Course Descriptions

Courses descriptions for all classes being held at the upcoming academy can be found below. They will describe the basic class and include the pre-requisite requirements.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FEMA Position Specific Courses
NIMS ICS Position Specific training should be completed by personnel who desire to eventually be certified as a member of a Type III INcident Management Team IMT) or who desire to seek credentials/certification in an ICS Command and General Staff or Unit Leader Position. Personnel Qualification relies on a combination of training, operational experience (during exercises or incidents), job shadowing or field mentoring, and administrative requirements (such as agency association and criminal background checks). Credentioaled personnel in an ICS Command and General Staff position (as well as unit leader positions) must supplement training for a candidate to meet minimum expectations to qualify for service in an all-hazard NIMS position during a complex multi-jurisdictional incident nationwide (incidents that require responders to hold credentials under the National Responder Emergency Responder Credentialing System).
Prerequisites: Students who wish to complete NIMS ICS All-Hazard Command and General Staff position specific training (as well as unit leader positions) shallhave completed ICS-100,200,300 and 400 training.

L-950: Incident Commander (IC)
Managing the organization; IC responsibilities in IMT Administration and REadiness; kits, aids & guides; command structures and MACS; agency administrator and IC Cooperation; transfer of command; communication, information and intelligence processing; objectives, strategies and tactics; planning and meetings; staffing; special situations; financial management; agreements; personal documentation; demobilization.

L-952: Public Information Officer (PIO)
PIO roles and responsibilities; incident information operations, developing a communications strategy, effective media relations, assistant PIO tasks and assignments, effective community relations, special situations, creating a safe environmnet, transition and demobilization.

L-952: Safety Officer (SOFR)
Overview of the safety officer role; obtaining incident safety information; identifying hazards and risks; prioritize and manage hazards and risks; incident safety analysis, ICS form 215A site safety and control plan, ICS form 208HM; incident safety plan; coordination with logitics section; coordination with operations section; special situations; demolization and closeout.

L-956: Liaison Officer (LOFR)
Position concept, agency representatives, stakeholders, incident communications and work location, information flow, planning process, special situations, demobilization.

L-958: Operations Section Chief Officer (OSC)
Roles and responsibilities; management cycle; information gathering, strategy and planning; contingency planning, demobilization, supervision and communication, managing and adjusting the operations section, risk assessment and safety management, personnel interaction.

L-960: Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS)
The course is designed to provide local and state-level emergency responders with a robust understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective DIVS on an AHIMT. The course walks students through general information, including an overview of the Operations Section and information on incident mobilization, initial situation awareness and unit management. It also provides detailed instruction on responding to the incident and the command needs of the incident, as well as emphasizing the importance of risk management and safety considerations.

L-962: Planning Section Chief (PSC)
Overview of the planning section chief position; overview of resources, situation, documentation and demobilization units; initial response; planning cycle and interation.

L-967: Logistics Section Chief (LSC)
Overview of the logistics section chief position, overview of facilities, ground support, supply, food, medical and communications units; assume logistics section responsibilities; planning and activating the section; coordination with command and general staff; managing personnel and demobilizing.

L-973: Finance/Administrative Section Chief (FSC)
Information gathering and sharing; section management; interaction and coordination; demobilization and closeout.

Miscellaneous Courses

IST: I-SUITE:
The I-SUITE database consists of several modules that are integrated together. The modules are Resources, IAP, Demob, Time, Cost, Supply and Injury/Illness. This is a computer course that covers the basics of all the I-SUITE modules and also Database and Database Administration. Laptops will be provided. Prerequisites: I-200 & basic computer skills working with Windows computer environment. Recommended: S-260 & S-261.

NWCG COURSES

D-110: Dispatch Recorder with Intro into ROSS
This course is designed to train potential EDRC's. It begins with an overview of the expanded dispatch organization. Then it discusses the resource ordering process and statusing systems, which includes topics such as established dispatch ordering channels, resource order forms, resource statusing systems, and Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS). Finally, the importance of communication and working relationships is addressed. Prerequisites: None

I-200: Basic ICS: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
This course introduces students to the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) associated with incident-related performance. Topics include: leadership and management, delegation of authority and management by objectives, functional areas and positions, briefings, organizational flexibility, transitions and transfers. This course is National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. Prerequisites: None

