Online NIMS 700 & 800

[0]

I'm looking at starting to completing my NIMS courses and figured I'd start out here as I've got 100 and 200 done.  My question here is for the 700 and 800 it says 3 hours and looks like it's all online no real text materials like the 200.  Do I have to sit the whole 3 hours at once or can I do it in sections based on my work schedule? 

[Short Field]

For 700 & 800, taking the final exam is a separate step/process than taking the course.  So you can do them in separate small segments, then when you feel ready, take the test.

For ICS 700, you print the test out, complete it, then go to a web-page and enter the answers on an answer sheet.

[scooter]

Print the test first. Then do the course and find the answers as you go along. Then go take the exam for real.

[Neo001]

The best way is pick option 1 once you are on the course page and click on Lesson 6: Additional Resources and Summary (for IS800.B)  step3   click the next button eight times and click on "Click on this link for a printable summary of the IS-800 National Response Framework, An Introduction course." (it has a printer on the left of the aforementioned statement)    Final step you can either cut and paste to a word document or print it all.  Just yell timber first.    It is over 60 pages but it has all the answers!   800.B is the best yet... I have taken all three (800, 800.A and 800.B)  NIMS compliance fun--Wing Dir HLS

[smj58501]

I have taken them all. If you can get ahold of a study guide for each course, it will help you with your test taking experience immensely. Rather than printing it out, try out your find command first for keywords. It is far better than killing a tree

[0]

I've passed the ICS 700!  Now I just have 800 left for the online courses.

Just 3 more to go and I can keep my MSO.

[arajca]

FEMA recently added IS-809 - ESF #9 - Search and Rescue.

CAP is mentioned a few times and gets about equal footing as most of the other orgs, and these is a question on the test about CAP! (10 questions total on test.)

[0]

FEMA recently added IS-809 - ESF #9 - Search and Rescue.

CAP is mentioned a few times and gets about equal footing as most of the other orgs, and these is a question on the test about CAP! (10 questions total on test.)

Would you say it's something worth knowing?

[isuhawkeye]

If you want to be able to talk intelligently about SAR to outside agencies, especially state folks you better know ow what ESF's are, and you had better have a handle on who is responsible for what within that system. 

[0]

So then maybe we should pass something up the chain making IS-809 a required piece of our ES Program.

[cnitas]

Required for who?  GTM3 or GBD or MP or IC etc. ?

[0]

Make everyone take it like we have to take IS 100 (CAPT116 part 2) & IS 700. 

[Short Field]

Just reviewed IC-809.  It is useful and informative.  The primary target for the course is anyone who would be requesting SAR support.  It briefly states who is responsible for the different types of SAR support - DOD, FEMA, USCG, DOI, etc.   

Would I tell someone not to take the course?  No.  Would I make someone take the course?  No.

[cnitas]

Just reviewed IC-809.  It is useful and informative. 

That would depend on the audience?  Is it useful to my 14 yr old C/SSgt GTM-3? Or is it trivial?

The primary target for the course is anyone who would be requesting SAR support. 

This would seem to indicate it is trivial to all except higher level ES ratings...perhaps ICs would find it useful.

Would I tell someone not to take the course?  No.  Would I make someone take the course?  No.

I have not yet reviewed the material, but based on your report, I would agree.  We already have too much trivial information required for ES to tack on more.

[0]

I took it and I think that it's something worth while for anyone in ES to know.  I mean if we want to be able to work with other groups it's something good for everyone to know.

[Short Field]

I found it a decent course - that is it covered some material fairly well and didn't make my brain hurt in the process.  I actually deleted a line where I said it would be good for IC/ALs because most IC/ALs should have a good feel for the missions we can do anyway.   

When interfacing with other agencies, we represent CAP and what we bring to the table.   We are not trained to the level (or have the responsibility) of being able to advise a customer on what other assets they need to request.  We can only tell them what we can and can't do.   

  Lets not talk about making a suggestion "off the record" with a "IMHO" comment.

[smitjud]

Just reviewed IC-809.  It is useful and informative.  The primary target for the course is anyone who would be requesting SAR support.  It briefly states who is responsible for the different types of SAR support - DOD, FEMA, USCG, DOI, etc.   

