The FEMA Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT) is a publicly available online resource that helps fire departments, emergency management agencies and other response organizations identify and understand standardized National Incident Management System (NIMS) resource capabilities. The tool provides FEMA’s national resource typing definitions, position qualifications, Position Task Books and skillsets for equipment, teams, units and emergency response personnel.
Resource typing is important because it creates a common language for emergency response and mutual aid. Instead of relying on different local descriptions of equipment or teams, agencies can use standardized definitions to understand the minimum capabilities of a requested resource. This helps departments inventory and assess their resources, identify capability gaps, plan for incidents, make more accurate resource requests and confidently share resources across jurisdictions. FEMA notes that standardized resource typing can also simplify and speed the process of ordering and providing resources during an emergency.
For fire and emergency service leaders, the RTLT can support preparedness planning, mutual aid coordination and resource management by helping ensure that when a specific type of resource is requested, both the requesting and responding agencies have a shared understanding of what that resource can do.