aids.

8 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007) FY07 Compliance Activities Required Actions for Compliance Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources Specific Areas of Measure

Preparedness Planning

Establish the community’s NIMS baseline against the FY05 and FY06 implementation requirements.

• Tribal and local jurisdictions have completed NIMS baseline against the FY05 and FY06 implementation requirements.

• Assess which NIMS implementation requirements your community already meets.

• NIMS Capability Assessment Support Tool (NIMCAST): www.fema.gov/nimcast/index.jsp

• NIMS Implementation Plan Tools and Templates: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_toolsandtemplates.shtm

Develop and implement a system to coordinate all Federal preparedness funding to implement the NIMS across the community.

• DHS Federal Preparedness Funding is being utilized to coordinate tribal/local level preparedness and response activities.

• Other (non-DHS) Federal Preparedness Funding is being utilized to coordinate Tribal/local level preparedness and response activities.

• A list of the Federal preparedness grant programs that have been reported to the NIC are available on the NIMS web page at: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

• 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy2006hsgp.pdf

• National Preparedness Goal and National Preparedness Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/assessments/hspd8.htm

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Preparedness Assistance (CFDA): www.cfda.gov

Revise and update plans and SOPs to incorporate NIMS components, principles and policies, to include planning, training, response, exercises, equipment, evaluation, and corrective actions.

• Tribal/local plans, Standard Operating Guidance (SOG) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are consistent with NIMS and NRP.

• Plans and SOP/SOGs have been updated, incorporating lessons learned and best practices from exercises and response operations.

• National Response Plan (NRP): www.dhs.gov/nationalresponseplan

• 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy2006hsgp.pdf

• National Preparedness Goal and National Preparedness Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/assessments/hspd8.htm

• National Incident Management System (NIMS): www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

9 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007) FY07 Compliance Activities Required Actions for Compliance Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources Specific Areas of Measure

Participate in and promote intrastate and interagency mutual aid agreements (to include agreements with private sector and non-governmental organizations).

• Tribal/local jurisdictions promotethe use of interagency and interstate mutual aid agreements within its departments and/or agencies.

• EMAC model state-county mutual aid deployment contract: www.emacweb.org/?123

• EMAC model intrastate mutual aid legislation: www.emacweb.org/docs/NEMA%20Proposed%20Intrastate%20Model-Final.pdf

Preparedness Training

Complete IS-700 NIMS: An Introduction.

• Completion of IS-700 by:

• Entry level first responders and disaster workers

• First line supervisors

• Middle management

• Command and general staff

• All personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident management or response must complete this training.

• NIMS National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf

• FEMA NIMS Training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_training.shtm

• IS-700: An Introduction On-line course: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700.asp

• NIMS National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf

• The NIMS web page provides guidance for who should complete this training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

Complete IS-800 NRP: An Introduction.

• Completion of IS-800 A by:

• Emergency management personnel in Middle management

• Emergency management personnel in Command and general staff

• NIMS National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf

• FEMA NIMS Training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_training.shtm

• IS-800 A NRP: An Introduction On-line course available at: training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is800a.asp

• The NIMS web page provides guidance for who should complete this training. www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

10 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007) FY07 Compliance Activities Required Actions for Compliance Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources Specific Areas of Measure

Complete ICS-100 and ICS-200 Training.

• Completion of ICS-100 by:

• Entry level first responders and disaster workers

• First line supervisors

• Middle management

• Command and general staff

• Completion of ICS-200 by:

• First line supervisors

• Middle management

• Command and general staff

• ICS 100: www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is100.asp

• ICS 100: www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa

• ICS 200: www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is200.asp

• ICS 200: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa

• NIMS National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf

• The NIMS web page provides guidance for who should complete this training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

NEW FOR FY07: Complete ICS-300 and ICS-400 Training.

• Completion of ICS-300 by:

• Middle Management

• Command and general Staff

• Completion of ICS-400 by:

• Command and general Staff

• FEMA Training FY06 Requirements: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/06_training.pdf

• FEMA Training Overview: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/ICSResource/ICSResCntr_Training.htm

• FEMA Emergency Management Institute: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/

• The NIMS web page provides guidance for who should complete this training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims

11 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007) FY07 Compliance Activities Required Actions for Compliance Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources Specific Areas of Measure

Preparedness Exercises

Incorporate NIMS/ICS into all tribal, local and regional training and exercises.

• Tribal/local jurisdictional exercises incorporate NIMS.

• DHS Exercise Information: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/exercises.htm

• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) IS-120 Online Course: http://209.176.175.84/hseep2/IS120/login.asp

• FEMA NIMS Training: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_training.shtm

• NIMS National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf

Participate in an all-hazard exercise program based on NIMS that involves responders from multiple disciplines and multiple jurisdictions.

• Tribal/local jurisdictional exercises evaluate NIMS implementation.

• Multiple disciplines and multiple jurisdictions participate in exercises.

