Home | FAQ
For most of your NIMS questions visit the FEMA/NIMS Training page.
For guidance as to who needs NIMS training see the NIMS-DHS Training Guidelines (Dec. 2005) (opens as a pdf file).
For California agencies see our SEMS/NIMS Training Guidance.pdf.
- How do I get support for emergency preparedness and training for my agency?
- Do we need to train all of our government workers in NIMS?
- Can our personnel take the NIMS online courses to satisfy the requirements? What are the benefits of having a live presentation?
- Are the WHS courses approved for Department of Homeland Solutions (DHS) reimbursement?
- Does WHS provide NIMS training outside of California?
- Does Willdan Homeland Solutions still offer Train-the-Trainer courses?
- What happens to all those trainers that have taken the American Homeland Solutions TTT courses in the past? Are they no longer certified to teach the Direct Delivery courses?
- How do the Trainers go about acquiring the updated materials?
Question 1: How do I get support for emergency preparedness and training for my agency?
- The WHS presentation "Why Plans Fail" is designed to stress the importance of emergency preparedness training, and gather political, executive and upper management support. The government's response to Hurricane Katrina drives home the point that emergency preparedness is not a luxury but a public mandate.
Question 2: Do we need to train all of our government workers in NIMS?
- Depends on the "level of response and responsibilities" of various employee classifications. First responders may only need the IS700 & ICS 100 courses. See the FEMA/NIMS Fact sheet. However, most disasters and major unusual occurrences may necessitate the use of first responders as leaders for specific ICS groups/functions. WHS recommends that most government employees would benefit from the full NIMS training requirements.
- Many first responders from other than the law enforcement and fire services will need to be trained as well. Employees from public works, parks and recreation, planning departments and administrative services all may play a critical role in responding to emergencies and will need NIMS/ICS training.
- An excellent article on The Role of Public Works In Emergency Management from the American Public Works Association (APWA) can be viewed at this link.
Question 3: Can our personnel take the NIMS online courses to satisfy the requirements? What are the benefits of having a live presentation?
- Yes, the NIMS online IS700 & ICS100 courses will satisfy the current NIMS FY2006 requirements. However, we have found that for retention purposes, interactivity, and training that is tailored for a local area, live-instructor NIMS/ICS training is a more valuable and worthwhile training experience.
- The goal for most agencies is not to just meet minimum eligibility requirements but to better prepare for emergency responses. Live-instructor NIMS/ICS training with local scenario based problems and interactions are far better for retention.
- Many students of the online courses are taking long periods of time to complete the requirements and retaining very little actual knowledge.
Question 4: Are the WHS courses approved for Department of Homeland Solutions (DHS) reimbursement?
- Yes. All of our ICS courses IC IMSI and are eligible for DHS reimbursement. (For agencies receiving DHS/GT grant funding).
Question 5: Does WHS provide NIMS training outside of California?
- Yes. Willdan Homeland Solutions has a cadre of NIMS/ICS experts available for NIMS instruction and consultation anywhere in the United States. Call our toll free number at 1-877-818-5621.
Question 6: Does Willdan Homeland Solutions still offer Train-the-Trainer courses?
- No, unfortunately, due to the increase in the hourly mandates issued by FEMA in February 2008 in their Five-Year NIMS Training Plan, we are no longer offering TTT Courses. The length of all ICS courses has increased significantly.
Question 7: What happens to all those trainers that have taken the Willdan Homeland Solutions TTT courses in the past? Are they no longer certified to teach the Direct Delivery courses?
- All of the trainers that have been previously certified by American Homeland Solutions (now WHS) are still qualified to instruct. However, the length of each of our Direct Delivery courses has increased to meet FEMA’s new mandates. There is no need to attend any additional training but you will be required to have our newly approved material to instruct the courses. Please see the NIMS Update issued by Kenneth L. Whitman from POST for further explanation.
Question 8: How do the Trainers go about acquiring the updated materials?
- Please call us at (714) 940-6370 to request the two-DVD set. Please note: there is a nominal shipping & handling fee of $50 per course.
