The Incident Management System is used to facilitate the management of public health services to respond to incidents or emergencies with public health impact. This tool can be used to effectively manage any size incidents including multi-jurisdictional incidents or emergencies. IMS improves communication, coordinates resources, and facilitates cooperation and coordination between agencies. (Simcoe Muskoka Distrinct Health)

The IMS is now in operation to manage all graded events that have occurred since the WHE was established, including the response to the outbreaks of Zika virus disease, yellow fever and Rift Valley fever, and the response to the humanitarian crisis in north-eastern Nigeria and Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. (World Health Organization)

Applying the concepts of emergency management, including the use of Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) and Incident Management Systems (IMS) can help national and subnational public health systems protect populations impacted by a public health threat. (Centers for Disease Control)