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Unified coordination and action in dealing with incidents among the various stakeholders is a crucial safety concern in any nation. This is the reason behind the approval of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by the US government. NIMS establish and define incident response management processes and procedural protocols to be used by federal, state, local and tribal governments in executing disaster response actions (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2008). By ensuring standardized procedures in addressing and managing homeland security threat incidents through a common focus, NIMS makes U.S. a safer nation. The system also enhances national emergency preparedness in dealing with rescue and recovery operations during security incidents (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2008).

The NIMS assists federal, state, tribal, and local government responsibilities with regard to Homeland Security in a number of ways based on its provisions. First, the system sets up an incident command system unit which is charged with the responsibility of issuing commands, operations coordination, planning and logistics as well as overseeing financial administration in major homeland security incidents (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2008). Unity is strength. By dictating for a unified incident management commanding unit, incident management efficiency is improved since such minimizes issuance of contradictory orders during response and recovery operations. NIMS have incorporated the principle of unified command when incidents involve agencies from different jurisdictions. This improves the effectiveness of response through consulted joint decisions among the various jurisdictions involved.

Another way in which NIMS assist federal, state and local government responsibilities with regard to Homeland Security is through its provisions on communication and information management and the joint information system (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2008). In particular, communication to the general public about an incident is quite important. This thus calls for timeliness, accuracy and sometimes classification of information. Based on this reason, the NIMS is highly instrumental in that it dictates for coordination among the various jurisdictions and agencies involved in responding to major homeland security incidents. This measure reduces misinformation thus ensuring efficient and effective incident response operations.

Preparedness in responding to homeland security incidents is well defined in the NIMS. To realize a reliable incident management and response system, there are a number of measures and actions which must be put in place long before an incident. According to the NIMS, such include training and certification of incident response professionals, acquisition of incident response equipment and incident response publication management (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2008). By accomplishing these, the American nation ensures the realization of an efficient and reliable incident response unit thus reducing loss of life and property during such incidents.

Preparedness also includes mitigation practices such as public awareness and structural reinforcement a move targeted at reducing the negative consequences of homeland security incidents. Still, NIMS provision on preparedness enforces zoning rules for homeland security prone areas as a safety measure (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2008). In a move to ensure continual sustainability of the NIMS, the provisions require constant review of the most effective practices based on evaluation of lessons learned during management of incidents. This establishment of well coordinated mutual agreement by various agencies and jurisdictions serve to promote the efficiency of incident response and management in the America.

Therefore, National Incident Management System (NIMS) is quite instrumental in the realization of a safer American nation. It does not only enhance coordination and execution of incident response and management but also seeks to improve the incident preparedness and mitigation practices by all stakeholders of the American nation.