Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today issued an executive order establishing the National Interagency Incident Command System (NIMS) as the state standard for incident management.

"It is necessary and desirable that all federal, state, local, and tribal emergency agencies and personnel coordinate their efforts to effectively and efficiently provide the highest levels of incident management," said Governor Pawlenty. "The NIMS standardized procedures for managing personnel, communications, facilities and resources will improve the state's ability to utilize federal funding to enhance local and state agency readiness, maintain first responder safety, and streamline incident management processes."

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-02

DESIGNATION OF THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) AS THE BASIS FOR ALL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable laws, including Minnesota Statutes 2004, Section 221.0269, do hereby issue this executive order:

WHEREAS, the President, in Homeland Security Directive (HSPD)-5, directed the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS), which would provide a consistent nationwide approach for federal, state, local, and tribal governments to work together more effectively and efficiently to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity;

WHEREAS, the collective input and guidance from all federal, state, local, and tribal homeland security partners has been, and will continue to be, vital to the development, effective implementation and utilization of a comprehensive NIMS;

WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that all federal, state, local, and tribal emergency agencies and personnel coordinate their efforts to effectively and efficiently provide the highest levels of incident management;

WHEREAS, to facilitate the most efficient and effective incident management, it is critical that federal, state, local, and tribal organizations utilize standardized terminology, standardized organizational structures, interoperable communications, consolidated action plans, unified command structures, uniform personnel qualification standards, uniform planning, training, and exercising standards, comprehensive resource management, and designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters;

WHEREAS, the NIMS standardized procedures for managing personnel, communications, facilities and resources will improve the state's ability to utilize federal funding to enhance local and state agency readiness, maintain first responder safety, and streamline incident management processes.

WHEREAS, the Incident Command System components of NIMS are already an integral part of various incident management activities throughout the State, including current emergency management training programs; and

WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11 Commission) recommended adoption of a standardized Incident Command System;

NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby establish the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIMS) as the state standard for incident management.