National Incident

Management System
Training Program
May 2020

FEMA
NIMS Training Program

Table of Contents
I. Background……………………………………………………………………………………. 3
II. Introduction and Overview…………………………………………………………………... 4
A. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………… 4
B. Audience……………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
C. National Approach to NIMS Implementation………………………………………………. 5
D. NIMS Training Responsibilities……………………………………………………………… 5
E. Personnel Qualifications……………………………………………………………………… 8
III. NIMS Core Curriculum……………………………………………………………………... 10
A. Overview……………………………………………………………………………………... 10
B. ICS Training Progression………………………………………………………………….... 13
C. EOC Training Progression………………………………………………………………….. 15
D. JIS/PIO Training Progression……………………………………………………………… 17
E. MAC Group Training Progression………………………………………………………… 20
IV. Organizational Training Program Development………………………………………….. 22
A. Developing an Organizational Training Plan……………………………………………… 22
B. Training Recommendations………………………………………………………………… 22
C. Defining Organizational Training Priorities………………………………………………. 22
D. Organizational Training Plan Design Considerations…………………………………….. 23
E. Instructor Qualifications……………………………………………………………………. 25
F. NIMS Training Course Equivalency……………………………………………………….. 26
G. Refresher Training Recommendations…………………………………………………….. 26
Appendix A. Resources…………………………………………………………………………….. 27
Appendix B. Additional Advanced Training……………………………………………………... 30
Appendix C. Summary of Training Recommendations…………………………………………. 34
Appendix D. Glossary……………………………………………………………………………… 38
Appendix E. Abbreviations………………………………………………………………………... 40

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I. Background
Each day across the nation, communities experience incidents and disasters that require an
effective response from local agencies working across jurisdictions and using similar processes
and systems. FEMA’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides principles,
structures, and processes that link the nation’s responders together, enabling them to meet
challenges that are beyond the capacity of any single jurisdiction or organization.
The effectiveness of NIMS hinges on how well incident personnel at all levels understand their
roles and responsibilities. Training is critical to building a common understanding and ensuring
that responders apply NIMS concepts across state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions and
partners.
NIMS training is one piece of a comprehensive incident management program involving a
continuous cycle of planning, organizing, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective
actions.
In 2017, FEMA revised NIMS to incorporate lessons learned, best practices, and changes in
national policy, including updates to the National Preparedness System.1 This NIMS Training
Program incorporates the revised NIMS content and clarifies recommended training for incident
personnel. This training program supersedes all prior versions of NIMS training and the Five-Year
NIMS Training Plan.

1
The National Preparedness System outlines an organized process to help the whole community achieve the National
Preparedness Goal (NPG). It comprises and explains existing policies, programs, and guidance, including the National
Planning Frameworks, Federal Interagency Operational Plans, and National Preparedness Report.

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NIMS Training Program

II. Introduction and Overview

A. Introduction
NIMS provides stakeholders across the United States with shared vocabulary, systems, and
processes to successfully deliver the capabilities described in the National Preparedness System. It
defines systems and structures—including the Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency
Operations Center (EOC), and Multiagency Coordination Group (MAC Group)—that guide how
personnel work together during incidents.
Successful, unified efforts require qualified incident personnel who understand their respective
roles in these systems. Incident personnel includes all individuals who have roles in incident
management or support, whether on-scene, in an EOC, or through a MAC Group.
This training program outlines a path for developing and maintaining NIMS and provides guidance
for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in developing their training plans. The NIMS Training
Program has the following objectives:
1. Describe the national approach to NIMS training;
2. Define NIMS training for all incident personnel;
3. Provide guidance to individuals and organizations wishing to pursue advanced qualifications;
4. Define components of an organizational training plan; and
5. Define roles and responsibilities at all levels to provide consistent NIMS training on a national
scale.
This NIMS Training Program defines a national baseline to guide and promote NIMS training. It
provides recommendations to assist AHJs in developing their own training plans, tailored to their
specific needs.

B. Audience
The audience for the NIMS Training Program consists of administrators and officers responsible
for establishing organizational training requirements and training policies for incident personnel at
all levels.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5 (HSPD-5) directs Federal agencies to adopt NIMS and
encourages all other stakeholders to do the same—state, local, tribal, and territorial governments,
private sector organizations, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and Nongovernmental
Organizations (NGO) involved in incident management and support. The NIMS Training Program
defines the minimum NIMS training referenced in the NIMS Implementation Objectives,2 which
present the NIMS implementation criteria for FEMA preparedness grants.

2
To find the NIMS Implementation Objectives, see https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting.

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C. National Approach to NIMS Implementation
The interconnectivity of NIMS components allows personnel in diverse geographic areas with
differing roles and responsibilities and operating within various functions of ICS or EOCs to
integrate their efforts using a common set of structures, terminologies, and processes. Since
incident management is decentralized, collaborative efforts across state, local, tribal, territorial,
Federal, nonprofit, and private sector organizations are important.
Training delivery is also decentralized, and effective training is crucial to ensure that all personnel
and organizations understand their incident responsibilities and are able to collaborate and respond.
The NIMS Implementation Objectives for Local, State, Tribal, and Territorial Jurisdictions3
document reflects the concepts and principles contained within NIMS. It provides goals for state,
local, tribal, and territorial governments to pursue to promote consistency nationwide. The
implementation objectives clarify the NIMS implementation requirements in FEMA preparedness
grant notices of funding opportunity (NOFO). Federal departments and agencies, which also play
an important role in effective NIMS implementation, can refer to the NIMS Implementation
Objectives and Metrics for Federal Departments and Agencies.
As recipients and subrecipients of Federal preparedness grants, jurisdictions and organizations
must achieve, or be actively working to achieve, all of the NIMS Implementation Objectives.
These objectives require AHJs to ensure that all incident personnel receive training pertinent to
their incident responsibilities, in alignment with the NIMS Training Program.
NIMS implementation does not affect any public assistance or other Federal funding that an
organization or community would receive in the wake of a disaster or other emergency. FEMA
provides grants to prepare state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and first responders—as
well as ports, transit systems, and nonprofit organizations—to protect against, prevent, respond to,
and recover from a variety of man-made and natural disasters. Preparedness grants allow these
entities to develop and maintain lifesaving capabilities in advance of a catastrophic event through
planning, purchasing equipment, providing training, conducting exercises, hiring personnel, and
supporting operational costs.

