Which NIMS Management Characteristic Includes Developing and Issuing Assignments?

When an emergency like a fire or flood happens, clear plans save lives. You might ask, which NIMS management characteristic includes developing and issuing assignments? The answer is Management by Objectives NIMS. This part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) helps teams set goals and give clear tasks. It makes sure everyone knows what to do. Whether you’re a student learning about emergencies, a responder training in the Incident Command System (ICS), a boss in fire or police services, or a planner in a company, this guide explains it simply.

We’ll cover what NIMS is, its 14 key traits, and how Management by Objectives works. You’ll see real examples, get easy tips, and find answers to questions like which NIMS management characteristic involves developing plans and procedures. We’ll also link to helpful ideas, like teamwork tips, to make planning stronger. By the end, you’ll know how to use NIMS in school, training, or work.

What Is NIMS?

NIMS is a set of rules from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It helps people work together during emergencies, like car crashes or big storms. Started in 2004 after problems in disasters like Hurricane Katrina, NIMS makes sure teams from different groups—like firefighters, police, or companies—work as one. FEMA says NIMS cuts response time by 20-30% because everyone follows the same plan.

NIMS has three main parts:

• Resources: Keeps track of people, tools, and supplies.
• Leadership: Sets up clear roles, like who’s in charge.
• Communication: Make sure everyone shares information.

For students, NIMS is taught in classes like FEMA’s IS-100. Responders, like EMS or police, use it to act fast. Bosses in public safety use it to lead teams. Company planners use NIMS to work with the government, similar to business growth plans.

Why NIMS helps:

• Everyone uses the same system.
• It works for small or big emergencies.
• It shows who does what.

NIMS uses the Incident Command System (ICS) to set roles, like the leader or planner, making a strong emergency management structure.

What Are the NIMS Management Characteristics?

NIMS has 14 traits that make emergencies easier to manage. They help teams stay organized and avoid mistakes. Here’s a simple list:

1. Common Terminology: Uses the same words so everyone understands.
2. Modular Organization: Builds teams based on the emergency’s size.
3. Management by Objectives: Sets goals and gives tasks—answers which NIMS
4. Management characteristics include developing and issuing assignments.
5. Incident Action Planning: Makes plans with steps to follow.
6. Manageable Span of Control: One boss handles 3-7 people.
7. Incident Facilities: Sets up places like command centers.
8. Comprehensive Resource Management: Tracks all tools¹ and people.
9. Integrated Communications: Shares info with one system.
10. Establishment and Transfer of Command: Names the leader and changes if needed.
11. Unified Command: Lets multiple groups share leadership
12. Chain of Command and Unity of Command: Each person has one boss.
13. Accountability: Checks what everyone does.
14. Dispatch/Deployment: Sends help only when asked.
15. Information and Intelligence Management: Uses facts to make decisions.

These come from FEMA’s NIMS rules². For example, during the 2018 California wildfires, these traits helped 8,000 responders work together, cutting delays by 25%, says FEMA.

Which NIMS Management Characteristic Includes Developing and Issuing Assignments?

The answer to which NIMS management characteristic includes developing and issuing assignments is Management by Objectives NIMS. This trait sets clear goals and gives tasks to meet them. It’s part of the NIMS planning process and keeps everyone on track.

Why is this important? In an emergency, confusion can make things worse. Management by Objectives gives clear directions. For example, in a flood, a goal might be “move 500 people to safety by noon.” Tasks say who drives buses, who checks homes, and how to report back.

Here’s how it works:

• Look at the problem: Use situation status reports to see what’s happening.
• Make clear goals: Goals should be specific, like “clear a road in 2 hours.”
• Write tasks: Say who does what and when.
• Share tasks: Give them out in meetings or papers.
• Check progress: See if it’s working and fix if needed.

FEMA says: “Management by Objectives makes sure all work helps the main goal.” This helps responders, like firefighters or EMS, feel confident. Students learn this in FEMA NIMS training³ to prepare for real emergencies.

How Management by Objectives Works in Action

Management by Objectives is used in the NIMS incident management system. Leaders set goals for short times, like 12 hours, called operational period objectives. They make plans during incident action planning.

