950 7.1 Nims Training Program

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NATIONAL INCIDENT

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Training Program

September 2011

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NIMS Training Program

ENT

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Training Program

September 2011

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CONTENTS

PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................vi

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1

AUDIENCE ........................................................................................................................ 3

PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................ 3

ADULT LEARNING IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ................................................................ 4

NIMS TRAINING PROGRAM ORGANIZATION ........................................................................ 5

CURRENT STATE OF NIMS TRAINING PROGRAM ........................................................................... 7

OPERATIONAL NEEDS DEFINE CORE COMPETENCIES ......................................................... 8

COORDINATING NIMS TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................ 8

NIMS CORE CURRICULUM ..........................................................................................................11

NIMS TRAINING ELEMENTS .............................................................................................21

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION ............................................................................................22

REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................23

APPENDIX A: FEDERAL TRAINING WEB RESOURCES ....................................................................27

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES .....................................................29

ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System................................................30

ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents .....................................32

ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents .......................................................33

ICS-400: Advanced ICS ................................................................................................35

IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction ...................................36

IS-701: NIMS Multiagency Coordination System (MACS) ..............................................37

IS-702: NIMS Publication Information Systems .............................................................38

IS-703: NIMS Resource Management ...........................................................................39

IS-704: NIMS Communication and Information Management ........................................40

IS-706: NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid – An Introduction ....................................................41

IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction ...............................................42

E/L 950: All-Hazards Position Specific Incident Commander .........................................43

E/L 952: All-Hazards Position Specific Public Information Officer ..................................44

E/L 954: All-Hazards Position Specific Safety Officer ....................................................45

E/L 956: All-Hazards Position Specific Liaison Officer ...................................................46

E/L 958: All-Hazards Position Specific Operations Section Chief...................................47

E/L 960: All-Hazards Position Specific Division/Group Supervisor .................................48

E/L 962: All-Hazards Position Specific Planning Section Chief ......................................49

E/L 964: All-Hazards Position Specific Situation Unit Leader .........................................50

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E/L 965: All-Hazards Position Specific Resources Unit Leader ......................................51

E/L 967: All-Hazards Position Specific Logistics Section Chief ......................................52

E/L 969: All-Hazards Position Specific Communications Unit Leader ............................53

E/L 970: All-Hazards Position Specific Supply Unit Leader ............................................54

E/L 971: All-Hazards Position Specific Facilities Unit Leader .........................................55

E/L 973: All-Hazards Position Specific Finance/Admin. Section Chief ...........................56

E/L 975: All-Hazards Position Specific Finance/Admin. Unit Leader Course ..................57

G-191: Incident Command System/ Emergency Operations Center Interface ................58

G-775: Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Management and Operations .................59

APPENDIX C: FEMA-SPONSORED, NIMS COURSEWORK..............................................................60

SORTED ALPHABETICALLY ...............................................................................................61

SORTED BY COURSE CODE ..............................................................................................69

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PREFACE

On March 1, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the first National

Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent template enabling Federal,

State, tribal, and local governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to

work together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of

incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. This consistency provides the

foundation for nationwide use of NIMS for all incidents, ranging from daily occurrences to more

complex incidents requiring a coordinated, Federal response. In December 2008, after

considering input from stakeholders at every level within the Nation’s emergency management

community and lessons learned during recent incidents, DHS released a revised NIMS

document. As a result, NIMS better represents preparedness concepts, including

communications and resource management, as well as the Incident Command System (ICS).

Implementing the NIMS Training Program is a critical component of a National Training

Program, mandated by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006.1 A well

developed NIMS training program that both guides and promotes NIMS training is vital to a

successful nationwide implementation of NIMS. However, NIMS training is just one component

of a comprehensive emergency management program, which requires a continuous cycle of

planning, organizing, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Integration Center (NIC)

maintains the NIMS Training Program. FEMA recognizes that the NIMS national training

program must be more than a plan to train emergency management personnel on the ICS. As a

result, the NIC is releasing this NIMS Training Program document to define a national NIMS

training curriculum and personnel qualifications and to assemble and update the training

guidance for available NIMS courses (organized as a core curriculum).

The NIMS Training Program supersedes the Five-Year NIMS Training Plan, originally released

in February 2008.

1 Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. Pub. Law 109-295, 120 Stat. 1355, Oct. 4, 2001.

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INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

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INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, Management of Domestic Incidents, directs

the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a National Incident

Management System (NIMS). Initially published in March 2004, and revised in December 2008,

the NIMS provides a consistent national approach for Federal, State, tribal, and local

governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) to work together to

prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate domestic incidents, regardless of cause,

size, or complexity.2 HSPD-5 directs Federal agencies to adopt NIMS and encourages adoption

of NIMS by all other stakeholders3—State, tribal, and local governments; private sector

organizations; critical infrastructure owners and operators; and NGOs involved in emergency

management. In addition, the adoption and implementation of NIMS by State, tribal, and local

organizations is a condition for receiving Federal preparedness assistance through grants,

contracts, and other activities, as stated in HSPD-5.

Based upon emergency management and incident response practices, NIMS represents a core

set of doctrine, concepts, principles, terminology, and organizational processes that enables

effective, efficient, and collaborative incident management.4 The institutionalization of these

elements nationwide through training helps to mitigate risk by achieving greater preparedness.

Incident after-action reports5 and NIMS both emphasize that successful implementation relies

upon development and maintenance of a national NIMS training program. Furthermore, NIMS

implementation relies upon comprehensive NIMS training and standardized personnel

qualification.

The NIMS documents integrate best practices into a comprehensive framework for use by

emergency management and response personnel in an all-hazards context nationwide. HSPD-5

requires all Federal departments and agencies to adopt NIMS and to use it in their individual

incident management programs and activities, as well as in support of all actions taken to assist

State, tribal, and local governments. State, tribal, and local governments are not required to

participate in NIMS or adopt these best practices. As applied to non-Federal entities, NIMS

documents contain guidance that is not legally binding. However, in order to participate in NIMS,

it is necessary for entities to adhere to the standards, practices, and/or minimum criteria

presented in the NIMS guidance documents. It is also important to note that although a State,

tribal, or local government or NGO is not required to apply for Federal preparedness assistance,

2 National Incident Management System, p. 3.

3 Following the revised National Incident Management System, the term “stakeholders,” as used in this document,

refers to all organizations involved in emergency management and incident response. Stakeholders are Federal,

State, local, territorial, tribal, and substate regional governments; private sector organizations; critical

infrastructure owners and operators; and nongovernmental organizations.

4 National Incident Management System, p. 3.

5 “DHS should institute a formal training program on the NIMS … for all department and agency personnel with

incident management responsibilities” (Recommendation 2 of The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons

Learned, Washington, DC: The White House, February 2006).

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HSPD-5 requires Federal departments and agencies to make adoption of NIMS by State, tribal,

and local governments and NGOs a condition for Federal preparedness assistance, through

grants, contracts, and other activities.

A basic premise of NIMS is that all incidents begin and end locally. The Federal Government

supports State, tribal, and local authorities when their resources are overwhelmed or anticipated

to be overwhelmed. The intention of the Federal Government in these situations is not to

command the response, but rather to support the affected State, tribal, and local authorities.

This is most easily achieved when all the entities are participating in a unified system of

emergency management and incident response. NIMS also recognizes the role that NGOs and

the private sector have in preparedness and activities to prevent, protect against, mitigate,

respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. As such, DHS strongly emphasizes the

importance of NIMS training for all emergency management and incident response personnel,

NGOs, and the private sector.

The training and qualification of emergency management6 response personnel is critical to the

success of NIMS implementation nationally.7 To achieve a national NIMS training program,

consistent with the National Training Program, the NIMS document describes the responsibility

of Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Integration Center (NIC) to

―facilitate the definition of general training requirements and the development of national-level

training standards and course curricula associated with NIMS.‖8 The NIMS Training Program is

the NIC’s comprehensive tool to track its progress toward meeting this responsibility. The NIMS

Training Program identifies both important conceptual elements and specific time-based targets

for training development.

The primary goal of this guidance is to facilitate training and qualification of emergency

management personnel to all NIMS concepts and principles. The NIMS Training Program

identifies a deliberate method to develop and maintain a complete NIMS core curriculum and,

concurrently, to provide training guidance to stakeholders for developing their training plans. To

meet this goal, the NIMS Training Program has the following three objectives:

1. Support NIMS education and training for all emergency management personnel

2. Adapt the functional capabilities defined by NIMS into guidelines, courses, and a

curriculum that help stakeholders to develop personnel training and credentialing plans

that yield the desired capabilities

3. Define the minimum personnel qualifications required for service on complex

multijurisdictional incidents nationwide9

6 For the purposes of the NIMS Training Program, the term “emergency management” refers to all

system/processes utilized to effectively manage incidents and events.

7 “NIMS implementation” means that NIMS is institutionalized in a sustainable manner within every organization,

agency, and jurisdiction in order to be effectively and efficiently used for emergency management and incident

response activities.

8 National Incident Management System, p. 78.

9 Personnel Qualifications is a term used in this document to denote incidents that require responders to hold

credentials under the National Credentialing Program, also under development by the NIC.

