National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Advanced Science for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass 

Destruction Response (R/N0655)

Curriculum: Hazardous Materials

This six-day course is designed to facilitate comprehension, analyzing and 

implementation of the facts and science given the circumstances associated with riskbased response/decision-making.

This scenario-based course is intended to facilitate students gaining and sharing the 

knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively make and verbalize justifiable risk-based 

decisions and sharing those outcomes with others involved in the response decisionmaking process.

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.

1. Academic Requirement

a. A minimum of an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution 

of higher education. The degree should be in a discipline closely related to 

the subjects covered in this course, i.e., Fire Service, Risk Management, 

Occupational Safety, Fire/Emergency Medical Services Management, 

Emergency Management, etc. 

A bachelor’s-level degree from a regionally accredited institution of 

higher education, in a discipline closely related to the subjects covered in 

this course, is preferred.

b. Documentation of successful completion of ICS 100, ICS 200, NIMS 

Orientation (IS700), ICS 300 and National Response Framework 

Orientation (IS800).

c. Course attendance or attendance as a contract instructor trainee upon 

preliminary approval of the application.
2. Instructional Experience

a. Documented ability to explain current and emerging standards and 

practices for fire and emergency services, specifically those related to the 

interpretation of the science associated with hazardous materials/weapons 

of mass destruction (WMD) response in developing a risk-based response 

plan that is briefable and understandable to the non-technical member of 

the decision-making process and 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 or Professional Qualifications Board level. 

c. Ability to deliver student-centered, instructor-facilitated classroom 

delivery at the state or regional level. Demonstrated expertise by 

documentation of experience and a copy of at least three student or 

supervisor evaluations of instructional ability from courses taught with 

similar content. 

3. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

a. Current knowledge of emerging trends, standards and practices related to 

hazardous materials/WMD response and risk-based decision-making as 

demonstrated by documentation. 

b. Current knowledge in the use of computers and related software for 

documentation, projects and presentations as demonstrated by 

documentation of experience or equivalent training, or a combination of 

both experience and training. 

4. Additional Submittals

a. For one subject or course related to the Advanced Science for Hazardous 

Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Response course, 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 studentcentric adult learning environment. 

OR

b. Attend the Advanced Science for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass 

Destruction Response course and successfully teach a component of the 

course that is designated and evaluated by the Training Specialist, 

Instructional Systems Specialist, or/and NFA Manager. 
5. Continuing Practice or Education 

The demonstration of maintenance of 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. 

c. Teaching the course at the NFA or a sanctioned NFA field delivery. 

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

least one of the fire service’s 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.

Submit cover letter and documentation to:

Curriculum and Instruction Branch 

United States Fire Administration

16825 S. Seton Avenue 

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727 

Telephone: 301-447-1362 

E-mail: fema-nfainstructorapp@dhs.gov