D. NIMS Training Responsibilities

Extensive coordination at all levels is necessary to provide consistent NIMS training on a national
scale. Because no single training or education provider can serve all needs across the nation, NIMS
training exists as a component of the National Training and Education System (NTES)—a network
of students, training providers, and higher education partners building a more secure and resilient
nation. This NIMS Training Program sets forth an NTES-consistent approach to NIMS training,
including outlining specific activities.
Developing, maintaining, and sustaining a training program that prepares all incident personnel to
understand their responsibilities and work together during incidents involves many players. Their
key roles and responsibilities are described below.

3
To find the NIMS Implementation Objectives, see https://www.fema.gov/implementation-guidance-and-reporting

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NIMS Training Program

FEMA
FEMA is responsible for the following:
• Managing and maintaining NIMS4;
• Defining the NIMS Implementation Objectives;
• Defining minimum NIMS training requirements for incident personnel, facilitating a
coordinated national response;
• Collaborating with stakeholders to lead the development and refinement of NIMS operational
tools and supporting guidance, including this training program;
• Issuing certificates of completion for individuals who complete FEMA-delivered courses; and
• Defining minimum qualification criteria, including minimum training for many deployable
positions that are included in the National Qualification System (NQS).

NQS promotes interoperability by establishing a common language for defining job titles, and by
enabling AHJs to plan for, request, and have confidence in the capabilities of incident personnel
deployed from other entities through mutual aid agreements and compacts.
Additionally, for organizations that opt to participate in NQS, FEMA maintains NQS-specific
guidance5, including the following resources:
• NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System – This document describes the
components of a qualification and certification system, defines a process for certifying the
qualifications of incident personnel, describes how to establish and implement a peer review
process, and introduces the process of credentialing personnel.
• NIMS Job Titles/Position Qualifications – These resource typing documents define the
minimum criteria that personnel serving in specific incident-related positions must meet before
deploying to an incident. These criteria not only define required capabilities, but also describe
specific education, training, experience, physical/medical fitness, currency, and professional
and technical licenses and certifications, when appropriate.
• NQS Position Task Books (PTB) – These documents identify the competencies, behaviors, and
tasks that personnel should use in a performance-based approach to qualify for a defined
position. PTBs pair with NIMS Job Titles/Position Qualifications to define the minimum
qualification criteria for NQS positions.
• EOC Skillsets – An EOC Skillset describes an EOC function in terms of discrete
responsibilities aligned with demonstrable tasks. Skillsets can either reflect a function in an
EOC (such as Planning) or a level of responsibility (such as Leadership). Leaders use EOC
Skillsets to construct EOC PTBs.

4
See 6 U.S.C. § 319(b)(1).
5
To find NQS supplemental guidance and tools, see https://www.fema.gov/national-qualification-system.

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• Emergency Operations Center Skillsets User Guide – This document explains what EOC
Skillsets are and how to use them to construct EOC PTBs, supporting the qualification and
certification of EOC personnel.
NQS directly supports FEMA’s strategic plan to build a national incident workforce. It also serves
as a tool to help AHJs meet the NIMS Implementation Objectives for incident workforce
development. FEMA recommends that AHJs develop or participate in a qualification, certification,
and credentialing program that aligns with NQS.

Authority Having Jurisdiction

An AHJ is an entity that 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. AHJs are responsible for the
following:
• Specifying NIMS training requirements beyond FEMA’s minimum standards, as appropriate;
• Establishing training and experience standards for instructors;
• Certifying instructors that meet the AHJ’s standards;
• Determining necessary refresher training for personnel;
• Issuing training certificates for non-FEMA courses;
• Determining equivalency of third-party training courses by validating that they meet or exceed
the FEMA-approved curriculum; and
• When implementing NQS: Referring to the NIMS Guideline for the NQS, NQS Job
Titles/Position Qualifications, and NQS PTBs.

Other Federal Departments and Agencies

Other Federal departments and agencies are responsible for all AHJ responsibilities, plus the
following:
• Ensuring NIMS implementation within their organization;
• Ensuring that recipients of Federal preparedness grants and contracts under their administration
are implementing NIMS, as outlined in the NIMS Implementation Objectives and Metrics for
Federal Departments and Agencies; and
• Identifying the Emergency Support Function (ESF) capabilities, roles, and tasks that enable
them to fulfill their authorities/responsibilities.

Implementing Organizations
State, local, tribal, territorial, Federal, and private sector stakeholders are responsible for the
following:

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NIMS Training Program

• Developing and maintaining an organizational training plan, in coordination with local

emergency management plans;
• Establishing guidance for additional training;
• Ensuring that personnel meet the minimum training standards;
• Identifying the appropriate personnel to receive NIMS training based on their level of incident
responsibility, in coordination with local emergency management plans;
• Communicating NIMS training requirements to personnel;
• Maintaining training records;
• Ensuring that courses delivered meet FEMA’s minimum standards;
• Encouraging partner organizations, including NGOs and private sector entities with roles in
incident management, to participate in NIMS training; and
• When implementing NQS: Developing a qualification and certification process consistent with
the NIMS Guideline for the NQS.

Instructors
Instructors are responsible for the following:
• Maintaining appropriate qualifications; and
• Incorporating revised training content into courses when updates are available.

Incident Personnel
Incident personnel are responsible for the following:
• Completing NIMS training according to their level of incident responsibility; and
• Providing training records/certificates to their organization.

E. Personnel Qualifications
NIMS uses a performance-based approach to guide responders’ professional development and
ensure that personnel deployed through mutual aid have the knowledge, experience, training, and
capability to fulfill their assigned roles. Qualifying, certifying, and credentialing are essential steps
that help prepare personnel to perform their assigned duties in a variety of environments.
Common personnel qualifications provide a consistent national baseline for certifying and
credentialing incident management, incident support, and emergency management personnel (see
Figure 1). FEMA publishes minimum training requirements for specific positions in documents
called Job Titles/Position Qualifications. The Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT)6 is a master
resource catalog that includes national resource typing definitions and Job Titles/Position
Qualifications for commonly shared and deployed resources across all core capabilities. This

6
To access the RTLT, visit https://www.fema.gov/resource-management-mutual-aid.

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catalog supports a common language for mobilizing resources before, during, and after major
incidents.
Resource users at all levels can use these definitions when identifying and inventorying their
resources for capability estimation, planning, and mobilization during mutual aid efforts. The
RTLT has the functionality of a web services Application Programming Interface (API), which
allows third-party systems to receive data from the master resource catalog to populate and update
a jurisdiction’s own resource catalog.

Figure 1: Qualification, Certification, and Credentialing of Incident Personnel

National Qualification System (NQS)

The NIMS Guideline for the NQS expands on NIMS by providing specific instructions for building a
qualification system that aligns personnel capabilities with national guidelines for minimum qualification
criteria. Implementing NQS helps ensure that personnel deploying through mutual aid agreements have the
knowledge, experience, training, and capability to perform the duties of their requested roles.
NQS also explains how jurisdictions can use PTBs and EOC Skillsets as performance-based tools for
personnel qualification.