Would I tell someone not to take the course?  No.  Would I make someone take the course?  No.

I just took it this morning.  Nice overview of SAR assets and responsibilities. 

Only real negative to it is that unlike most FEMA IS courses though, it is worth 0 (zero) CEU's making it useless toward any type of professional certification such as our program here in Alabama (http://www.aaem.us/certif.htm) or the internationally recognized CEM program (http://www.iaem.com/certification/generalinfo/intro.htm).

Still nice to see CAP getting some props.

[Jolt]

I took IS-100 last week, I finished IS-700 yesterday, and I've had IS-200.HC open on my computer for the past day.

Since I'm taking all of these darn classes anyway, are there any courses that I'll need to take eventually for CAP?  I've been a GTM-3 for a few years now, and an FLM for a little longer.

[Short Field]

200 & 800 should finish you up.  300 & 400 are required for certain staff positions but they are not offered on line.

[arajca]

200 & 800 should finish you up.  300 & 400 are required for certain staff positions but they are not offered on line.

Unofficial intel from EMI is that IS200 (and derivitives) may be going away as well. Expereince from the field from ICS 300 instructors is that those who take IS200 do not retain the knowledge. The IS200 students fail the pretest in ICS 300 about 99% of the time (and not usually by one or two questions), so the instructor has to waste an entire morning (or more) to bring them up to where they should be. It seems that without the practical application portion of ICS 200, the information doesn't take. Also, and this came from someone in the FEMA IS curriculum area, people were selling the answers to this open book test on Ebay!

[RiverAux]

My 300 class (taught by state emergency mgt) didn't lose anybody due to pre-test problems and about 95% or more of the students had done it online.  Now, if you take the 200 course and then don't use ICS for 4 years and then take 300, obviously you're not going to remember much.  Except for stuff like the difference between strike teams and task forces, I'd be fairly confident that most experienced adult CAP ES members wouldn't have a problem. 

[Short Field]

That is an issue with on-line courses with on-line tests.  It is too easy to breeze through the material, pass the test, and never intellectually absorb the information so you can use it later.   

[ThorntonOL]

does this mean I can take 700 and 800 even though I haven't completed 300,400.? (Is there a 500 and 600?)

[mikeylikey]

^ Yes.  300/400 is in-residence anyway. 

[ThorntonOL]

for IS 700 and 800 which fema course are needed. (as in one 700? or two in that series.)

[isuhawkeye]

I dont understand your question.  Can you please re-state it???

[ThorntonOL]

Basically what do we need to qualify for IS 700 and IS 800 on our qualifications.

[Jolt]

You just have to take the online course and pass the final test.

[Short Field]

^^^then give a copy of the course completion certificate to your ES training officer or personnel officer.

[Dad2-4]

So is there a difference between 800, 800.A and 800.B that I've seen mentioned here? I completed 800.B this week, but didn't see "800" on the course offering list. Is the "B" just an updated version of 800 or a different course?
I also completed 100, 200, 700, and 809. I'm a teacher, so I have lots of time to sit and read during the summer. I also completed 100.SC and 362 to see if I can get professional development credit for them from my school district.

[Jolt]

I think that the courses with the .B or what have you after the course number are the same course but tailored to certain organizations.  For instance, the IS-200.HC is geared toward healthcare organizations, but still meets the requirements for IS-200.

[isuhawkeye]

the course IS 800 was replaced by IS 800B when the National Response Plan was replaced by the National Response Framework

[SilverEagle2]

Might be a stupid question but....

I should take IS-800.B now to satisfy my IS-800 qual?

[RiverAux]

Not if you already did the first one.  No specific version of 800 has been mandated by CAP.

[SilverEagle2]

I have not taken any prior...actually I just passed IS-800.B so I guess I satified the requirement.

Thanks

[MikeD]

Might be a stupid question but....

I should take IS-800.B now to satisfy my IS-800 qual?

I see your stupid question and raise the bar a little   

Is there a dummies guide to NIMS?  What ones are required, and for who?

