Training Branch

DEMA/EM provides a variety of programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI). This series of programs focuses on the following topics: 

• Incident Command System (In-person and virtual instructor-led options available)
• National Incident Management System
• All-Hazards Incident Management Teams
• Communication Unit Leader and Technician
• Public Information Officer (PIO)
• Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Professional Development Series
• Advanced Professional Series
• Emergency Management Professional Program
• Many No-Cost Independent Study Programs 

FEMA Independent Study Programs

FEMA Independent Study courses can be completed through the Emergency Management Institute's (EMI) Independent Study website. Here you’ll find many independent study programs, to include the basic National Incident Management System and Incident Command system programs:

• IS100 - Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS200 - Incident Command System for Single Resources
• IS700 - Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• IS800 - National Response Framework

These Incident Command courses provide a foundation for most all emergency management programs, and are essential for NIMS Compliance. Please note that G300 (Intermediate ICS) and G400 (Advanced ICS) can NOT be completed on-line, but are regularly scheduled for classroom deliveries throughout the year all over Arizona.

Local Delivery of EMI Programs

FEMA's Emergency Management Institute allows DEMA/EM to provide a variety of emergency management programs using the State Adjunct Instructor Program. FEMA calls these “field delivered” programs (courses with a G or L prefix).  The Training Branch works with over 150 adjunct instructors to provide emergency management training throughout Arizona. Our instructors come from all disciplines, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in their subject areas.

DEMA is able to deliver most of the G and L programs available through EMI’s Course Catalog, including all required Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training. View and download the current EMI catalog from FEMA’s website to see what programs are currently available.

DEMA’s training programs can be requested for local delivery in coordination with your County or Tribal Emergency Management Agency, through submission of our DEMA Training and Exercise Event Request form.

Visit  the Acadis Training Portal for current course availability.

Emergency Management Institute

EMI also offers a variety of programs in residence at their facility in Emittsburg, Maryland. EMI will reimburse the traveler’s airfare, and lodging is provided on-site at no cost. Each attendee is responsible for their own meals through purchase of a meal-ticket at EMI’s cafeteria.

FEMA requires that applications for these programs be approved by each State’s Emergency Management Agency, and for Arizona, that’s the DEMA Training Branch. For more information on these programs, visit EMI’s website or contact our EMI Training Coordinator for assistance.

EMI Courses and Schedules

EMI Application Process

The US Dept of Homeland Security's National Training and Education Division provides a wealth of federally funded programs available for local delivery, as well as in-residence programs offered at no cost at various out-of-state training sites. This series of programs focuses on the following topics:

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE)
• Terrorism and Catastrophic Events
• Active Shooter
• Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure
• Agriculture and Food Security
• Hospital and Health Emergency Management
• Citizen Preparedness
• Nuclear and Radiological
• Hazardous Materials Transportation

The following training programs are funded through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and available through the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) Training Branch to state, county, local and tribal emergency response personnel, first responders and first receivers. 

Course topics include: Active Shooter, Agroterrorism, CBRNE, Critical Infrastructure, Cyber Security, HazMat/WMD (ProBoard Certification Available), Healthcare Emergency Management, Search and Rescue, Social Media, Sports and Special Events Management, Terrorism and Catastrophic Events. 

Students must have or obtain a FEMA Student Identification Number to attend and receive a completion certificate for all Homeland Security Training. 

Locally Delivered Training 

There are hundreds of Homeland Security training programs available for delivery in your jurisdiction. These training programs can be requested for local delivery by following the Training Event Request procedures. To see what's currently scheduled in your area, please visit the Acadis Training Portal. To view a list of courses available for delivery visit FEMA's National Training and Education Division (NTED) Catalog.  This catalog is a searchable list of courses that have been developed for and/or delivered by institutions and organizations for delivery to local jurisdictions. This includes programs offered by the institutions below. Each provider/program has various logistical and enrollment minimum and maximum requirements. Please contact the Arizona Training Point of Contact (TPOC) for details.

• Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)
• Center for Radiological Nuclear Training (CTOS)
• Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC)
• National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT)
• National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC)
• Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)

Resident Training (Out-of-State)

These programs are each funded through federal grants to include tuition, course materials and travel. Each training provider has their own registration form and process that must be followed. Because of the background, discipline and experience needed for many of the training courses offered, applicants attending training courses at the provider’s location must adhere to the individual provider’s policies and procedures. The provider websites below will give specific information on training dates, course details and registration procedures.

• Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)
• Center for Radiological Nuclear Training (CTOS)
• Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC)
• Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC)
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)

After downloading the appropriate application, ensure you have filled it in completely, obtained all necessary signatures, and coordinated the training in accordance with your agency's travel and training policies. Incomplete applications or applications without required signatures will not be processed.

Hazardous Materials Training

The Hazardous Materials training program teaches competencies found in the​​​​​National Fire Protection Agency standards (NFPA 470), as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards (OSHA 29CFR 1910.120). Our programs are taught using the International Fire Service Accociation (IFSTA) curriculum and include:

• First Responder Awareness
• First Responder Operations
• Hazardous Materials Technician

Professional Development Series (PDS)

The Professional Development Series includes seven Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Independent  Study (IS) courses that provide a well-rounded set of fundamentals for those in the emergency management profession. Many students build on this foundation to develop their careers.

Please follow this link to FEMA’s website for the most current listing of the Professional Development Series courses.

PDS Certificate of Completion. Students who complete all of these courses will receive a PDS “Certificate of Completion” from FEMA. For questions about obtaining your PDS certificate, students can contact FEMA’s Independent Study Office directly for assistance at (301) 447-1200.

Advanced Professional Series (APS)

The ability to perform essential work in a disaster requires skills in emergency operations and management. These skills may be developed through this series of courses that offers "how to" training focused on practical information. This new series emphasizes applied skills in disaster operations, alongside of and building on Professional Development Series management and coordination skills.

The APS program consists of 5 required courses and 5 elective courses. APS courses are all classroom courses unless otherwise noted.

Please follow this link to FEMA’s website for the most current listing and descriptions of the Advanced Professional Series courses.

To see what's currently scheduled in your area, you can visit the Acadis Training Portal, dematraining.az.gov. 

APS Certificate of Completion. Students who complete the 5 required courses and any 5 of 16 elective courses are eligible to receive the EMI Advanced Professional Series Certificate of Completion.

Download the APS Checklist to track completion of your APS requirements and/or request for your APS certificate.

Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP)

The vision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is to strengthen the field of emergency management by establishing an Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP). The EMPP provides a structured and progressive framework for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter and progress through the field and to meet the challenges of a dynamic and complex environment. The entire EMPP curriculum is designed to provide a lifetime of learning for a career in emergency management.

The EMPP includes three academies:

• National Emergency Management Basic Academy, which focuses on Foundational Knowledge and Skills.
• National Emergency Management Advanced Academy, which focuses on Multi-Agency Coordination in an Emergency Operations Center; Specializing in Protection, Prevention, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery Areas.
• National Emergency Management Executive Academy, which focuses on Strategic Leadership and Critical Thinking.

For more information on any of the Academy programs above, please visit FEMA’s EMPP website. 

Unpaid internships are available to individuals seeking a career in Emergency Management.  Learn more by visiting Internship Program

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a comprehensive, nationwide, systematic approach to incident management for any situation regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. NIMS is a set of standardized concepts and principles applicable to all threats, hazards, and events. Use of the system allows various organizations and jurisdictions to effectively work together during an incident to achieve common objectives. Governor's Executive Order 2007-23 designates NIMS as the basis for all incident management in Arizona.

The goal of the NIMS program in Arizona is to enhance statewide NIMS implementation. The Planning Branch provides NIMS outreach, education, and technical assistance to organizations and jurisdictions statewide.