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Indiana IMAT
IDHS Actively Recruiting New Members for IMAT
IDHS is rebuilding the IMAT team, which is a forward response team during disasters and large-scale emergencies. It helps local jurisdictions that are responding to a crisis with additional resources and expertise. The team helps to establish a unified command structure and, depending on the incident, provides awareness for both state and federal decision-makers to determine the kinds of immediate support that may be needed. It works closely with the State Emergency Operations Center, whose goal is to have a clear understanding of the situation and coordinate resources effectively. The IMAT team can also deploy to incidents outside of Indiana, such as to areas hit hard by tornadoes and hurricanes.
Learn more about IMAT and the ongoing recruitment efforts in the November 2023 issue of the Hoosier Responder.
About the Indiana Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT)
The Indiana Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) is the forward response team for IDHS during times of disaster and large-scale emergencies. While the team is hosted by IDHS, the team consists of members from multiple state and local agencies and is designed to handle all types of emergency incidents.
The IMAT is primarily used to support local jurisdictions in a mentoring and advisory capacity. However, the IMAT may also be utilized to operate as a complete incident management team and manage incidents in certain circumstances. Regardless of its assigned mission, the IMAT will remain the forward eyes and ears at the most critical areas of a disaster for the State Emergency Operations Center.
The IMAT excels in applying advanced concepts of the Incident Command System and uses advanced technology to facilitate communications while at disaster scenes. Additionally, the IMAT has a direct link to the State EOC and expertise in knowing what state resources are available, where they are and how to apply them into a response effort. This allows the IMAT to streamline allocation of resources to the most critical areas of a disaster when it is needed the most.
The IMAT may also be requested to support other states during times of catastrophe. The IMAT has deployed team members from the following state and local agencies:
Apply to Join Indiana IMAT
Candidates may apply to join the Indiana IMAT team by completing an application packet. The application process consists of several steps:
- Application and verification of current training completed
- Application review
- Follow-up with candidate
- Member letter of commitment and agency letter of consent
Requirements
- Completion of National Incident Management System (NIMS) training courses:
- IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ICS 300 and ICS 400
- Full support of employing agency
- Can be deployed on short notice and available for a minimum of two weeks on initial deployment
- Minimum of a two-year commitment to the team, after the initial training period
- Can work long hours, in excess of 7.5 hours per day
- Prepared to operate in stressful and less-than-desirable environmental conditions (lack of power, utilities)
Application
To apply, please complete the following application and submit to imat@dhs.in.gov.
Incident Management Team Credentialing
The State of Indiana and IDHS are committed to improving emergency management and the response capabilities of emergency management and response personnel for all major disasters and other incidents where mutual aid is required. In addition to the Indiana IMAT, IDHS operates the All-Hazards Incident Management Program to provide guidance to the state's Incident Management Teams (IMTs). These teams serve as resources to manage or enhance emergency response operations.
Learn more about the program at the Incident Management Teams page. It provides guidance on how to become qualified to fill different IMT roles, includes position task books and has applications to apply for positions or have prior learning recognized for positions that personnel have held in the past.