What is the primary focus of resource typing in NIMS?

The primary focus of resource typing in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is capability assessment. Resource typing standardizes the classification of resources based on their capabilities, which allows for better understanding and use of those resources during incidents. By assessing the capabilities of various resources, responders and agencies can ensure that they are deploying the right type of resource for specific tasks and operations during an emergency response. This capability-focused approach enhances coordination and effectiveness among different agencies and organizations when managing incidents, ultimately leading to improved response efforts.

While cost efficiency, resource availability, and inter-agency communication are important considerations in emergency management, they do not capture the essence of resource typing as well as capability assessment does. Resource typing aims primarily to identify and categorize resources based on what they can do in a given context, ensuring that resources are matched effectively with the needs of incidents.