Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Command N0243

Training Specialist


Dave Donohue
301-447-1094

Delivery type


6-day off-campus

Continuing education units


3.6

ACE recommendation


Pending (ACE Review): In the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in fire science, public safety management, emergency management or public administration.

This 6-day course focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the emergency response personnel who will assume the Incident Commander (IC) role in hazardous materials emergencies above the initial response and will implement a National Incident Management System (NIMS)-based Incident Command System (ICS).

Based on the current requirements of 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.120 and the applicable national standards and plans, the program follows 3 phases of an incident:

  1. Preplanning.
  2. Incident operations.
  3. Post-incident responsibilities.

This course meets the NIMS requirements for ICS-300.

Topics include:

  • Negligence and liability.
  • Planning.
  • NIMS ICS/Emergency Operations Center (EOC) interface.
  • Training requirements.
  • Emergency response plans.

The student will develop a hazard-based response using risk-based decision-making to develop an Incident Action Plan. The student’s knowledge of the subject is evaluated through written tests and graded scenarios.

Evening classes and projects are required.

Pre-course materials and course syllabus

Welcome Letter, Pre-course Assignment: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/pcm/pcm_n0243.pdf PDF 176KB
Course Syllabus: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/syll/syllabus_n0243.pdf PDF 85KB

  • Emergency response personnel who may be called upon to assume the duties of the IC at hazardous materials incidents as described in 29 CFR 1910.120.
  • Safety Officers as described in 29 CFR 1910.120. (See note below.)
  • Departmental training officers, chief officers, company officers and regularly acting officers.
  • Emergency management personnel who would interface with emergency response personnel through an EOC operation at a hazardous materials incident.

Note: While Safety Officers and training officers meet the acceptable criteria for this program, the program is not designed for technician-level personnel.

  1. ICS-100-level and ICS-200-level training. Preferred courses are Q0462 and Q0463, available through NFA Online.  Chief’s signature attests that the applicant has completed this required training.
  2. Departments must certify applicants as operations-level trained.
  3. Emergency management personnel must be certified by their jurisdiction as part of the EOC staff.