National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Command and Control Exercise Controller (R0306/R0308)

Curriculum: Incident Management

These individuals provide support and serve as lead exercise controllers during the delivery of

“Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management” and “Command

and Control of Fire Department Operations at Natural and Man-Made Disasters.” Large,

complex exercises are a critical component of these two courses. These exercises contain

exposure to Emergency Operations Center (EOC) interface, area command, and multiagency

operations.

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 Contract Instructor Evaluation program. Existing

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

1. Academic Requirement

Minimum

a. One year of college or equivalent from an institution that is nationally or

regionally accredited, preferably in the fire science field.

b. Must have successfully completed ICS-100 and ICS-200 or equivalents and IS700.

Preferred

Must have successfully completed ICS-300 and ICS-400 or equivalents.

2. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

Minimum

a. Candidate must have demonstrated teaching experience in upper level fire service

courses.

b. Candidate must have experience as chief of department or be a member of the

senior executive staff of a fire and rescue department at a division or deputy chief

level, or acting in this position, with functional responsibilities that are

commensurate with the management of a major staff function within a fire and

rescue department. Candidate must have demonstrated experience in or a

thorough knowledge of:
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) (FIRESCOPE)

Incident Command System (ICS).

- Use of ICS Forms.

- Integrated Emergency Management System.

- ICS/EOC interface.

Describe this in no more than one page for each area.

c. Candidate must provide information that demonstrates this experience or

knowledge from the role of a senior staff member. This can be satisfied by

identifying three situations that the candidate was involved in while using these

systems, concepts or centers. (Describe this in no more than three paragraphs.)

d. Additionally, in lieu of the proceeding, one may, in no more than one page,

describe the relationship between ICS and the Integrated Emergency Management

System.

e. Candidate must have demonstrated emergency response experience as an incident

commander that deals with a multialarm incident in which at least three of the

general staff positions within ICS were used. Candidate must describe one

multialarm incident where this occurred and describe, as well as explain, why the

general staff sections were implemented. (Describe this in no more than one

page.)

f. Working knowledge of NIMS (FIRESCOPE) ICS. Candidate must have taken the

course or a refresher within the previous 18 months.

g. Experience as a controller or facilitator in large-scale simulations/exercises.

Preferred

a. Additional experience in conducting large-scale simulation exercises. Candidate

must have experience as chief of department or be a member of the senior

executive staff of a fire and rescue department plus operational experience at the

division chief level or higher with demonstrated experience involving mutual-aid

operations, disaster operations, and EOC operations. (Please describe your

experience in this area in no more than one paragraph.)

b. Candidate has demonstrated experience in Integrated Emergency Management

System. Describe in no more than one paragraph.

3. Additional Considerations or Submittals

a. Resume indicating level and extent of responsibility and authority, include three

references.
b. A one-page synopsis of current issues, trends and research that directly relates to

the fire service and/or specific course.

c. Must have attended the course as a student within the past three years (or latest

version).

d. Must shadow or “student teach” with the given course.

4. Continuing Practice or Education

Instructors must maintain currency in the relevant subject matter. This requirement may

be satisfied in one or more ways including:

a. Certification of completion of an in-service training at the company officer level

or above within an existing fire and rescue department; (This is to be maintained

every two years.) or

b. Certification of completion or satisfactory attendance at a nationally recognized

fire service conference or state and local training conference.

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

in revocation of the contract instructor status.

5. 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