I-300: Intermdiate ICS: ICS for Supervisors & Expanding Incidents
This course is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently using the Incident Command System (ICS) in supervisory roles on expanding or Type 3 incidents. Topics include: ICS fundamentals review, incident/event assessment and agency guidance in establishing incident objectives, Unified Command, incident resources management, planning process, demobilization and incident transfer of command or close out. This couse is National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. Prerequisites: I-200

I-400: Advanced ICS: ICS for Command and General Staff and Complex Incidents
This course directs the student towards an operational understanding of large single-agency and complex multi-jurisdictional incident responses. Topics include fundamentals review for command and general staff, major and/or complex incident/event management, area command, and multi-agency coordination. This course was developed in conjunctionwith the U.S. Fire Administration (H467) and the Emergency Manangement Institute (G400). These courses are built on the same lesson objectives and content as the NWCG I-400 course and are interchangeable; they are all National Incident Manangement System (NIMS) compliant. Prerequistes: I-300

L-180 / S-133: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service & Look Up, Look, Down, Look Around
This training course is designed for unit-level supervisors to use when delivering orientation training to new crew members. An adapted version of L-180 was added in the 2003 edition of S-130, Basic Firefighter. Topic areas include: situation awareness, basic communicationresponsibilities, attitiude, stress barriers, & decision making process along with teamwork pirnciples. S-133 examines the wildland fire environment & the indicators firefighters should observe on the fireline in order to anticipate fire behavior. Prerequisites: None

L-280: Followership to Leadership
This training course is designed as a self-assessment opportunity for individuals preparing to step into a leadership role. The course combines one day of classroom instruction followed by a second day in the field with students working through a series of problem solving events in small teams (Field Leadership Assessment Course). Topic areas include: Leadership values and principles: transition challenges for new leaders: situational leadership: team cohesion factors: and ethical decision-making. Prerequisites: Experience on incident assignments in operations or support functions & L-180.

RT-130: Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training
Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training should be designed to provide up to date fireline safety information to employees holding Incident Command System qualifications requiring this training per the 2006, PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide. Individual sessions of Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training should contain content pertinent to the registered students. Prerequisites: None

S-130/190: Firefighting Training & Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
This introductory course is designed to train entry-level firefighters referred to as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2). You will be introduced to and gain knowledge of the basic incident management organization, firefighting techniques, suppression equipment, safety, strategy/tactics along with fire behavior. Field- exercises will be performed for valuable hands-on training. Includes L-180 & I-100. Prerequisites: None

S-131: Firefighter Type 1
This course is designed to meet the needs of an advanced Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1). The course in interactive and contains several tactical decision games designed to facilitate learning the objectives and class discussion. Topics include: fireline reference materials, communications and tactical decision making. Prerequisites: Qualified as FFT2

S-200: Initial Attack Incident Commander
The intent of this course is to provide students with the tools and techniques to make the transition from Single Resource Boss to Incident Commander. Prerequisites: Qualified as any Single Resource Boss

S-203: Introduction to Incident Information
The purpose of tis course is to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to serve as poublic information officers (PIOF). The course covers establishing and maintaining an incident information operation, communicating with internal and external audiences, working with the news media, handling special situations, and long term planning and strategy. Prerequisites: None

S-211: Portable Pumps & Water Use
This course is designed to give the student practical knowledge and application skills of portable pump operations. Field exercises will train students in the setup and operation of a portable pump along with foam applications. Prerequisites: None

S-212: Wildfire Powersaws
This class is disigned to train students in the proper use of chainsaws & techniques necessary to prepare them for their functional role as a chainsaw operator on an incident. Class A certification is now available with this 5 day class & field. Prerequisites: Qualified as FFT2 & current certification in Basic First Aid & CPR

S-215: Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface
This course is designed to assist initial attack incident commanders and company officer in confronting wildland fires that threaten life, property, and improvements. Prerequisite: Agency personnel must be Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) qualified. Structural Fire Department personnel should have completed Intro to ICS(I-100),Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180),Firefighter Training & Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-130/190), and Firefighter Type 1 (S-131); or equivalent training. Students attending this course must be knowledgeable of their agency firefighting policy as it relates to wildland/urban interface.

