National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Preparation for Initial Company Operations (S0458) 

Curriculum: Incident Management

This course is designed for company officers, acting company officers or senior firefighters 

responsible for the management of a single fire company at an emergency incident — those 

officers who are responsible for company readiness, personnel safety and leadership as it relates to 

company operations. 

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

All new contract instructors shall be evaluated in 3 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. 

1. Academic Requirement

a. Minimum

– 1 year of college or equivalent from an institution that is 

regionally or nationally accredited, preferably in the fire science 

field.

– Must have successfully completed ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300 and 

ICS-400 or equivalents. 

b. Preferred

– Associate degree or equivalent from an institution that is regionally or 

nationally accredited with a strong emphasis in the fire science field. 

(Please provide copies of certificates, diplomas, transcripts or equivalent 

training material in order to satisfy this requirement.)

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

2. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

a. Minimum

– Candidate must have documented experience with the use of online distance 

learning technology in a virtual instruction model. Demonstrated knowledge 

with the use of a variety of multimedia technologies to achieve course 

objectives.
– Candidate must have experience in a progressive fire and emergency service 

department. Candidate must have experience as a senior officer with a fire 

and rescue department having “Preparation for Initial Company Operations.” 

Candidate must have demonstrated teaching experience in midlevel fire 

service courses and knowledge in the use of computers. Candidate must have 

demonstrated experience in or a thorough knowledge of: 

-- National Incident Management System (FIRESCOPE) Incident

Command System (ICS).

-- Use of ICS forms.

-- Unified Command (UC)/Area Command. Describe this in no more 

than 1 paragraph for each area.

– Candidate must provide information that demonstrates this knowledge and 

response experience as an Incident Commander or member of the general 

staff at incidents where at least 3 general staff positions were used. 

Candidate must describe 3 incidents where this occurred and describe why

those general staff positions were implemented. (Describe this in no more 

than one-half page per incident.) 

b. Preferred

Additional experience in conducting simulation exercises. Candidate should have a 

strong background in the application of ICS in mutual aid and UC situations.

3. Additional Considerations or Submittals

a. Demonstrated effectiveness instructing at the fully professional level in an active

online training environment. For a course in which you were a primary instructor: 

– Provide course description, objectives and syllabus. 

– Provide examples of the virtual platform utilized to include course title and

dates, and explain how you achieved learner success virtually.

– Provide 3 references from individuals in organizations where you have 

delivered training. Do not include the NFA as one of these organizational 

representatives.

b. Resume indicating level and extent of responsibility and authority and include 3 

references.

c. A 1-page synopsis of current issues, trends and research that directly relates to the 

fire service and/or specific course.

d. Must have attended the course as a student within the past 3 years (or latest version).

e. 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. Continuing education on an annual basis (documentation required).

– Certification of completion of in-service training at the senior staff level

within an existing fire and rescue department. (This is to be maintained 

every 2 years.) 

– Or, certification of completion or satisfactory attendance at a nationally

recognized fire service conference or state and local training conference.

(Must be within the program area and will be required every 2 years. This 

can be in lieu of training within an existing fire and rescue department.)

b. Continuing activity and application of relevant concepts through employment with a 

recognized emergency response agency.

c. Delivery of a course, as designed by the U.S. Fire Administration, at least once every

2 years.

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 resume. 

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. 3 references from persons who are knowledgeable about your character as well as 

your teaching ability. 1 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