[Eclipse]

Notes:
1. ICS-400 is recommended but not required for specialties marked with an "*".
2. ICS-400 is required to be completed by the Federal compliance date which is currently 30 September 2009.

[Eclipse]

iCC's NIMS Memo, see attached:

[Jolt]

IS-100 should be checked off for the GES row (I see that it is in the bottom image).  Is IS-700 really a requirement for a GTM?  I've completed the course and I have a certificate from something else I'm involved in, but I've never recorded credit in CAP.  I've never had a problem with my GTM nor my FLM status, though.  Is this new?

Never mind.  I should read memos before I post, eh?  Well, I guess I should get my IS-700 certificate turned in.

[CadetProgramGuy]

Personally speaking at a minimum you should get ICS 100, 200, 700, 800.

Then go get the Professional Development Series doen. There is useful knowledge in all of it.

Personally I have completed 34 of the FEMA courses.

[Jolt]

Personally speaking at a minimum you should get ICS 100, 200, 700, 800.

Then go get the Professional Development Series doen. There is useful knowledge in all of it.

Personally I have completed 34 of the FEMA courses.

I lost interest after completing two, but I finished three because I was required to.  I cannot imagine doing 34 FEMA courses.  That just seems painful.

[CadetProgramGuy]

I got bored one night.....

[SilverEagle2]

Well, I completed the IS200, IS700, and IS800.B yesturday and updated the Single-Person Acheivement Screen.

My IS100 went active pretty quick after I did that as I recall.

Anyone know who the approving authority is for the Pending Verification IS acheivements?

They seem to do a good job of staying on top of things.

[Al Sayre]

Squadron Commanders verify for IS 100, 200, 700, & 800.  Group or Wing DOS for ICS 300 & 400

[Ricochet13]

Squadron Commanders verify for IS 100, 200, 700, & 800.  Group or Wing DOS for ICS 300 & 400

Where did you see that Group or Wing DOS verify for ICS-300?

Completed ICS-300 two weeks ago and submitted through eServices.  As I'm commander, could not verify myself and so made copy of certificate for my personnel file and referred it to Squadron Deputy Commander.  He approved and it appeared on my 101 card.   

Just double-checking.

[Eclipse]

Sounds like you have some sort of circular approval relationship going in eServices.

As a unit CC, no one should be approving >your< "anything" but the Group CC (or designate).

[Al Sayre]

Squadron Commanders verify for IS 100, 200, 700, & 800.  Group or Wing DOS for ICS 300 & 400

Where did you see that Group or Wing DOS verify for ICS-300?

Completed ICS-300 two weeks ago and submitted through eServices.  As I'm commander, could not verify myself and so made copy of certificate for my personnel file and referred it to Squadron Deputy Commander.  He approved and it appeared on my 101 card.   

Just double-checking.

That's just how they've been popping up in my inboxes...

And like Bob said, I verify/approve all the ES stuff for all the unit commanders except myself, which eServices routes to my squadron ESO for unit verification and then to the WG/CC or WG/CV for approval (we don't have Groups in MS).

[MikeD]

iCC's NIMS Memo, see attached:

Awesome, thank you.  Working on 700 now...

*Edit:  Don't take this class after your brain's fried from a week of Autocad classes.....

[isuhawkeye]

Just an FYI.  the Emergency Management Institute recently updated several of their courses.  IS-100, and 200 now have the ".b" designator behind the course title.  This new course is fully NIMS compliant. 

There is no requirement to re take these courses if you have already completed them.

Also there is a new EOC interface course.  this may be a good course for command staf to consider.

[RRLE]

Some other FEMA courses to consider:

IS15A Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies. I took this one since my ARES/RACES group does get involved with providing comms for parades. If CAP does something similar it couldn't hurt to take the course.



IS-702 National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Public Information Systems

Two weather related ones on the 'to be done' list:

IS-271 Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk
IS-324 Community Hurricane Preparedness

As CAP gets more NIMS compliant, the following might be helpful. There are even more courses but I think these are most related to what CAP does.

