NIMS Compliant ICS Training Guidelines Now Available Online

April 21, 2005
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center has developed guidelines for Incident Command System (ICS) training providers.

WASHINGTON - The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center has developed guidelines for Incident Command System (ICS) training providers that will help them ensure that the training they offer meets the NIMS requirements. Since one of the first steps for becoming compliant with NIMS is institutionalizing the use of ICS across the response system, ICS training must be consistent with the concepts, principles and characteristics of the NIMS ICS training offered by DHS training entities along with that of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

The NIMS National Standard Curriculum: Training Development Guidance outlines the system's ICS concepts and principles, management characteristics, organizations and operations, organizational element titles and recommendations for a model curriculum. It also provides an evaluation checklist for content that may be used to make sure that ICS training meets the "as taught by DHS" standard. The training guidance may be accessed at www.fema.gov/nims. It is posted under "New from the NIMS Integration Center."

The model NIMS ICS curriculum organizes four levels of training - ICS-100, Introduction to ICS; ICS-200, Basic ICS; ICS-300, Intermediate ICS; and ICS-400, Advanced ICS. ICS training provided by the Emergency Management Institute, the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard follow this model.

According to the NIMS Integration Center emergency management and response personnel already ICS trained do not need retraining if their previous training is consistent with the DHS standard. This would include courses managed, administered or delivered by the Emergency Management Institute, the National Fire Academy, NWCG, USDA, EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard, the NIMS Center said.

For more information about NIMS ICS e-mail the NIMS-Integration-Center or call 202-646-3850.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!