President Bush directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop the National Incident Management System (NIMS), a series of standardized incident management processes, protocols and procedures that responders at all levels (federal, state, local and tribal) will use to coordinate and conduct their response to an emergency.  With responders across the country using the same standardized procedures, they will all share a common focus and will be able to place full emphasis on incident management when an emergency occurs.  All response disciplines will use the NIMS, allowing for seamless coordination. 

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) has been directed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Governor Brad Henry to ensure NIMS implementation and compliance for the state of Oklahoma.  To fulfill this obligation, OKOHS formed a NIMS Implementation Consortium with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to develop a clear and unified implementation plan. 

If Oklahoma is not NIMS complaint, OKOHS will not be eligible to receive federal homeland security grant funding.  It is critical that all Oklahoma responders take the NIMS IS-700 course before October 1, 2005. 

The Oklahoma Response to Terrorism Conference is offering the NIMS IS-700 course to those responders who are interested in participating.  Two pre-conference NIMS training sessions will take place at the Tulsa Marriott-Southern Hills on Tuesday, September 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Advanced registration to these sessions are required, and walk-ins will not be accepted.  Those interested in attending only the pre-conference session may register on-line at (http://www.osufst.org/NIMS ).   

For more information on NIMS contact OKOHS at 405-425-7296 or go online to www.fema.gov/nims.  

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Footnote:
  To register for the Oklahoma Response to Terrorism Conference, September 28-30:
         Click here to download form

  To register for the ORTC and Pre-conference NIMS Training Session, September 27-30:
         Click here to download form

  To register only for the Pre-conference NIMS Training Session, September 27:
         Click here to register ONLINE (Catalog# OIS-700)