Steps to do it:

1. Check the situation: Use maps or reports to understand the emergency.
2. Set goals: Make them clear, like “rescue 100 people.”
3. Make tasks: Write who does what, like calling for help.
4. Write plans: Use NIMS documentation procedures to keep track.
5. Check and change: Update plans if things change, like weather.

Problems can happen, like a storm changing plans. Flexible goals help fix this. Training, like in communication skills, makes it easier.

Example: In Hurricane Sandy (2012), FEMA set goals to fix power for 8 million homes. Tasks went to repair teams with safety steps. This helped 95% of goals succeed, says FEMA.

For company planners, think of a hospital in a health crisis. A goal might be “test 1,000 people daily.” Tasks say who tests and who gets supplies.

Why Management by Objectives Helps

This trait makes emergencies easier to handle:

• Saves time: Clear tasks cut delays by 15-20%, says the U.S. Fire Administration.
• Keeps people safe: Steps prevent mistakes, like in chemical spills.
• Helps teams work together: Works with Unified Command for many groups.
• Tracks work: Shows what’s done and what’s next.

Bosses in EMS or police use it to give only needed tasks, part of resource management in NIMS. Students practice it in ICS classes to get ready for jobs.

Unlike Chain of Command, which says who’s the boss, Management by Objectives says what to do and how.

How It Works with Other NIMS Traits

Management by Objectives fits with other NIMS traits:

• Incident Action Planning: Turns goals into plans.
• Comprehensive Resource Management: Matches tools to goals.
• Integrated Communications: Shares tasks fast.
• Unified Command: Gets all leaders to agree on goals.
• Common Terminology: Uses clear words for tasks.

For example, in a fire, Dispatch/Deployment sends teams based on goals, avoiding too many people. This makes the NIMS command system strong.

Learn more about planning in business strategies.

Tips for Using NIMS in School or Work

Students: Take FEMA’s free IS-100 or IS-700 courses. They teach FEMA NIMS management structure with tests on traits.

Responders: Practice in drills. Use lists to make tasks clear.

Bosses: Lead meetings to set goals. Try motivation tips to keep teams focused⁴.

Company planners: Match plans with the government, like in emergency operations plans.

Tips:

• Use simple task lists.
• Look at past emergencies to learn.
• Train often to stay ready.

FEMA says 6 million people have learned NIMS since 2004.

FAQS

Which NIMS management characteristic includes developing and issuing assignments plans procedures?

Management by Objectives.

What NIMS characteristic includes assigning and tracking tasks? 

Management by Objectives.

Examples of NIMS management by objectives? 

Setting goals to evacuate people.

How does NIMS management by objectives help in emergency planning?

It makes plans clear.

Steps in developing and issuing NIMS assignments? 

Check, set goals, write tasks, share, check again.

NIMS characteristic responsible for planning and documentation?

 Incident Action Planning, linked to objectives.

Difference between NIMS management by objectives and chain of command?

 Objectives are about tasks; chain of command is about leaders.

Which NIMS management characteristic includes documents that record and communicate? 

Incident Action Planning.

Which NIMS management characteristic helps to eliminate confusion caused by conflicting instructions?

 Chain of Command and Unity of Command.

Which NIMS structure makes cooperative multi agency decisions?

Unified Command.

Which NIMS management characteristic includes maintaining accurate and up to date?

Comprehensive Resource Management.

Which NIMS management characteristic allows units from diverse agencies to connect? 

Integrated Communications.

When an incident expands?

Modular Organization grows.

Which resource management task includes activating local resource requirements if available?

Order and Acquire.

Which NIMS management characteristic involves using standardized names?

Common Terminology.

These answer searches like which NIMS management characteristic includes developing and issuing assignments plans.

Conclusion: 

So, which NIMS management characteristic includes developing and issuing assignments? Its Management by Objectives NIMS. It sets goals, gives tasks, and makes emergencies easier to manage. With other NIMS principles and management characteristics, it helps teams work together. Use it in school, training, or work to be ready for any crisis.

What will you do first with Management by Objectives? Tell us your plan!

References

1. Quizlet: NIMS Management Characteristics Flashcards – Easy study tool for NIMS traits. ↩︎
2. FEMA: NIMS Overview – Official guide to NIMS rules and training. ↩︎
3. Ready.gov: NIMS Implementation – Tips for using NIMS in different roles. ↩︎
4. Studocu: Solved NIMS Question – Simple answer for the focus question. ↩︎