Final answer:
Managers in NIMS start planning for the demobilization process when they begin mobilizing resources, ensuring a systematic, efficient return of resources after the incident.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the National Incident Management System (NIMS), managers begin planning and preparing for the demobilization process at the same time they start mobilizing resources for the incident. This proactive planning allows for a systematic, efficient, and organized demobilization of resources once the objectives related to the incident have been achieved.
Effective demobilization is crucial for ensuring that resources are available for future incidents and that returning these resources is done in a safe, orderly, and cost-effective manner. By integrating demobilization planning early in the resource mobilization phase, incident managers can ensure that there is a clear strategy for the stand-down of operations, which includes not only physical resources but also personnel.