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The NIMS Training Program lays out a conceptual framework that maintains a systematic

process for the development of training courses and personnel qualifications. This process

produces trained and qualified emergency management personnel. The framework facilitates

the systematic development of these courses and qualifications by translating functional

capabilities (defined in NIMS) into positions, core competencies, training, and personnel

qualifications. The NIMS Training Program sets a sequence of goals, objectives, and action

items for the NIC, which administers NIMS training nationally, and for stakeholders, who run

their respective NIMS training and education programs.

AUDIENCE

The NIMS Training Program is intended for emergency management officials and administrators

responsible for budgets, planning, and procurement, who require guidance on the development

and provision of NIMS training.

In addition, the NIMS Training Program is an informative guidance document for the following:

National and State policy-makers (elected/appointed officials)

Key decision-makers from governmental and nongovernmental agencies and private

sector organizations, such as:

o Federal departments and agencies

o State, tribal, and local government emergency management agencies and

trainers (i.e. State, tribal, and local NIMS Coordinators)

o Managers overseeing those in mission-critical positions and organizations and

professional development

o Human resource managers setting and overseeing personnel policies and

guidance

Other groups charged with developing NIMS-related guidance or training, credentialing,

or personnel qualifications information

PURPOSE

The NIMS Training Program defines the national NIMS training program as it relates to the

NIMS components of Preparedness, Communications and Information Management, Resource

Management, and Command and Management. It specifies NIC and stakeholder responsibilities

and activities for developing, maintaining, and sustaining NIMS training. The NIMS Training

Program outlines responsibilities and activities that are consistent with the National Training

Program, as mandated by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. This

program integrates with FEMA training offered through the Emergency Management Institute

(EMI) and United States Fire Administration (USFA).

The NIMS Training Program defines the process for developing training and personnel

qualification requirements for emergency management. Additionally, it outlines NIC and

stakeholder responsibilities for implementing the NIMS training program. The NIC’s

responsibilities include:

Defining the NIMS core curriculum

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Providing course descriptions and training guidance

Developing personnel qualification guidelines for stakeholder-issued incident

management credentials

Integrating lessons learned from actual incidents, training, exercises, and best practices,

identifiable across jurisdictional and functional disciplines

Federal, State, tribal, and local and private sector stakeholders’ responsibilities include:

Identifying appropriate personnel to take NIMS training

Ensuring all course delivery meets the standard contained within the NIMS Training

Program and other training guidance provided by the NIC

Credentialing emergency/incident management personnel

The NIC and NIMS stakeholders share responsibility for ensuring the success of the national

NIMS training program. The program provides critical information that can help stakeholders

develop plans, budgets, and schedules for their own training programs. However, the program

does not specify stakeholder plans and activities; it guides stakeholder development of

jurisdictional, agency, and/or organizational NIMS training plans.

The NIMS Training Program achieves the following strategic objectives:

Defines a national curriculum for NIMS and provides information on NIMS courses in the

core curriculum, applicable to all levels of government, the private sector, and NGOs by

promoting comprehensive NIMS-related training beyond Incident Command System

(ICS) training.

Identifies broad NIMS training goals and objectives for NIMS national training for both

the NIC and stakeholders and outlines guidance to attain them.

Guides human resource management via established training baselines for emergency

and incident response personnel qualifications, based on development of core

competencies for NIMS-based incident management positions.10

Conveys information pertaining to instruction and learning, articulating specifications for

the consistent delivery of NIMS training through a national baseline curriculum for NIMS,

with each course having objectives that meet training needs set by the core

competencies, complete training guidance, and instructor qualification guidelines.

Guides development of stakeholders’ long-term training plans, budgets, and schedules

as well as grant qualifications and applications.

ADULT LEARNING IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Adult education courses are most effective when instruction incorporates the following general

principles:

Engage adult learners as active, self-directed participants in their own learning

10 Personnel who serve on complex multijurisdictional incidents nationwide (incidents that require responders to

hold credentials under the NIMS Credentialing Program will be required to have qualifications that meet these

guidelines; the guidelines are recommended for service on all incidents.

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Recognize factors that motivate adult learners; design courses and adapt instructional

style accordingly

Identify the relevance of the course to student work environments, since relevance

motivates students and makes it easier for them to comprehend the material presented

Acknowledge adult learners’ accumulation of diverse professional experiences and

aspirations and use this experience in context

Deliver instruction in a safe, collaborative environment

Provide opportunities to critically reflect upon and immediately apply new learning in

order to transfer that learning into habitual practice

These principles ensure the effectiveness of the guidelines contained in the NIMS Training

Program. The course guidelines reflect an understanding that compression of the course into a

reduced number of days or fewer hours is expected to adversely affect the successful learning

experience of the professional adult. For example, when an instructor guide prescribes that a

course, such as ICS-300, be taught over 3 days for a total of 18 hours, instructors and those

responsible for implementing the training program need to incorporate these adult learning

principles. When developing the training and exercise calendar, those responsible for

implementing the training program will benefit their students by sequencing the training and

exercises offered in such a way as to allow the students the ability to directly and immediately

apply their new learning in the operational context. This planned sequencing, which can also be

applied at the course level, will assist the adult learners in readily transferring their new learning

into habitual practice in their operational context. For example, students taking ICS-300 should

have opportunities—through exercises, incidents, or planned events—to apply what they

learned in ICS-300 before taking ICS-400.

NIMS TRAINING PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

The following sections make up the NIMS Training Program:

Current State of NIMS Training Program. This outlines existing training efforts and

NIMS training progress in meeting the goals previously established by the Five-Year

NIMS Training Plan.

NIMS Curriculum: Goals, Objectives, and Action Items. The tables of goals,

objectives, and action items are intended to close the gap between the current state of

NIMS training and the desired state of training and personnel qualification.

Appendices: The appendices contain information to assist NIMS training stakeholders

in attaining access to NIMS-related coursework, as well as recommend specific training,

instruction, and instructor standards.

o Appendix A: Federal Training Web Resources identifies websites for

stakeholders to attain more-specific information on NIMS-related training.

o Appendix B: NIMS Core Curriculum Course Summaries identifies course

descriptions for each course in the NIMS core curriculum. Each summary

outlines:

 Intended audience

 Prerequisite training requirements (when appropriate)

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 Course objectives

 Instruction standards

 Instructor qualifications

o Appendix C: FEMA-Sponsored, NIMS Coursework identifies a comprehensive

listing of FEMA training that supports implementation of NIMS concepts and

principles in the following four areas:

 Preparedness

 Communications and Information Management

 Resource Management

 Command and Management

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CURRENT STATE OF NIMS TRAINING

PROGRAM

Federal, State, tribal, and local department and agencies, and national organizations are at

various stages of implementing the NIMS Training Program. This section summarizes some of

the relevant accomplishments and current activities related to the NIMS Training Program goals.

ICS Core Competencies

Core competencies bring the functional requirements of NIMS down to the field level to the

personnel carrying out NIMS. The NIC, in collaboration with its training partners, identified core

competencies for the command and general staff positions within the ICS.

The FEMA ICS Core Competencies Management Working Group, comprised of Federal, State,

tribal, and local officials, provides ongoing maintenance of these core competencies. The

working group also determines appropriate minimum competencies and behaviors required to

enable interoperability between emergency management functions.

Additionally, the NIC identified core competencies for incident management in Multi-Agency

Coordination Systems (MACS). The framework developed for this purpose describes a five-step

process that translates required MACS functions into core competencies that can then be

assigned to positions within any MACS management structure.

Everyone involved in emergency management (to include emergency operation center

personnel in support of the field), regardless of discipline or level of government, should take the

NIMS baseline curriculum courses (Independent Study-700 and ICS-100). Incident command

occurs in the field; therefore, the NIC recommends that only individuals with a command and

general staff role take advanced ICS courses. Fulfilling the training associated with this plan

helps emergency management organizations, departments, and agencies to develop

preparedness capabilities for effective and efficient incident management. As a result, trained

emergency responders are available as mutual aid to support incident management in other

jurisdictions, if requested. The NIMS Training Program should sustain a personnel qualification

system that is coordinated, maintained, and meets the needs of the emergency management

community.

Personnel Qualification

The NIC has developed a multi-discipline work group to develop an all-hazards qualification

guide that incorporates all-hazards career progressions into the NIMS Training Program. The

National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, used

by the wildland fire discipline, is an example of a guide that the NIC may develop in the future.11

In order to first identify qualifications for individual positions, position task books are likely to be

used for all positions to ensure that the individual has demonstrated the core competencies

11 NWCG, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1.

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required for the position. The NIC is working to develop model all-hazards position task books

for command and general staff positions.

OPERATIONAL NEEDS DEFINE CORE COMPETENCIES

Operational needs are determined by a number of considerations: NIMS functions, as

articulated in Preparedness, Communications and Information Management, Resource

Management, and Command and Management components; related responsibilities and

activities; and an incident’s size and/or complexity.

The operational needs translate into personnel core competencies that often encompass broad

leadership and/or management skills. Ultimately, qualified personnel are required for emergency

management roles.

