NIMS Training Alert 09-07
NIMS Alert: 09-07-NIMS ICS-300 and ICS-400 Training Requirements
The NIMS Integration Center “encourages” the completion of ICS-300 &
ICS-400 training in FY07 however the failure to complete the training
this year does not mean an agency, jurisdiction, or State is
non-compliant! Read on:
The completion of ICS-300 and ICS-400 training is a National Incident
Management System (NIMS) implementation activity for FY2007 for middle
management and command and general staff.
The NIMS Integration Center (NIC) published the FY2007 NIMS
Implementation Matrix and Compliance Metrics on October 24, 2006. The
ICS-300 and ICS-400 requirement is referenced in the following document
which can be accessed on the NIMS website at
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims
* FY07 NIMS Implementation Matrix for States and Territories (Page
12)
* FY07 NIMS Compliance Metrics State and Territorial (Page 23)
* FY07 NIMS Implementation Matrix for Tribal and Local
Jurisdictions (Page 11)
* FY07 NIMS Compliance Metrics for Tribal and Local (Page 15)
In FY07, the self certification approach to NIMS implementation is
transitioning to performance-based metrics. Tier 1 metrics are deemed
critical to measuring FY07 NIMS implementation and will require answers
in the affirmative by States, territories, tribes, and local
jurisdictions. The completion of ICS-300 and ICS-400 training is not a
Tier 1 NIMS requirement in FY07, but agencies should start their
planning and delivery of these activities as soon as possible. The NIC
is urging all States, territories, tribes, and local jurisdictions to
start ICS-300 and ICS-400 training in FY07. The NIC, as outlined in
the metrics, will collect data on this requirement at the end of FY07
and based on the data will determine if it is to become a Tier 1
requirement in FY08.
ICS-300 and ICS-400 training will continue to be an essential NIMS
training requirement in future years. During the conduct of this
training, students move away from awareness training (IS-700, IS-800,
ICS-100, and ICS-200) to practical application of ICS (i.e. development
of an incident action plan, establishing a command structure based on a
scenario, etc.). The next step in the training process will be for
students to develop core competencies by completing ICS position
specific training.
NIMS ICS-300 Training: Who Must Take It, What It Covers
The NIC recommends that all mid-level management personnel should take
ICS-300. The course material is specific to personnel who will be
serving in the following positions: command staff, section chiefs,
strike team leaders, task force leaders, unit leaders, division/group
supervisors, branch directors, and multi-agency coordination
system/emergency operations center staff. Federal, State, territory,
tribal or local agency/organization/jurisdiction reserve the right to
make the final decision as to who should complete this course.
NIMS ICS-400 Training: Who Must Take It, What It Covers
The NIC recommends that all command and general staff personnel should
take ICS-400. The course material is specific to personnel who will be
serving in the following positions: command or general staff in an ICS
organization, select department heads with multi-agency coordination
system responsibilities, area commanders, emergency managers, and
multi-agency coordination system/emergency operations center managers.
Federal, State, territory, tribal or local
agency/organization/jurisdiction reserve the right to make the final
decision as to who should complete this course.
Approved ICS-300 and ICS-400 level training has been developed by the
United States Fire Administration (USFA), the Emergency Management
Institute (EMI), the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) as well
as other Federal government agencies. These organizations have included
the content and objectives outlined in the NIMS National Standard
Curriculum Training Development Guidance dated March, 2007 in the
training. All ICS-300 and ICS-400 course offerings, regardless of
source of the training, must include the content and objectives outlined
in NIC guidance (National Standard Curriculum Training Development
Guidance, March, 2007). ICS-300 and ICS-400 is to only be taught in the
classroom setting. There is no on-line training course substitution.
NIC ICS-300 and ICS-400 Recognized Training
The NIC developed the National Standard Curriculum Development Guidance
document in October, 2005. An updated version of this document is now
posted on the NIC website, dated March, 2007. This document details the
minimum content and objectives that each ICS course must contain -
ICS-100 through ICS-400 - in order to be meet NIMS training
requirements.
ICS courses developed using the National Standard Curriculum Development
Guidance document meet NIMS training requirements. However, it is the
responsibility of the sponsoring agency or organization to verify that
the training guidelines are met.
The NIC considers anyone who has taken all applicable NIMS courses to
their level of responsibility within an incident to have satisfied the
NIMS training elements as part of the NIMS Implementation Activities
(FY07 NIMS Compliance Matrix and Metrics). Therefore it is immaterial
to the NIC if someone takes the courses from USFA, EMI, NWCG, USDA, EPA,
Coast Guard, a private vendor etc., as long as the courses meet the
content and objectives outlined in the National Standard Curriculum
Training Development Guidance, March 2007. The NIC discourages the
establishment of specific agency version ICS courses as prerequisites
for additional training acceptance.