What is a major focus of NIMS when responding to incidents?

A major focus of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is coordination among diverse agencies. NIMS provides a structured framework for incident management that encourages collaboration across various organizations and governmental levels, both locally and nationally. This coordination is essential because incidents often require a multifaceted response involving law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, public health officials, and other community resources.

By fostering strong communication and collaboration among these diverse entities, NIMS enhances the effectiveness of the overall response effort, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that all responders are working towards the same goals. This coordinated approach helps to create a more unified response and allows for better situational awareness, resource allocation, and ultimately, improved outcomes during incidents.

In contrast, focusing solely on rapid deployment of military forces, eliminating non-essential personnel, or concentrating on local resources only does not align with NIMS's emphasis on collaboration and collective response efforts, which are crucial during multi-agency operations in complex incidents.