Which item is included in the NIMS Management Characteristic of Accountability?

Which item is included in the NIMS Management Characteristic of Accountability? 

 NIMS Management Characteristic: Accountability in Incident Management

Accountability stands as a fundamental pillar in the realm of incident management. It encompasses the responsibility of ensuring that all resources involved in an incident are properly tracked, managed, and accounted for. By adhering to the principles of accountability, incident management personnel establish a robust framework that fosters effective coordination, enhances operational efficiency, and ultimately contributes to successful incident outcomes. In this article, we will explore the NIMS Management Characteristic of Accountability, delving into its key components and highlighting their significance within the incident management context.

Check-in/Checkout: Keeping Track of Personnel

One of the primary aspects of accountability is the check-in/checkout process for personnel. It involves the systematic registration and tracking of individuals involved in incident response activities. Through this process, incident management personnel can accurately monitor the presence and availability of team members. Check-in ensures that personnel are accounted for at the onset of an incident, while checkout allows for a clear record of their departure from the incident site. This process provides crucial information for incident managers, enabling them to assess resource availability, make informed deployment decisions, and maintain situational awareness throughout the response efforts.

Incident Action Planning: Aligning Objectives and Actions

Incident Action Planning (IAP) plays a vital role in establishing accountability within incident management. An IAP serves as a strategic roadmap that outlines the objectives, tactics, and assignments for various operational and support activities. By developing a comprehensive IAP, incident management personnel can clearly define their roles and responsibilities, align their actions with the overall incident objectives, and ensure a coordinated approach to response efforts. The IAP acts as a guiding document that facilitates accountability by providing a reference for measuring performance, tracking progress, and making necessary adjustments as the incident evolves.

Unity of Command: Streamlining Reporting Relationships

Unity of command is an essential principle that underpins accountability in incident management. It emphasizes the importance of clear reporting relationships within the incident management organization. According to this principle, each individual involved in the response efforts reports to only one designated supervisor. This structure eliminates confusion caused by conflicting instructions and enables effective direction and coordination of personnel. By implementing unity of command, incident management personnel establish a hierarchical framework that fosters accountability, streamlines communication channels, and ensures that actions and decisions align with the overall incident objectives.

Personal Responsibility: Ownership and Engagement

Personal responsibility plays a critical role in fostering accountability among incident management personnel. It entails taking ownership of assigned tasks, actively engaging in the execution of duties, and demonstrating a commitment to the overall incident objectives. Each individual involved in the response efforts should understand their role, be aware of their responsibilities, and carry out their tasks with diligence and professionalism. By embracing personal responsibility, incident management personnel contribute to the overall effectiveness of the response, promote a culture of accountability, and inspire confidence in their colleagues and superiors.

Span of Control: Ensuring Manageable Supervision

Another crucial element of accountability is maintaining a manageable span of control. Span of control refers to the number of subordinates that directly report to a supervisor. In incident management, it is essential to strike a balance between the number of subordinates and the capacity of a supervisor to effectively oversee and manage their teams. The optimal span of control is generally considered to be one supervisor to five subordinates, although it can vary depending on the type of incident, nature of the task, existing hazards and safety factors, as well as the distances between personnel and resources. By ensuring a manageable span of control, incident management personnel can enhance their ability to direct and supervise subordinates, effectively communicate, and allocate resources as needed.

Resource Tracking: Maximizing Resource Efficiency

Accountability extends to the proper management and tracking of resources involved in incident response. Resources encompass personnel, equipment, teams, supplies, and facilities that are available or potentially available for assignment or allocation. It is essential to maintain accurate and up-to-date inventories of resources, track their location and availability, and ensure their efficient utilization throughout the incident. Effective resource tracking enables incident management personnel to optimize resource allocation, identify potential shortfalls or excesses, and make informed decisions regarding the deployment or redistribution of resources as the situation demands.


Accountability serves as a cornerstone in the effective management of incidents. By embracing the principles of accountability, incident management personnel establish a solid foundation that promotes coordination, efficiency, and successful outcomes. The check-in/checkout process ensures the tracking of personnel, while incident action planning aligns objectives and actions. Unity of command streamlines reporting relationships, personal responsibility fosters ownership and engagement, and span of control enables manageable supervision. Additionally, resource tracking maximizes resource efficiency, enabling effective resource allocation. By upholding accountability throughout the incident management process, teams can navigate challenges, optimize response efforts, and ultimately contribute to the overall success of incident operations.