NIMS Resources
NIMS Resources
Doctrine, Guidance, and Tools
- Incident Command System (ICS) Training Reference Guide
- A Guide to Understanding the Incident Command System Graphic Novel (in revision)
- Incident Management System(NIMS), 2017
- NIMS Training Program, Summer 2020
- NIMS ICS Instructor Qualifications
- NIMS Emergency Operations Center (EOC) How-to Quick Reference Guide, October 2022
- NIMS Intelligence/ Investigations Function Guidance, February 2025
- NIMS Guide for Mutual Aid, March 2024
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Functional Guidance
- NIMS Incident Complexity Guide, June 2021
- NIMS Guideline for Resource Management Preparedness
- NIMS Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers
- National Qualification System (NQS) Guides
- NIMS Toolkit
- Resource Typing Library Tool: Resource Descriptions, NQS Position Task Books (PTBs), EOC Skillsets
- Fillable Incident Command System Forms
- Planning P Video
- IAP Builder
- National Preparedness System Documents
NIMS Program Links
- FEMA National Integration Center (NIC) NIMS Information
- National Response Framework Resource Center
- Emergency Management Assistance Compact
- FEMA National Disaster and Emergency Management University
- FEMA NDEMU Independent Study Program
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group
- OSHA Incident Command System eTools
- US Wildland Fire Service
- U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Academy
- FEMA National Preparedness Training and Education
NIMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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].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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.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.
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.
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.
Answer:
NIMS implementation in no way affects any public assistance or other Federal funding an organization or community would receive in the wake of a disaster or other emergency. Organizations and jurisdictions are required to meet the NIMS implementation requirements to apply for Federal preparedness awards and funding. Preparedness funding is used strictly for those activities that would prepare an agency or jurisdiction to respond to an incident.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.
For ICS 700.b, go to An Introduction to the National Incident Management System and click on Download Classroom Materials in the right-hand navigation bar.
For other courses, access to training materials 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.
Answer:
You may download and distribute FEMA course materials. However, if you modify the course materials in any way, they should no longer have any designation of FEMA or DHS.Answer:
The intended audiences for these courses are described at ICS Training and in FEMA NIMS Training Program.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.
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The college providing the training is responsible for providing course materials to you.Answer:
The “NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” was developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS). Agencies and schools are required to fulfill those requirements to be eligible for Federal preparedness funding through the Department of Education’s Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) and Emergency Management for Higher Education (EMHE) Discretionary Grant Program. Additional information is available at the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center https://rems.ed.gov/EMVirtualToolkitRegistration.aspx and https://rems.ed.gov/docs/NIMS_ComprehensiveGuidance Activities_2009-2010.pdf.Answer:
FEMA is not approved to share official U.S. Government content or materials to private entities or companies for commercial interests.Answer:
See ICS Position Specific Training.ICS Position Specific training is 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.
Answer:
PTBs are issued by Incident Management Team coordinators and their designated Trainers/Mentors once the individual has completed any prerequisite training.
National Qualification System PTBs are available at NIMS Components Guidance and Tools and the FEMA Preparedness Toolkit Resource Typing Library Tool. Specifically, see View All Position Task Books.
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.
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NoAnswer:
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.
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.
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.
Answer:
The below guidelines are provided in the NIMS Training Program:ICS 300 Instructor Guidelines (in addition to the General ICS Instructor Guidelines)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.
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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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NDEMU recognizes ICS 300 and ICS 400 course completion certificates issued by States/Territories/Tribes/Federal Agencies.
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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.
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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.Answer:
Guidance on ICS and other NIMS training can be found at NIMS Implementation and Training and in the NIMS Training Program document.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.
Answer:
For detailed instructions on how to deliver an ICS 449 course in your State/Territory/Tribe/Federal Agency contact the NIMS Training Program.
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.
