Local, state, and federal officials have made substantial progress in the field of emergency management during the past few years. City and county managers and elected officials have been at the forefront of this movement. This document provides an overview of levels of responsibility, managing incidents with NIMS and ICS, citizen awareness and involvement, and additional resources to educate, inform, and prepare local government managers. ICMA’s Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee (GAPC), led by Scott Hancock, Executive Director, Maryland Municipal League, Chair, and Robert W. Jean, City Manager, University Place, Washington, Vice Chair, chose the topic for this paper in consultation with the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Governors’ Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, and Council of State Governments.