QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the National
Incident Management System (NIMS)?
A) To manage routine daily tasks within an organization.
B) To provide a standardized, all-hazards approach to incident management.
C) To dictate political decisions during emergencies.
D) To only be used by federal agencies.
E) To replace local emergency services.
Correct Answer: B) To provide a standardized, all-hazards approach to
incident management.
Rationale: NIMS is designed to provide a consistent nationwide
template to enable all government, private sector, and
nongovernmental organizations to work together effectively to
prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the
effects of incidents.
Question 2
Which NIMS component sets national standards for training, qualifications,
and certification of incident personnel?
A) Command and Management
B) Preparedness
C) Resource Management
D) Communications and Information Management
E) Supporting Technologies
Correct Answer: B) Preparedness
Rationale: The Preparedness component of NIMS includes a wide
range of activities such as planning, training, exercises, personnel
qualification and certification, and equipment certification to ensure
readiness for incidents.
Question 3
What does "Common Terminology" mean within NIMS?
A) Using specialized jargon to identify experts.
B) Using plain language and standardized terms for organizational functions,
incident facilities, and resource descriptions.
C) Limiting communication to only high-level leaders.
D) Communicating only through written messages.
E) Using different communication systems for each agency.
Correct Answer: B) Using plain language and standardized terms for
,organizational functions, incident facilities, and resource
descriptions.
Rationale: Common Terminology is a fundamental NIMS principle that
ensures all incident personnel, regardless of agency or discipline,
use the same language for key elements, reducing confusion and
improving interoperability.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a NIMS Command and Management element?
A) Incident Command System (ICS)
B) Multiagency Coordination Systems (MACS)
C) Public Information
D) Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
E) Preparedness Organizations
Correct Answer: E) Preparedness Organizations
Rationale: Preparedness Organizations fall under the "Preparedness"
component of NIMS, not Command and Management. Command and
Management focuses on how incident management organizations
are structured and operate.
Question 5
What is the optimal span of control for a supervisor in ICS?
A) 1-2 subordinates.
B) 3-7 subordinates, with 5 being ideal.
C) 8-10 subordinates.
D) As many as the supervisor can handle.
E) Limited to specific types of personnel.
Correct Answer: B) 3-7 subordinates, with 5 being ideal.
Rationale: NIMS/ICS doctrine recommends a manageable span of
control of 3 to 7 direct reports, with an ideal of 5. This ensures
effective supervision and communication, and prevents supervisors
from being overwhelmed.
Question 6
Which NIMS guiding principle allows for the incident management structure
to be based on the incident's size, scope, and complexity?
A) Unity of Command
B) Common Terminology
C) Modular Organization
D) Unified Command
E) Accountability
,Correct Answer: C) Modular Organization
Rationale: Modular Organization means that the ICS structure
expands or contracts as needed to meet the demands of an
incident. Only those functional elements and positions actually
required for the incident are activated.
Question 7
The "Incident Commander" is responsible for:
A) Only tactical operations.
B) All aspects of the incident.
C) Only public relations.
D) Only financial matters.
E) Only safety.
Correct Answer: B) All aspects of the incident.
Rationale: The Incident Commander (IC) is ultimately responsible for
the overall management of the incident, including setting
objectives, managing resources, ensuring safety, and
communicating with stakeholders.
Question 8
What is the primary role of an "Emergency Operations Center (EOC)"?
A) To manage all tactical operations at the incident site.
B) To coordinate information and resources in support of the on-scene
incident command.
C) To serve as a media briefing location.
D) To replace the Incident Command Post.
E) To store emergency equipment.
Correct Answer: B) To coordinate information and resources in support
of the on-scene incident command.
Rationale: EOCs provide multiagency coordination and support to on-
scene incident management. They are typically off-scene facilities
that manage resources, provide strategic guidance, and facilitate
interagency communication.
Question 9
Which NIMS component refers to the use of standardized resource typing to
define capabilities?
A) Command and Management
B) Preparedness
C) Resource Management
D) Communications and Information Management
, E) Supporting Technologies
Correct Answer: C) Resource Management
Rationale: Resource Management includes standardized procedures
for identifying, ordering, mobilizing, tracking, and demobilizing
resources. Resource typing, which categorizes resources by
capability, is a key part of this component.
Question 10
What does "Unity of Command" mean in ICS?
A) All incident personnel report to multiple supervisors.
B) Each individual reports to only one designated supervisor.
C) All agencies involved share the same Incident Commander.
D) The Incident Commander makes all decisions without input.
E) All personnel use the same radio channel.
Correct Answer: B) Each individual reports to only one designated
supervisor.
Rationale: Unity of Command is a core principle ensuring that each
incident worker reports to only one supervisor, preventing
conflicting orders and clarifying lines of authority and
accountability.
Question 11
Which of the following is NOT a member of the ICS Command Staff?
A) Public Information Officer (PIO)
B) Safety Officer
C) Liaison Officer
D) Operations Section Chief
E) Incident Commander
Correct Answer: D) Operations Section Chief
Rationale: The Operations Section Chief is a member of the General
Staff, reporting to the Incident Commander. The Command Staff
(PIO, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer) directly support and report to
the Incident Commander.
Question 12
The "Incident Action Plan (IAP)" is a key component of effective incident
management. It typically covers what?
A) Only financial expenditures.
B) Overall incident objectives, strategies, and tactical actions for a specified
operational period.
C) Only contact information for personnel.