National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Hazardous Materials Incident Management (R0243/N0814)

Curriculum: Hazardous Materials

This course focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the emergency response personnel who

will assume the Incident Commander role in hazardous materials emergencies above the initial

response and will implement a National Incident Management System (NIMS)-based Incident

Command System (ICS). Based on the current requirements of 29 Code of Federal Regulations

1910.120 and the applicable national standards and plans, the program follows three phases of

an incident: preparedness, incident operations, and post-incident responsibilities. Topics include

negligence and liability, planning, NIMS ICS/Emergency Operation Center interface, training

requirements, and emergency response plans. The student will develop a hazard-based response

using risk-based decision-making to develop an Incident Action Plan. The student’s knowledge

of the subject is evaluated through written tests and graded scenarios. Evening classes and

projects are required. This course meets the NIMS requirements for ICS 300.

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

a. The candidate should possess an associate degree, preferably a bachelor’s degree,

from an institution that is accredited in fire science, health science or chemistry

or related science or equivalent with a strong emphasis in chemistry, toxicology,

physiology or related courses.

b. Certification as a hazardous materials technician.

c. Completion of ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, ICS 400 or equivalents.

d. International Fire Service Accreditation Congress or Professional

Qualifications Board Fire Service Instructor II certification is recommended.

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

preliminary approval of the application.
2. Instructional Experience

a. Documented ability to explain Incident Command concepts, theory and application

as well as technical science topics related to hazardous materials response 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 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 and significant experience in providing hazardous materials

response demonstrated by documentation of experience or equivalent training or a

combination of both experience and training.

b. Current knowledge about weapons of mass destruction as demonstrated

documentation of experience or equivalent training or a combination of both

experience and training.

c. Current knowledge of national Fire Protection Association 472, Standard for

Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction

Incidents, as demonstrated by documentation of work experience, training or a

combination of both.

d. Demonstrated experience as a command or general staff officer at hazardous

materials incidents with ongoing operations above the hazardous materials

operations level over multiple operational periods.

e. Current knowledge of the standard of care affecting hazardous materials response

including ongoing preparedness initiatives, standards development, and

technological advances as they relate to responder health and safety.

4. Additional Submittals

a. For one subject or course related to the subject matter, 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, or attend the course “Hazardous Materials Incident Management”

and successfully teach a component of the course that is designated and evaluated

by the Training Specialist, Instructional Systems Specialist, or NFA Manager.

b. Submission of a written essay not to exceed 500 words explaining how the

instructor candidate has effected successful organizational change within the

fire/Emergency Medical Services field or related discipline.
5. Continuing Practice or Education

Ability to maintain currency in the field and the specific course by:

a. teaching a similar course at a training academy, college or university;

b. taking a similar course within the last five years;

c. teaching the course at the NFA or in the field;

d. 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

e. current certification as a Certified Safety Professional or Certified Hazardous

Materials manager or other associated certifications requiring currency.

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