The following are the requirements for the Incident Command System certification. Requirements may change at any time depending on directives from State and Federal agencies. If you have any questions, please contact Layne Stewart for clarification
Overview
Incident Command Training develops incident personnel capable of performing necessary functions in their jurisdiction 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:
- ICS – responsible for tactical activities on-scene
- EOC – responsible for operational and strategic coordination, resource acquisition, and information gathering, analysis, and sharing
- Public Information Officers (PIO) operating within the Joint Information System (JIS) – responsible for outreach and communication to the media and public.
- 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.
An jurisdiction may determine that additional, advanced training is necessary to meet the requirements for a qualification program, but FEMA does not require this additional training for preparedness grant eligibility.
Each jurisdiction 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. Jurisdictions should coordinate their efforts with local and state emergency management agencies.
Regardless of Focus Area, all NIMS training falls into three basic categories, which share many of the same foundational courses:
- All Incident Personnel: Associated courses provide the foundational knowledge to help non-supervisory incident personnel understand where they fit in the overall incident structure. Many incident personnel never advance beyond these baseline
- 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
- 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).
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.
Responding Personnel Training Progression
Personnel who will operate within ICS (field personnel) follow the ICS training progression. Each jurisdiction determines how far individuals need to progress based on their role within ICS and the size and complexity of the incident.
All Responding 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
- IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
Responding Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: Supervisory personnel working within the responding agencies should complete the following courses in addition to IS-100 and IS-700.
- IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
- IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
Responding Personnel Designated as Leaders/Supervisors: Leaders who could be responsible in complex incidents should complete this level of training in addition to IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800.
- G-0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface
- G-0300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
- G-0400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff
Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for FEMA preparedness grant eligibility. If interested in taking additional classes, contact your supervisor for recommendations.
EOC Personnel Training Progression
Personnel who staff an EOC will follow the EOC training progression. Each jurisdiction determines how far individuals need to progress based on their role within the EOC and the size and complexity of incidents they will support.
All EOC Personnel: All incident personnel working within the EOC should complete the following courses for foundational knowledge of incident response:
- IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-700: National Incident Management System
EOC Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: Supervisory personnel working within the EOC should complete the following courses in addition to IS-100 and IS-700.
- IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
- IS-2200: Basic EOC Functions
- G-0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface
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. This course is in addition to IS-100, IS-700, IS-800, IS-2200 and G-0191.
- G-2300: Intermediate EOC Functions
EOC Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for FEMA preparedness grant eligibility.
- FEMA’s Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP)
JIS / PIO Training Progression
The Joint Information System 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, whether assigned to work in an responder or an EOC environment, should follow the JIS/PIO Training Progression. Each jurisdiction 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.
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.
- IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
- IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness
JIS/PIO Personnel with Leadership Responsibilities: These courses provide basic training for JIS personnel with leadership responsibilities. These course are in addition to IS-100, IS-700 and IS-29.
- IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
- IS-2200: Basic EOC Functions
- IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- G-0290: Basic Public Information Officer
JIS/PIO Personnel Designated as Leaders/Supervisors: These courses, designed for JIS leaders and supervisors. These courses are in addition to IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, IS-29, IS-2200 and G-0290.
- G-0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface
- G-2300: Intermediate EOC Functions
- G-0300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
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.
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:
- G-0402/ICS-402: ICS Overview for Senior Officials (Executives, Elected, and Appointed)
- Briefing from the Emergency Manager
MAC Group Advanced Training: This training is above and beyond what is necessary for FEMA preparedness grant eligibility.
- G-0191: Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface
- IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction