IS 300

[Dutchboy]

What ES tracks need (required) IS 300? What does IS 300 cover?

[Eclipse]

Branch directors and higher, SE, CUL, LO.

"Expanding incidents"

Search is your friend - there's a lot of discussion on that here.

[CAPPAO]

ICS-300 is also needed to qualify for the Information Officer specialty.

[Eclipse]

Maj. Gen. Courter's memo on NIMS which includes a matrix of required classes vs. qualification.

http://level2.cap.gov/documents/2008_04_10_NIMS.pdf

[Dutchboy]

Branch directors and higher, SE, CUL, LO.

"Expanding incidents"

Search is your friend - there's a lot of discussion on that here.

Yes it is, But I was asked to actually post the question from a higher authority. Search is secondary. Sorry.
Not sure why, but I am not to question it, unless it violates a CAPR.

[Eclipse]

um...what?

[0]

Branch directors and higher, SE, CUL, LO.

"Expanding incidents"

Search is your friend - there's a lot of discussion on that here.

Yes it is, But I was asked to actually post the question from a higher authority. Search is secondary. Sorry.
Not sure why, but I am not to question it, unless it violates a CAPR.

If you need the info, do search.  Even if told from higher authority, remember some of the darkest stains on history can be defended by saying " I was just following orders."

[♠SARKID♠]

I just got back from a weekend of ICS-300 training...I think my brain is broken.

[RedFox24]

SARKID

I have talked to several agency people (State Police, EMA, Fire Dept Etc) who have taken 300 and 400.  All but one have said it was a mind numbing experience.  Half have said it could be half as long a just as effective.  Your thoughts please?

[brenaud]

SARKID

I have talked to several agency people (State Police, EMA, Fire Dept Etc) who have taken 300 and 400.  All but one have said it was a mind numbing experience.  Half have said it could be half as long a just as effective.  Your thoughts please?

I didn't really feel that way (I've only taken 300).  The hardest thing for me was to look at things from an overall perspective instead of getting deep into operations details.

[♠SARKID♠]

SARKID

I have talked to several agency people (State Police, EMA, Fire Dept Etc) who have taken 300 and 400.  All but one have said it was a mind numbing experience.  Half have said it could be half as long a just as effective.  Your thoughts please?

Starting about five minutes in, I wanted to start bashing my own brains out with my student guide.  Did I learn some good stuff?  Sure.  Would I have learned more if I were inclined to stop drooling in a spaced out daze?  Sure.

[RiverAux]

I thought that both 300 and 400 were basically worthwhile.  However, I still think that we and other ES organizations still have a ways to go in order to truly implement the system envisioned in those courses for running multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional missions.  Until various state and federal laws are changed to resolve various disputes I expect we will still see situations where legitimate conflicts will arise over incident command.  It really takes a lot of folks with a mission-oriented point of view to make this stuff work without worrying so much about credit for their agency (or avoidance of blame). 

Both 300 and 400 involve quite a bit of interaction with others as you try out the concepts given in the presentations.  Not all of the exercises were great, but were worthwhile. 

Unfortunately for us, the scenarios are targeted at police and fire response and while they try to avoid tactics discussions, us SAR folks are at a little bit of a disadvantage.   

[Short Field]

I just got back from a weekend of ICS-300 training...I think my brain is broken.

My IS-300 class was three days long, and the IS-400 class was two days.  I got lucky as the instructor taught the courses for a living, had tons of experience, and was outstanding.  The instructor makes all the difference.  If you can actually apply the material when you get back home, the instructor did a good job.

[Dutchboy]

Anyone have tips on taking the class? Is it hard? how hard is it?

[cap235629]

As my instructor in both 300 and 400 repeatedly said.  "Don't get lost in the weeds"

This is NOT a CAP course and is NOT taught from a CAP perspective.

It is also NOT a Fire/Police/Rescue/EMA course.

It is a MANAGEMENT course designed to give you the framework to effectively MANAGE an expanding incident.

Type A operators have a hard time think beyond operations, it is inherent in us.  This course is designed to make you think outisde of your comfort level and manage the ENTIRE spectrum of an expanding incident.

I agree that the instructor makes all the difference.

My advice to you is to go in open minded and any time you think beyond employing an asset and start directing how they will do their jobs, pinch yourself and remember, they know what to do and your job is to tell them when and where, NOT HOW

Good luck, drop me a PM if you have any specific questions

[arajca]

Another way to get more out of it is to volunteer for an area that you DON'T normally operate in. If you're really into Ops, sign on for Planning or Logistics. If you usually serve in Logistics or Fin/Admin, go for Ops. Really increases your awareness and appreciation for how everything fits together.

[isuhawkeye]

The 300 and 400 courses depend heavily upon the quality of your instructor.  If you get someone who reads ppt, and regurgitates slides then it will melt your brain. 

When I teach I try to get the students to engage in discussion and dialog.  If I can get the students to equate these new skills to how they do business, and identify ways to improve their operations the class goes much better.

I also refuse to teach the entire class myself.  I bring in 1-3 other instructors to assist.  This brings a variety of backgrounds and experiences, which makes a better course.

I have met instructors who claim that they can teach 300 in one day.  They skip the exercises, and simply lecture.  In this environment the students dont get to use the skills outlined in the lecture, and they dont walk away with a functional understanding of the material.

Finally there is now a 300B course.  This course allows for exercise options.  Instructors can now taylor the course to the audience by selecting one of four exercises per break out section.

[bosshawk]

I'll have some informed comments after I take the 300 course at Travis AFB the weekend of the 14-15th of Feb.  It is being taught by one of the most knowledgeable CAP guys that I know, so am hoping that it at least keeps me awake.

[Dutchboy]

I'll have some informed comments after I take the 300 course at Travis AFB the weekend of the 14-15th of Feb.  It is being taught by one of the most knowledgeable CAP guys that I know, so am hoping that it at least keeps me awake.

Thanks, Let me know if you would please!

[flynd94]

I'll have some informed comments after I take the 300 course at Travis AFB the weekend of the 14-15th of Feb.  It is being taught by one of the most knowledgeable CAP guys that I know, so am hoping that it at least keeps me awake.

So they finally convinced Jan to teach the class.  I sure wish I could be there for it.

Keith