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FEMA NIMS Training

General Information

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training

The National Training Program for NIMS has developed a common national foundation for training and qualifying emergency management/response personnel. Adequately trained and qualified emergency management/response personnel are critical to the national implementation of NIMS. The NIMS document describes the National Integration Center's (NIC) responsibility to develop "a national program for NIMS education and awareness,” and to facilitate common national standards for personnel qualification. The NIMS Training Program was mandated by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The NIMS curriculum is managed under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).

NIMS Courses Accepted by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)

As of October 1, 2014, the following 13 NWCG courses were transitioned to the FEMA NIMS Training Curriculum:

Incident Command System (ICS) Courses

  • I-100, Introduction to ICS replaced by ICS 100 (IS100), Introduction to ICS.
  • I-200, Basic ICS replaced by ICS 200 (IS200.b), Basic ICS.
  • I-300, Intermediate ICS replaced by ICS 300 (G/E/L300), Intermediate ICS.
  • I-400, Advanced ICS replaced by ICS 400 (G/E/L400), Advanced ICS.
  • M-480, Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) Group replaced by IS-701, NIMS Multi-agency Coordination System (MACS).

Position Specific Courses

  • S-346, Situation Unit Leader replaced by E/L964, Situation Unit Leader.
  • S-349, Resources Unit Leader/Demobilization Unit Leader replaced by E/L965 Resources Unit Leader/Demobilization Unit Leader.
  • S-356, Supply Unit Leader replaced by E/L970, Supply Unit Leader.
  • S-360, Finance/Administration Unit Leaders replaced by E/L975, Finance/Administration Unit Leaders.
  • S-400, Incident Commander replaced by E/L950, Incident Commander.
  • S-403, Public Information Officer replaced by E/L952, Public Information Officer.
  • S-450, Logistics Section Chief replaced by E/L967, Logistics Section Chief.
  • S-460, Finance/Administration Section Chief replaced by E/L973, Finance/Administration Section Chief.

NWCG Delivery of FEMA ICS and All-Hazards Position Specific (AHPS) Training Courses

NWCG member agencies may deliver both types of courses, ICS and AHPS. However, the specific procedures for delivering the two types of courses are different. The steps for coordination and delivery of FEMA ICS and AHPS courses are outlined in the following document: (Process for Delivery of FEMA Courses).

FEMA EMI Course Contacts:

emi-nims-icstraining@fema.dhs.gov

Links

Emergency Management Institute NIMS ICS AHPS Training Program website: https://training.fema.gov/allhazards/

NIMS Training Program: https://www.fema.gov/training

FAQs

ICS/IS Courses

Who can instruct the ICS (ICS 100-402) courses?

  • There is no national instructor database for the ICS courses. FEMA provides ICS instructor qualification guidelines on the ICS AHPS Training Program Website https://training.fema.gov/allhazards/

I am putting on a classroom version of ICS-100 or ICS-200, how do I test the students?

  • Students must take the exam online via the Independent Study (https://training.fema.gov/is/) website and they will receive a FEMA issued certificate via email.

How can I tell if an ICS completion certificate is valid?

  • Delivery of the ICS courses has been delegated down to both state and federal entities (including NWCG) and therefore, various certificates are being issued.
  • State Training Officers (STOs), as well as federal entities, have discretion in determining the validity of certificates. STOs can be a helpful resource when you have questions. Additionally, Russell Flick, of the EMI can assist and is available at russell.flick@fema.dhs.gov.
  • States and agencies may choose to attach a unique course number to their course completion certificate. Validate with your course coordinator or lead instructor that the FEMA NIMS ICS curriculum available through the EMI was used for the course. For this example, in either the Incident Qualification System (IQS) or the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS), input ICS-300 in the system.

All Hazard Position Specific Courses

How do I know if I am in the NIMS Training Instructor database?

  • The national instructor database for the AHPS courses is maintained by the EMI. STO or Geographic Area Training Representatives (GATR) can review the database upon request.

How do instructors who were not historically recognized during the application period get into the NIMS training instructor database?

  • Those wanting to be in the national instructor database to teach the NIMS position specific courses may do so in two ways:
  1. Attend a Train the Trainer course outlined in the document NIMS ICS AHPS Training Program at https://training.fema.gov/allhazards/ under Administrative Guidelines.
  2. If you meet the instructor qualifications as outlined in the document, NIMS ICS AHPS Training Program at https://training.fema.gov/allhazards/, under Administrative Guidelines, submit a justification and list of qualifications to Colby Jackson at cjackson@blm.gov.

How do I find a FEMA NIMS AHPS course that is scheduled to be put on in my area?

  • If you haven't already done so, get in touch with your STO. They or their counterpart in another state can help find out who might be putting on a particular course in your part of the country. The following link has STO contact information by state. https://cdp.dhs.gov/contact/saa
  • There is not currently a comprehensive website that lists all training by state but the STOs coordinate with others in their areas of the country and can provide lists of upcoming courses.

Can I take a FEMA course in lieu of a required NWCG course?

  • No, a FEMA course cannot be substituted for a required NWCG course.

Can NWCG certificates be issued for AHPS courses?

  • No, if you conduct a course with FEMA materials that is identified with an EMI number, students should receive an EMI certificate.

I need proof of completion of a FEMA NIMS course but have not yet received my certificate, what should I do?

  • If verification of course completion is needed prior to receiving the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) certificate, course coordinators can provide a copy of the course roster to the student.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee