National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Natural and 

Man- Made Disasters (R0308)

Curriculum: Incident Management

This course addresses fire and rescue department operations at natural and man-made disasters

that may require interagency or interjurisdictional coordination. Earthquakes, hurricanes,

blizzards, civil disturbances, terrorism, hazardous material releases, tornadoes, and floods are

some of the topics covered. Primary focus of course is directed at the operational component of a

fire department’s response to these incidents. Emphasis is placed on command and control

decision-making skills and the interrelationship of the operational function to hazard

preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. Advanced applications of the Incident

Command System (ICS), command and control, the ICS/Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

interface, the Integrated Environmental Management System, evacuation, and sheltering and

communications are just a few of the areas covered.

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 (NFA’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, ICS-200, ICS-300 and ICS-400 or

equivalents.

Preferred

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an institution that is nationally or regionally

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.)

2. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

Minimum

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

courses and knowledge in the use of computers.
b. Candidate must have experience as a chief officer with a fire and rescue

department at the division or deputy chief level, or acting in this position, with

functional responsibilities that are commensurate with the management of a major

function with a fire and rescue department. (An example is a battalion chief with

operations division responsibilities.) Candidate must have demonstrated

experience in or a thorough knowledge of:

- National Incident Management System (FIRESCOPE) ICS.

- Use of ICS Forms.

- Integrated Emergency Management System.

- ICS/EOC interface/National Response Plan. Describe this in no more than

one page for each area.

c. Candidate must provide information that demonstrates his or her application of

this knowledge in 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. Candidate must have demonstrated emergency response experience in a

command or general staff function during a catastrophic incident in which at

least three of the general staff positions within ICS were used. Candidate must 

describe a catastrophic 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.)

e. Candidate must have experience in developing an Incident Action Plan. Please

provide one or describe an incident where you used this component of the ICS.

Preferred

Prefer additional experience in conducting large-scale simulation exercises. Candidate

must have experience as a chief officer with a fire and rescue department with operational

experience at the division/battalion chief level or higher, with demonstrated experience

involving mutual-aid operations, disaster operations, and EOC operations. Prefer Type 1

or 2 Overhead Team assignment, federal disaster experience, or interface with United

States Forest Service Operations.

3. Additional Considerations or Submittals

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

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

- Provide course description, objectives and syllabus.

- Provide three 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, include three

references.
c. A one-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 three 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 two 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 two 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 course, as designed by the U.S. Fire Administration, at least once

every two 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 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