Which NIMS structure makes cooperative multi-agency decisions?
A. Joint Information System (JIS)
B. MAC Groups
C. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
D. Incident Command System
Answer. B. MAC Groups
The NIMS, the National Incident Management System, has the MAC Groups, or Multi-Agency Coordination Groups, that are dedicated to make multi-agency decisions by working together as a team. MAC Teams are formed at the top administrative levels and includes leadership members of various agencies and institutions that are present in the scene of the incident. As the catalysts, they carry out such tasks like to make strategic decisions including the objectives of the agencies and then devise how to allocate the resources while ensuring that there is communication and coordination among the independent or linked agencies during large-scale or complex incidents. The MC Groups open a room and give a chance to top-level policy discourse, the purpose of which to be further considered as well as the planning of future objectives and strategies. As for other NIMS models, such as the Joint Information System, Emergency Operations Center, and Incident Command System, they are responsible for different objectives, albeit not for the implementation of collaboration across agencies at the strategic level.