The Civil Air Patrol being a National Organization composed entirely of volunteers we tend to have issue with recruiting an retention because we don't have a national training focus or the Mission numbers to keep our member's actively engaged.
Note: Certain tasks and the associated training are expected to be provided by external agencies.For example NIMS and First Aid training will normally be provided by another agency.
g. National Incident Management System (NIMS) training must be provided byappropriately trained and qualified instructors in accordance with established Department ofHomeland Security policies and objectives when training is not completed on-line. Instructorrequirements can be found on the NHQ CAP/DOS website.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) training must be provided by appropriately trained and qualified instructors in accordance with established Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies and objectives when training is not completed on-line. The current requirements for CAP members to teach the above NIMS courses are:IS-100 Instructor Requirements· Two instructors are recommended to teach IS-100 classes, but are not required.· Lead and Unit Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200 and IS-700 NIMS.· Lead Instructors must have training and experience in adult education and have served as an Incident Commander (IC) or in a command staff or general staff position. See the section on Adult Education Experience and Instructor Training below.· Prior versions are acceptable. See the Course Standards section below. It is not necessary to take the course again as materials are revised.IS-200 Instructor Requirements· Two instructors are recommended to teach IS-200 classes, but are not required.· Lead Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, and IS-700.· Unit Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, and IS-700.· The Lead Instructor must have training and experience in adult education and have served as an IC or in a command staff or general staff position. See the section on Adult Education Experience and Instructor Training below.· Prior versions are acceptable. See the Course Standards section below. It is not necessary to take the course again as materials are revised.ICS 300 Instructor Requirements· At least two instructors are required to teach ICS-300 classes.· Lead Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, and IS-700.· Unit Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, and IS-700.· Lead instructors must have served as served as IC or in a command staff or general staff position in an incident that went beyond one operational period or required a written Incident Action Plan (IAP).· Lead Instructors must have training and experience in adult education. See the section on Adult Education Experience and Instructor Training below.· Unit instructors must have served as served as IC or in a command staff or general staff position; or, have specialized knowledge and experience appropriate for the audience, such as public health or public works.· ICS-300 must be completed in residence. There is not an on-line version of this course, though there are online prep and review courses available. See the Course Standards section below.· Prior versions are acceptable. It is not necessary to take the course again as materials are revised.ICS-400 Instructor Requirements· At least two instructors are required to teach ICS-400 classes.· Lead Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800.· Unit Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800.· Lead instructors must have served as served as IC or in a command staff or general staff position in an incident that went beyond one operational period or required a written Incident Action Plan (IAP).· The Lead Instructor must have training and experience in adult education. See the section on Adult Education Experience and Instructor Training below.· Unit instructors must have served as served as an IC or in a command staff or general staff position; or, have specialized knowledge and experience appropriate for the audience, such as public health or public works.· ICS-400 must be completed in residence. There is not an on-line version of this course. See the Course Standards section below.· Personnel having completed ICS-400 previously in accordance with theIS-700 Instructor Requirements· Two instructors are recommended to teach IS-700 classes, but are not required.· Lead and Unit Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200 and IS-700.· Lead Instructors must have training and experience in adult education and have served as an IC or in a command staff or general staff position. See the section on Adult Education Experience and Instructor Training below.· Prior versions are acceptable. See the Course Standards section below. It is not necessary to take the course again as materials are revised.IS-800 Instructor Requirements· Two instructors are recommended to teach IS-800 classes, but are not required.· Lead and Unit Instructors must have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.· Lead Instructors must have training and experience in adult education and have served as an IC or in a command staff or general staff position. See the section on Adult Education Experience and Instructor Training below.· Prior versions are acceptable. See the Course Standards section below. It is not necessary to take the course again as materials are revised.Adult Education Experience and Instructor TrainingThere are several acceptable types of formal adult education experience and instructor training to meet the requirements to present NIMS training in residence for Civil Air Patrol:· DHS Office of Grants and Training’s Instructor Training Certification Course or equivalent state course · National Wildfire Coordinating Group Facilitative Instructor M-410 course· Emergency Management Institute Master Trainer Program· National Fire Academy Instructional Methodology class· College education courses· USAF Academic Instructor School· American Red Cross, National Safety Counsel, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute instructor development training· Equivalent instructor certification courses as determined by the Wing or higher commander or their designee. NHQ CAP/DO can provide additional assistance in determining instructor course equivalency.Some states require their instructors to complete specific courses in order to teach ICS, or for courses to be recognized locally. Wings that desire to conduct their own courses should coordinate with their state and local counterparts in order to be sure that training will be recognized. Wings desiring to restrict instructor qualifications further than noted above can do so through an approved supplement to CAPR 60-3.Course StandardsCourses developed using the National Standard Curriculum Development Guidance document meet NIMS training requirements. However, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring agency or organization, CAP in this case, to verify that the training guidelines are met.The DHS NIMS Integration Center (NIC) considers anyone who has taken all applicable NIMS courses to their level of responsibility within an incident to have satisfied the NIMS training elements as part of the NIMS Implementation Activities, Compliance Matrix and Metrics. Therefore it is immaterial to the NIC if someone takes the courses from USFA, EMI, NWCG, USDA, EPA, Coast Guard, State Agencies, CAP, a private vendor etc., as long as the courses meet the content and objectives outlined in the National Standard Curriculum Training Development Guidance. The NIC discourages the establishment of specific agency/organization version ICS courses as prerequisites for additional training acceptance. CAP will generally use EMI materials, but will accept courses that meet the established National Standard Curriculum Development Guidance. Personnel do not need to re-take courses with CAP as long as they can provide documentation of completion of training from a recognized organization, using acceptable curriculum appropriately.