COORDINATING NIMS TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination is necessary between the NIC and NIMS training stakeholders to achieve

consistent and systematic implementation of NIMS training and personnel qualification. The NIC

provides national leadership and resources, particularly in the form of training and qualification

guidance. Stakeholders develop and implement training programs, as well as train, qualify, and

credential personnel. This process includes the following:

Foundational national documents (e.g. NIMS) are maintained and distributed by the NIC

and provide national doctrine and strategy. These documents guide stakeholder plans,

in conjunction with stakeholder assessments of specific hazards, risks, and

vulnerabilities.

Based on NIMS, the NIC specifies core competencies and associated behaviors to

provide a foundation for both personnel qualification and a national curriculum for NIMS

training. Personnel qualification guidance, in the form of position task books, defines

tasks that measurably demonstrate a candidate’s proficiency.

Stakeholders should develop and maintain plans, in conjunction with foundational

national documents, which dictate functional capabilities for emergency management.

Personnel qualification guidance specifies the means for demonstrating minimum

capabilities for stakeholder personnel position assignments within the NIMS structure.

Personnel credentialed to serve on complex multijurisdictional incidents nationwide

(incidents that require responders to hold credentials under the NIMS national

credentialing system) must be qualified within a system that meets or exceeds the

national qualification guidance.12

The NIC will provide guidance to stakeholders to help determine what personnel require

training and to seek qualification for emergency management positions.

Stakeholders should develop a training plan for their personnel in consultation with their

training staffs and/or providers. These plans often have significant programmatic,

schedule, and budget implications for the stakeholder. Stakeholders may decide to

12 The NIC recommends that systems used for smaller incidents also meet the national qualification guidance.

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develop their own training courses to suit their specific needs while still meeting the

requirements of the NIMS Training Program.13

Stakeholders will execute the training plans, resulting in trained, qualified, and, if

appropriate, credentialed personnel.

Training and experience for stakeholder personnel qualification are acquired through

course-based knowledge development; risk-free practical application, such as tabletop

exercises and planned exercises; and on-the-job training, such as job shadowing,

planned events, and incident management experience, can be obtained during small

incidents and/or exercises.

Once trained in a particular area, personnel demonstrate their skills during exercises and

by effective management of and response to actual incidents. The NIMS Training

Program recognizes that training is necessary to develop qualified personnel, but that

qualification also requires experience through exercises or time in the field and

development of discipline-specific skills in emergency management.

Exercise and incident after-action reports should include an evaluation of the

effectiveness and performance of incident management personnel. Recommendations

for improvements should be incorporated throughout the national coordination process

for NIMS training to:

o Tailor stakeholder training plans as well as training and qualification of specific

personnel

o Provide feedback to the national curriculum for NIMS and training courses

o Suggest modifications of NIMS and stakeholder plans

13 This plan supersedes the previous guidance: FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS)—National

Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance—FY 2007, Washington, DC: Department of Homeland

Security, March 2007, as well as the original Five-Year NIMS Training Plan, released in February 2008.

CURRENT STATE OF NIMS TRAINING PROGRAM

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NIMS CORE CURRICULUM

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NIMS CORE CURRICULUM

The NIMS Training Program identifies those courses critical to train personnel capable of

implementing all functions of emergency management. This program revises the NIMS core

curriculum (see Figure 1, page 15) to ensure it adequately trains emergency and incident

response personnel to all concepts and principles of each NIMS component.

Baseline

The following courses are designed to provide a ―baseline‖, as they introduce basic NIMS and

ICS concepts and provide the foundation for higher-level Emergency Operations Center- (EOC),

MACS-, and ICS-related training:

IS-700 NIMS, an Introduction: This course introduces the NIMS concept. NIMS

provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private sector, and

nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System: This course introduces ICS

and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. It describes the history,

features and principles, and organizational structure of the system. It also explains the

relationship between ICS and NIMS.

Additional Training

The following courses are designed to provide an overview of key NIMS principles relating to

MACS, public information, resource management, mutual aid, and communication and

information management. FEMA recommends completion of the two baseline courses identified

above prior to taking the following awareness and additional training relating to MACS, EOC,

and ICS.

IS-701 NIMS MACS: This course introduces MACS and provides examples of how

these systems can be used to improve incident response.

IS-702 NIMS Public Information: The public information systems described in NIMS

are designed to effectively manage public information at an incident, regardless of the

size and complexity of the situation or the number of entities involved in the response.

IS-703 NIMS Resource Management: This course provides training to help resource

managers prepare before an incident and contribute effectively to incident response.

IS-704 NIMS Communication and Information Management: This course is designed

for members of the general public; emergency management/response personnel;

elected officials of State, tribal, and local governments; appointed officials of State, tribal,

and local governments; DHS employees; and employees of other Federal agencies.

IS-706 NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid, an Introduction: This independent study course

provides an introduction to NIMS intrastate mutual aid and assistance. Participants will

learn about the purpose and benefits of mutual aid and assistance, as well as the

emphasis that NIMS places on mutual aid and assistance.

NIMS CORE CURRICULUM

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IS-800 National Response Framework (NRF), an Introduction: The course introduces

participants to the concepts and principles of the NRF.

ICS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents: This course is

designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the

ICS. ICS-200 provides training and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a

supervisory position within the ICS.

ICS-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents: ICS-300 provides training and

resources for personnel who require advanced knowledge and application of the ICS.

This course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses.

ICS-400 Advanced ICS: This course provides training and resources for personnel who

require advanced application of ICS. This course expands upon information covered in

ICS-100 through ICS-300.

E/L-950 All-Hazards Incident Commander: This course is designed to provide State

and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties,

responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective incident commander on an all-hazards

incident management team (AHIMT). These responsibilities fall into two categories: (1)

responding to the incident and command needs of the incident; and (2) effectively

fulfilling the position responsibilities of an incident commander on an AHIMT. Exercises,

simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable students to process and apply their

new knowledge.

E/L 952 All-Hazards Public Information Officer: This course is designed for a public

information officer (PIO) assigned to an incident as a member of an AHIMT, local

incident management teams (IMT), as well as for the PIO assigned to an incident as an

assistant PIO in a variety of capacities. This course will help students develop a strong

set of core PIO skills and the ability to apply them within the context of an AHIMT. This

course is also distinct from other information function courses in that it combines

elements from both the basic and advanced function to concentrate training on the

fundamental duties and responsibilities of PIO in an all-hazard environment. The course

material does not assume or require experience as a PIO, but also is not a basic PIO

course. Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable students to

process and apply their new knowledge.

E/L 954 All-Hazards Safety Officer: This course is designed to provide State and local-

level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties, responsibilities,

and capabilities of an effective safety officer on an AHIMT. These responsibilities fall into

two categories: (1) responding to the incident and the safety needs of the incident; and

(2) effectively fulfilling the position responsibilities of a safety officer on an AHIMT.

Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable students to process and

apply their new knowledge.

E/L 956 All-Hazards Liaison Officer: This course is designed to provide State and

local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties,

responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective liaison officer on an AHIMT. Exercises,

simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable students to process and apply their

new knowledge.

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NIMS Training Program

E/L 958 All-Hazards Operations Section Chief: This course is designed to provide

State and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties,

responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective operations section chief on an AHIMT.

These responsibilities fall into two categories: (1) responding to the incident and the

command needs of the incident; and (2) effectively fulfilling the position responsibilities

of an Operations Section Chief on an AHIMT. Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a

final exam enable students to process and apply their new knowledge.

E/L 960 All-Hazards Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS): The course is designed to

provide State and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the

duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective DIVS on an AHIMT. The course

walks students through general information, including an overview of the operations

section and information on incident mobilization, initial situation awareness, and unit

management. It also provides detailed instruction on responding to the incident and the

command needs of the incident, as well as emphasizing the importance of risk

management and safety considerations.

E/L 962 All-Hazards Planning Section Chief: This course is designed to provide State

and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties,

responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective planning section chief (PSC) on an

AHIMT. These responsibilities fall into two categories: (1) managing the planning cycle;

and (2) tracking resources and incident status. Exercises, simulations, discussions, and

a final exam enable students to process and apply their new knowledge.

E/L 964 All-Hazards Situation Unit Leader (STIL): This course helps attendees

establish the essential core competencies required to perform the duties of the SITL in

an all-hazards incident. It addresses all responsibilities appropriate to a SITL operating

in a State and local-level AHIMT, including processing information and intelligence and

developing displays. The course is instructor-led training that supports learning through

discussion, lecture, and active participation in multiple exercises. By requiring attendees

to bring a SITL kit to the instruction, the course provides a realistic, hands-on approach

to mastering the skills of a SITL.

E/L 965 All-Hazards Resource Unit Leader (RESL): This course provides an overview

of unit leader responsibilities, the planning section, and the planning process to

contextualize the resources unit for students unfamiliar with the planning process or ICS.

It then explores specific RESL functions and responsibilities, including resource tracking

systems, operational planning, and resource products/outputs. The status/check-in and

demobilization functions are covered to provide students with the knowledge to perform

those duties if necessary. Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable

students to process and apply their new knowledge.

E/L 967 All-Hazards Logistics Section Chief: This course is designed to provide State

and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties,

responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective logistics section chief on an AHIMT.

These responsibilities fall into two categories: (1) responding to the incident; and (2)

effectively fulfilling the position responsibilities of a Logistics Section Chief on an AHIMT.

Exercises, simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable students to process and

apply their new knowledge.

