"Plain Language"

From the FEMA NIMS FAQ:

The use of plain language in emergency response situations is a matter of public safety, especially the safety of first responders and those affected by the incident. It is critical that all local responders, as well as those coming into the impacted area from other jurisdictions, know and use commonly established operational structures, terminology, policies and procedures. This is what NIMS and the Incident Command System (ICS) are all about - achieving interoperability across jurisdictions and disciplines.

The use of common terminology is about the ability of area commanders, state and local EOC personnel, federal operational coordinators, and responders to communicate clearly with each other and effectively coordinate response activities, no matter what the size, scope or complexity of the incident. FEMA requires that plain English be used for multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction and multi-discipline events, such as major disasters and exercises.

Beginning in the fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1, 2007, federal preparedness grant funding is contingent on the use of plain English in major incidents requiring assistance from responders from other agencies, jurisdictions and functional disciplines. It is important to practice everyday terminology and procedures that will need to be used in emergency incidents and disasters. NIMS implementation is a long-term effort and it's probably not possible to persuade everyone
to change ingrained habits overnight. But over time, everyone will understand the importance of using common terminology, that is, plain English, every day. See
http://faq.fema.gov/cgi-bin/fema.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

Submitted by Les Rayburn, N1LF