National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Fire Service Safety Culture: Who Protects Firefighters from Firefighters? 

(F/W0349)

Curriculum: Responder Health and Safety

This course is designed to help fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) service personnel 

identify their present fire and EMS service safety culture, explain how culture drives safety 

behavior, identify risk management strategies, and develop a safety culture intervention plan to 

reduce injury and death to members of their organization. The two-day course includes National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention 

Program reports, risk control systems, organizational change, and leadership models. The 

instructional methods include case study review, problem-solving processes, strategies, and 

tactical planning methods that are discussed in individual, small group and class activities.

The course is appropriate for field supervisors or company-level officers, chief officers, and 

civilian managers who have department-level health and safety responsibilities. 

Areas of study include firefighter fatality and injury data, risk-management processes, 

regulations, standards and policies, health and wellness, communications, operational risk 

management, situation-specific hazards, and post-incident analysis.

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

All new contract instructors shall be evaluated in three consecutive course deliveries in

accordance with the National Fire Academy’s (NFA’s) Contract Instructor Evaluation program.

Existing contract instructors are subject to evaluation in accordance with this program.

All instructor candidates must meet or exceed the published course instructor criteria and meet

the general and administrative requirements including:

1. Academic/Training Requirement

a. Minimum.

A baccalaureate degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution

recognized by the Department of Education. The degree should be in a field 

closely related to the specific course’s subject matter (e.g., fire protection 

technology, fire administration, fire science, or a similar program).
b. Preferred.

A graduate degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution 

recognized by the Department of Education. The degree should be in a field 

closely related to the specific course’s subject matter (e.g., fire protection 

technology, fire administration, fire science, or a similar program).

2. Instructional Requirement

A minimum of five years’ experience in facilitated adult learning processes within the

last 10 years, to include the use of the Socratic method of instructional delivery and

student-centered learning, preferably at the baccalaureate level or higher.

3. Documented Knowledge and Experience

Instructor candidates must have the following:

a. Experience and knowledge in facilitating/instructing in the designated course

subject areas.

b. A minimum of five years of documented organizational work experience at the

level of supervisor or above within the last 10 years. Experience related to fire

and EMS organizations, public sector agencies serving the public safety, or

closely related fields is preferred.

c. Completed the course(s) as a student, attended the course as an instructor

candidate (at own expense), or completed a course instructor development 

program (at own expense).

4. Continuing Practice or Education

Contract instructors must maintain both work experience and academic relevance

specific to the course(s) for which they are approved. To maintain eligibility to instruct

any of the courses in this series, contract instructors will be required to submit 

verification of both work experience and academic relevancy on a periodic basis, but no

more than every three years. Work experience may be verified through submission of a

work resume.

5. Academic Relevancy

Instructor candidates must have academic relevance by evidence of one or more of the

following:

a. Teaching the course(s) at the NFA (“W” or “R” course code) or in the field

(“F” or “N” course code) at least once within the last three years.
b. Teaching a similar course at an accredited institution of higher learning at

least once within the last three years.

c. Completing a similar course of instruction within the last three years through

an accredited institution of higher learning or a nationally recognized 

organization providing certified continuing education credits.

6. Request to Criteria

These criteria are subject to revision based on course changes and NFA needs. Potential

instructors will be subject to the criteria effective at the date of application. Existing

contract instructors are subject to reapplication for failure to submit verification of the

continuing practice and education requirements when requested. Additionally, existing

contract instructors are subject to reapplication and meeting revised criteria as determined

by the NFA based on revisions to course content.

7. How to Submit an Application

The following documents are required for each application:

a. A cover letter listing the courses you want to teach.

b. Your resume.

c. Documentation that clearly addresses how you meet the instructor selection

criteria for each course you want to teach (e.g., academic requirement, 

instructional experience, knowledge and experience in the subject matter, and 

continuing practice or education). The document must be written in that order. 

Incomplete packages will not be processed.

d. Three referencesfrom persons who are knowledgeable about your character as

well as your teaching ability. One reference letter should be from the

department or agency head in your organization or certifying organization.

e. A current email address so we can communicate more efficiently with you.

Application package(s) must be submitted to:

National Fire Academy 

fema-nfainstructorapp@fema.dhs.gov