The National Resource Hub (NRH) is a suite of tools for organizations and jurisdictions to use in carrying out resource management preparedness activities.  
 
To learn about Resource Management Preparedness, visit  https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/nims-guideline-resource-management-preparedness.pdf. 
 
To learn more about the National Resource Hub, visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/national-resource-hub/.  

PrepToolkit is designed for use by the whole community who has a role in national preparedness, including all levels of government, non-profit groups, faith-based and community organizations, and schools and academia. To learn more about using PrepToolkit and creating an account, visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/help/preptoolkit-help/-/knowledge_base/preptoolkit-guides/creating-an-account-registration.  

Yes, the National Resource Hub tools are available to U.S.-based non-profits and NGOs. We are receiving requests from a number of non-profits and NGOs. These organizations are vital to incident management, emergency management response, and incident support. 

Providing the capability to authenticate through local systems is not anticipated due to the National Resource Hub being hosted in a secure, cloud-hosted, government-authorized environment. For security reasons, FEMA must ensure all authentication processes provide the appropriate level of assurance. The introduction of third-party authentication systems would not meet necessary security requirements. 

Please reference the National Resource Hub section of the PrepToolkit Terms of Use (https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/terms-of-use) for more information on the view-only information available to organizations and personnel who maintain vetted and verified accounts in PrepToolkit. 

Yes, there are many organizations/jurisdictions using the National Resource Hub suite of tools nationwide, including numerous urban areas. 

An Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is an entity that can create and administer processes to qualify, certify, and credential personnel for incident-related positions. AHJs include state, tribal, or Federal government departments and agencies, training commissions, NGOs, or companies, as well as local organizations such as police, fire, public health, or public works departments. In some cases, the AHJ may provide support to multiple disciplines that collaborate as a part of a team (e.g., an IMT). 

Yes. Other systems align with NQS including the All-Hazards Incident Management Teams Association Interstate Incident Management Qualifications System Guide (AHIMTA IIMTQS) and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Incident Qualifications and Certification System (NWCG IQCS). 

The equivalent of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) PMS 310-1 are the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) and the FEMA-published Job Titles/Position Qualifications and Position Task Books (PTBs) in the Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT).

Due to the Privacy Act, FEMA no longer accepts third party requests for completion verification, certificate reissue, or transcripts. Please have the student contact the FEMA Independent Study program office directly at 301-447-1200 or [email protected] for their records. 

Complete Terms of Use for the National Resource Hub are available within PrepToolkit. 

The National Resource Hub supports existing resource management-related guidance, policies, practices, and mutual aid compacts. Use of the National Resource Hub does not change or modify any existing memorandums of agreement, mutual aid agreements or compacts, or other agreements or guidance. 

Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) using the National Resource Hub maintain full control over the deployment of their resources. The National Resource Hub, including OneResponder and RIS, is not a deployment system. It does not allow any individual or agency to request or deploy resources and personnel through the system.  

No. AHJs have the authority and responsibility to develop, implement, maintain, and oversee the qualification, certification, and credentialing process within their organization or jurisdiction. AHJs include state, tribal, or Federal Government departments and agencies, training commissions, NGOs, or companies, as well as local organizations, such as police, fire, public health, or public works departments. OneResponder is one tool that AHJs may use to support this management process.  

Participating organizations and personnel who maintain vetted and verified accounts in PrepToolkit will be granted view-only access to data for all organizations who voluntarily elect to use a National Resource Hub system. This includes the participating organization’s name and location as well as their number and type of qualified resources and personnel. This data is still owned by the collecting organization. If the AHJ and resource owner indicates that a resource is able to be requested and deployed outside the home agency, they are consenting and granting permission to make limited information about the resource viewable to other users of a National Resource Hub system within PrepToolkit. Limited information about this resource will be made available, such as: 

• Home Organization (or Authority Having Jurisdiction) 

• Resource or Position Name (Type or Title) 

• NIMS Typing Definition or Position Alignment 

• Resource or Position Category 

• Resource or Position Kind 

• Home Organization Location (Address and FEMA Region) 

• Home Organization Point of Contact (typically 24/7 Deployment POC Email and Phone) 

• Position Qualification Status (Trainee or Qualified) 

• Resource or Position Availability Status 

• Last Update Time Stamp 

Complete Terms of Use for the National Resource Hub are available within PrepToolkit. 

