The national Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC) provides training for state emergency responders on multi-jurisdictional and all-hazard issues, including wildfire. The original CIMC curriculum was developed in 1998 by NASF with grant support from the USDA Forest Service. As of 2022, NASF has trained 138 teams at 31 CIMC sessions held in Arizona, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, New York, Michigan, Montana, Maine, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington.
The course is delivered up to twice a year (the location rotates among the three state forester regions) and can be completed within a week. Immediately below is information on upcoming courses:
Washington State | Late October 2023
Who should take this course?
State forestry organization employees designated to fill a state level incident management team position, such as a(n): Incident Commander, Planning Section Chief, Operations Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, Finance Section Chief, Safety Officer, Information Officer, or Liaison Officer. Candidates from the hosting region have priority for attendance.
How can I take this course?
To participate in a CIMC course, you must first be nominated by your state forester. Throughout the year, each state forester is notified of the dates and locations of upcoming CIMC trainings via email. State foresters nominate candidates for the program by emailing the CIMC Executive Secretary with their recommended candidates’ names and email addresses. The CIMC Executive Secretary then sends each candidate a user ID, password, and directions to apply for the course online.
Have questions? Contact Rick Dolan at (352) 353-5101
Course Objective
The course’s primary objective is to train command and general staff to function as qualified state incident management teams able to assist state forestry organizations and state emergency departments in the management of large, highly complex wildfires and other all-hazard incidents.
Course Description
Using classroom lecture, exercises, and simulated incidents, the student will understand and demonstrate the role and function of an incident management team as well as their role on it, the applicability of management principles to the incident management job, and the special considerations of incident management within geographic areas of the nation.
Course Prerequisites
S-420 and Position Training
(updated 12/2/11)
Demonstrate effective team processes and decision-making during complex and stressful situations.
Demonstrate the ability to develop incident action plans and other required incident management tasks and products for effective complex incident management.
Identify and demonstrate the IMT’s responsibility for ensuring the safety of incident responders and the public.
Utilize the planning process to identify/recognize the need for the IMT to refine/modify objectives and strategies.
Understand and demonstrate the roles and relationships between Incident Management Teams (IMTs), Area Command Teams, and MAC Groups.
Demonstrate the ability to meet the management needs of Agency Administrators, Area Command Teams and MAC Groups.
Understand and demonstrate managerial and functional responsibilities of positions within Incident Management Teams and other complex organizations (MAC Groups, FEMA operations etc.).
Identify external factors that influence IMT decisions and demonstrate knowledge of what steps/actions can be taken to mitigate these factors.
Understand and demonstrate responsibilities and techniques used during transfers of command; between the responsible agency or another IMT’s and their IMT.
Understand and demonstrate the IMT’s roles and responsibilities for development and maintenance of positive media and community relations.
Demonstrate strategic thinking and long range planning skills for management of complex incidents.
Rick Dolan – CIMC Steering Committee Chair, Florida Forest Service
Rich Schenck – Northeast NASF Representative, Connecticut DEEP – Forestry
Dan Laux – Northeast NASF Representative, Michigan DNR – Forestry
Greg Smith – South NASF Representative, North Carolina Forest Service
Jason Braunstein – South NASF Representative, Virginia Dept. of Forestry
Mike Van Loben Sels – West NASF Representative, CAL FIRE
Andy White – West NASF Representative, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Forest Action Plans:
GUIDELINES FOR FORESTS
Your state’s Forest Action Plan includes in-depth analysis of forest conditions and trends in your area. Collectively, the states’ Forest Action Plans make up a roadmap for forest management on a national scale.