• DHS Exercise Information: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/exercises.htm

• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) IS-120 Online Course: http://209.176.175.84/hseep2/IS120/login.asp

• NIMS National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf

• 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy2006hsgp.pdf

• National Preparedness Goal and National Preparedness Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/assessments/hspd8.htm

Incorporate corrective actions into preparedness and response plans and procedures.

• Corrective actions have been incorporated into preparedness and response plans and procedures.

• DHS Exercise Information: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/exercises.htm

• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) IS-120 Online Course: http://209.176.175.84/hseep2/IS120/login.asp

12 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local Jurisdictions (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007) FY07 Compliance Activities Required Actions for Compliance Guidance and Technical Assistance Resources Specific Areas of Measure

Resource Management

Inventory community response assets to conform to homeland security resource typing standards.

• Tribal/local jurisdictions have inventoried their response resources.

• Tribal/local jurisdictions resource typing conforms to DHS standards as identified by the NIC.

• Resource Typing Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/resource_typing_qadoc.pdf

• IS-703 NIMS Resource Management: www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is703.asp

• Propose modifications or new resource definitions to the NIC for inclusion in the resource typing effort.

To the extent permissible by law, ensure that relevant national standards and guidance to achieve equipment, communication and data interoperability are incorporated into local and tribal acquisition programs.

• Tribal/local jurisdiction aligns its acquisitions with state/territorial-level interoperable standards for equipment, communications, and data.

• DHS Equipment Program: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/grants_goals.htm

• 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy2006hsgp.pdf

• National Preparedness Goal and National Preparedness Guidance: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/assessments/hspd8.htm

• DHS SAFECOM Program: www.safecomprogram.gov/SAFECOM

NEW FOR FY07: Validate that the inventory of response assets conforms to homeland security resource typing standards and provide to the state/territory as required.

• Tribal/local jurisdictions are coordinating with the state/territory to validate the response asset inventory.

• Resource Typing Guidance: www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/resource_typing_qadoc.pdf

• FEMA Resource Management Course IS-703: NIMS Resource Management: www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is703.asp

• Identify resources to include in a state/territory-wide database to serve as a response asset inventory.

NEW FOR FY07: Utilize the state/territory response asset inventory for Intra-State Mutual Aid requests, exercises, and actual events.

• Tribal/local jurisdictions’ response asset inventory utilized for:

• Mutual Aid

• Exercises

• Actual events

• FEMA Resource Management Course IS-703: NIMS Resource Management: www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is703.asp

• FEMA Introductory EMAC training information: http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/downloads/EMAC_Full_Precourse_04_14_05.pdf

• Emergency Management Assistance Compact: www.emacweb.org

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support for EMAC: www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/emac/

SUMMARY - FFY 2007 NIMS/NIMCAST Metrics For Local/Tribal Jurisdictions - SUMMARY

Tier 1 metrics and questions (bold type) were deemed critical to measuring FY07 compliance. The Tier 1 metrics were derived from previously established NIMS requirements, and are fundamental to the success of NIMS implementation.

All Tier 1 questions require answers in the affirmative to achieve compliance by the end of FY 07.

All other questions do not require answers in the affirmative to achieve compliance by the end of FY 07.

Adopt NIMS at the community level for all government departments and agencies; as well as promote and encourage NIMS adoption by associations, utilities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector incident management and response organizations.

Formal NIMS adoption achieved by tribal/local jurisdictions.

• Tribal/local jurisdictions promote and encourage NIMS adoption by tribal/local level stakeholders (associations, utilities, NGOs, and appropriate private sectors partners).

• Tribal/local jurisdictions monitor formal NIMS adoption.

NEW FOR FY07: Designate a single point of contact within the tribal/local jurisdiction to serve as the principal coordinator for NIMS implementation.

• Single point of contact for overall NIMS implementation designated by tribal/local jurisdictions.

Incident Command System (ICS): Manage all emergency incidents and preplanned (recurring /special) events in accordance with ICS organizational structures, doctrine, and procedures, as defined in NIMS. ICS implementation must include the consistent application of Incident Action Planning (IAP) and Common Communications Plans (CCP), as appropriate.

Tribal/local responders utilize NIMS-prescribed ICS during all-hazards incident response.

• Tribal/local responders utilize NIMS-prescribed ICS during preplanned events.

• Tribal/local jurisdiction consistently applies NIMS-prescribed ICS to IAPs.

• Tribal/local jurisdiction consistently applies NIMS-prescribed ICS to CCPs.

• Utilization of ICS verified by exercises.

Multi-agency Coordination System:

• MACS utilized for preplanned (recurring/special) events, incident-specific hazards, no-notice events and/or specific events.

Public Information System: Implement processes, procedures, and/or plans to communicate timely, accurate information to the public during an incident through a Joint Information System and Joint Information Center.

• The tribal/local jurisdictions preparedness and emergency plans have provisions for utilizing a NIMS-prescribed PIS including the establishment of:

• Joint Information System (JIS)

• Joint Information Center (JIC)

NEW FOR FY07: Ensure that the Public Information System can gather, verify, coordinate, and disseminate information during an incident.