The National Resource Hub shares certain non-personally identifiable information with FEMA and its authorized programs on an as needed basis to support preparedness programs. Organizations and resource owners do not lose control or ownership of their resources or resource information through the use of the National Resource Hub. Use of the National Resource Hub does not change or modify any existing memorandums of agreement, mutual aid agreements or compacts, or other agreements or guidance. 

Complete Terms of Use for the National Resource Hub are available within PrepToolkit. 

If you need technical support, reach out to [email protected].
Any questions about NIMS and the National Qualification Systems can be routed to [email protected].

Please reach out to technical support at [email protected].

The Public Works Resources FEMA 508-7 RTs were removed from RTLT because they are already included in the FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates (Schedule of Equipment Rates | FEMA.gov), which is updated annually. Although there is not a 1-to-1 match between the Schedule of Equipment Rates and the RTLTs, those pieces of equipment with varying specifications that are more often used during disaster response are covered by the Schedule of Equipment Rates (i.e., those larger machines such as bulldozers, etc.). The equipment that is not on the Schedule of Equipment Rates is equipment that does not have much in the way of specifications or which is covered by modifications to those on the Schedule of Equipment Rates. FEMA also validated these findings with stakeholders. Per the stakeholder feedback, stakeholders agreed that the Schedule of Equipment Rates is a more accurate and reliable source of equipment typing than the RTLT and is used more frequently. Therefore, in order not to have competing (and contradictory) sources of information, the public works equipment documents as a whole were removed from the RTLT.

There is not a published list of RTLT categories, but the current categories in use include:

• Animal Emergency Response
• Communications
• Cybersecurity
• Damage Assessment
• Emergency Management
• Emergency Medical Services
• Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
• Fire/Hazardous Materials
• Geographic Info Systems and Info Technology
• Hazard Mitigation
• Incident Management
• Law Enforcement Operations
• Logistics and Transportation
• Mass Care Services
• Medical and Public Health
• Prevention
• Public Works
• Recovery
• Screening, Search, and Detection
• Search and Rescue
   

This is not something we are currently planning, but we do appreciate the feedback and will consider it as we move forward. Thank you!

OneResponder currently hosts FEMA National Qualification System (NQS) PTBs and PTBs managed by the All-Hazards Incident Management Team Association (AHIMTA).

The current application programming interface (API) is read-only, providing programmatic access to RTLT data for consumption by third-party systems. Since the information and API is public, any system can connect.

There is a “Published Versions" area at the bottom of a given Resource Typing Definition, Position Qualification, or PTB in the web view on RTLT.

While there have been no official evaluations, NEMA’s Emergency Management Assistance Compact Mutual Aid Support System (EMAC MASS) has long consumed the information from RTLT. The resource typing information is used by EMAC MASS users to develop mission ready packages (MRP) in the system. The NIC’s Technology Working Group continues to explore ways to further promote and potentially ease resource sharing as well.

There is not a specific guide for how to use these resources for volunteer groups, but there are published CERT Position Qualification documents and Position Task Books on the RTLT.

FEMA's National Integration Center (NIC) coordinates and manages the development of positions that are posted in RTLT. If you have specific questions, you may contact them at [email protected]

Organizations have multiple options for customization. They can follow the FEMA NQS position task books (PTBs) and add additional requirements to the baseline requirements. Alternatively, they can create their own custom PTBs. 

This functionality is available, yes. For details, view the Responder-Initiated and Organization-Initiated Relationship Management sections within the OneResponder user guides (https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/help/oneresponder-user-guides). 

