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National Incident Management System (NIMS) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Where can I find information on training for the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS)?

    Answer:

    The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) is a methodology for using the Incident Command System (ICS) in a hospital/healthcare environment. Information about HICS is available at California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Hospital Incident Command System and California Hospital Association Hospital Disaster Preparedness. Informative documents, presentations, adaptations, articles, suggestions, and lessons learned from the use of HICS may be addressed to [email protected].
  2. Where can I find ICS 300 and ICS 400 course offerings?

    Answer:

    ICS 300 and ICS 400 are primarily delivered by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) which is authorized to teach the curriculum and provide certificates. AHJs include state, tribal, territorial, and Federal government departments and agencies, along with training commissions, NGOs, companies, and local organizations such as police, fire, public health, and public works departments.

    All ICS training is coordinated by designated Training Officers within the AHJs. Contact your Emergency Management Agency for additional information on how ICS training is coordinated in your area. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories

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  3. Why are ICS 300 and ICS 400 not on my transcript?

    Answer:

    ICS 300 and ICS 400 are primarily delivered by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) which is authorized to teach the curriculum and provide certificates. When ICS 300 or ICS 400 are delivered by an AHJ, you do not receive a FEMA certificate and it is not included on your NDEMU transcript.

  4. How many CEUs are awarded for ICS 300 and ICS 400?

    Answer:

    CEUs are awarded by organizations which are members of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). NDEMU is a member of IACET and awards CEUs according to the IACET standards only for courses delivered by NDEMU. ICS 300 has been approved for 1.8 CEUs and ICS 400 has been approved for 1.4 CEUs.

    ICS 300 and ICS 400 are primarily delivered by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) which is authorized to teach the curriculum and provide certificates. When ICS 300 or ICS 400 is delivered by an AHJ, it is up to that organization to award CEUs, if they have the authority to do so. Typically, the CEUs would be noted on the certificate provided by the AHJ.

  5. Will NIMS courses be held virtually?

    Answer:

    NIMS training classroom courses are primarily delivered by an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) which is authorized to teach the curriculum and provide certificates. The virtual option is being explored by many AHJs.

    All ICS training is coordinated by designated Training Officers within the AHJs. Contact your Emergency Management Agency for possible virtual delivery options in your area. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories.

    NDEMU offers a mix of independent study, on campus, and virtual classroom options. You can explore these options or find courses directly using our course catalog.

  6. What training should I take if I would like to become a trainer?

    Answer:

    FEMA recommends that ICS and EOC instructors complete Train-the-Trainer courses and hold recognized instructional credentials or training in adult education. Please see NIMS Instructor Development for detailed information.
  7. How would I go about being certified to teach ICS courses locally?

    Answer:

    For state, territorial, tribal and local deliveries of the NIMS ICS core curriculum, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) determine if their instructors must have qualifications, certifications, or other requirements above those listed in the NIMS Training Program and NIMS Instructor Qualifications.

    Certificating agencies or AHJs determine who teaches in their jurisdiction. Contact your Fire Service or Emergency Management Agency for additional information on qualifications for instructors in your area. Both agencies could give you the authority to instruct and certificate courses. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories.

  8. Does FEMA offer NIMS certifications?

    Answer:

    FEMA does not offer a NIMS certifications. Each NIMS course issues its own certificate.

    Any Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can create and administer processes to qualify, certify, and credential personnel for incident-related positions. AHJs include state, tribal, territorial, and Federal government departments and agencies, along with training commissions, NGOs, companies, and local organizations such as police, fire, public health, and public works departments. AHJs build on FEMA’s minimum NIMS training standards and recommendations to determine training necessary for incident personnel under their purview. Therefore, it often is necessary to consult with your AHJ to understand what specific training you need for your role.

  9. Do I have to take any refresher courses to maintain my certification?

    Answer:

    Any Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can create and administer processes to qualify, certify, and credential personnel for incident-related positions. AHJs include state, tribal, territorial, and Federal government departments and agencies, along with training commissions, NGOs, companies, and local organizations such as police, fire, public health, and public works departments. AHJs build on FEMA’s minimum NIMS training standards and recommendations to determine training necessary for incident personnel under their purview. Therefore, it often is necessary to consult with your AHJ to understand what specific training you need for your role, including any refresher courses or recertification requirements.

  10. How do I access the ICS 100 and ICS 200 classroom files?

    Answer:

    For ICS 100, go to Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 and click on Download Classroom Materials in the right-hand navigation bar.

    For ICS 200, go to Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 and click on Download Classroom Materials in the right-hand navigation bar.

  11. Are classroom materials available for ICS 100 and ICS 200 courses other than the "c" versions?

    Answer:

    No
  12. How do students access testing for ICS 100 and ICS 200?

    Answer:

    Students can take the exam online via the Independent Study Program.

    For ICS 100, go to Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 and click on "Take Final Exam Online" in the right-hand navigation bar.

    For ICS 200, go to Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 and click on "Take Final Exam Online" in the right-hand navigation bar.

  13. Does FEMA maintain a NIMS or ICS instructor database?

    Answer:

    FEMA does NOT maintain an ICS instructor database, nor does it certify instructors. Contact your Emergency Management Agency for additional information on what is required in your area. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories.

    FEMA does maintain an Position Specific instructor database. FEMA Regional Training Managers, State Training Officers, Geographical Area Training Representatives, and Statewide Interoperability Coordinators have been provided with access to the database in order to confirm the qualification of instructors for Position Specific courses as needed. For questions regarding the Position Specific instructor database, contact the NIMS Training Program.