S-230: Crew Boss (Single Resource Boss)
This course is designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of duties associated with the single resource boss position from initial dispatch through demobilization to the home unit. Topics include: operational leadership, preparation and mobilization, assignment preparation, risk management, entrapment avoidance, safety and tactics, offline duties, demobilization, and post incident responsibilities. Prerequisites: FFT1 qualified & S-290

S-231: Engine Boss (Single Resource)
This course is designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of the duties associated with engine boss, single resource (ENGB). Topics include: engine and crew capabilities and limitations, information sources, fire size-up considerations, tactics, and wildland/urban interface. Prequisites: FFT1 qualified & S-230

S-234: Ignitions Operations
This course is designed to train the single resource boss in the functional roles and responsibilities associated with planning and managing an ignition operation. The course will cover planning for the burning operation, ignition techniques, firing devices and vegetative fuel types. If weather permits, a field exercise and/or prescribed fire will be included. Prerequisites: FFT2 qualified & S-290

S-248: Status/Check-In Recorder
This course is designed to introduce students to the tools and techniques used to perform the duties of a status check-in recorder (SCKN). the course provides an overview of what a student can expect if dispatched to an incident. Prerequisites: It is recommended that students have Basic ICS (I-200); Human Factors (L-180) and basic computer skills.

S-260: Interagency Incident Business Management
Discusses Business management principles associated with incidents. This course includes, employee responsibilities and conduct, recruitment personnel time recording, pay and commissary, correct reporting procedures for injury, procurement and equipment time recording: property documentation, cooperative agreements with other agencies, claims/accident investigations. Prerequisites: None

S-261: Applied Interagency Business Management
This course is designed to provide the prerequisite skills/knowledge necessary to perform the task of the entry-level finance positions for commissary manager, personnel time recorder, equipment time recorder, compensation for injury specialist and claims specialist. Prerequisites: S-260

S-270: Basic Air Operations
This course offers information on the uses of aircraft in fire suppression & provides instruction on how to conduct oneself in & around aircraft. It will familiarize the trainee with tactical & logistical uses of aircraft in fire suppression, as well as, describe ther specifications for helicopter landing areas. Prerequisites: None

S-290: Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
This fire behavior course provides students with the knowledge of wildland fuels and fire behavior to make safe and effective fire management decisions on prescribed and wildland fires. Prerequisites: S-130/190 Prerequisites: S-130/190

S-336: Tactical Decision Making in Wildland Fire
This course is designed to suppport training requirements in the Operations Section of the Incident Command System. It is designed primarily to instruct experienced single resource bosses and initial attack incident commanders in the tactics necessary at the strike team/task force leader level. It is also valuable for operations supervisors qualified at higher management levels who have not recieved training in wildland suppression tactics. Lecture and exercises in this package are specific to wildland fire suppression and extensively build upon students' position experience and prerequisite training. Prerequisites: Single Resource Boss or ICT4 qualified

S-339: Division/Group Supervisor
This course prepares students to perform in the role of division/group supervisor. It provides instruction in support of the specific tasks of the division/group supervisor, but will not instruct students in general management/supervision or in the incident command system (ICS), both of which the student should learn through prerequisite work. Topics include division/group management, organizational interaction, division operations, all-hazard operations, and tactical decision games (optional). There is a final examination in this course. Prerequisites: Qualified as task force leader (TFLD) OR qualified as in incident commander type 3 (ICT3) OR qualified as an incident commander type 4 (ICT4) and any two strike team leader positions (one must be STCR or STEN).

S-356: Supply Unit Leader
This course is designed to prepare student to perform the duties of managing the incident supply unit. Student will learn how: to be properly equipped for the incident; gather informaiton to assess the assignment and begin initial planning activities of a supply unit leader (SPUL); organize and staff the supply unit to meet the needs of the incident; coordinate with the logistics unit and other sections; establish procedures for ordering, reciening and distrubuting supplies and equipment; ensure proper accountability of assigned equipment and supplies. Prerequisites: Qualified as an ordering manager (ORDM) and as a recieving/distribution manager (RCDM).

S-359: Medical Unit Leader
This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to perform in the role of medical unit leader (MEDL). Topics include gathering information, organizing the medical unit, supervising the unit, evaluation, documentation and demobilization. Prerequisites: Prior or current certification as an Emergency Medical Technicial or equivalent.

S-390: Introduction to Fire Behavior Calculation
This is a skills course designed to instruct prospective fireline supervisors in wildland fire behavior for effective and safe fire management operations. Prerequisites: S-290 and satisfactory performance as a Single Resource Boss.