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NIMS Training Program

III. NIMS Core Curriculum

A. Overview
NIMS training develops incident personnel capable of performing necessary functions in their AHJ
and assisting when mutual aid is necessary. Because incident personnel have diverse
responsibilities and different knowledge and skill requirements, the NIMS Training Program
provides customized training progressions for personnel in each of the four NIMS Command and
Coordination systems:
1. ICS – responsible for tactical activities on-scene
2. EOC – responsible for operational and strategic coordination, resource acquisition, and
information gathering, analysis, and sharing
3. Public Information Officers (PIO) operating within the Joint Information System (JIS) –
responsible for outreach and communication to the media and public
• JIS ICS PIOs
• JIS EOC PIOs
4. MAC Group – responsible for policy guidance and senior-level decision-making
These systems guide how personnel work together during incidents. Courses for these systems are
organized into Focus Areas. Focus Area training progressions include baseline training for all
personnel, multiple levels of supervisory training based on an individual’s level of incident
responsibility, and advanced training for individuals seeking advanced position qualifications. See
Figure 2.
An AHJ may determine that additional, advanced training is necessary to meet the requirements
for a qualification program (such as NQS), but FEMA does not require this additional training for
preparedness grant eligibility.
Each AHJ determines which personnel will take which courses. Organizational leaders should base
their determination on an individual’s level of incident responsibility and the organization’s
relevant emergency management plans. AHJs should coordinate their efforts with local and state
emergency management agencies.

Individual Level of Incident Responsibility

NIMS Training Program training guidelines are based on an individual’s level of incident responsibility rather
than on agency, rank, or discipline. This is because of variations in position responsibilities across different
organizations. An individual’s level of incident responsibility includes both the position within the incident
management structure and the incident’s complexity.

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Regardless of Focus Area, all NIMS training falls into three basic categories, which share many of
the same foundational courses7:
• All Incident Personnel: Associated courses provide the foundational knowledge to help
nonsupervisory incident personnel understand where they fit in the overall incident structure.
Many incident personnel never advance beyond these baseline courses.
• Incident Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: Associated courses provide additional
background on external incident management systems for mid-level incident personnel
responsible for establishing the initial incident command or for those preparing for a future
supervisory role.
• Incident Personnel Designated as Leaders/Supervisors: Courses provide enhanced
knowledge and increased comfort in using NIMS structures and processes, for senior level
incident personnel. Trainees are typically those designated as ICS or EOC leaders/supervisors
for large or complex incidents that extend beyond a single operational period and generate an
Incident Action Plan (IAP).

7
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) course codes:
IS = independent study online
G = EMI-developed course delivered by state, local, tribal, and territorial instructors
E = EMI resident course delivered at EMI’s campus
L = EMI resident course delivered offsite
K = EMI resident course delivered via Adobe Connect
V = EMI resident course delivered via video teleconference
NFA = National Fire Academy course

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NIMS Training Program

Personnel should complete all courses for their Focus Area and level. Advanced training is
available for all Focus Areas but is not necessary for FEMA preparedness grant eligibility. AHJs
may have additional requirements. See Appendix B for more information.

Figure 2: Preparedness Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Criteria

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B. ICS Training Progression
Personnel who will operate within ICS (field personnel) follow the ICS training progression. Each
AHJ determines how far individuals need to progress based on their role within ICS and the size
and complexity of the incident. See Figure 3 for details.

Figure 3: ICS Training Progression

All ICS Personnel: All incident personnel working within the ICS should complete the following
courses for foundational knowledge of incident response:
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 – This course introduces ICS
and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training.
• IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction – This course introduces
NIMS concepts and principles.
ICS Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: Supervisory personnel working within the ICS
should complete the following courses for additional background in incident management systems
with leadership responsibilities:
• IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction – This course introduces participants
to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework (NRF).
• IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 – This course enables
personnel to operate efficiently within the ICS during an incident or event.
ICS Personnel Designated as Leaders/Supervisors: Leaders who could be responsible in
complex incidents should complete this level of training. These courses apply higher-level
concepts, methods, and tools for larger, more complex incidents:

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NIMS Training Program

• G0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface – This course

provides an opportunity for emergency management and response personnel to begin
developing an ICS/EOC interface for their communities.
• E/L/G0300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents, ICS-300 – This
course provides training for personnel who require advanced ICS knowledge.
‒ FEMA recommends that students take the two-day classroom version of ICS-200 before
attending ICS-300 to ensure they have the foundational knowledge necessary to be
successful in ICS-300.
• E/L/G0400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff–Complex
Incidents, ICS-400 – This course provides training in managing large, complex incidents or
events.
‒ FEMA recommends that students not take ICS-400 immediately following ICS-300 but
instead wait to take ICS-400 after gaining additional ICS experience.
ICS Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for FEMA
preparedness grant eligibility. Students participating in these advanced courses will broaden their
understanding of emergency management concepts:
• E/L0950-0987 – See Appendix B for additional advanced training options.
• O-0305: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)/National Fire Academy (NFA) Type 3 All-Hazards
Incident Management Team (AHIMT) – Type 3 AHIMT training develops state, regional, and
tribal AHIMTs who can function under NIMS during a large or complex incident or major
event. This course is designed for those who are assigned to function in a Type 3 AHIMT
during a large/complex incident, typically one covering multiple operational periods.

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C. EOC Training Progression
Personnel who staff an EOC follow the EOC training progression. Each AHJ determines how far
individuals need to progress based on their role within the EOC and the size and complexity of
incidents they will support. See Figure 4 for details.

Figure 4: EOC Training Progression

All EOC Personnel: All incident personnel working within an EOC should complete the
following courses for foundational knowledge of incident response:
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 – This course introduces ICS
and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training.
• IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction – This course introduces
NIMS concepts and principles.
EOC Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: Supervisory personnel working within an
EOC should complete the following courses for additional background in incident management
systems with leadership responsibilities:
• IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction – This course introduces participants
to the concepts and principles of the NRF.
• IS-2200: Basic EOC Functions – This course prepares incident personnel working in an EOC
to understand the role and functions of an EOC during incident response and the transition to
recovery.
‒ FEMA recommends that personnel with leadership responsibilities in an EOC complete IS-
2200 instead of IS-200.
• G0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface – This course
provides an opportunity for emergency management and response personnel to begin
developing an ICS/EOC interface for their communities.

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NIMS Training Program

EOC Personnel Designated as Leaders/Supervisors: EOC leaders need enhanced knowledge.

