This FEMA National Incident Support Manual (NISM) describes how the FEMA national staff supports FEMA incident operations. This manual also discusses steady-state activities pertinent to incident operations. The actions of the NRCS are driven by the incident-level requirements and the needs of the nation. This manual defines the activities of Federal assistance-across the nation and within FEMA's statutory authority-supporting citizens and first responders in responding to, recovering from, and mitigating all hazards. It includes definitions and descriptions of roles and responsibilities, functions, and organizational structures for those conducting FEMA incident support duties. This manual therefore forms the basis from which FEMA personnel plan and execute their assigned missions.