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NIMS Training Program

E/L 969 All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader: This course helps participants

establish the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the

communications unit leader (COML) in an all-hazards incident. This course addresses all

responsibilities appropriate to a COML operating in a State or local-level AHIMT. These

responsibilities include the collection, processing, and dissemination as needed to

facilitate operations of command, general staff, and unit leaders within the confines of an

AHIMT. The course is an instructor-led training that supports learning through

discussion, lecture, and active participation in multiple exercises. By requiring

participants to bring a COML kit to the instruction, the course provides a realistic, hands-

on approach to mastering the skills of a COML.

E/L 970 All-Hazards Supply Unit Leader (SPUL): This course helps attendees

establish the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the SPUL

in an all-hazards incident. By requiring attendees to bring jurisdiction-specific information

to the instruction, the course provides a realistic, hands-on approach to mastering the

skills of a SPUL organized by the fundamental steps of the ordering process. Attendees

identify information required for ordering supplies, complete required forms and

documentation related to ordering supplies, and learn to anticipate ordering

requirements and supply needs for the incident. In addition to the ordering process, the

course discussed mobilization, setting up and managing the supply unit, and

demobilization.

E/L 971 All-Hazards Facilities Unit Leader (FACL): The course will help students

establish the essential core competencies required for performing the duties of the FACL

in an all-hazards incident. The course walks students through general information,

including an overview of the logistics section and information on incident mobilization,

initial situation awareness, and unit management. It also provides detailed instruction in

setting up and maintaining incident facilities, including facilities infrastructure, services,

layout, and security. Each unit contains a discussion-based exercise and there is a

capstone tabletop exercise at the end of the course to give students hands-on practice

functioning as a FACL.

E/L 973 All-Hazards Finance/Administration Section Chief: This course is designed

to provide State and local-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of

the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective finance/administration section

chief on an AHIMT. These responsibilities fall into two categories: (1) managing the

finance/administration section personnel; and (2) managing the finances and

administrative responsibilities during an incident. Exercises, simulations, discussions,

and a final exam enable students to process and apply their new knowledge.

E/L 975 All-Hazards Finance/Administration Unit Leader: The finance/administration

unit leader course will help students establish the essential core competencies required

for performing the duties of the finance/administration unit leader in an all-hazards

incident. The course is designed to enable students to perform as any of the four

finance/administration unit leaders (time unit leader, procurement unit leader,

compensation and claims unit leader, cost unit leader). Students will learn information

that is applicable across all four positions, such as unit set-up and management,

information gathering, and interactions. Complex experiential exercises and discussions

NIMS CORE CURRICULUM

September 2011 15

NIMS Training Program

will afford students the opportunity to each act as unit leaders while connecting all

information learned back to real-world application.

G-191 Incident Command System/Emergency Operations Center Interface: This

course reviews ICS and EOC responsibilities and functions and depends heavily on

exercises and group discussions to formulate the interface. This course works best when

delivered to ICS and EOC personnel from the same community. The course provides an

opportunity for participants to begin developing an ICS/EOC interface for their

community.

G-775 Emergency Operations Center Management and Operations: This course

provides participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and operate

EOCs and multiagency coordination systems at the Federal, State, tribal, and local

levels of government. This course describes the role, design, and functions of EOCs and

their relationships as components of a multiagency coordination system.

Figure 1. NIMS Core Curriculum14

14 Reference Appendix A for a listing of Federal training provider websites that may offer equivalent training.

Reference Appendix C for a comprehensive list of EMI coursework that support NIMS concepts and principles.

Course ID

Course Title

E/L-950

All-Hazards Incident Commander

E/L-952

All-Hazards Public Information Officer

E/L-954

All-Hazards Safety Officer

E/L-956

All-Hazards Liaison Officer

E/L-958

All-Hazards Operations Section Chief

E/L-960

All-Hazards Division/Group Supervisor

E/L-962

All-Hazards Planning Section Chief

E/L-964

All-Hazards Situation Unit Leader

E/L-965

All-Hazards Resource Unit Leader

E/L-967

All-Hazards Logistics Section Chief

E/L-969

All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader

E/L-970

All-Hazards Supply Unit Leader

E/L-971

All-Hazards Facilities Unit Leader

E/L-973

All-Hazards Finance/Administration Section Chief

E/L-975

All-Hazards Finance/Administration Unit Leader

ICS-100

Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)

ICS-200

ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

ICS-300

Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

ICS-400

Advanced ICS

IS-700

National Incident Management System, An Introduction

IS-701

NIMS Multiagency Coordination System

IS-702

NIMS Public Information

IS-703

NIMS Resource Management

IS-704

NIMS Communication and Information Management

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NIMS Training Program

The NIC will develop and regularly review the courses that are considered part of the NIMS

curriculum according to professionally-recognized instructional standards (such as adult

learning modeling). To assist in course instruction, FEMA, through EMI, USFA, and the Center

for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), publishes detailed course summaries that include subject

matter, guidelines, and instruction requirements for specific courses.

The guidance within the NIMS Training Program on Federal, State, tribal, and local training is

not absolute. Incident and/or event complexity determines emergency and incident response

personnel responsibilities as well as recommended audience for NIMS curriculum coursework

delivery. The NIMS Training Program training recommendations reflect the following five levels

of complexity identified in Figure 2:15

Figure 2. Incident Complexity

Type 1

This type of incident is the most complex, requiring national resources for safe and effective

management and operation.

All command and general staff positions are filled.

Operations personnel often exceed 500 per operational period and total personnel will usually

exceed 1,000.

Branches need to be established.

A written incident action plan (IAP) is required for each operational period.

The agency administrator will have briefings, and ensure that the complexity analysis and delegation

of authority are updated.

Use of resource advisors at the incident base is recommended.

There is a high impact on the local jurisdiction, requiring additional staff for office administrative and

support functions.

Type 2

This type of incident extends beyond the capabilities for local control and is expected to go into

multiple operational periods. A Type 2 incident may require the response of resources out of area,

including regional and/or national resources, to effectively manage the operations, command, and

general staffing.

Most or all of the command and general staff positions are filled.

A written IAP is required for each operational period.

Many of the functional units are needed and staffed.

Operations personnel normally do not exceed 200 per operational period and total incident

personnel do not exceed 500 (guidelines only).

The agency administrator is responsible for the incident complexity analysis, agency administration

briefings, and the written delegation of authority.

15 United States Fire Administration

IS-706

NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid, An Introduction

IS-800

National Response Framework, An Introduction

G-191

Incident Command System/ Emergency Operations Center (ICS/EOC)

Interface

G-775

Emergency Operations Center Management and Operations

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NIMS Training Program

Type 3

When incident needs exceed capabilities, the appropriate ICS positions should be added to match

the complexity of the incident.

Some or all of the command and general staff positions may be activated, as well as division/group

supervisor and/or unit leader level positions.

A Type 3 IMT or incident command organization manages initial action incidents with a significant

number of resources, an extended attack incident until containment/control is achieved, or an

expanding incident until transition to a Type 1 or 2 IMT.

The incident may extend into multiple operational periods.

A written IAP may be required for each operational period.

Type 4

Command staff and general staff functions are activated only if needed.

Several resources are required to mitigate the incident, including a task force or strike team.

The incident is usually limited to one operational period in the control phase.

The agency administrator may have briefings, and ensure the complexity analysis and delegation of

authority is updated.

No written IAP is required but a documented operational briefing will be completed for all incoming

resources.

The role of the agency administrator includes operational plans including objectives and priorities.

Type 5

The incident can be handled with one or two single resources with up to six personnel.

Command and general staff positions (other than the incident commander) are not activated.

No written IAP is required.

The incident is contained within the first operational period and often within an hour to a few hours

after resources arrive on scene.

Examples include a vehicle fire, an injured person, or a police traffic stop.

Organizations should use their jurisdictions’ hazard/threat analyses to determine the ―types‖ of

incidents most likely and tailor their NIMS training to meet their needs (Figure 3). For example, if

a jurisdiction faces significant and frequent threats, such as hurricanes or hazardous materials

incidents, their training program should prepare responders for those threats. The NIC assumes

that most jurisdictions will have, at a minimum, Type 4 incidents.

Figure 3. NIMS Training Determined by Incident Complexity

Additional Training

(Advanced)

Position-

Specific

High (Type 1)

ICS-400

Incident Complexity

ICS-300

IS-800

ICS-200

Baseline

ICS-100

IS-700

Low (Type 5)

NIMS Courses

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NIMS Training Program

Individuals who may be assigned supervisory roles during:

Type 1, 2, and 3 incidents should take the following training, at a minimum:

o ICS-100

o ICS-200

o ICS-300

o ICS-400

o IS-700

o IS-800

o Appropriate ICS Position-specific courses

Type 4 incidents should take the following training, at a minimum:

o ICS-100

o ICS-200

o IS-700

Type 5 incidents should take the following training, at a minimum:

o ICS-100

o IS-700

Figure 4 illustrates the recommended progression of NIMS training from baseline courses (ICS-

100, IS-700) to the advanced ICS and all-hazards position-specific coursework.

