Purpose

To provide an overview of the Community-Specific Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) application process for Fiscal Year 2027 (October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027). The deadline for applying for a Community-Specific IEMC in FY 2027 is February 23, 2026. Applications must be submitted to your respective FEMA Region by this date.

Course Goal

A Community-Specific IEMC builds the interdependent awareness, leadership, and communication skills needed to develop, refine, and implement policies, plans, procedures, and mutual aid agreements in a community Emergency Operations Center (EOC) environment.

Course Description

Each year, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial (SLTT), and specialized jurisdictions throughout the United States can apply to the National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) for a Community- Specific IEMC. These 4-day workshops place EOC staff in realistic crisis scenarios tailored to local hazards and needs. Applications should be based on data from the Stakeholder Preparedness Review, and the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) should be used as a basis for the request.

The training helps communities strengthen policies, plans, and mutual aid agreements while identifying strengths, gaps, and needed improvements. NDEMU curriculum specialists work with local staff in advance to gather information and design activities that test current plans and identify areas for further review and refinement.

Target Audience

IEMCs are designed for personnel who fill specific emergency support positions within their community. A sample of appropriate attendees includes:

§  Chief elected officials and appointed officials from tribal, local, regional, state, and Federal emergency management organizations.

§  Senior-level personnel from response agencies and organizations.

§  Managers from Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs).

§  Representatives from private organizations that participate in tribal, local, regional, and state responses. See a complete list of recommended attendees of Who Should Attend an IEMC.

Course Dates

	The 4-day IEMC course is conducted at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD, OR locally at the jurisdiction’s provided venue.

Prerequisites

Completion of the IS‑13: NDEMU Conduct and Behavior Course is compulsory before participating in any NDEMU training at the National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU). It is important to note that this course and exam are not required annually; they only need to be completed once. This course will be treated as a mandatory prerequisite for all courses.

Application Overview

The review process for the FY 2027 Community-Specific IEMCs is a collaborative effort between NDEMU and the FEMA Regions.

NDEMU’s Integrated Emergency Management (IEM) Branch will provide the NDEMU Superintendent with Community-Specific IEMC candidate recommendations for selection, including the original prioritized ranking of application packets received from the FEMA Regions.

The Superintendent will make the final decision regarding the selection of Community-Specific IEMCs.

 

How to Apply

Application packages for Community-Specific IEMCs include questions that require narrative responses addressing:

§  Community demographics and critical infrastructure.

§  Disaster history.

§  Accomplishments and improvements to emergency management capability.

§  Major strengths and areas for improvement.

§  Why the community is requesting an IEMC.

§  Requested activity and course specifics.

§  Preference for an on-campus delivery at the NETC in Emmitsburg, MD, OR a field delivery in the jurisdiction.

For specifics on the application process, refer to How to Apply for Consideration/Selection Process for an IEMC.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the appropriate FEMA Regional Offices no later than February 23, 2026. FEMA Regional Offices should forward completed nomination packages to the IEM Branch at NDEMU no later than March 23, 2026.

Accommodation Information

If you require a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, braille, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), etc.), make your request on your application or to [email protected] no later than (NLT) 30 days prior to the course offering. When making any requests, provide details on the accommodation; however, DO NOT include medical or other personal information that is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974 or the Health Information Privacy Protection Act (45 CFR Part 160 Subparts A and E of Part 164). Last-minute requests will be accepted; however, they may not be possible to fulfill.

Point of Contact

For additional information on the IEMC Program, contact the FEMA NDEMU Integrated Emergency Management (IEM) Branch: [email protected].

For continual updates on NDEMU and to sign up for the NDEMU free email subscription service, click the “Sign up via our free e-mail subscription service” link on the NDEMU IEMC website.