Which NIMS Management Characteristic is responsible for maintaining accurate inventories of personnel and equipment?

The characteristic responsible for maintaining accurate inventories of personnel and equipment is Comprehensive Resource Management. This aspect of the NIMS framework ensures that all resources, including personnel and equipment, are effectively tracked and accounted for during an incident. It involves systematically identifying, acquiring, and managing resources while ensuring that they are deployed as needed throughout the emergency response process.

Comprehensive Resource Management supports coordination and situational awareness by providing updated information about what resources are available, where they are located, and how they can be allocated to support incident objectives. This is crucial during any incident, allowing for efficient and optimal use of resources to achieve effective outcomes.

In contrast, Integrated Communication focuses on ensuring that all stakeholders are able to communicate in a unified manner, while Risk Assessment deals with identifying hazards and assessing potential impacts. Unified Command refers to a structure where multiple agencies work together to manage a severe incident, but it does not specifically address the management of resources. Hence, Comprehensive Resource Management is the key characteristic that encompasses the inventorying of personnel and equipment.