The PTB and Job Title/Position Qualification (JTPQ) work together. Completing a PTB is often a requirement of a JTPQ. PTBs provide a standardized method to document the successful performance of the specific tasks required for a particular incident-specific position. Someone can have a completed, approved PTB but not yet be qualified for a position if they have not completed the other pre-requisites on the JTPQ. 

Additional information on this relationship between the PTB and the Job Titles/Position Qualifications is documented in the “Qualification Criteria” section of the NIMS Guideline for NQS.  

OneResponder information is hosted in a secure cloud-hosted, government-authorized environment. Select information can be exported, as needed. If you have specific questions, you may reach out to [email protected].  

Ultimately, this is up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction. However, each Job Title/Position Qualification has a Currency section listing out the baseline timelines. These timelines vary depending on the position but are usually between 2 and 5 years. The NIMS Guideline for NQS contains considerations for recertification. The Recertification section of the guide references a Qualification Review Board (QRB). A supplemental guide is provided for QRBs, as well.

If you have a PrepToolkit account that you use for OneResponder, it will also work to access other National Resource Hub tools, including RIS. However, you will also need to request that your organization be established in RIS if you have not already done so. 

Responders will need to register for PrepToolkit accounts. Providing the capability to authenticate through local systems is not anticipated due to OneResponder and the National Resource Hub being hosted in a secure, cloud-hosted, government-authorized environment. For security reasons, FEMA must ensure all authentication processes provide the appropriate level of assurance. The introduction of third-party authentication systems would not meet necessary security requirements. 

You can currently bulk import EMI training. The team is currently working to connect OneResponder with EMI's training completion systems to allow for a direct pull from NETC, EMI and CDP in the future. More information will be coming soon. 

Yes. Organization roles in OneResponder allow you to address workflows and processes at an organizational level. More information about organization roles and organization management can be found in the OneResponder user guides (https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/help/oneresponder-user-guides).  

Yes, you can access all NQS PTBs and can create "local" (i.e., organization-specific) PTBs as well. You will need an account for PrepToolKit and OneResponder if you don't already have access.  

Once an organization manager is assigned to an organization in OneResponder, the person in that role can begin inviting people to join. 

If you have existing access to OneResponder, you may access the system directly at https://oneresponder.preptoolkit.fema.gov.

Contact your organization’s Manager or your parent organization’s Manager first. For cases where Managers cannot assist, contact [email protected].

More information about organization roles and organization administrative settings can be found in the OneResponder user guides Organization Roles and Managing Admin, Invitations and Facilities.

If your organization is not established in OneResponder, or you are unsure who to contact from your organization, please fill out the NRH Systems Organization Request Form at https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/national-resource-hub/request-access-to-nrh-tools.

Anyone assigned as an Organization Manager or Training Manager for the organization can approve a training credit request from responders of that organization. Additionally, assigned evaluators can award training credit for PTB-required trainings only. If no one in the organization has permission to approve/deny it (e.g., no organization manager), then the request will roll up to the next organization in the hierarchy that does have a manager that can process it. If the training request is approved, the training is approved for all PTBs that include that training.

We are working to address this feature.

No there is no intent to make OneResponder mandatory for states. It is an option provided at no cost for personnel qualifications management.

No, but FEMA has worked closely with other partners, including the All-Hazards Incident Management Team Association, the National Wildfire Coordination Group, and others to ensure the National Qualification System (NQS) does not conflict with these other qualification systems. The intent is to make NQS the basic foundation.

At this time, there is no intent to add deployment tracking features to OneResponder.

OneResponder continues to be a tool made available by FEMA to support AHJs in meeting the multiple-phase NQS Implementation Objectives. OneResponder will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future.

The organization partnership feature may best meet this need. Guidance about on how to “Initiate an Organization Partnership” and to then “Manage Relationship Data Sharing” can be found at https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/help/oneresponder-user-guides/-/knowledge_base/oneresponder-guides/organization-management.

Yes, it can be used by volunteer organizations.

Features to support this workflow are being factored into upcoming OneResponder requirements. OneResponder is being revamped to add more features to aid in the process of qualifying, certifying, and credentialing personnel.

