Student Recruitment for the first PILOT offering of:
Hazardous Materials / Special Operations Program Management

The United States Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA), is conducting a pilot course at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland for the newly developed 6-day course Hazardous Materials / Special Operations Program Management (P254).

The NFA will be delivering this pilot offering May 9-14, 2010, with students to arrive Saturday May 8 and depart Saturday May 15, 2010.

Course Description:  The Hazardous Materials / Special Operations Program Management course is designed to guide students in gaining and sharing the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively develop, manage and lead  hazardous materials and/or other specific all hazards special operations response capabilities involved in specialized emergency response.

Upon completion of the course, students learn how to analyze the complexities, dynamics, and inter-relationships of the components of special operations.  Through interactive lecture, group activities and testing, the students will study:

·         Identification of special operations components.

·         Identification of the inter-relationships between each discipline and then demonstrate how the manager balances the influences of diverse components.

·         Manage all related disciplines under the same operational procedures.

·         Balancing the “spider web” with understanding all the unique internal and external demands and influences.

The course utilizes lessons learned on how to identify the needs, develop, implement and sustain a Hazardous Materials / Special Operations Program. Ensuring the program meets the needs of the community and the current standard of care.  Included in the course materials are historical examples, current models and best practices for community risk based special response capability development and sustainment.

Student Selection Criteria: Hazardous Materials / Special Operations Teams coordinators, managers, and personnel aspiring to become coordinators and managers, Personnel responsible for training, equipping, and sustaining specialized response resources, Personnel responsible for the supervision or leadership of a hazardous materials or special operations team or company.

Class Size:  22

Length:  6 days

Prerequisites:  ICS 100 level and ICS 200 level training. Preferred courses are Q462 and Q463 available through NFA Online at www.nfaonline.dhs.gov. Chief's signature attests that the applicant has completed this required training.

How to Apply:  Students must complete a General Admissions Application (FEMA Form 75-5).  An electronic application is available on our website at:  http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/about/attend/apply.shtm

·         Completed applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2010 and sent to:

NETC Admissions Office
Building I, Room 216
16825 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

·         Completed applications may also be faxed to the Admissions Office at (301) 447-1441.

·         Applicants should not make plans to attend this pilot course until notified in writing by the NETC Admissions Office.

·         Stipends for eligible students are available for attendance for this pilot course.  Attendance at the pilot course does not prevent an eligible student from obtaining another stipend within the same fiscal year.

 

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