National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Management of Emergency Medical Services (R0150)

Curriculum: Emergency Medical Services

This course is designed to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals with the

skills and knowledge for successful supervisory practices in EMS.

Areas of study include personnel, resource management, quality improvement, data collection

and analysis, planning and external partnerships.

What is required is not merely an instructive style in which the instructor routinely asks

questions of the class, but one in which the instructor disappears into the discussion — coaching

only where necessary to allow students to pursue their own questions and to discover their own

answers. Students will learn from attempting to apply the theory introduced in the readings and

class discussions and from the individual feedback that the instructor and their peers are able to

provide them.

Daily activities expected of the instructors in this course are using feedback techniques as a

simulation progresses to prompt selected students to uncover a better alternative; observing the

interactions of a small group and discussing the implications of the readings from the individual

playing the role of EMS manager; and pointing out further resources that may be helpful to

students who are researching a particular legal/ethical issue. In summary, successful instructors

will be very student-focused, with an awareness of the content objectives, as opposed to the other

way around.

Applicants not meeting the basic National Fire Academy (NFA) criteria outlined in the general

qualification criteria established by the NFA will not receive further consideration.

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

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

accordance with the NFA’s Contract Instructor Evaluation program. Existing contract instructors

are subject to evaluation in accordance with this program.

1. Academic Requirement

a. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an organization recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education. The degree should be in a discipline closely related to

the subjects covered in this course, i.e., fire or EMS service management, public

administration, business administration, public health, etc.

- A graduate level degree from an organization recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education, in a discipline closely related to the subjects

covered in this course, is preferred.
- An equivalent combination of college-level coursework and experience

may be considered for meeting this requirement.

b. Documentation of successful completion of ICS-100, ICS-200, National Incident

Management System An Introduction (IS-700), ICS-300, ICS-400 and National

Response Framework, An Introduction (IS-800).

c. “Management of Emergency Medical Services” course attendance, participation

and completion with an “A” or “B” grade during a current version offering.

2. Instructional Experience

a. Documented ability to explain current and emerging standards and practices for

EMS, specifically those related to EMS system management, personnel and

resource management, budgeting, data collection and analysis, quality

improvement/assurance and ethics to a diverse student population with a broad

range of training and experience.

b. Documented successful completion of a recognized adult educational

methodology course at the college/university, state, International Fire Service

Accreditation Congress, professional qualifications board level, or National EMS

Educators Certification level.

c. Ability to instruct courses or materials similar to the course content, at the

community college, state or regional level, demonstrated by documented

experience and copies of multiple supervisor and/or end-of-course student

evaluations of instructional ability from courses taught with similar content.

d. Experience should include presentation of prepared material, facilitation of group

discussion on specified topics, facilitation of group activity work, and constructive

feedback to students on evaluated assignments.

3. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

a. Knowledge of the current and emerging standards and practices related to EMS

system management, personnel and resource management, budgeting, data

collection and analysis, quality improvement/assurance and ethics as

demonstrated by an essay submission. (See “Additional Submittals,” b.)

b. Knowledge in the use of computers and related software for documentation,

projects and presentations as demonstrated by the submission of a clear, thorough

application with resume and/or curriculum vitae and instructional video.
4. Additional Submittals

a. For one subject or course related to this curriculum, provide a 12- to 18-minute

video or digital video disk demonstrating your instructional style. This video will

be used to evaluate your teaching style in a student-centric adult learning

environment.

b. Submission of a written essay not to exceed 500 words explaining how the

instructor candidate has effected successful organizational change within EMS or

related discipline.

5. Continuing Practice or Education

Ability to maintain currency in the field and the specific course by:

a. teaching a similar course at the college or university level;

b. taking a similar course within the last five years;

c. teaching the course at the NFA or in the field within the last two years; or

d. writing and researching a paper or article related to the course topic for at least

one of the fire service or related disciplines’ trade journals within the last two

years.

Failure to provide approved documentation of ongoing training or instruction may result

in revocation of the contract instructor status.

6. How to Submit an Application 

The following documents are required with each submission:

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

b. Your résumé.

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

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

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

continuing practice or education). This document needs to be written in that order. 

Incomplete packages will not be processed.

d. Three references from 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. Include 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