Right now, users cannot change the frequency of email notifications. This is under consideration for a future function.

OneResponder is open to a variety of state, local, tribal, and territorial organizations and nongovernmental organizations. However, depending on your industry, it may be more useful to some than others. If you have more specific questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

FEMA is in discussions with IROC and determining feasibility for this functionality.

Yes, you can create auxiliary memberships for individuals. There is information in the user guides found here: https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/help/oneresponder-user-guides/-/knowledge_base/oneresponder-guides/auxiliary-relationship-management.

There are thorough user guides available for RIS at https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/help/ris-guides.  

Additionally, there is a RIS Onboarding Video that demonstrates an inventory and how it looks and works. The video may be accessed at https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/national-resource-hub/nrh-video-tutorials  

Providing the capability to authenticate through local systems in not anticipated due to RIS and the National Resource Hub being hosted in a secure, cloud-hosted, government-authorized environment. For security reasons, FEMA must ensure all authentication processes provide the appropriate level of assurance. The introduction of third-party authentication systems would not meet necessary security requirements. 

If you are unsure if your organization is already established in RIS, first check with your organization's qualifications or training manager, if applicable. If you are still unsure, please email [email protected] and we can check. 

RIS is synchronized whenever there is an update to the Job Titles/Position Qualifications or Resource Typing Definitions in RTLT. Note that RIS only integrates resource typing definitions and job titles/position qualification sheets. It does not integrate Position Task Book (PTB) templates. 

At this time, there is not a definitive timeline for RIS to support a parent/child or hierarchical organization relationship structure. Requirements are in the process of being gathered and analyzed for consideration. 

All National Resource Hub tools (except RTLT) require a PrepToolkit account. When a user registers for a PrepToolkit account, they are required to provide their affiliation, and name and contact information of their supervisor. This information is vetted before the requestor is granted access. 

RIS is a cloud-hosted and centralized resource inventory solution that is hosted in a government authorized environment.  

It is based on the IRIS technology. However, IRIS is a distributed software application which is hosted locally by the organization using it. RIS represents an upgrade in capability by being cloud-hosted and centralized. 

National Resource Hub information viewing and sharing is defined in the PrepToolkit Terms of Use (https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/terms-of-use). 

OneResponder is for managing personnel qualifications and credentials. RIS is for inventorying all resources, inclusive of personnel, teams, facilities, equipment, and supplies. However, RIS is not designed to support personnel qualifications management workflows. 

Once you have registered, your access will continue to be limited until your account is vetted and approved by a manager of PrepToolkit. Vetting of your account takes approximately a week. Personal email accounts may take additional time to be vetted. 

We welcome feedback on your experience: [email protected] 

Currently, there are no geographic visualization tools inherent in RIS. However, GIS-compatible exports of the data are available and we are tracking the need for additional visualization and analysis capabilities. If you have specific needs or suggestions, we welcome comments and feedback. You may surface it here: https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/national-resource-hub/nrh-user-feedback-form 

Data and information created and managed in RIS can be exported in GIS-compatible formats that can be imported into GIS mapping tools. 
 
Additionally, Application Programming Interface (API) and data services are available for RIS on a restricted basis. These data services are GIS-compatible. To learn more about them, see the National Resource Hub API and Data Services Guide.

You can use RIS to create a "local" resource type. We use the term “local” to differentiate between FEMA resource typing (seen in RIS as "National" tier). But it can be a resource typing definition managed by any organization including national associations. 

You will be able to use the same credentials across any organizations you may be assigned to.

At a basic level, RIS does allow an organization to have "viewers" of the inventory which may help in inventory reporting by grant subrecipients. The functionality largely depends on the organization’s configuration. You can reach out to [email protected] to discuss more details.

As each grant has different requirements, there is not a definitive answer. However, RIS does aid in implementing NIMS, which is needed for some grants. The use of the specific system is not needed, though. You can reach out to [email protected] with specific questions.

There is currently not a published list of organizations using RIS.

Data is stored in a secure cloud-hosted, government-authorized environment.