This course applies higher-level concepts, methods, and tools for larger, more complex incidents:
• E/L/G2300: Intermediate EOC Functions – This course describes the role, design, and function
of EOCs as components of a Multiagency Coordination System (MACS).
EOC Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for FEMA
preparedness grant eligibility. Students participating in these advanced courses will broaden their
understanding of emergency management concepts:
• FEMA’s Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) – This program includes
three academies: Basic, Advanced, and Executive.
• Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) –
This is an exercise-based training series for EOC personnel.
• See Appendix B for more details.

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D. JIS/PIO Training Progression
The JIS integrates incident information and public affairs into a cohesive organization to provide
coordinated and complete information before, during, and after incidents. A JIS cuts across the
three levels of incident management (on-scene/tactical, center/coordination, and policy/strategic)
and helps ensure coordinated messaging among all incident personnel.
JIS/PIO personnel,8 whether assigned to work in an ICS or an EOC environment, should follow the
JIS/PIO Training Progression. Each AHJ determines how far individuals need to progress based on
their role within incident command, and the size and complexity of incidents they are preparing
for. See Figure 5 for details.

Figure 5: JIS/PIO Training Progression

All JIS/PIO Personnel: These courses provide baseline training for all incident JIS personnel.
Some personnel assigned to JIS roles but not assigned as a PIO may not progress beyond these
courses. For those who do, these courses provide the foundation upon which higher-level training
builds:
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 – This course introduces ICS
and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training.
• IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction – This course introduces
NIMS concepts and principles.

8
JIS/PIO personnel have a variety of titles, including PIO, External Affairs, Public Affairs, or an assigned ESF title.
The NIMS Training Program uses JIS/PIO to cover all titles of staff working in an ICS, EOC, Joint Information Center
(JIC), or MAC Group.

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NIMS Training Program

• IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness – This course provides introductory information
for JIS personnel.
JIS/PIO Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: These courses provide basic training for
JIS personnel with leadership responsibilities—not only individuals serving in designated
leadership positions, but also personnel preparing for a future supervisory role:
• IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction – This course introduces participants
to the concepts and principles of the NRF.
• IS-2200: Basic EOC Functions – This course prepares incident personnel working in an EOC
to understand the role and functions of an EOC during incident response and the transition to
recovery.
‒ FEMA recommends that EOC PIOs complete IS-2200 instead of IS-200.
• IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 – This course enables
personnel to operate efficiently within the ICS during an incident or event.
‒ FEMA recommends that ICS PIOs complete IS-200 instead of IS-2200.
• G0290: Basic Public Information Officer – This course prepares participants to function as
PIOs.
JIS/PIO Personnel Designated as Leaders/Supervisors: These courses, designed for JIS leaders
and supervisors—such as EOC PIOs or PIOs rostered on an Incident Management Team (IMT)—
apply higher-level concepts, methods, and tools for larger, more complex incidents:
• G0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface – This course
provides an opportunity for emergency management and response personnel to begin
developing an ICS/EOC interface for their communities.
• E/L/G2300: Intermediate EOC Functions – This course describes the role, design, and function
of EOCs as components of a MACS.
‒ FEMA recommends that EOC PIOs complete E/L/G2300 instead of E/L/G0300.
• E/L/G0300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, ICS-300 – This course provides
training for personnel who require advanced ICS knowledge.
‒ FEMA recommends that ICS PIOs complete E/L/G0300 instead of E/L/G2300.
‒ FEMA recommends that students take the two-day classroom version of ICS-200 before
attending ICS-300 to ensure they have the foundational knowledge necessary to be
successful in ICS-300.

18
• E/L/G0400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff–Complex
Incidents, ICS-400 – This course provides training in managing large, complex incidents or
events.
‒ FEMA recommends that students not take ICS-400 immediately following ICS-300 but
instead wait to take ICS-400 after gaining additional ICS experience.
JIS/PIO Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for FEMA
preparedness grant eligibility. Students participating in these advanced courses will gain exposure
to and understanding of broader emergency management concepts:
• E0388: Advanced Public Information Officer – This course focuses on PIO responsibilities in
large-scale emergency situations, especially escalating incidents, and includes incident action
planning related to the JIC.
• EMI IEMC – This is an exercise-based training series for EOC personnel.
• E/L0952: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer – This course focuses on
developing a strong set of core PIO skills.
• O-0305: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)/National Fire Academy (NFA) Type 3 All-Hazards
Incident Management Team (AHIMT) – Type 3 AHIMT training develops state, regional, and
tribal AHIMTs who can function under NIMS during a large or complex incident or major
event. This course is designed for those who are assigned to function in a Type 3 AHIMT
during a large/complex incident, typically one covering multiple operational periods.
• See Appendix B for additional advanced training options for JIS/PIO leaders and supervisors.

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NIMS Training Program

E. MAC Group Training Progression

MAC Groups, sometimes called Policy Groups, typically consist of agency administrators or
organizational executives or their designees.
Executives and senior officials, whether elected or appointed, must have a clear understanding of
their roles and responsibilities for successful emergency management and incident response. To
that end, it is vital that they receive NIMS training.
Figure 6 details the training progression for individuals in a MAC Group.

Figure 6: MAC Group Training Progression

All MAC Group Personnel: One course provides baseline training for senior officials. In
addition, MAC Group personnel need a briefing from the emergency management director:
• G0402/ICS-402: ICS Overview for Senior Officials (Executives, Elected, and Appointed) –
This course provides an orientation to NIMS components for senior officials.
• Briefing from the emergency management director – MAC Group members should meet with
their emergency management director to understand the jurisdiction’s threats and hazards, as
well as their role in emergency response.

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MAC Group Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for
FEMA preparedness grant eligibility. Students participating in these advanced courses will
broaden their understanding of emergency management concepts:
• G0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface – This course
provides an opportunity for emergency management and response personnel to begin
developing an ICS/EOC interface for their communities.
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 – This course introduces ICS
and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training.
• IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction – This course introduces
NIMS concepts and principles.
• EMI IEMC – This is an exercise-based training series for EOC personnel.
• See Appendix B for additional advanced training options.

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NIMS Training Program

IV. Organizational Training Program

Development
A. Developing an Organizational Training Plan
An organizational training plan identifies training requirements to support the development and
maintenance of capabilities for all of the organization’s personnel. Within FEMA, this plan is a
roadmap for building the capabilities necessary to meet the community’s identified risks. It is
important that organizations design their training plan around specific organizational requirements
as well as NIMS training recommendations. Organizational leaders should also note the following:
• Their personnel might fall under multiple training programs, at state, local, tribal, territorial
and organizational levels;
• They should contact their AHJ for additional training requirements; and
• If they follow the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) approach,
they could combine the development of their organizational training plan with their HSEEP
planning and produce an integrated multiyear Training and Exercise Plan (TEP).