  14. Who can instruct the ICS 100, ICS 200, and ICS 402 courses?

    Answer:

    As outlined in the NIMS Training Program, Instructors of ICS 100, 200, and 402 must meet the General ICS Instructor Guidelines described below:

    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 (NWCG Facilitative Instructor, M-410, EMI Master Trainer Program, Office for Domestic Preparedness Instructor Course or equivalent).

    All ICS training is coordinated by designated Training Officers within the various States, Tribes, Territories, and individual Federal agencies. Contact your Emergency Management Agency for additional information on how ICS training is coordinated in your area. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories.
  15. Who can instruct the ICS 300 and ICS 400 courses?

    Answer:

    The below guidelines are provided in the NIMS Training Program:
    ICS 300 Instructor Guidelines (in addition to the General ICS Instructor Guidelines)

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

    Service in a mid-level incident management position within five years in real-world incidents, planned events, or accredited exercises.

    Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies.

    ICS 400 Instructor Guidelines (in addition to the General ICS Instructor Guidelines)

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

    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.
    All ICS training is coordinated by designated Training Officers within the various States, Tribes, Territories, and individual Federal agencies. Contact your Emergency Management Agency for additional information on how ICS training is coordinated in your area. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories.
  16. How do I access the course files for ICS 300, ICS 400, and ICS 402?

    Answer:

    Access to course files is provided by NDEMU to designated State Training Officers and Federal Agency training points of contact. They provide materials to those personnel approved to provide instruction.
  17. How can I obtain a FEMA certificate of completion for courses that I have instructed?

    Answer:

    Certificates are issued by the Agency which provided the training. For ICS 100 and ICS 200, there is an option to have students take the exam online via the Independent Study Program.

    For ICS 100, go to Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 and click on "Take Final Exam Online" in the right-hand navigation bar.

    For ICS 200, go to Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 and click on "Take Final Exam Online" in the right-hand navigation bar.

  18. Can the ICS courses be instructed using computers or tablets?

    Answer:

    Using printed materials is optional. Many agencies provide students with CD or DVD disks in lieu of printed materials. For ICS 300 and ICS 400, you may want to consider providing printed copies of some exercise materials and ICS forms. Please note that NDEMU does not provide printed materials for courses provided by other agencies.

  19. Does completion of the ICS 449 Train-the-Trainer course certify me as an ICS Instructor?

    Answer:

    FEMA does not certify personnel to instruct ICS courses. Instructor certifications are the responsibility of your home agency. Many States/Territories/Tribe/Federal Agencies require that their ICS instructors have completed the ICS 449 course in order to be certified, however, this is not an explicit requirement included in the NIMS Training Program.

    The home agency should ensure that instructors meet, or exceed, the instructor qualifications contained in the NIMS Training program. States may have additional instructor requirements and qualifications that must be met in order to teach the ICS courses. Contact your Emergency Management Agency for additional information. Contact information for State or Territorial Emergency Management Agencies can be found at Regions, States and Territories.

  20. Can I teach the ICS 300 course in 2 days?

    Answer:

    Delivery times for courses are established in the Plan of Instruction (POI). Each course has a specific POI that teaches to the enabling objectives for the course.

    The National Integration Center has published guidelines which require a minimum of 18 classroom hours for ICS 300 and a minimum of 14 classroom hours for ICS 400 . These time requirements do not include lunches and scheduled breaks.

  21. Is the ICS 300 course available online?

    Answer:

    No. Both ICS 300 and ICS 400 are delivered in a classroom only. These courses are not suitable for online training since they both require a high level of interaction among participants and completion of complex classroom activities in order to meet the training objectives.

  22. Will my State certificate of completion for ICS 300 or ICS 400 be accepted by FEMA?

    Answer:

    NDEMU recognizes ICS 300 and ICS 400 course completion certificates issued by States/Territories/Tribes/Federal Agencies.

  23. Will my State certificate of completion for ICS 300 or ICS 400 be accepted by other States?

    Answer:

    Acceptance of course completion certificates between States or other entities is at the discretion of the receiving State and/or jurisdiction. To avoid problems in the area of training and certification in the time of need, we encourage States and entities to incorporate training and certification requirements for responding agencies into their mutual aid agreements.

  24. How do I take FEMA training if I am not a U.S. resident?

    Answer:

    Qualified emergency management and public safety professionals from outside the U.S. may be eligible for some FEMA training. International applicants typically need to apply through U.S. embassies, international agreements, or partner organizations. Additional information is available at International Student Access to FEMA Training.
  25. Where can I find more information on NIMS/ICS training?

    Answer:

    Guidance on ICS and other NIMS training can be found at NIMS Implementation and Training and in the NIMS Training Program document.
  26. Are all organizations required to use the FEMA version of the ICS forms?

    Answer:

    No. In some cases it is beneficial for an agency to make alterations to one or more of the ICS forms. However, form titles and their functions should not be changed. For example, the ICS 205 form should always be used as the Communications Plan form.

    FEMA does provide many of the ICS forms at ICS Forms.

  27. Can individual States deliver the ICS 449 Train-the-Trainer course?

    Answer:

    For detailed instructions on how to deliver an ICS 449 course in your State/Territory/Tribe/Federal Agency contact the NIMS Training Program.

  28. What is the process for federal employees to instruct Position Specific courses?

    Answer:

    To teach the Position Specific courses, an instructor must be listed in the Position Specific instructor database maintained by NDEMU. An instructor must meet the administrative guidelines for the Position Specific training program and complete a Train-the-Trainer class for each course that they would like to teach. For questions regarding the Position Specific instructor database, contact the NIMS Training Program.

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