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 2024, NASF has trained 162 teams at 38 CIMC sessions held in Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
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:
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.
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 5/23/2023)
Demonstrate effective team processes, communication, and critical decision-making skills in a complex incident environment utilizing appropriate decision-making rationale, and team collaboration that meets the goals and management needs of the Agency Administrator(s), and/or host agencies.
Demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills of a functional position’s roles and responsibilities by completing expected incident response actions, tasks, and products that are timely and provide for effective complex wildland fire and all-hazard incident management.
Identify and demonstrate actions, and processes that effectively manage risk and contribute to the safety of the public and incident responders.
Demonstrate strategic thinking skills and the ability to conduct short- and long-term strategic planning and analysis on complex incidents that address or incorporate situational awareness, values at risk, strategic alternatives, probability of success, and effective risk management.
Utilize an effective planning process to identify, evaluate, and/or recognize the need for an Incident Management Team to refine or modify objectives, strategies, and/or tactics.
Demonstrate the ability to identify, manage, and/or mitigate internal and external influences including fiscal considerations while managing complex incidents.
Demonstrate strong leadership, command presence, and active engagement to effectively manage and lead in a functional area of responsibility in a complex incident environment.
Understand and demonstrate the Incident Management Team’s role in developing and maintaining positive cooperator, partner, and community relations.
Dustin Martin – Chair, CAL FIRE
Jason Braunstein – Vice Chair, Virginia Department of Forestry
Rich Schenck – Northeast NASF Representative, Connecticut DEEP – Forestry
Dan Laux – Northeast NASF Representative, Michigan DNR – Forestry
Bryce Thomas – South NASF Representative, Florida Forest Service
Jason Guidry – South NASF Representative, North Carolina Forest Service
Mike Van Loben Sels – West NASF Representative, CAL FIRE
Don Everingham – West NASF Representative, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Greg Smith — NASF Fire Director, CIMC Liaison to NASF Fire Committee
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.
