FEMA IS-700.B: AN INTRODUCTION TO
THE NATIONAL INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which NIMS Management Characteristic refers to the number of individuals or resources
that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident?
A. Manageable Span of Control
B. Comprehensive Resource Management
C. Modular Organization
D. Unified Command
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Manageable Span of Control is the NIMS characteristic that
defines the ratio of supervisors to subordinates, typically cited as 1:5 for optimal
effectiveness.
,2. Which NIMS Guiding Principle ensures that the NIMS framework can be used for any size or
type of incident, regardless of cause or complexity?
A. Standardization
B. Unity of Effort
C. Flexibility
D. Scalability
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Flexibility allows NIMS to be applicable across the full spectrum
of potential incidents, including planned events and emergencies.
3. Under NIMS, what is the primary purpose of Multiagency Coordination Groups (MAC
Groups)?
A. To provide tactical site-level command and control
B. To support the Incident Commander by managing logistics on-scene
C. To handle public relations and media inquiries for the jurisdiction
D. To make policy-level decisions and prioritize resource allocation among multiple
incidents
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: MAC Groups are part of the Command and Coordination
component and act as policy bodies to support resource prioritization and strategic
coordination.
4. In NIMS, ‘Resource Typing’ is defined as the categorization of resources based on which
two criteria?
A. Cost and Availability
B. Location and Ownership
C. Capability and Category
D. Capability and Quantity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Resource typing involves defining resources by their capability
(Level/Type) and their category (Kind), ensuring that incident managers receive what they
request.
5. Which NIMS Command and Coordination structure is responsible for off-site support of the
on-scene incident command?
A. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
B. Incident Command System (ICS)
C. Joint Information System (JIS)
D. Area Command
THE NATIONAL INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which NIMS Management Characteristic refers to the number of individuals or resources
that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident?
A. Manageable Span of Control
B. Comprehensive Resource Management
C. Modular Organization
D. Unified Command
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Manageable Span of Control is the NIMS characteristic that
defines the ratio of supervisors to subordinates, typically cited as 1:5 for optimal
effectiveness.
,2. Which NIMS Guiding Principle ensures that the NIMS framework can be used for any size or
type of incident, regardless of cause or complexity?
A. Standardization
B. Unity of Effort
C. Flexibility
D. Scalability
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Flexibility allows NIMS to be applicable across the full spectrum
of potential incidents, including planned events and emergencies.
3. Under NIMS, what is the primary purpose of Multiagency Coordination Groups (MAC
Groups)?
A. To provide tactical site-level command and control
B. To support the Incident Commander by managing logistics on-scene
C. To handle public relations and media inquiries for the jurisdiction
D. To make policy-level decisions and prioritize resource allocation among multiple
incidents
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: MAC Groups are part of the Command and Coordination
component and act as policy bodies to support resource prioritization and strategic
coordination.
4. In NIMS, ‘Resource Typing’ is defined as the categorization of resources based on which
two criteria?
A. Cost and Availability
B. Location and Ownership
C. Capability and Category
D. Capability and Quantity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Resource typing involves defining resources by their capability
(Level/Type) and their category (Kind), ensuring that incident managers receive what they
request.
5. Which NIMS Command and Coordination structure is responsible for off-site support of the
on-scene incident command?
A. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
B. Incident Command System (ICS)
C. Joint Information System (JIS)
D. Area Command