B. Training Recommendations
FEMA sets forth baseline training recommendations in this NIMS Training Program and in the
NQS Job Titles/Position Qualifications. When developing their training plan, organizations should
consider additional requirements, including:
• Discipline-specific licensure, certification, and accreditation requirements;
• Compliance with federal preparedness grant and contract funding requirements;
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations;
• Other state, local, tribal, territorial, or Federal regulations, standards, and guidance; and
• Consensus codes and standards from professional associations.

C. Defining Organizational Training Priorities

A training plan should reflect the organization’s mission, leadership priorities, threats, hazards, and
equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Other things that influence
organizational training priorities include organizational structure and matters such as legal,
cultural, budgetary, political, and geographic factors, personnel capacity, operational plans, and
exercise requirements.

22
D. Organizational Training Plan Design Considerations
Organizations should design their training plan around both NIMS training recommendations and
specific organizational requirements. An organizational training plan defines the capabilities that
the organization will develop and maintain. The plan should identify specific positions and
personnel necessary for fulfilling these defined capabilities.
Some incident positions have defined training needs. Tools like NQS Job Titles/Position
Qualifications, NQS PTBs, the RTLT, and EOC Skillsets are potential resources for determining
recommended training.
Organizational training plans should detail training requirements, how individuals will obtain
training, and how the organization will track completions. The tracking process will also help the
organization assess risk associated with untrained incident personnel.
The training plan should define how personnel will maintain their skills to stay current with core
concepts and emerging practices in the field. This may include periodic retraining, continuing
education, or other training as determined by the AHJ.
The training plan should follow a multiyear approach. Resource constraints will likely make it
difficult to achieve all capability targets simultaneously. As outlined in HSEEP doctrine, exercises
provide opportunities to assess and validate capabilities and identify areas that need improvement.
The training plan should harmonize with plans from all stakeholder organizations associated with
incident personnel.
The organization’s training plan should focus on defining training priorities, necessary capabilities,
and position training recommendations. Subordinate organizations (such as a department within a
local government or an office within an agency) can then carry out tasks such as identifying
individual training needs, prioritizing training activities, and scheduling personnel for courses.
AHJs employing this approach should still develop a centralized method for managing their NIMS
training plan, including monitoring supporting activities and outcomes.

Not All Training Requires Formal Classroom Instruction

Formal education/training is not always the best way to obtain and maintain competencies and
behaviors. On-the-job training and hands-on practical experience can enhance, and sometimes
replace, formal classroom instruction. Organizations may consider using planned events (such as
sporting events, fairs, and so on) or exercise-based training as a means to train personnel in NIMS
principles. Organizations should consider not only what training is necessary but also what method
will best meet the training need.

Components of a Training Plan

An organization’s training plan may contain a variety of components. Regardless of the model it
follows, a training plan should inform the end user and stakeholders of the following:
• Audience for the training program;
• Training requirements by incident position;

23
NIMS Training Program

• Any directives, rules, statutes, or policies that drive training requirements;

• Training priorities and how the organization sets or maintains them;
• Frequency of plan changes or reviews;
• How the organization tracks training completion;
• Timelines for refresher trainings; and
• How new employees receive training.

Additional topics that organizations could add to their training plans include the following:
• Primary threats and hazards for the community;
• Necessary capabilities and resources, including people, money, and time;
• Identified capability gaps9;
• Timeline for the plan and the cycle to revise the plan;
• Course schedules and training providers;
• Methods and requirements for requesting, scheduling, and hosting training; and
• Constraints that impact the plan;
• Inclusion of the organization’s training plan as a component of their multiyear TEP developed
during the Training and Exercise Program Workshop (TEPW); and
• Method of assessing the training plan’s execution and achievements10 (for example, after-
action reports, improvement plans, or lessons learned from exercises and incident response).
Organizations could obtain additional assistance on developing a training plan from their local or
state emergency management agency or through FEMA’s regional offices.11

9
A gap is a required capability that the jurisdiction does not have. Organizations can address gaps through internal
development (planning, organizational changes, equipment, training, or exercises) or through external sourcing.
10
A continuous improvement program designed to show training strengths and weaknesses can help jurisdictions and
organizations prioritize training gaps, improve the quality of training delivery, and provide feedback to FEMA for
NIMS training improvements.
11
The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) maintains a list of state, territory, and tribal training coordinators at
https://cdp.dhs.gov/contact/saa. To see a list of FEMA Regional NIMS Coordinators, visit
https://www.fema.gov/fema-regional-nims-contacts.

24
E. Instructor Qualifications
General ICS Instructor Guidelines
FEMA is responsible for maintaining national guidelines for incident management training at all
jurisdictional levels, including guidelines for ICS instructors.
FEMA recommends that all ICS instructors complete E/L0449: Incident Command System
Curricula Train-the-Trainer (TTT) or a similar course in preparation to deliver the curriculum.
EMI requires that all ICS All-Hazards Position-Specific Training Program instructors complete
TTT for the courses they are slated to teach.
For additional course information, see the National Preparedness Course Catalog.12

Instructor Training13
AHJs have final say in determining their instructors’ qualifications and certifications. FEMA
recommends that instructors hold certification from a recognized program of instruction or hold a
recognized qualification in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies.
FEMA recommends as a best practice that instructors retake the prerequisite and primary courses
that their organization has authorized them to instruct whenever new versions of these courses are
released. Instructors do not need to retake select FEMA courses, such as TTT courses.
Examples of instructor qualifications and courses include the following:
• National Fire Academy (NFA) educational methodology course;
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Facilitative Instructor Course (M-410);
• Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) Instructor Training Course;
• State certified fire, rescue, law enforcement, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) instructor
courses;
• FEMA EMI E/L0141: Instructional Presentation and Evaluation Skills;
• U.S. Army’s Small Group Instructor Training Course (SGITC);
• Army Basic Instructor Course (ABIC), formerly called the Total Army Instructor Training
Course (TAITC);
• State teaching certificate; or
• Advanced degree in education, educational psychology, technical education, or a related
program.

12
To find the National Preparedness Course Catalog, see https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npcc.
13
To find the NIMS ICS Instructor Qualifications, including general instructor training, instructor levels, operational
and training experience, and course-specific qualifications, see https://training.fema.gov/nims/docs/nims ics instructor
qualifications.pdf. Instructor requirements for FEMA contracted instructors are available here:
https://training.fema.gov/instructors/csr.aspx.

