NIMS Training Requirements

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center (NIC) was established in 2004 by the Department of Homeland Security to provide strategic direction and oversight of NIMS. FEMA was designated as the lead agent to ensure an all-hazards approach was an integral part of response training. NIC established the National Standard Curriculum for NIMS education and training that was built around federal training opportunities and course offerings supporting NIMS implementation.

NIMS related training continues to be an important element that state, territorial, tribal and local entities must complete during Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. To become fully compliant with NIMS and to receive federal preparedness funding assistance in FY07, jurisdictions are required to meet the FY06 NIMS requirements, including training.

Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Private Sector and Non-Governmental Personnel Training Requirements:

Entry level first responders and disaster workers including Emergency Medical Service personnel, firefighters, medical personnel, police officers, public health personnel, public works/utility personnel, and other emergency management response personnel and volunteers.

• IS-700, NIMS: An Introduction
• ICS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) or equivalent

First line supervisors, single resource leaders, field supervisors and other emergency management, response personnel that require a higher level of ICS/NIMS Training

• IS-700, NIMS: An Introduction
• ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or equivalent
• ICS-200, Basic ICS or equivalent

Middle management including strike team leaders, task force leaders, unit leaders, division/group supervisors, branch directors and multi-agency coordination system/emergency operations center staff.

• IS-700, NIMS: An Introduction
• IS-800, National Response Plan (NRP): An Introduction
• ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or equivalent
• ICS-200, Basic ICS or equivalent
• ICS-300, Intermediate ICS or equivalent (FY07 requirement)

Command and general staff, select department heads with multi-agency coordination system responsibilities, area commanders, emergency managers and multi-agency coordination system/emergency operations center managers.

• ICS-700, NIMS: An Introduction
• ICS-800, National Response Plan (NRP): An Introduction
• ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or equivalent
• ICS-200, Basic ICS or equivalent
• ICS-300, Intermediate ICS or equivalent (FY07 requirement)
• ICS-400, Advanced ICS or equivalent (FY07 requirement)

Course Descriptions

IS-700, NIMS: An Introduction

• Web-based awareness level course
• Explains NIMS components, concepts and principles
• Designed as on-line independent study course
• Available at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp
• Can be downloaded to facilitate classroom discussion
• Topics covered include:
  • NIMS, what it is
  • Command and Management Under NIMS – Part I
  • Command and Management Under NIMS – Part II
  • Public Information
  • Preparedness
  • Resource Management
  • Communications, Information Management, and Supporting Technology

IS-800, National Response Plan (NRP): An Introduction

• Web-based awareness level course
• Designed as on-line independent study course
• Available at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is800.asp
• Can be downloaded to facilitate classroom discussion
• Introduces key elements of the NRP
• Topics covered include:
  • NRP overview and correlation with NIMS
  • Roles and responsibilities of various levels of response organizations
  • Field, regional, national level coordinating structures
  • Field-level organizations and teams that support an incident
  • Incident management actions

ICS-100, Introduction to ICS or equivalent (Q462 Introduction to NIMS for Operational First Responders (Self-Study I-100)

• Web-based awareness level course
• Designed as on-line independent study course
• Available at http://training.fema.gov/
• Can be downloaded to facilitate classroom discussion
• United States Fire Administration (USFA) also offers the equivalent course available at http://usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/independent/
• Topics covered at FEMA site include
  • Purpose of ICS
  • Basic Features of ICS
  • Incident Commander and Command Staff Functions
  • General Staff Functions
  • Facilities
  • Common Responsibilities

ICS-200, Basic ICS or equivalent (Q463 Introduction to NIMS for Operational First Responders (Self-Study I-200)

• Web-based awareness level course
• Designed as on-line independent study course
• Available at http://training.fema.gov/
• Can be downloaded to facilitate classroom discussion
• United States Fire Administration (USFA) also offers the equivalent course available at http://usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/independent/]
• Topic covered at FEMA site include:
  • Leadership and Management
  • Delegation of Authority and Management by Objectives
  • Functional Areas and Positions
  • Briefings
  • Organizational Flexibility
  • Transfer of Command

ICS-300, Intermediate ICS or equivalent (FY07 requirement)

• State administered program
• Coded as G-300 course
• More information is available through the:
  • State Emergency Management Agency
  • State Fire Training Agencies http://usfa.fema.gov/pocs/]
  • Emergency Management Institute (EMI) at 301-447-1060
• EMI will begin offering train-the-trainer courses across the nation throughout FY06

ICS-400, Advanced ICS or equivalent (FY07 requirement)

• State administered program
• Coded as G-400 course
• More information is available through the:
  • State Emergency Management Agency
  • State Fire Training Agencies http://usfa.fema.gov/pocs/
  • Emergency Management Institute at 301-447-1060
• EMI will begin offering train-the-trainer courses across the nation throughout FY06

-- MikeLawrence - 13 Nov 2005