The Department of Agriculture has announced the launch of
a web-based incident command system training program
intended to improve its emergency responsiveness.
“This training program builds on the successful system
used by the USDA Forest Service and formally extends
[incident command system] training to all USDA employees.
This ICS training will help bolster resources to manage
accidental or deliberate incidents that may threaten the
U.S. food supply, critical infrastructure or economy,”
said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman.
In 2003 USDA implemented its national interagency
incident management system (NIIMS), followed by the
introduction of the Department of Homeland Security