I am on a small town’s volunteer fire department in Wisconsin. FEMA developed and implemented what is called the National Incident Management System in the mid 90’s following 911. It was an attempt to streamline and standardize communication and delegation of responsibilites at large multi agency, multi disiplined emergency incidents. We had a fire in the MIlwaukee area in early July that on the fire side alone involved @ 30 departments and hundreds of firefighters.
It was the largest stucture fire in Wisconsin’s known history.
The use of NIMS pretty much led to a problem free response. I was impressed.
And to add, every responding department knew what channels to use for dispatch contact and fireground use. Departments from 5 counties responded, it was sweet.