JP 3-28, page 97

National Incident Management System Overview A-5 1. Public information, 2. Safety, and 3. Liaisons. (3) When needed, separate functional elements can be established, each of which may be further subdivided to enhance internal organizational management and external coordination. (4) Responsibility for the establishment and expansion of the ICS modular organization ultimately rests with the incident commander based on the requirements of the situation. As incident complexity increases, the organization expands from the top down as functional responsibilities are delegated. Concurrently with structural expansion, the number of management positions expands to adequately address the requirements of the incident. (5) Incident command may be transferred from one commander to a succeeding one. Transfers of incident command must include a transfer of command briefing (which may be oral, written, or both). A transfer of command occurs when a more qualified person assumes command; the incident situation changes over time, resulting in a legal requirement to change command (e.g., multijurisdictional or multiagency involvement); there is normal turnover of personnel on extended incidents; or the incident response is concluded and responsibility is transferred to the home agency. b. Incident Management Teams (IMTs) (1) IMTs are rostered groups of ICS-qualified personnel, consisting of an incident commander, other incident leadership, and personnel qualified for other key ICS positions. IMTs exist at regional, state, local, and national levels and have formal notification, deployment, and operational procedures in place. These teams are based on team members’ qualifications and may be assigned to manage incidents or to accomplish supporting incident-related tasks or functions. When assigned to manage an incident or to support an incident-related task or function, IMTs are typically delegated the authority to act on behalf of the affected jurisdiction or organization. (2) Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) (a) Some IMTs are referred to as IMATs to clarify that they support on-scene personnel and/or the affected jurisdiction(s). IMATs may have C2 over certain aspects of response and recovery efforts (e.g., the use of state/federal assets). Through participation in a unified command or a unified coordination group with representatives from state, and local governments, they ensure activities align with local priorities. IMATs exist at various levels of government and within the private sector. Regardless of who owns IMATs or their specific missions, IMATs operate using the principles and practices of ICS. (b) FEMA IMATs deploy to incidents or incident-threatened venues, help identify and provide federal assistance, and coordinate and integrate inter-jurisdictional