25
NIMS Training Program

Operational and Training Experience

Instructors should be experienced incident managers with expertise in the subject matter they
teach. AHJs set organizational requirements for incident experience. For example, an AHJ could
require that all instructors have experience within the past five years in real-world incidents or in
exercises that lasted at least one operational period and that involved an IAP.

F. NIMS Training Course Equivalency

FEMA’s NIMS course curriculum provides a baseline standard to ensure consistency in training.
Many of these FEMA-delivered courses have prerequisites, which are outlined in the National
Preparedness Course Catalog.14
AHJs hosting non-FEMA NIMS courses are responsible for issuing course completion certificates.
FEMA does not evaluate training from other sources to determine equivalency or similarity to
standard NIMS training. AHJs should determine whether these training opportunities meet NIMS
curriculum standards; an AHJ may accept or reject a course as equivalent to a FEMA course.
Factors an AHJ should consider in determining whether a course or training event meets FEMA
standards include the following:
• Do the training requirements align with the appropriate PTB?
• Do the course objectives match?
• Is the time allocated to objectives similar to that of a FEMA course?
• Are the instructor qualifications similar to those outlined in the NIMS Training Program?
• Is there a valid post-course assessment to determine whether students achieved desired
outcomes?
FEMA encourages stakeholders to share training resources for NIMS implementation across the
community.
Training developers providing courses to meet NIMS training recommendations should ensure that
curriculum and delivery meet or exceed the NIMS curriculum’s baseline standard.

G. Refresher Training Recommendations

Refresher training is important since skills, abilities, and knowledge lapse when individuals do not
apply them directly and frequently. Due to changes in doctrine and policy, FEMA reviews and
updates courses regularly, creating new course versions. FEMA recommends as a best practice that
incident personnel refresh their NIMS training every three years or when new course versions
come out. However, because resources may be limited, the AHJ, not FEMA, dictates any
requirements for refresher training.

14
To find the National Preparedness Course Catalog, see https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npcc.

26
Appendix A. Resources
Doctrine, Guidance, and Resources
• National Incident Management System (NIMS): NIMS defines the national terminology for
qualifying, certifying, and credentialing incident personnel. It also defines the operational
systems that guide the NIMS Training Program Focus Areas. At the NIMS webpage, users can
find links to NIMS documents and information on training, implementation, updates, and the
FEMA Regional NIMS Coordinators. https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-
system
• NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System: This guide describes the
components of a qualification and certification system, defines a process for certifying the
qualifications of incident personnel, describes how to establish and implement a peer review
process, and introduces the process of credentialing personnel. https://www.fema.gov/national-
qualification-system
• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): This program provides a
set of guiding principles for exercise programs, as well as a common approach to exercise
program management, design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.
https://www.fema.gov/hseep
• State, Territory, and Tribal Training Coordinators: States, territories, and tribal
jurisdictions appoint training officers to provide guidance and assistance related to training.
https://cdp.dhs.gov/contact/saa
• ICS Resource Center: EMI’s ICS Resource Center provides information and links to an
extensive array of ICS training materials, job aids, position checklists, and forms.
https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/icsresource/index.htm

Training Consortium Resources

FEMA supports many national-level NIMS training providers, including the following:
• Emergency Management Institute (EMI): EMI supports the Department of Homeland
Security and FEMA’s goals by improving the ability of U.S. emergency management officials
at all levels of government to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and
mitigate the potential effects of all types of disasters and emergencies.
https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx
• Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP): The CDP develops and delivers training for
emergency response providers from state, local, tribal, and territorial, and Federal
governments. The CDP offers more than 50 training courses at its resident campus in Anniston,
Alabama. Training at the CDP campus is federally funded at no cost to emergency response
professionals from multiple emergency disciplines. In addition to on-campus training, the CDP

27
NIMS Training Program

provides critical, advanced hands-on training in local jurisdictions across the country.
https://cdp.dhs.gov
• U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Academy (NFA): The USFA and
its NFA work to build a culture of preparedness and ready the nation’s fire and EMS personnel
to respond to and recover from emergency incidents. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa
• National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC): The NDPC is a Homeland
Security/FEMA training partner providing quality training to emergency responders throughout
the United States and its territories under the Homeland Security National Training Program
(HSNTP) cooperative agreement. https://www.ndpc.us
In addition to these Federal training centers, state, local, tribal, and territorial providers deliver
many FEMA NIMS courses under the oversight of State Training Officers (STO), Territory
Training Officers, or Tribal Training Coordinators. Training officers are another resource for
learning about upcoming training opportunities. Numerous vendors also provide NIMS-related
training.

Training Plan Development Resources

An organization’s training plan development team should derive training requirements from the
capabilities that the AHJ determines are necessary to prepare for identified threats and hazards. In
addition to the NIMS Training Program, several tools can serve as resources:
• FEMA’s National Training and Education Division (NTED) Training Resource and
Development Center (TRDC): The TRDC includes the processes, resources, and forms
necessary to develop a course. NTED’s course development and review process includes five
phases: Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE). These phases align
with the ADDIE instructional systems design model.
https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/trdc/state/
• FEMA Training Catalog: More than 700 courses covering many topics related to the 32 core
capabilities are included in a searchable website.
https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frt/npcc
• Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder
Preparedness Review (SPR): THIRA and SPR are FEMA-developed methods that AHJs can
use to define the threats and hazards the community or organization anticipates and the
capabilities it must have. THIRA and SPR are interdependent processes that jurisdictions use
to evaluate their preparedness. https://www.fema.gov/threat-and-hazard-identification-and-
risk-assessment
• Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT): The RTLT is an online catalog of NIMS resource
typing definitions and Job Titles/Position Qualifications documents. The RTLT provides
common resource definitions classified by capability, category, kind, and type. A jurisdiction
can use the RTLT to identify required capabilities using common, defined resources. For
personnel, the Job Titles/Position Qualifications can help identify potential training needs.
https://rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov/Public

28
• NIMS Guideline for the Credentialing of Personnel: This guide describes the national
credentialing standards and provides written guidance on how all levels of government can use
those standards to facilitate multijurisdictional coordinated responses.
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims_cred_guidelines_report.pdf
• NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position-Specific Training Program Website: Maintained by EMI,
this site provides training information for personnel responsible for managing incidents. This
training enables participants to perform the responsibilities of specific ICS positions.
https://training.fema.gov/allhazards/
• NWCG NIMS Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1: This comprehensive
guide describes the minimum requirements for training, experience, physical fitness, and
currency standards for personnel in wildland fire positions. It also documents the system that
NWCG member organizations use to qualify personnel for these positions.
https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/310-1
• National Qualification System (NQS): Many RTLT job titles correlate to an NQS ICS PTB
or EOC Skillset. These include specific baseline NIMS training needs for each position.
https://www.fema.gov/national-qualification-system

Example of How an Organization Can Use These Tools to Develop a Training Plan
A jurisdiction conducts its THIRA and identifies a potential for an earthquake. Using SPR, the AHJ
determines it has a capability gap in incident management. To address this gap, the AHJ decides to
develop a Type 3 IMT within the jurisdiction. The positions necessary for a Type 3 IMT are listed on the
RTLT. NQS PTBs for each position contain the baseline training required. The training required to develop
the Type 3 IMT becomes part of the organizational training plan.
By using THIRA to identify risk, SPR to identify required capabilities, and common RTLT resource types
and NQS PTBs, an organization can determine the baseline training required and the number of personnel
to receive training.