Figure 4. Training for Field (ICS) Personnel

Advanced

Position-

Specific

Types

1, 2,3

High

ICS-400

Incident Complexity

ICS-300

IS-800

ICS-200

Type

Baseline

ICS-100

Type

IS-700

Low

NIMS Courses

The guidelines in Figure 5 further assist with the determination of training needs for emergency

management and response personnel in the field:

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September 2011 19

NIMS Training Program

Figure 5. ICS Field Operations Training Needs

Incident

Type(s)

Core Courses

Additional Courses

1, 2

ICS-100

ICS-200

ICS-300

ICS-400

IS-700

IS-800

G-191 (ICS/EOC Interface)

Position-specific ICS courses (based on individual

assignment or expected assignment)

E/L-947 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) –

Incident Management Team (IMT) Interface Course

Training based on jurisdiction risk and/or specific

interest (see Appendix A for sources of Federal

Training)

ICS-100

ICS-200

ICS-300

ICS-400

IS-700

IS-800

Position-specific ICS courses (based on individual

assignment or expected assignment)

G-191

E/L-947

Training based on jurisdiction risk and/or specific

interest (see Appendix A for sources of Federal

training)

ICS-100

ICS-200

IS-700

Position-specific ICS courses (based on individual

assignment or expected assignment

Training based on jurisdiction risk and/or specific

interest (see Appendix A for sources of Federal

training)

ICS-100

IS-700

Position-specific ICS courses (based on individual

assignment or expected assignment

Training based on jurisdiction risk and/or specific

interest (see Appendix A for sources of Federal

training)

Additionally, the implementation of the NIMS Training Program suggests that the training needs

for personnel working within an EOC or other element of the MACS will differ from training

required of personnel operating in the field within ICS. Individuals who will be working in MACS

including EOCs should take IS-700, ICS-100, IS-800, and other NIMS courses related to

emergency management responsibilities. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the training requirements for

personnel within EOCs/MACS and those in the field.

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NIMS Training Program

Figure 6. Training for EOC/MACS Personnel

Additional NIMS Training

IS-701

IS-706

G-775

G-191

IS-800

Baseline

ICS-100

IS-700

NIMS Courses

Emergency management and response personnel in an EOC or MACS may wish to consider

the guidelines in Figure 7 below:

Figure 7. EOC/MACS Training Needs

Core Courses

Additional Courses

ICS-100

IS-700

IS-701

IS-706

IS-800

G-191

G-775

Specific training based on EOC/emergency

management role or expected role

Training based on jurisdiction risk and/or

specific interest (see Appendix A for sources of

Federal Training)

Elected and appointed officials should have a clear understanding of their roles and

responsibilities for successful emergency management and incident response. To that end, it is

vital that elected and appointed officials understand and receive NIMS training. Therefore,

FEMA recommends the following training for senior elected and appointed officials in Figure 8:

Figure 8. Senior Elected and Appointed Officials Training Needs

Recommended Core Courses

Recommended Additional Courses

G-402 Incident Command System (ICS)

Overview for Executives/Senior Officials

(newly-developed Senior Officials Training

course offered by EMI)

G-191

Training based on jurisdiction risk and/or

specific interest (see Appendix A for sources of

Federal Training)

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NIMS Training Program

NIMS TRAINING ELEMENTS

The NIC expects students, instructors, and those who support the procurement and

implementation of the NIMS curriculum courses to maintain the minimum criteria established in

the instructor guides and course summaries.

The NIC encourages a varied composition of students for each of the courses offered in the

NIMS core curriculum. Integrating personnel from multiple disciplines greatly enhances students

learning experience in training, exercises, and professional development for incident response.

This allows those from a single discipline to learn lessons from students from different

disciplines, potentially creating a more well-rounded understanding of the course material.

Stakeholders and instructors should optimize learning environments to include multiple

disciplines.

Additionally, although the NIMS core curriculum identified in the NIMS Training Program

focuses on individual training, exercising by teams within incident management organizations is

equally critical and should be considered in stakeholder training plans.

Student Readiness and Training Sustainability

Students of NIMS training courses will be most prepared for additional training when they

maintain the knowledge gained in prior courses. Since skills, abilities, and knowledge lapse

when not directly and frequently applied, students will retain the most when offered

opportunities at regular intervals to maintain their core competencies. Although the NIMS

Training Program does not specify guidance for proficiency maintenance, any proactive steps

that agencies, departments, organizations, and instructors can provide to students to

demonstrate the learning outcomes of courses previously taken and maintain their

competencies are encouraged.

FEMA and the NIC understand the importance of maintaining knowledge, skills, and abilities

and their impacts on agency budgeting. Therefore, each agency should develop training

sustainability requirements for emergency management and response personnel that meet their

respective needs. State and local training programs should consider new technology and course

delivery methods as a means to reinforce existing knowledge, skills, and abilities. At a minimum,

in conjunction with participating in exercises and real events, emergency management and

response personnel should refresh their NIMS training every three years.

Course Development, Instructor Qualifications, and Course Delivery

The NIC, in coordination with EMI, USFA, NWCG, CDP, and Federal departments and

agencies, is responsible for the development and review of NIMS training curriculum.

The NIC develops and regularly reviews the courses that are considered part of the NIMS core

curriculum according to professionally-recognized instructional standards that include

adherence to established adult learning models. The NIC collaborates with course managers to

define instructor qualifications and the number of required instructors per course. However, this

does not prevent any stakeholder from prescribing stricter instructor qualifications. To assist in

NIMS CORE CURRICULUM

September 2011 22

NIMS Training Program

course instruction, FEMA publishes subject matter guidelines and instruction requirements for

specific courses.

Stakeholders are responsible for ensuring that the course delivery meets or exceeds the

standard of the NIMS Training Program. Complying with this expectation allows local

organizations, departments, and agencies to manage and maintain the NIMS core curriculum

course integrity as well as the core competencies among students of the same course

nationwide. Stakeholders may fulfill their respective training program requirements by taking

other agencies’ equivalent training courses. The NIC does not determine or audit course

equivalency. This is the responsibility of the individual organization offering the course.

Stakeholders using other agencies’ courses have a responsibility to audit or verify that these

courses meet course equivalency guidelines.

Course instructors have a responsibility to deliver course materials and activities according to

the minimum standards identified in the NIMS curriculum instructor guides and/or course

summaries. Instructors are the agents who enable, facilitate, and evaluate the learning process

for emergency management. Adhering to the NIMS training program standard ensures

instructional and course integrity across the Nation, regardless of the jurisdiction, agency,

organization, or association.

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION

Personnel qualification as a whole consists of a combination of training, operational experience

(during exercises or incidents), job shadowing, and other administrative requirements, such as

agency association and criminal background checks. The NIMS Training Program considers

qualified personnel to be more than simply the sum of their training, and developing

expectations for the qualification of personnel is an important part of NIMS national training.

Incident experience must supplement training for a candidate to meet minimum expectations

needed to qualify for service in an all-hazards NIMS position during a complex incident.

Personnel qualification guidance identifies performance requirements, through position task

books or tasks, for specific positions in a format that allows a trainee to be evaluated against

written guidelines. These tasks, based on core competencies and associated behaviors, are the

measurable activities that demonstrate proficiency associated with the competencies and

behaviors. Successful performance of all tasks for a relevant position during exercises, job

shadowing, and/or operations, as observed and recorded by an evaluator, results in a

recommendation to the certifying agency that the trainee be qualified in that position.

REFERENCES

September 2011 23

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REFERENCES

National Incident Management System Incident Command System Emergency Responder Field

Operating Guide. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, draft, 24 May 2007.

www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/erfog.pdf

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Disaster Workforce Task Books. Washington, DC:

Emergency Management Institute, August 2006.

Federal Emergency Management Agency, ICS Core Competencies. September 2007.

www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/ICSResource/assets/ics_core_competencies_sep07.pdf

Federal Emergency Management Agency, ―National Incident Management System (NIMS)—

National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance—FY07.‖ Washington, DC:

Department of Homeland Security, March 2007.

www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims_tsctdg_0307v2.pdf

Federal Emergency Management Agency, ―NIMS Guide: National Credentialing Definition and

Criteria.‖ Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, FEMA NG 0002, March 2007.

www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/ng_0002.pdf

Gustafson, Kent L., and Robert Maribe Branch. Survey of Instructional Development Models

(4th ed.). Syracuse, NY: ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology, 2002.

Hansen, Hanne Foss. ―Choosing Evaluation Models: A Discussion on Evaluation Design,‖

Evaluation, vol. 11, no. 4 (2005), pp. 447-462.

Heifetz, Ronald A., and Donald L. Laurie. ―The Work of Leadership.‖ Harvard Business Review:

On Point, Product #4150, January–February 1997, pp. 122–135.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 5: ―Management of Domestic Incidents.‖

Washington, DC: White House, February 2003.

HSPD-7: ―Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection.‖ Washington, DC:

White House, December 2003.

HSPD-8: ―National Preparedness.‖ Washington, DC: White House, December 2003.

HSPD-12: ―Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and

Contractors.‖ Washington, DC: White House, August 2004.

Joint Field Office Activation and Operations: Interagency Integrated Standard Operating

Procedure. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, interim approval April 2006.

www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/NRP_JFO_SOP.pdf

Joint Field Office (JFO) Field Operations Guide (FOG). Washington, DC: Department of

Homeland Security, June 2006. www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/NRP_JFO_FOG.pdf

REFERENCES

September 2011 24

NIMS Training Program

Kirkpatrick, Jim. ―The Hidden Power of Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels,‖ T+D [Training and

Development], vol. 61, no. 8, August 2007.

