National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Strategic and Tactical Considerations for Fire Protection Systems (R0396)

Curriculum: Fire Prevention: Technical

The six-day course provides fire officers and Incident Commanders (ICs)an overview of preincident planning, built-in fire protection systems (fire walls, sprinklers, standpipes, fire pumps, 

smoke control fire alarm and specialty systems), and describes how to use them for strategic and 

tactical applications on the emergency scene. 

The course relies on interactive lecture, visual aids and small group activities to develop a 

comprehensive understanding of the value of fire protection systems for the IC. The course 

culminates in the development of a model pre-incident plan that incorporates the material into a 

“real world” application. 

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

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

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

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

course will be taught by two co-instructors: one of whom who has extensive experience in 

command and control of emergencies and pre-incident planning; the other must have extensive 

experience with fire protection systems and code enforcement. 

1. Academic Requirement

a. Minimum:

- Associate degree from an institution that is accredited in fire protection 

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

- One semester of college-level algebra and one semester of college-level 

physics.

- Candidates are encouraged to have successfully completed this course in 

the last three years and/or serve as an adjunct instructor (in training) in 

this course.

b. Preferred:

A bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited in fire protection

technology, fire administration, fire science, or a similar program.
2. Documented Knowledge and Experience

a. Accepted formal instructional training, such as:

- state fire training certificate;

- college teacher’s credential;

- college education courses; or

- thirty-two hours of documented, successful fire/emergency

services instruction.

b. The candidate should be experienced, proficient and knowledgeable of

current issues in the field of expertise for the content of this course.

c. The candidate should have the necessary experience to be capable of

presenting all units of the course. It is recognized that exceptions may occur

where courses are of such a technical nature that no one person may be

technically competent to instruct all units.

Command and Control/Preincident Planning Instructor

a. Experience in fire/emergency services operations.

b. Current knowledge of preincident planning techniques and standards.

c. Current knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), 

Incident Command System (ICS), and the incident management curriculum at 

the NFA.

Fire Protection Technology Instructor

a. Current knowledge of general fire safety conditions, occupancy classifications

and hazards, occupant life safety, building exiting systems, electrical heating,

and cooking equipment and system hazards.

b. Current knowledge of automatic sprinkler systems, special hazard fire

suppression systems, water supply requirements for fire suppression systems,

standpipe systems, fire alarm/detection systems, and portable fire extinguishers.

c. Current knowledge of the behavior of fire and its effects on building materials 

and systems, human behavior in fire situations, fire heat and smoke spread and

travel in a structure, building construction classifications, and principles of

controlling fire hazards associated with hazardous materials.
3. Continuing Practice or Education

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

a. teaching a similar course at a training academy, college or university;

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

c. developing a similar course within the last five years;

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

e. 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; or

f. attending and/or speaking at a conference related to the field at the local,

state, tribal or national level within the last three years.

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

in revocation of the contract instructor status.

4. 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