Yes, lack of internet access is indeed a 'thing' despite the elitist claims of some.Yes, we've seen problems with it in my Wing, and we've worked around it by providing corporate laptops at the meeting place for members to take classes and tests online during regularly scheduled meeting times. Since that's a valid path to gaining online certs, that's what I'd recommend as an interim solution.
I don't think that FEMA incurs any kind of liability by teaching these classes online and I don't think that CAP would incur any liability if I teach it per the instruction to FEMA Standards,
part of the standard is that the local agency provide a certificate. No adding, No taking away any topics. It's a canned program for a reason.
Long term, should you have a need to do a mass class, you may need to work your ICS <300 class credits exclusively through your FEMA instructor cert, turning in your attendance logs for credit outside CAP Form 17 lanes. Thanks for your diligence in seeking excellence and access to training for all, Sir.
As an Instructor in any topic your best defense is that you taught the class to the legally prescribed standard. It's when you deviate from the program when you start taking on that liability personally.
CAP has liability in a lot of the things we do. We "Self-Certify" a lot of things. Every SQTR is a self certification.
If it's the intent that CAP not teach this class...Why create a standard for who can be a CAP instructor for it?
But knowing there is a standard, and having been certified that you understand the standard and can teach it are two different things.I know the standard for teaching motorcycle safety to the norms established by both the MSF and my state's DOT, but until I am tested in a written and practical manner and those bodies certify my competence, I'm just a civilian like everyone else with nothing that says I have a clue.Holding up a book you can't prove you read won't help much. This is why most expert witness and police testimony starts with the witness' credentials being read into the court records (and sometimes being challenged by the defense).
And it doesn't certify NIMS training, because there is no need to - the Feds provide a free, robust, easy to use, system that is accessible to everyone. Why even have the conversation?Now, just like First Aid, ICS 300 & 400, etc., if yo can provide that training under the mantle of another certifying body that CAP accepts, good on 'ye and better for those in your AOR, but CAP has no need to bother with the infrastructure or going through thewhen Uncle Sam already does it for free.
However, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring agency or organization, CAP in this case, to verify that the training guidelines are met.
Good points, Sardoc.I have members in my unit that show up driving Maseratis and missed encampments because they went on safaris last summer (no kidding) and I have members that go a couple of months or skip meetings because they cant afford renewal fees or gas money. Those members cannot afford a laptop, and in some cases can't afford the cash to buy fast food and loiter in a restaurant. Quite a wide range... so I'm motivated to reduce the bar and to encourage a family/teaming atmosphere.
First aid training is another example; we're engaged in getting our people to complete the required curriculum via free online course modules, plus a day of hands-on training at the unit to meet the required standard. Some folks just cant afford the fees of the "professional volunteer" instructors... I think you have the right of it when you hold to that stated standard. Despite hyperbole about setting bones, etc.
Ideally, I would love for everyone to do this online. Makes my job that much easier. I'd rather not spend extra Saturdays away from my kids (and job, because I do work weekends) It's just not happening is my point. I have people who need it who cite a wide variety of reasons why they can't.
The main thing I remember that stood out was for me to be sure and check in at an event, do what I'm told to do, and then be sure to check out and return any materials used.
If the argument here is that CAP can't teach FEMA classes, it appears FEMA and CAP have said it's OK.
CAPNHQ & FEMA just approved and completed a trial run of ICS 300 and ICS 400 being taught by CAP instructors. There is a test for each in LMS (although the links are there, I don't think you can take the test until the instructor approves you).When everything is said and done, you get a certificate of completion signed by the national commander. If the argument here is that CAP can't teach FEMA classes, it appears FEMA and CAP have said it's OK.
I think that is a good idea that will allow folks the opportunity to complete them. I also really enjoy the interaction with the students if I am teaching the class. That to me is one of the most important parts of the class....student and instructor interaction. It is nice that they have moved into the LMS system though and will be a great benefit to anyone with limited access.