1. Purpose and Overview

FEMA’s National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) officially released the first five revised National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) Position-Specific Courses.

Effective Sept. 30, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) may access and request scheduling of course delivery for the initial release of five of 21 revised ICS Position-Specific courses. This release marks the culmination of more than a decade of research, instructional redesign, and interagency collaboration, to improve the courses to support position qualification under the NIMS National Qualification System. This initial release of new courses is the first phase of the ICS Position-Specific course modernization initiative.

The legacy versions of the five released courses will remain available for delivery for six months to allow Authorities Having Jurisdiction time to prepare their instructors to deliver the new courses. NDEMU certificates will continue to be given for completion of the legacy course versions through March 2027.

2. Modernized Instructional Model: Next-Generation Training

The redesigned position-specific courses depart from traditional lecture formats. Built on an adult-learning framework focused on rapid skill acquisition and measurable performance, the updated curriculum increases speed-to-competency. It also supports ICS position qualification through an immersive, performance based and student-centered learning environment.

Key instructional features of the new curriculum include:

·         Two-Part Blended Structure:

·         Part 1 (Pre-Course Work): Independent, self-paced preparatory modules ensuring candidates enter the classroom with a shared baseline of operational concepts. Students will be issued a certificate of completion of this pre-course work, through our online system. This certificate is required to demonstrate that the student can successfully navigate the position tasks during the in-class activities. Once the students have demonstrated knowledge level competency, their AHJ will direct them to the location of the training classroom component.

 

·         Part 2 (Facilitator-Led Classroom Experience (FLEX)): An interactive, scenario-driven practicum conducted by AHJ endorsed, position qualified instructors. In the classroom students will perform iterations of key position tasks and receive performance feedback to improve competency related to the ICS position.

 

Key attributes of the new ICS Position-Specific courses:

·         Operational Simulation: Prior to attending the course, students have a basic knowledge of the position from their pre-work. This allows the students to engage in practical hands-on activities from the first day of the courses. Over the course of the training, students work through three complete operational periods, performing key tasks for their specific incident management position in real time.

·         National Qualification System (NQS) Alignment: Course activities directly correlate to performance tasks defined within the corresponding NQS Position Task Books, providing verifiable evidence of task execution and operational readiness.

3. Initially Released Courses

The following five courses are fully approved and can be requested for delivery scheduling through NDEMU:

Course Code	Course Title	Target Operational Role
E/L/K 4950	NIMS ICS Incident Commander Course	Incident Commander
E/L/K 4958	NIMS ICS Operations Section Chief Course	Operations Section Chief
E/L/K 4962	NIMS ICS Planning Section Chief Course	Planning Section Chief
E/L/K 4967	NIMS ICS Logistics Section Chief Course	Logistics Section Chief
E/L/K 4969	NIMS ICS Communications Unit Leader Course	Communications Unit Leader

Subsequent releases across the remaining 16 courses in the 21-course modernization plan will follow in phased rollouts through 2027.

4. Course Prerequisites

FEMA strengthened student prerequisites to maximize classroom time on scenario execution and ensure students are prepared to complete the courses. Prior to enrollment in any of the modernized position-specific courses, candidates must complete:

1.      IS-201.a: Forms Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-201.a&lang=

2.      IS-995: ICS Positions Foundations https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-995&lang=

3.      All baseline NIMS prerequisites (IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS 400(as required by position course), IS-700, and IS-800)

AHJs are responsible for validating that student prerequisite certificates of successful completion are verified prior to issuing course admittance.

5. AHJ Access and Delivery Procedures

·         Curriculum Materials: AHJs may download facilitator evaluator guides, threaded scenario files, rubrics, and an activity guide via the authorized NDEMU Training Assets Download Application.

·         Instructor Qualifications: Instructors delivering these courses must be endorsed to NDEMU by their state, territorial or Tribal Nation Training Officer. Federal instructors must be endorsed by their Emergency Management Program Training Officer.   ICS Position-specific Instructors must also complete updated facilitator validation and curriculum orientation sessions prior to being selected to facilitate these new student-centered, performance-based ICS Position-Specific courses.

·         Scheduling Deliveries: AHJs should request delivery of the next generation courses through current processes and procedures, utilizing the updated course numbers.

6. Point of Contact

For questions regarding course delivery authorization and instructor validation to deliver the new courses, please contact your designated State Training Officer. You can find a list by visiting https://training.fema.gov/programs/aps/stolist.aspx

For curriculum information, or instructor requirements contact NDEMU Incident Management Department at [email protected].