The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating a final review of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in conjunction with the recent release of the National Response Framework (NRF).

During 2006 and 2007, stakeholder workgroups (which included members from all levels of government, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations) worked together to revise the NIMS document. Changes during that time included the following: reorganization of the document to reflect the normal emergency management process (address preparedness before response) and to eliminate the perception that NIMS is only the Incident Command System (ICS); expanded the Preparedness and Resource Management components; and clarified the concepts within Command and Management, including multiagency coordination and public information.

After the conclusion of the 2007 comment periods, further review of the NIMS document was postponed while the revision of the National Response Plan [now known as the National Response Framework] was undertaken. Minor changes were made to the NIMS document to reflect language in the NRF. These changes did not significantly alter the 2007 draft version of the document.

The National Response Framework (NRF) formerly known as the National Response Plan (NRP) has now been released. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) will undergo one final national comment period.(May 1- June 2, 2008). All comment submissions received must include the agency name and docket ID (FEMA-2008-0008).

The draft NIMS document is available online at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket ID FEMA2008-0008.

You may also view hard copies at the Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Room 835, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472.

You may submit comments on the draft NIMS document, identified by Docket ID FEMA-2008-0008, by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: FEMA-POLICY@.... Include Docket ID FEMA-2008-0008 in the subject line of the message.
• Fax: 866-466-5370.
• Mail or Hand Delivery or Courier: Regulation & Policy Team, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Room 835, 500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472.

FEMA has also provided a form, available in the docket at www.regulations.gov. Due to the large number of comments that are expected, FEMA asks that comments be submitted using this form. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is available on the Privacy and Use Notice link on the Administration Navigation Bar of www.regulations.gov.

Your organization's participation in the NIMS review process is essential to ensure that the Nation can effectively and efficiently prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of any type of incident. Questions regarding the revised NIMS document should be directed to Andrew Slaten at 202-646-8152.