National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention (R0629)

Curriculum: Fire Prevention: Management

This six-day course provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to identify children

and adolescents involved in firesetting and how to establish programs to meet the needs of the

juveniles and their families. The course addresses the skills essential to meet the Youth

Firesetting Intervention Professional Standard which is part of National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA) 1035, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire and Life Safety

Educator, Public Information Officer, and Juvenile Firesetter Intervention (2010 edition).

The course framework guides practitioners through the process of developing a comprehensive

strategy to combat the misuse of fire and incendiary devices by youths. The course focuses on

how using prevention, early identification, immediate treatment, and graduated sanctions are best

practices for preventing and intervening in youth firesetting. Students are given knowledge and

skills on how to develop, implement and evaluate a youth firesetting prevention and intervention

program.

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 Contract Instructor Evaluation program. Existing

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

1. Academic Requirement

a. The candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of

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

subjects covered in this course, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, fire

science, etc. Graduate degree is preferred related to the subject area.

b. Course attendance within the last three years or attendance as a student or contract

instructor trainee.

2. Instructional Experience

a. Documented ability to explain concepts relevant to youth firesetting prevention

and intervention to a diverse student population with a broad range of training and

experience.

b. Ability to instruct courses or materials similar to the course content at the

community college, state or regional level, demonstrated by at least three years of

experience.
3. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area

a. Experience in managing or collaborating on a Youth Firesetting Prevention and

Intervention Program. This experience must embrace all facets including

identification, intake, screening, interventions, program management and

evaluation.

b. Demonstrate through experience a current knowledge of NFPA 1035.

4. Continuing Practice or Education

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 within the last five years;

c. 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

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

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