National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Emergency Medical Services: Incident Operations (R0147)

Curriculum: Emergency Medical Services

This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to structure Emergency 

Medical Service (EMS) resources within the guidance of the National Incident Management System

(NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS), as appropriate to the needs of the different incident types.

The course is appropriate for emergency response personnel with responsibilities to implement the 

initial EMS functions of an ICS at medium- or large-sized incidents.

Areas of study include ICS organization, terminology and resource management and application of ICS 

for incident and event EMS management.

Applicants not meeting the basic National Fire Academy (NFA) criteria outlined in the general 

qualification criteria established by the NFA will not receive further consideration.

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

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

with the NFA’s 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’s degree from an institution accredited by an organization 

recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The degree should be in a discipline 

closely related to the subjects covered in this course (i.e., EMS management, fire services 

management, public administration, emergency management).

– A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an organization recognized 

by the U.S. Department of Education, in a discipline closely related to the subjects 

covered in this course, is preferred.

– An equivalent combination of college-level coursework and experience may be 

considered for meeting this requirement.

b. Documentation of successful completion of ICS-100, ICS-200, NIMS Orientation (IS700), ICS-300, ICS-400, National Response Framework Orientation (IS-800), and Forms 

Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan (IS-201). ICS Curricula Train-theTrainer (E/L449) completion is preferred.

c. Master Exercise Practitioner Program (Emergency Management Institute) completion is 

beneficial.
d. “Emergency Medical Services: Incident Operations” (EMS:IO) course attendance,

participation and completion with an “A” or “B” grade during a current version offering.

2. Instructional Experience

a. Documented ability to explain current and emerging standards and practices for EMS, 

specifically those related to major operations, incident and event management, resource 

management, scheduled events and crisis incidents with identification of potential 

hazards, determining potential resource needs, determining how those resources may be 

acquired, and developing a plan using NIMS and ICS 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, 

professional qualifications board, or National Emergency Medical Services Educator 

Certification level.

c. Ability to instruct courses or materials similar to the course content, at the community 

college, state or regional level, demonstrated by documented experience and copies of

multiple supervisor and/or end-of-course student evaluations of instructional ability from 

courses taught with similar content.

Experience should include presentation of prepared material, facilitation of group 

discussion on specified topics, facilitation of group activity work, and facilitation of 

scenario-driven class activities/exercises.

3. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

a. Knowledge of the current and emerging standards and practices related to the EMS 

system, specifically the EMS/medical functions in ICS, incident and event management 

specific to EMS/medical functions, EMS specific resource management as demonstrated 

by experience during the current NIMS implementation in field delivery of EMS, to 

include prehospital (field) provider experience with initial ICS responsibility and 

operational experience in an EMS management position, such as field supervisor, 

district/division/battalion chief (EMS).

b. Knowledge of current and emerging standards and practices related to NIMS ICS and 

multicasualty incident operations as demonstrated by a one- to two-page written 

description of five mass casualty incidents and events the candidate was involved in, as 

ICS command or general staff (Branch Director or Unit Leader will be considered), using 

NIMS ICS. Descriptions should explain the justification for the organization chart as set 

up for EMS responsibilities and the relationship that ICS had on the outcome of the 

incident or event. Submission of copies of Incident Action Plan (IAP), ICS-201 and/or 

ICS-207 forms documenting position experience for these incidents/events is encouraged.
c. Current knowledge in the use of computers and related software for documentation, 

projects and presentations as demonstrated by the submission of clear, thorough 

application with resume and/or curriculum vitae and instructional video.

4. Additional Submittal

For one subject or course related to the EMS:IO curriculum, 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 student-centric adult learning environment.

5. Continuing Practice or Education 

The ability to maintain 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 with current standards, rules, and regulations;

c. teaching the current version course at the National Fire Academy or in the field;

d. writing and researching a paper or article related to the course topic for at least one of the 

fire/EMS service or related disciplines’ trade journals using current research, standards, 

rules, and regulations; or

e. participation as command or general staff (Branch Director or Unit Leader will be 

considered), using NIMS ICS, during mass casualty incidents using the current version of 

the NIMS.

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

revocation of the contract instructor status.

6. 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