IS-701 NIMS Multiagency Coordination System (MACS) Course
IS-703 NIMS Resource Management This gets into the, soon to be important, resource typing issue.
IS-706 NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid - An Introduction
IS-801 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #1 - Transportation This is a very new course.
IS-802 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #2 - Communications This is a very new course.
IS-809 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 – Search and Rescue
IS-860 National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)

I think this is the course that isuhawkeye mentioned: IS-775, EOC Management and Operations

[Ricochet13]

Sounds like you have some sort of circular approval relationship going in eServices.

As a unit CC, no one should be approving >your< "anything" but the Group CC (or designate).

I'll have to check and see if the Group/CC approved, but not sure eServices routed it to him.

[Ricochet13]

Some other FEMA courses to consider:

IS15A Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies. I took this one since my ARES/RACES group does get involved with providing comms for parades. If CAP does something similar it couldn't hurt to take the course.



IS-702 National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Public Information Systems

Two weather related ones on the 'to be done' list:

IS-271 Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk
IS-324 Community Hurricane Preparedness

As CAP gets more NIMS compliant, the following might be helpful. There are even more courses but I think these are most related to what CAP does.

IS-701 NIMS Multiagency Coordination System (MACS) Course
IS-703 NIMS Resource Management This gets into the, soon to be important, resource typing issue.
IS-706 NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid - An Introduction
IS-801 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #1 - Transportation This is a very new course.
IS-802 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #2 - Communications This is a very new course.
IS-809 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 – Search and Rescue
IS-860 National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)

I think this is the course that isuhawkeye mentioned: IS-775, EOC Management and Operations

Just completed the IS-802 and IS-809 courses this afternoon.  FEMA-EMI suggests a 30 minute timeframe to complete each course and that seemed very adequate time to go through the presentations without rushing.  Both are, of course, "Big Picture" in nature and help to fill in and reinforce other ICS courses.  And as a note, Civil Air Patrol and AFRCC were included in the IS-809 course.

[RiverAux]

That inclusion will probably end up giving CAP more exposure in the local emergency management community than anything else we've done in recent decades since more than likely anyone that has anything to do with SAR will probably be taking that course.

[isuhawkeye]

very true.  It's an honor to the organization

[Ricochet13]

That inclusion will probably end up giving CAP more exposure in the local emergency management community than anything else we've done in recent decades since more than likely anyone that has anything to do with SAR will probably be taking that course.

Agree with you on that.

Incidentally, the "non-CAP" instructor of the ICS-300 course I took was very specific to mention CAP in the discussions and to recommend inclusion of CAP in any IAP planning.   

Also a good sign!

[Tubacap]

Mine was too in the ICS-300 level course. 

By the way, once you get the initial stuff out of the way, a lot of the previously mentioned FEMA courses are great.  I would definitely recommmend the Professional Development Series (PDS) for anyone that is looking to become more involved in the planning of missions or SAREXs.

[Short Field]

Just FYI:  Don't confuse Validation with Approval.  A lot of people in the organization can "Validate" something - like a ICS course.  It just means "Yes, I saw the certificate for the course and his name was on it".  You validate ICS courses, FAA Medical Certifcates, etc.  It is a no brainer. 

Approval means the person has (1) met the qualifications and (2) has your approval to get the rating/qualification.  A IC3 candidate might meet all the qualifications but the Wing/CC (or anyone else in the approval chain) might consider them a total flake and not approve them to be a IC3.

[MikeD]

Would Ground Teams and UDF teams be considered a Strike Team under ICS?

[isuhawkeye]

no,

ground teams, and udf teams are single resources.  Much like a fire engine has 3-5 people attached to its single resource status.

Now, if you deploy multiple ground teams to search a park for a missing camper, they could work as a strike team. 


If you throw an aircraft into the mix it would be a task force

[Eclipse]

Correct, the "team" itself is the resource, not the people in it, because independently they aren't allowed to operate, so in that capacity they aren't a resource.  Usually 3-5 of the same resource make up a strike team.

However a combination of UDF and GT's, could be considered a task force as they are actually different types of resources, especially if you assigned an aircraft as part of the TF.

I've lit up Strike Team Leaders very effectively for larger, more complex missions with multiple teams operating in the same area.  There is only so much a GBD can do to coordinate a search from the ICP.