Kravetz, Dennis J. ―Building a Job Competency Database: What the Leaders Do.‖ Bartlett, IL:

Kravetz Associates, 1997. www.kravetz.com/art2/art2p1.html

Moulton, Steven. Competency Development, Integration and Application. Society for Human

Resource Management Information Center, November 2003.

McGriff, Steven J. ―Instructional System Design (ISD): Using the ADDIE Model,‖ Instructional

Systems, College of Education, Penn State University, September 2000.

www.ehopac.org/TransformationReports/ISD-ADDIEmodel.pdf

National Incident Management System. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security,

FEMA 501, December 2008. www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/NIMS_core.pdf

National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security,

2006.

National Response Framework. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, January

2008. www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf-core.pdf

National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: White House, July 2002.

www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nat_strat_hls.pdf

National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets.

Washington, DC: White House, February 2003.

www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/Physical_Strategy.pdf

National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Agency Administrator’s Guide to Critical Incident

Management. Boise, ID: National Interagency Fire Center, January 2005 (draft).

www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/pms926.doc

National Wildfire Coordinating Group. GIS Standard Operating Procedures on Incidents.

PMS 936, NFES 2809. Boise, ID: National Interagency Fire Center, June 2006.

www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/GSTOP7.pdf

National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Interagency Incident Business Management Handbook.

PMS 902. Boise, ID: National Interagency Fire Center, April 2004.

www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/large.html#IIBMH

National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide. PMS 310-1.

Boise, ID: National Interagency Fire Center, May 2008. www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/GSTOP7.pdf

Tabet, Karen E. Generic Competencies: Definition and Application. Society for Human

Resource Management Information Center, November 2003.

United States Air Force. AF Manual 36-2234, Instructional System Development (ISD).

November 1, 1993. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/edref/afman36-2234.pdf

REFERENCES

September 2011 25

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United States Coast Guard, Commandant Instruction 1550.23: ―Training Evaluation Policy.‖

Washington, DC, July 28, 1998. http://www.uscg.mil/directives/ci/1000-1999/CI_1550_23.pdf

United States House of Representatives. 107th Congress, 2nd Session. Homeland Security Act

of 2002. Congressional Bills, GPO Access.

United States Marine Corps, Systems Approach to Training Manual. Quantico, VA, June 2004.

Weatherly, Leslie. Competency Models Series Part III: Competency-Based Performance

Management. Society for Human Resource Management white paper, February 2005.

REFERENCES

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APPENDIX A: FEDERAL TRAINING WEB RESOURCES

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APPENDIX A:

FEDERAL TRAINING WEB RESOURCES

FEMA

Website

NIMS Resource Center

www.fema.gov/nims

Emergency Management Institute

www.training.fema.gov

Incident Command System (ICS)

Resource Center

www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/ICSResource/index.htm

NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific

website

www.training.fema.gov/AllHazards/cr1ecrlu/

United States Fire Administration,

National Fire Academy

www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa

Center for Domestic Preparedness

www.cdp.dhs.gov

Federal Partner

Website

U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services,

Center for Disease Control and

Prevention

www.cdc.gov

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

http://training.nwcg.gov

U.S. Department of Homeland Security,

United States Coast Guard

www.homeport.uscg.mil/ics

APPENDIX A: FEDERAL TRAINING WEB RESOURCES

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APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

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APPENDIX B:

NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE

SUMMARIES

This section provides summaries of ―core‖ National Incident Management System (NIMS)

curriculum—including, ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800—and position-

specific coursework. NIMS training development guidance states that training may be offered

through government agencies and/or private training vendors. It is not necessary to attend a

Federally-sponsored NIMS course. However, to receive certification, all course content and

instructor qualifications must meet or exceed the specific course objectives, activities (e.g.

practical exercises), and depth of material described within this plan. Stakeholders that develop

equivalent training are responsible for ensuring course equivalence by meeting the minimum

requirements outlined in the course summaries.

The NIMS curriculum is expected to grow as the national NIMS training program matures.

Assessing NIMS curricular needs is a continual process that identifies further courses.16 Each

course summary defines the minimum requirements for that course and does not necessarily

reflect the entire course. Course summaries include:

Intended student audience for the course

Course objectives supported by the topical content descriptions and intended learner

outcomes

Cross-reference to NIMS topics

Course summaries also determine the means to deliver course material, including consideration

of minimum contact hours and instructor qualifications (for instructor-led courses).

The following course codes categorize NIMS curriculum coursework:

E/L: Emergency Management Institute-delivered courses (on/off campus)

G: State-delivered courses

F/R: National Fire Academy course (on/off campus)

IS: Independent study courses

K: Instructor-led online EMI course

Updated and more detailed guidance can be found on the EMI training website. Guidance found

on EMI’s training website will provide the most up-to-date, approved methodology for deploying

a course eligible for a FEMA certificate.17

16 This course guidance supersedes the National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance–FY 2007

(March 2007).

17 For additional information about course summaries or requirements for FEMA training certificates please contact

EMI: www.training.fema.gov/EMI/.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 30

NIMS Training Program

ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System18

Purpose

This course provides training and resources for personnel who require a basic understanding of the

Incident Command System (ICS). ICS-100 introduces ICS and provides the foundation for higher level

ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the

Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the NIMS.

Audience

The target audience includes persons involved with emergency planning and response or recovery

efforts. Recommended that ICS-100 participants use their skills in an operational environment before

enrolling in ICS-200. This will provide necessary context and understanding of the skills they will develop

when they take ICS-200.

EMI offers the following online discipline specific versions of ICS-100:

IS-100.HC—Introduction to the Incident Command System for Healthcare/Hospitals

IS-100.HE—Introduction to the Incident Command System for Higher Education

IS-100.LE—Introduction to the Incident Command System for Law Enforcement

IS-100.PW—Introduction to the Incident Command System for Public Works Personnel

IS-100.SC—Introduction to the Incident Command System for Schools

Prerequisites

N/A

Course Topics

ICS Overview

Basic Features of ICS

Incident Commander and Command Staff

Functions

General Staff Functions

ICS Facilities

Common Responsibilities

Relation to NIMS Document

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: approximately 8 classroom hours

Approximately 3 hours for interactive, web-based (independent study) course

Instructor(s) Qualifications

One instructor required, two recommended

Lead and unit instructors should have successfully completed ICS-100, ICS-200, and EMI’s IS-700

(NIMS, An Introduction)

Lead instructors should have training and experience in adult education and have served as incident

commander or in a command staff or general staff position

Service in a mid-level emergency management and incident response position within five years in

real-world incidents, planned events, or accredited exercises

Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies

18 Full course information can be found at www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is100a.asp.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 31

NIMS Training Program

ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System18

Instructor Levels

Lead instructors must have sufficient experience in presenting all units of the course to be capable of

last-minute substitution for unit instructors.

Unit instructors must be experienced in the lesson content they are presenting.

Adjunct instructors may provide limited instruction in specialized knowledge and skills at the discretion

of the lead instructor. Adjunct instructors must be experienced, proficient, and knowledgeable of

current issues in their field of expertise.

Training requirements for lead and unit instructors: Instructors should have formal instructor training

(National Wildlife Coordinating Group Facilitative Instructor, M-410, EMI Master Trainer Program,

Office for Domestic Preparedness Instructor Course, or equivalent).

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 32

NIMS Training Program

ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents19

Purpose

This course is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the

ICS. This course focuses on the management of single resources.

Audience

ICS-200 provides training and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position

within the ICS. The primary target audience is response personnel at the supervisory level.

Prerequisites

ICS-100

Note: FEMA’s NIC recommends that IS-700 and ICS-200 participants have experience using concepts

and principles from ICS-100 in a response or exercise.

Course Topics

Describe the ICS organization appropriate to

the complexity of the incident or event

Use ICS to manage an incident

Leadership and Management

Delegation of Authority and Management by

Objectives

Functional Areas and Positions

Briefings

Organizational Flexibility

Transfer of Command

Relation to NIMS Document

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.3 General Staff

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 12.5 hours.

Also available as an interactive, Web-based course.

Instructor Qualifications (in addition to the General ICS Instructor Guidelines)

FEMA’s NIC recommends at least two instructors for ICS 200

Successful completion of accredited ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, and IS-800

Lead instructor should have successfully completed ICS-300

Unit instructors should have successfully completed ICS-200

Service in an incident management position within five years in real-world incidents, planned events,

or accredited exercises that required a written incident action plan (IAP) or encompassed more than

one operational period

Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies

19 Full course information can be found at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is200a.asp.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 33

NIMS Training Program

ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents20

Purpose

ICS-300 provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the ICS. The

course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses.

Audience

This course is intended for individuals who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents or Type

3 incidents.

Note: During a Type 3 incident, some or all of the command and general staff positions may be activated,

as well as division or group supervisor and/or unit leader positions. These incidents may extend into

multiple operational periods.

Prerequisites

ICS-100 and ICS-200, IS-/ICS-700, IS-/ICS-800

Note:

Students must have taken the Emergency Management Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

National Fire Academy, or National Wildfire Coordinating Group ICS courses. Other ICS courses will

be reviewed for consistency with the ICS objectives prescribed by the National Integration Center

(NIC).

