Now
Available
2008
DHS-Compliant AHIMT Training
Oakhurst,
CA April 15, 2008 – The Incident Management
Training Consortium (IMTC) today announced the availability of
the first complete DHS-standard ICS All Hazard Incident Management
Training curriculum, as well as special application support for
agencies wanting to fund their ICS training programs through
the 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) applications
due May 1.
“Until now 2008 DHS-standard ICS All-Hazard Training courses
have not been available,” says Jon Olney, a principal in
IMTC. “In fact, ICS has been one of the most confusing
areas for training coordinators and emergency managers, because
national standards and clear requirements were only recently
finalized.” IMTC instructors worked with DHS
as content experts to develop the current 2008-2009 ICS training
standards.
According to Olney, the new curriculum represents a significant
shift in training focus, delivering new content, clear standards
and, for the first time, a cohesive path for achieving the national
standard that training coordinators, planners, and managers can
follow.
While
training managers have been trying to comply with DHS requirements
after the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, many
have unknowingly proceeded with unapproved plans, used non-compliant
courses or non-qualified instructors. “These
standards and the courses we are presenting based on these new
2008 standards can eliminate the hodgepodge of expensive, but
disconnected training that managers have had to use,” says
Olney. “Now, there is a simpler, direct, and effective
way to create the full-functioning, field-certified, DHS-compliant
all-hazard teams that managers are trying to develop for their
communities.”
2008 DHS standards now require that training
providers teach ICS courses that meet the new guidelines and
that only DHS-recognized instructors can be used. Once those
criteria have been met, training managers should select their
provider based on their community needs: a single course for
an individual or for a small group of personnel? Multiple individual
classes or a group of aligned courses? Or a cohesive long-term
training initiative?
National Emergency Responder Credentialing System
Any jurisdiction developing an All-Hazard Incident Management
Team should be familiar with these guidelines, the latest from
the National Integration Center/ Incident Management Systems
Integration (NIC/IMSI) Division that is responsible for the National
Emergency Responder Credentialing System (NERCS). This document
presents the minimum training, education, and experience guidelines
for specific emergency response personnel and ICS functional
positions. The system is being developed by the Incident Management
Working Group of FEMA/DHS, and the January 2008 draft has been
released for comments.
Now
Available
Support
for May 1 HSGP Application Deadline
IMTC
OFFERS FREE HELP TO MEET LOOMING MAY 1 HSGP APPLICATION DEADLINE
The
Homeland Security Grant Program has a May 1, 2008 application
deadline for almost $1.7 billion
through four grant programs,
and the DHS standards for training were released less than
3 months before the May 1 application deadline for grant funding. NIMS/ICS
training has also been identified as an area of emphasis for
DHS, and 2008 HSGP funds can be used to pay for NIMS/ICS training.
IMTC
is providing complimentary materials and consulting support to
help agencies meet the looming application deadline. DHS
documents relevant to the grant application are available at
the IMTC Download Center at www.imtcllc.com/download. Free
confidential IMTC materials and consulting support are available
without obligation by contacting Dana Hays at 559 683-7800
or dana.hays@imtcllc.com.
Training
and HSGP Contact:
Dana
Hays
559.683.7800
dana.hays@imtcllc.com.
Media
Relations Contact
Pat
Browns
559.435.4411
pat@hensleynet.com