29
NIMS Training Program

Appendix B. Additional Advanced

Training
This appendix lists courses not included in the NIMS Core Curriculum that incident personnel can
take to pursue advanced position qualifications.

Additional Advanced Training for ICS

All-Hazards Position-Specific Courses: These 18 courses provide training in the capabilities,
behaviors, and tasks required to effectively perform in a specific leadership position on a Type 3
All-Hazards IMT. These courses are designed to support the completion of key position tasks for
an NQS PTB:
‒ E/L0950 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Incident Commander Course
‒ E/L0952 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer Course
‒ E/L0954 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Safety Officer Course
‒ E/L0956 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Liaison Officer Course
‒ E/L0958 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Operations Section Chief Course
‒ E/L0960 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Division/Group Supervisor Course
‒ E/L0962 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Planning Section Chief Course
‒ E/L0964 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Situation Unit Leader Course
‒ E/L0965 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Resources Unit Leader Course
‒ E/L0967 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Logistics Section Chief Course
‒ E/L0969 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader Course
‒ E/L0970 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Supply Unit Leader Course
‒ E/L0971 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Facilities Unit Leader Course
‒ E/L0973 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Finance/Administration Section Chief Course
‒ E/L0975 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Finance/Administration Unit Leader Course
‒ E/L0984 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Task Force/Strike Team Leader Course
‒ E/L0986 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Air Support Group Supervisor Course
‒ E/L0987 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Introduction to Air Operations Course

30
Group Training for ICS Leaders and Supervisors: In addition to individual training, IMT
training is available through the USFA’s NFA. The Type 3 AHIMT course (O-0305) enables IMT
members to work together in an exercise-based group training context. This course is designed to
help individual responders perform effectively as IMT members.

Additional Advanced Training for EOC

FEMA’s Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP): The EMPP provides a
structured framework for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter and progress
through the emergency management field and meet the challenges of a complex, dynamic
environment. The EMPP curriculum is designed to provide a lifetime of learning for a career in
emergency management. It includes three academies: Basic, Advanced, and Executive.
Group Training for EOC Leaders and Supervisors: In addition to individual training, EOC
team training is available through EMI’s IEMC. This exercise-based training allows EOC
personnel to practice simulated crisis situations within a structured learning environment. The
organization selects the hazards and core capabilities to simulate.

Additional Advanced Training for JIS/PIO

Advanced Training for PIO Leaders and Supervisors: These PIO-specific courses cover ICS
organizational structures for large, complex incidents and the position-specific knowledge and
skills necessary for members of Type 3 All-Hazards IMTs. These advanced courses are for JIS
leaders in organizations that have identified a need for additional, advanced PIO training:
• E0388: Advanced Public Information Officer – This course focuses on PIO responsibilities in
large-scale emergency situations, especially escalating incidents, and includes incident action
planning related to the JIC.
• E0389: Master Public Information Officer, Part 1 – This course demonstrates how to use
networking to influence programs, applies strategic and executive concepts to a public
information study case, and promotes public information training and exercises in the
organization by developing a specific TEP.
• E0390: Master Public Information Officer, Part 2 – This course performs organizational
analysis of a JIC functional exercise and discusses techniques for analyzing interpersonal
relationships within a JIC.
• E0394: Master Public Information Officer, Part 3 – This course reviews multiple JIC
functional exercise reports, discusses how strategic PIO leaders coordinate stakeholders’
actions to achieve a common purpose, and asks students to develop, design, and implement a
research project.
• E/L0952: NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer – This course focuses on
developing a strong set of core PIO skills.
Group Training for JIS Leaders and Supervisors: In addition to individual training, IMT
training is available through the USFA. The O-0305 course provides opportunities for IMT
members to work together in an exercise-based group training context.

31
NIMS Training Program

Additional Advanced NIMS Training for MAC Groups

Advanced Training for Senior Officials: Additional training is available for senior officials or
MAC Group/Policy Group members who wish to pursue advanced training based on jurisdictional
risk or specific interests:
• G0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface – This course
provides an opportunity for emergency management and response personnel to begin
developing an ICS/EOC interface for their communities.
• IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100 – This course introduces ICS
and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training.
• IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction – This course introduces
NIMS concepts and principles.
• IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction – This course introduces participants
to the concepts and principles of the NRF.
• IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 – This course enables
personnel to operate efficiently within the ICS during an incident or event.
• IS-2200: Basic EOC Functions – This course prepares incident personnel working in an EOC
to understand the role and functions of an EOC during incident response and the transition to
recovery.
• EMI IEMC – This is an exercise-based training series for EOC personnel.

Tribal Curriculum
The EMI Tribal Curriculum is a series of courses designed in collaboration with tribal people, for
tribal governments, to meet the unique emergency management needs of these sovereign nations.
These courses consider issues including tribal culture, tradition, sovereignty, and governance.
These courses are in addition to the Focus Area training progressions. There are currently five
courses in the EMI Tribal Curriculum:
• E/L0580: Emergency Management Framework for Tribal Governments – This course provides
tribal incident responders with a basic understanding of emergency management principles and
of their role in leading their tribes in developing and implementing emergency management
systems.
• E/L0581: Emergency Operations for Tribal Governments – This course focuses on developing
standard operating procedures, testing operational readiness, and promoting the integration of
emergency operations across functional agency lines.
• E/L0582: Mitigation for Tribal Governments – This course provides information on reducing
potential losses from natural or other hazards using mitigation opportunities and techniques.

32
• L0583: Emergency Management Overview for Tribal Leaders – This course provides elected
and appointed tribal offices with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare their
communities to respond to and recover from incidents.
• L0552: Continuity of Operations (COOP) for Tribal Governments – This course covers the
development and implementation of a COOP program. Topics include the legal basis for
continuity, continuity planning, determining essential functions, vital records management, and
pandemic influenza implications for continuity operations.
Visit https://training.fema.gov/tribal/ for additional information.

