What does a basic premise of the NIMS and NRF state regarding the management of incidents?

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF) emphasize that incidents should be managed at the lowest jurisdictional level possible to ensure a more efficient and effective response. This approach is grounded in the principle of empowering local authorities and communities to take the lead in incident management since they have the most intimate knowledge of the local context, resources, and needs. By managing incidents at the lowest level, responders can utilize local assets and resources, tailor their response actions to meet specific community needs, and make decisions that align closely with local priorities.

This decentralized approach fosters greater collaboration among local agencies, encourages swift decision-making, and often leads to quicker, more effective responses. It also aligns with the Tiered Response principle, which promotes the idea that when local resources are overwhelmed, they can then request further assistance from higher levels of government or external agencies. Thus, this model supports a layered response system that is both responsive and provides a clear command structure, facilitating better coordination and communication.

In contrast, managing incidents at the highest level possible would likely lead to unnecessary delays and inefficiencies, as decisions may be removed from the context in which the incident occurs. Additionally, the involvement of only federal entities or international oversight in every incident would detr