Instructors should be subject matter experts with recent, relevant incident or exercise experience in the positions they teach. FEMA recommends that ICS and EOC instructors complete Train-the-Trainer courses and hold recognized instructional credentials or training in adult education. ICS Position Lead Instructors must complete the appropriate Train-the-Trainer course.

The NIMS Training Program sets a national standard so all incident personnel understand their roles in ICS, EOCs, MAC Groups, and related structures.

Additional Information on NIMS Instructor Qualifications

For instructors that do not have formal training in adult education, NDEMU offers ELK 0141 – Instructional Presentation and Evaluation Skills (or equivalent).

This is a 4-day classroom-based instructional skills course that develops participants’ abilities in designing and delivering training and evaluating learner performance. It is intended for individuals who teach or will teach courses and need practical instructional and evaluation skills.

In addition to the general instructor training offered by NDEMU, there are separate Train-the-Trainer courses offered for NDEMU’s NIMS ICS, ICS Position Specific, and EOC training:

ICS Trainer Development

This is a 5-day, 40-hour capstone course for Incident Command System (ICS) instructors that builds their knowledge and skills to deliver ICS curriculum courses effectively, including use of appropriate instructional techniques and coordination of course delivery.

Audience

Intended for qualified lead or unit instructors who already have substantial ICS experience, including having served as Incident Commander or in Command/General Staff roles on multiperiod incidents, events, or exercises involving written Incident Action Plans and multiagency/jurisdictional coordination.
Prerequisites

Endorsement from the State Training Officer (or equivalent) for state, territorial, tribal, and local applicants; completion of ICS100, ICS200, ICS300, ICS400, IS700, IS800, and G0191; and completion of recognized formal instructor training in techniques of instruction and adult education (such as M410, E0141, or an equivalent instructor/teaching certification).

ICS Position Specific Trainer Development

The ICS Position Specific Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program is designed to prepare qualified practitioners to teach the ICS Position Specific courses for roles such as Incident Commander, Section Chiefs, Unit Leaders, and other key ICS positions.

These TTT courses build instructors’ ability to deliver the FEMA-approved curriculum, apply adult education techniques, and ensure that trainees can meet the competencies and tasks in the relevant Position Task Books (PTBs). The TTT program is intended for experienced incident management team supervisors who already meet the position’s operational qualification requirements and who have completed recognized instructor training in techniques of instruction and adult learning.

NDEMU requires lead instructors for ICS Position Specific courses to complete the appropriate TTT course for each position they are authorized to teach, so that course delivery remains consistent with national NIMS standards.

As a part of curriculum revision, all Position Specific Train-the-Trainer courses have been revised to a 90-day semester model. In these courses, students complete a series of assignments that require 2-4 hours per week. Over the 90-day semester, students will develop an instructor and peer-reviewed delivery plan for the course they will be delivering. Total student work for the course is expected to be between 50-60 hours.

View the current schedule to see dates, times, and availability.

NDEMU offers the following Train-the-Trainer Courses beginning in September 2026:

K4951: Incident Commander Course Train-the-Trainer
K4959: Operations Section Chief Train-the-Trainer
K4963: Planning Section Chief Train-the-Trainer
K4968: Logistics Section Chief Train-the-Trainer
K4949: Communications Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer

The following courses are under development and will be released in 2027-2028:

Command Staff
- K4953: Public Information Officer Train-the-Trainer
- K4955: Safety Officer Train-the-Trainer
- K4957: Liaison Officer Train-the-Trainer
Operations Section
- K4961: Division/ Group Supervisor Train-the-Trainer
- K4988: Air Support Group Supervisor Train-the-Trainer
- K4989: Intro to Air Operations Train-the-Trainer
- K4985: Task Force/Strike Team Train-the-Trainer
Planning Section
- K4978: Situation Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer
- K4966: Resources/Demobilization Unit Leaders Train-the-Trainer
- K4998: Documentation Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer
Logistics Section
- K4972: Facilities Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer
- K4977: Supply Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer
- K4990: Ground Support Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer
- K4997: Medical Unit Leader Train-the-Trainer
Finance/Administration Section
- K4974: Finance/Administration Section Chief Train-the-Trainer
- K4976: Finance/Administration Unit Leaders Train-the-Trainer
Intelligence/Investigations
- K4996: Intelligence/Investigations Section Chief Train-the-Trainer

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Curriculum Trainer Development

ELK2310 is under development as a 5-day, 40-hour classroom capstone course for EOC instructors that advances their ability to deliver EOC curriculum courses.

Audience

Intended for experienced EOC personnel who are qualified and interested in becoming EOC curriculum instructors and already have a working knowledge of the EOC curriculum.

Instructor Development