FEMA recommends that ICS-300 participants have experience using concepts and principles from

ICS 100 and 200 in a response or exercise and use their skills in an operational environment before

taking ICS-400. This will provide necessary context and understanding of the skills they will develop

when they take ICS-400.

Course Topics

Describe how the NIMS command and

management component supports the

management of expanding incidents.

Describe the incident or event management

process for supervisors and expanding

incidents as prescribed by ICS.

Implement the incident management process

in a simulated Type 3 incident.

Develop an incident action plan for a

simulated incident.

Relation to NIMS Document

III Resource Management

III.A.1 Concepts

III.A.2 Principles

III.B Managing Resources

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 18 hours

Instructor Qualifications (in addition to the General ICS Instructor Guidelines)

FEMA recommends at least two instructors for ICS-300

Successful completion of accredited ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, and IS-800

Lead instructor should have successfully completed ICS-400

Unit instructors should have successfully completed ICS-300

Service in an incident management position within five years in real-world incidents, planned events,

20 Course information can be found in the EMI course catalog, available at

http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses/EMICatalog.asp.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 34

NIMS Training Program

ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents20

or accredited exercises that required a written IAP or encompassed more than one operational period

Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 35

NIMS Training Program

ICS-400: Advanced ICS21

Purpose

This course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the ICS.

This course expands upon information covered in ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses. These earlier

courses are prerequisites for ICS-400.

Audience

The target audience for this course is senior personnel who are expected to perform in a management

capacity in an area command or multiagency coordination entity.

Prerequisites

ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700 and IS-800

Note:

FEMA recommends experience using concepts and principles from ICS 100, 200, and 300 and use

their skills in an operational environment before taking ICS-400. This will provide necessary context

and understanding of the skills they will develop when they take ICS-400.

Students must have taken the Emergency Management Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

National Fire Academy, or National Wildfire Coordinating Group ICS courses. Other ICS courses will

be reviewed for consistency with the ICS objectives prescribed by the NIC.

Course Topics

Explain how major incidents engender special

management challenges.

Describe the circumstances in which an area

command is established.

Describe the circumstances in which

multiagency coordination systems are

established.

Relation to NIMS Document

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

IV.A.5 Incident Complex: Multiple Incident

Management With a Single ICS

Organization

IV.A.6 Area Command

IV.B Multiagency Coordination Systems

IV.B.1 Definition

IV.B.2 System Elements

IV.B.3 Examples of System Elements

IV.B.4 Primary Functions of MACS

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 14 hours

Instructor Qualifications (in addition to the General ICS Instructor Guidelines)

FEMA recommends at least two instructors for ICS-400

Successful completion of accredited ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800

Service in an emergency management and incident response position within five years in real-world

incidents, planned events, or accredited exercises that required a written IAP or encompassed more

than one operational period. Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult

education methodologies

21 Course information can be found in the EMI course catalog, available at

http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses/EMICatalog.asp.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 36

NIMS Training Program

IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction22

Purpose

This course provides training and resources for personnel who require a basic understanding of NIMS.

Audience

This course is intended for individuals with emergency management responsibilities including prevention,

preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Prerequisites

N/A

Course Topics

Describe the intent of NIMS.

Describe the key concepts and principles

underlying NIMS.

Describe the purpose of the NIMS

components, including preparedness,

communications and information management,

resource management, and command and

management.

Describe the purpose of the National

Integration Center.

Note: This course provides a basic introduction to

NIMS. It is not designed to replace Incident

Command System and position-specific training.

Relation to NIMS Document

I Preparedness

I.A Concepts and Principles

I.B Achieving Preparedness

II Communications and Information

Management

II.A Concepts and Principles

III Resource Management

III.A Concepts and Principles

III.B Managing Resources

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

IV.C Public Information

IV.C.2 System Description and Components

V Ongoing Management and Maintenance

V.A National Integration Center

V.B Supporting Technologies

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 8 classroom hours

Also available as an interactive, Web-based course

Instructor Qualifications

It is recommended that this training be taught by instructors with the following minimum qualifications:23

Successful completion of IS-700, IS-701 (NIMS Multiagency Coordination System), and IS-800

(National Response Framework, An Introduction)

Formal instructor training (NWCG Facilitative Instructor, M-410, EMI Master Trainer Program, Office

for Domestic Preparedness Instructor Course, or equivalent)

Experience teaching emergency management material to adults

Emergency management experience in a multiagency environment

22 Full course information can be found at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700a.asp.

23 The NIMS instructor guidelines for this course are also listed in the instructor guide for the course, which can be

accessed at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS700a/IG%20files/IS700A_InstructorGuide.pdf, January 2009.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 37

NIMS Training Program

IS-701: NIMS Multiagency Coordination System (MACS)

Purpose

This course introduces MACS as described in the NIMS, and shows how these systems can be used to

improve incident response. MACS consist of a combination of elements: personnel, procedures,

protocols, business practices, and communications integrated into a common system. After taking this

course, you should be able to improve the overall coordination with, and support for, incident

management by developing and operating within MACS. (Note: While this course discusses the ICS, it is

not a substitute for ICS 400, Advanced ICS.)

Audience

This course is intended for Federal, State, tribal, and local emergency managers; first responders

including incident commanders from all emergency management disciplines; private industry personnel

responsible for coordination activities during a disaster; and voluntary agency personnel.

Prerequisites

N/A; FEMA recommends completion of IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), an

Introduction.

Course Topics

This course will describe to participants the

components of a MACS and establish relationships

between all elements of the system. After taking

the course, students should be able to:

Define multiagency coordination at the Federal,

State, tribal, and local levels of government.

Define key terms related to MACS.

Identify typical priorities established between

elements of the MACS.

Describe the process of acquiring and

allocating resources required by incident

management personnel related to the entire

MACS.

Identify potential coordination and policy issues

arising from an incident relative to the entire

MACS.

Relation to NIMS Document

II Communications and Information

Management

II.A Concepts and Principles

III Resource Management

III.B Managing Resources

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

IV.B Multiagency Coordination Systems

IV.B.1 Definition

IV.B.2 System Elements

IV.B.3 Examples of System Elements

IV.B.4 Primary Function of MACS

IV.C Public Information

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 16 hours

Approximately 5 hours for interactive, web-based course

Instructor Qualifications

It is recommended that this training be team taught by instructors with the following minimum

qualifications:

One instructor required, two recommended

Lead and unit instructors should have successfully completed ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400,

and EMI’s IS-700 (NIMS, An Introduction) and IS-800 (National Response Framework, An

Introduction)

Lead and unit instructors should have performed as emergency operations center staff in at least two

level II or higher emergency operation center activations

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 38

NIMS Training Program

IS-702: NIMS Publication Information Systems

Purpose

The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private sector, and

nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. This includes public

information. The public information systems described in NIMS are designed to effectively manage public

information at an incident, regardless of the size and complexity of the situation or the number of entities

involved in the response.

Audience

This course is designed for State, tribal and local public information officers.

Prerequisites

N/A; FEMA recommends completion of IS-700: NIMS, an Introduction.

Course Topics

The goal of this course is to facilitate NIMS

compliance by providing students with the basic

information and tools that students need to apply

NIMS public information systems and protocols

during incident management.

At the conclusion of this course, students should

be able to:

Define NIMS public information systems to

include onsite operations, the Joint Information

System (JIS), and the Joint Information Center

(JIC), and how they relate to each other.

Describe the JIS/JIC process of gathering,

verifying, coordinating, and disseminating

information by public information and incident

management personnel.

Identify each agency involved in given

emergency situations and the role of each in

the JIS to ensure appropriate situational

awareness information is communicated to the

public.

Define key terms related to public information

systems to include the relationship with

multiagency coordination systems and the

field.

Identify typical resource requirements for public

information systems.

Relation to NIMS Document

II Communications and Information

Management

II.A Concepts and Principles

IV.C Public Information

IV.C.1 Introduction

IV.C.2 System Description and Components

IV.C.3 Public Information Communications

Planning

Instruction Standards

This course is available only as a 3-hour interactive, Web-based course.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 39

NIMS Training Program

IS-703: NIMS Resource Management

Purpose

This course introduces resource management as described in the NIMS, and shows how systems for

managing resources can be used to improve incident response. The course includes examples of best

practices, lessons learned, and job aids to assist the participant in planning for resource management.

The course includes the following lessons:

Lesson 1: Resource Management Overview

Lesson 2: Resource Management Planning

Lesson 3: Resource Typing and Readiness

Lesson 4: Resource Management During Incidents

Lesson 5: Resource Management and Complex Incidents

Lesson 6: Course Summary

Audience

This course is designed for Federal, State, tribal, and local emergency managers; first responders,

including incident commanders from all emergency management disciplines; private industry personnel

responsible for coordination activities during a disaster; and voluntary agency personnel.

Prerequisites

N/A; FEMA recommends completion of IS-700: NIMS, an Introduction.

Course Topics

Establish systems for describing, inventorying,

requesting, and tracking resources.

Activate these systems prior to and during an

incident.

Dispatch resources prior to and during an

incident.

Deactivate or recall resources during or after

incidents.