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NIMS Training Program

Appendix C. Summary of Training Recommendations

The matrices provided here outline recommended levels of training for incident personnel by Focus Area. Each AHJ
determines required courses based on its needs.

ICS Focus Area

ICS personnel may also take EOC courses, based on AHJ plans, risk, or specific areas of interest.

Courses  IS- IS- IS- IS- G E/L/G E/L/G Position-specific

Incident Positions  100 700 800 200 0191 0300 0400 PTB training

All incident personnel supporting ICS X X

ICS personnel with leadership responsibilities X X X X

ICS personnel with leadership responsibilities preparing

X X X X X X
for additional responsibility

ICS personnel in leadership/supervisory roles X X X X X X X

IMT unit, strike team, resource team, or task force

X X X X X X X
leaders preparing for complex incidents

IMT command, section, branch, division, or group leaders

X X X X X X X X
preparing for complex incidents

34
EOC Focus Area
EOC personnel may also take ICS courses, based on AHJ risk or specific areas of interest.

Emergency
EMI Integrated
Management
Courses  Emergency
Professional
IS- IS- G Management
Incident Positions  IS-100 IS-2200 E/L/G2300 Program
700 800 0191 Course
(EMPP)

All incident personnel supporting EOCs X X

EOC personnel with leadership

X X X X X
responsibilities

EOC personnel in
X X X X X X
leadership/supervisory roles

Jurisdictional emergency managers,

X X X X X X X X
EOC directors, senior EOC staff

35
NIMS Training Program

PIO Focus Area

Advanced and master PIO courses are available for ICS and EOC PIOs.

Courses  E/L/
IS- IS- IS- IS- IS- IS- G G E/L/G E/L/G E EMI E/L O-
Incident G
100 700 29 800 2200 200 0290 0191 0300 2300 0388 IEMC 0952 0305
Positions  0400

All PIO incident X X X

personnel

EOC PIOs with

leadership X X X X X X
responsibilities

ICS PIOs with

leadership X X X X X X
responsibilities

EOC PIOs in
leadership/ X X X X X X X X
supervisory roles

ICS PIOs in
leadership/ X X X X X X X X X
supervisory roles

EOC PIOs for

complex X X X X X X X X X X
incidents

ICS PIOs for

complex X X X X X X X X X X X
incidents

36
MAC Group Focus Area
Advanced courses are available for MAC Group leaders seeking additional, advanced training.

Briefing from
Courses  emergency G0402/ICS- IS- IS- IS- IS-200 or EMI
G0191
Incident Positions  management 403 100 700 800 IS-2200 IEMC
director

MAC Group/Policy Group members/senior

X X
officials

MAC Group/Policy Group members/senior

officials that want additional training based on X X X X X X X X
jurisdictional risk or specific interest

37
NIMS Training Program

Appendix D. Glossary
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): An entity that 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.
Certification: The process of authoritatively attesting that a person meets FEMA’s established
qualifications for key incident management functions and that the person is, therefore, qualified
for a specific position.
Competency: An element of a PTB that describes an observable, measurable pattern of
knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics necessary to perform a behavior/activity and
its associated tasks. A competency specifies what skill set a person must have to complete a task
successfully.
Criteria: A category within the Job Titles/Position Qualifications that lists the minimum
conditions/standards a trainee must meet for qualification.
Credentialing: The process of providing documentation that identifies personnel and
authenticates/verifies their qualifications for a particular position.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC): A facility, temporary or permanent, that a jurisdiction
or organization establishes from which to provide centralized and coordinated multiagency
support for on-scene incident management.
Equivalency: Alternate education, training, or experience that meets the requirements for
specific position qualification criteria, as the AHJ determines.
Incident/event complexity: The level of difficulty, severity, or overall resistance that incident
management personnel face while trying to manage an incident or event to a successful
conclusion, or while managing one type of incident or event compared to another type.
National Qualification System (NQS): A system that establishes resource management
guidance and tools to assist stakeholders in developing processes for qualifying, certifying, and
credentialing deployable emergency personnel. Using NQS ensures personnel deploying through
mutual aid agreements and compacts have the capabilities to perform the duties of their assigned
roles.
Position qualifications: The minimum criteria for individuals to be eligible to fill a specific
position.
Position Task Book (PTB): A document that describes the minimum competencies, behaviors,
and tasks necessary to qualify or recertify for a NIMS position. The PTB documents a trainee’s
performance of specified tasks.

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Recertification: A process in which the AHJ determines what training, tasks, or experience an
individual must perform or possess in order to requalify for a specific NIMS or AHJ-endorsed
position.
Qualifying incident/event: An incident or event that the AHJ determines meets the complexity,
time duration, and relevancy criteria for a position, representing sufficient opportunity for
individuals to exercise the roles and responsibilities of the positions they are preparing to fill.
Type: A measurement assigned to a resource or an incident, based on the minimum capabilities
necessary to perform the response function. The capability level is based on size, power, capacity
(for equipment), and experience/qualifications (for example, for strike teams). Type 1 requires
greater capabilities than Types 2, 3, 4, and so on.

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NIMS Training Program

Appendix E. Abbreviations
ABIC Army Basic Instructor Course
ADDIE Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate
AHIMT All-Hazards Incident Management Team
AHJ Authority Having Jurisdiction
API Application Programming Interface
CDP Center for Domestic Preparedness
COOP Continuity of Operations
EMI Emergency Management Institute
EMPP Emergency Management Professional Program
EMS Emergency Medical Services
EOC Emergency Operations Center
ESF Emergency Support Function
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
HSEEP Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
HSNTP Homeland Security National Training Program
HSPD Homeland Security Presidential Directive
IAP Incident Action Plan
ICS Incident Command System
IEMC Integrated Emergency Management Course
IMT Incident Management Team
JIC Joint Information Center
JIS Joint Information System
MAC Group Multiagency Coordination Group
NDPC National Domestic Preparedness Consortium
NFA National Fire Academy

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NGO Nongovernmental Organization
NIMS National Incident Management System
NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity
NQS National Qualification System
NRF National Response Framework
NTED National Training and Education Division
NTES National Training and Education System
NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PIO Public Information Officer
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PTB Position Task Book
RTLT Resource Typing Library Tool
SGITC Small Group Instructor Training Course
SPR Stakeholder Preparedness Review
STO State Training Officer
TEP Training and Exercise Plan
TEPW Training and Exercise Program Workshop
THIRA Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment
TTT Train-the-Trainer
TRDC Training Resource and Development Center
USFA U.S. Fire Administration

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