Relation to NIMS Document

I Preparedness

I.A Concepts and Principles

I.B Achieving Preparedness

III Resource Management

III.A.1 Concepts

III.A.2 Principles

III.B Managing Resources

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 16 total hours

Interactive, Web-based course: 5 hours

Instructor Qualifications

FEMA recommends that this training be taught by instructors (a minimum of two) with the following

minimum qualifications:

Experience managing resources at a complex incident

Successful completion of ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, and IS-800

Experience as an instructor teaching adults

Equivalencies

IS-703 supersedes G276, Resource Management. For purposes of the Advanced Professional Series,

those who have completed G276 may still claim credit for it as an elective, or IS-703 will count as that

elective.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 40

NIMS Training Program

IS-704: NIMS Communication and Information Management

Purpose

This interactive computer-based course introduces the communications and information management

component of the NIMS. The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government,

private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. Effective

emergency management and incident response activities rely on flexible communications and information

systems that provide a common operating picture to emergency management/response personnel and

their affiliated organizations. Establishing and maintaining a common operating picture and ensuring

accessibility and interoperability are the principal goals of the communications and information

management component of NIMS. Properly planned, established, and applied communications enable

the dissemination of information among command and support elements and, as appropriate, cooperating

agencies and organizations.

Audience

Individuals with emergency management responsibilities including prevention, preparedness, response,

recovery, and mitigation.

Prerequisites

Completion of IS-700: NIMS, an Introduction.

Course Topics

Identify the components of NIMS

Communications and Information

Management.

Identify capabilities required to achieve

effective communications and information

management.

Assess the communications and information

management capability of your jurisdiction or

agency.

Describe processes and forms for managing

incident information flow.

Identify strategies for continually improving

communications and information management

systems and maintaining their readiness.

Relation to NIMS Document

I Preparedness

I.A Preparedness Concepts and Principles

I.A.1 Unified Approach

I.B Achieving Preparedness

I.B.3 Preparedness Roles

I.B.4 Preparedness Elements

II Communications and Information

Management

II.A Underlying Concepts of Communications

and Information Management

II.A.1 Common Operating Picture

II.A.2 Interoperability

II.A.3 Reliability, Scalability, and Portability

II.A.4 Resiliency and Redundancy

II.B Effective Management of Incident

Communications and Information

II.B.1 Standardized Communication Types

II.B.2 Policy and Planning

II.B.3 Agreements

II.B.4 Equipment Standards and Training

II.C Organization and Operations

II.C.1 Incident Information

II.C.2 Communications Standards and Formats

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.B Multiagency Coordination System

IV.C Public Information

Instruction Standards

This course is available only as a 2-hour interactive, Web-based course.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 41

NIMS Training Program

IS-706: NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid – An Introduction

Purpose

This course provides an introduction to NIMS intrastate mutual aid and assistance. Incident response

personnel will learn about the purpose and benefits of mutual aid and assistance. Personnel will also

learn about the emphasis that NIMS places on mutual aid and assistance. The course explains how to

develop mutual aid and assistance agreements and mutual aid operational plans.

Audience

This course is designed for State, tribal, and local emergency response and coordination personnel.

Prerequisites

Completion of IS-700: NIMS, an Introduction.

Course Topics

Describe the purpose, benefits, and uses of

mutual aid and assistance.

Explain how mutual aid and assistance

agreements relate to NIMS.

Identify what information should be included in

a mutual aid and assistance agreement.

Explain the process for developing mutual aid

and assistance agreements.

Identify the elements of a mutual aid and

assistance operational plan.

Relation to NIMS Document

I Preparedness

I.A Concepts and Principles

I.B Achieving Preparedness

I.B.3 Preparedness Roles

I.B.4 Preparedness Elements

III Resource Management

III.A.1 Concepts

III.A.2 Principles

III.B Managing Resources

IV Command and Management

IV A Incident Command System

IV.A.1. Management Characteristics

Instruction Standards

This course is available only as a 2.5-hour interactive, Web-based course.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 42

NIMS Training Program

IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction24

Purpose

This course provides an introduction to the National Response Framework.

Audience

This course is intended for government executives, private-sector and nongovernmental organization

leaders, and emergency management practitioners. This includes senior elected and appointed leaders,

such as Federal department or agency heads, State governors, mayors, leaders, and city or county

officials—those who have a responsibility to provide for effective response.

Prerequisites

N/A

Course Topics

At the end of this course, participants will be able

to:

Describe the purpose of the National Response

Framework.

Explain the response doctrine established by

the National Response Framework.

Identify the roles and responsibilities of entities

as specified in the National Response

Framework.

Explain the actions that support national

response.

Identify the response organizations used for

multiagency coordination.

Describe how planning relates to national

preparedness.

Relation to NIMS Document

I Preparedness

I.A Concepts and Principles

I.B Achieving Preparedness

I.B.2 NIMS and Its Relationship to the National

Response Framework

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

IV.A.5 Incident Complex: Multiple Incident

Management With a Single ICS

Organization

IV.A.6 Area Command

IV.B Multiagency Coordination Systems

Instruction Standards

Minimum course length for actual instructor-led classroom: 3 hours

Interactive, Web-based course also available

Instructor Qualifications

It is recommended that this training be taught by instructors with the following minimum qualifications:

Successful completion of ICS-100 (Introduction to Incident Command), EMI’s IS-700 (NIMS, An

Introduction), IS-701 (NIMS Multiagency Coordination System), and IS-800 (NRF, An Introduction)

Formal instructor training (NWCG Facilitative Instructor, M-410, EMI Master Trainer Program,

Office for Domestic Preparedness Instructor Course, or equivalent)

Experience teaching emergency management material to adults

Emergency management experience in a multiagency environment

24 Full course information can be found at http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is800b.asp.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 43

NIMS Training Program

E/L 950: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Incident Commander25

Purpose

This course is designed to provide State, tribal, and local-level emergency management and response

personnel with a robust understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective IC on

an All-Hazards Incident Management Team. These responsibilities fall into two categories: 1) response to

the incident and command needs of the incident, and 2) effectively fulfilling the position responsibilities of

an Incident Commander on an All-Hazards ICS Incident Management Team. Exercises, simulations,

discussions, and a final exam enable students to process and apply their new knowledge.

Audience

NIMS ICS Position Specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to

functional, support, or unit leader positions on Type III or Type IV All-Hazards Incident Management

Teams (AHIMT), or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.

Prerequisites

ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300; IS-700, IS-800.

Note: Completion of the ICS-400 course is highly recommended for all Position Specific training classes,

and is a requirement to serve as an instructor for the program.

Course Topics

Demonstrate, through exercises and a final

exam, an understanding of the duties,

responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective

Incident Commander on an AHIMT.

Describe the interaction and cooperation that

occurs between the Agency Administrator and

the Incident Commander for the successful

management of an incident.

Define incident objectives, strategies, and

tactics as they are utilized by the Incident

Commander for effective incident

management.

Relation to NIMS Document

III Resource Management

III.A.1 Concepts

III.A.2 Principles

III.B Managing Resources

IV Command and Management

IV.A Incident Command System

IV.A.1 Management Characteristics

IV.A.2 Incident Command and Command Staff

IV.A.3 General Staff

Instruction Standards

Minimum course actual student contact classroom hours: 35 total (5 days)

Instructor Qualifications (in addition to the General Position Specific Instructor Guidelines)

FEMA recommends that at least two instructors be used to teach all Position Specific courses

Successful completion of accredited ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400; IS-700, and IS-800

Service in an incident management position within five years in real-world incidents, planned events,

or accredited exercises that required a written IAP and/or went more than one operational period

Instructors should hold certification as instructors from a recognized program of study such as State

Fire Instructor (NFPA 1041, Level II or above); EMI Master Trainer Program; or other recognized

qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies

25 Course information can be found in the EMI course catalog, available at

http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses/EMICatalog.asp.

APPENDIX B: NIMS CORE CURRICULUM COURSE SUMMARIES

September 2011 44

NIMS Training Program

E/L 952: NAll-Hazards Position Specific Public Information Officer26

Purpose

This course is designed for a PIO assigned to an incident as a member of an All-Hazard Incident

Management Team (AHIMTs), Local IMTs, as well as for the PIO assigned to an incident as an assistant

PIO in a variety of capacities. This course will help students develop a strong set of core PIO skills and the

ability to apply them within the context of an AHIMT. This course is also distinct from other information

function courses in that it combines elements from both the basic and advanced function to concentrate

training on the fundamental duties and responsibilities of PIO in an all-hazard environment. The course

material does not assume or require experience as a PIO, but also is not a basic PIO course. Exercises,

simulations, discussions, and a final exam enable students to process and apply their new knowledge.

Audience

NIMS ICS Position Specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to

functional, support, or unit leader positions on Type III or Type IV All-Hazards Incident Management

Teams (AHIMT), or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.

Prerequisites

ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300; IS-700, IS-800.

Note: Completion of the ICS-400 course is highly recommended for all Position Specific training classes,

and is a requirement to serve as an instructor for the program.

Course Topics

Describe the fundamentals of information

operations during incident management.

Develop a Communications Strategy for

disseminating incident information.

Describe the importance of effective media

relations and the role of the Public Information

Officer in developing and maintaining such

relationships.

Describe the role of the Public Information

Officer as it pertains to handling special

situations within incidents.