Directive: APHIS 1810.2 NIMS Training and Exercise Program

United States Department of Agriculture
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

APHIS Directive

APHIS 1810.2

03/12/2024

APHIS NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS)
TRAINING AND EXERCISE PROGRAM (NTEP)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................... 1

2.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................................. 1

3.

AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES .................................................................................. 1

4.

SCOPE .................................................................................................................................... 2

5.

POLICY .................................................................................................................................. 2

6.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ...................................................................................... 2

7.

PROCEDURES....................................................................................................................... 4

8.

FORMS ................................................................................................................................... 9

9.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................ 9

10. INQUIRIES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION .......................................................... 10
1.

PURPOSE
This Directive establishes the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
policy for implementing a National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training and
Exercise Program (NTEP) to prepare the Agency for plant, animal, and all-hazards
emergency responses.

2.

3.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
a.

This is a new directive.

b.

This Directive is in force until canceled or superseded.

AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES
This Directive must be applied in conjunction with:

Distribution: APHIS

Originating Office: Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services

4.

a.

USDA Department Manual (DM) 1800-001, Incident Preparedness, Response and
Recovery

b.

USDA Department Regulation (DR) 1800-001, Incident Preparedness, Response,
and Recovery

c.

USDA Department Regulation (DR) 3300-001-J, Emergency Communications
Programs

d.

National Incident Management System, Third Edition

SCOPE
This Directive applies to all APHIS programs, support units, and offices. It establishes
APHIS as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to create and deliver emergency
response training for both NIMS-type and Agency-specific resources. It also defines
processes and requirements to train and credential instructors to deliver this training
under the NTEP.

5.

6.

POLICY
a.

The NTEP is maintained by Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services’
(ERCS) Emergency Management, Safety, and Security Division (EMSSD),
Emergency Management Branch. Dedicated staff execute the administrative
functions of the program as defined in this Directive.

b.

APHIS maintains a volunteer cadre of credentialed instructors to deliver NIMS
and Incident Command System (ICS) based training to both APHIS employees
and external partners, including state, local, and private entities.

c.

APHIS will train instructors to nationally recognized standards and issue
appropriate credentials suitable for identification during performance of duties.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following individuals and groups implement this Directive’s policy:
a.

Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC)
(1)

Periodically reviews this Directive and supports uniform, Agency-wide
implementation, and socialization.

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b.

Deputy Administrator for ERCS
(1)

c.

d.

e.

Encourages executive leadership to advocate for participation in the NTEP
and instructor cadre to facilitate Agency preparedness.

Director for EMSSD
(1)

Oversees NTEP implementation and promotes NTEP’s capabilities to
APHIS program offices.

(2)

Serves as the authoritative signatory for APHIS NTEP course completion
certificates and instructor credential letters.

NTEP Manager
(1)

Maintains roster of volunteer instructor cadre members and issues
instructor credentials.

(2)

Coordinates course delivery with the NTEP instructor cadre, to include
scheduling, logistics, developing participant rosters, and recordkeeping.

(3)

Communicates with program training representatives or equivalent to
document demand for specific courses and determine optimal delivery
method.

(4)

Creates, publishes, and maintains a Multiyear Training and Exercise Plan
(MYTEP) outlining the long-term preparedness strategy for the Agency.

(5)

Uses the AgLearn Learning Management System to schedule courses,
develop participant rosters, and maintain certificates of completion for
APHIS-delivered NTEP courses.

(6)

Monitors and responds to requests for NTEP support sent to the
[email protected] mailbox.

(7)

Maintains the NTEP SharePoint site to advertise training opportunities
identified in the MYTEP and recruit NTEP instructors.

(8)

Maintains good working relationships with other federal agency training
partners and state training officers in states where APHIS has hub
locations to cultivate economical joint preparedness opportunities.

NTEP Instructors
(1)

Maintain instruction standards, including quality, duration, and curriculum
integrity.

(2)

Proctor course exams, maintain participant accountability, and ensure
safety protocols are followed during course delivery.
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7.

(3)

Coordinate with the NTEP manager to determine course delivery location
and any parking pass, building access, or printed materials requirements.

(4)

At the completion of a course, delivers copies of the course roster, course
evaluation forms and course completion certificates to the NTEP Manager
for filing.

PROCEDURES
The following procedures are established by this Directive:
a.

Course Instruction Requirements
ERCS will fund course deliveries, to include expenses for instructor travel,
printed materials as requested, and course updates. Travel costs for course
participants will primarily be charged to the participant’s parent program or unit,
however, there may be circumstances when ERCS can subsidize these expenses.
APHIS courses will generally be delivered face-to-face in a classroom setting;
however, virtual course deliveries may be approved by the NTEP manager on a
case-by-case basis. Regardless of delivery method, all course materials (manuals,
training aids, etc.) will be digital, with the exception of course exams, rosters, and
evaluations. Any printed materials will be created by the NTEP manager, and they
will coordinate with the lead instructor to send materials to the delivery location
ahead of the course start date. If a course cannot be delivered digitally and
requires printed materials, such as manuals and teaching aides, the lead instructor
must coordinate requests with the NTEP manager in advance so that materials can
be printed and shipped before the course begins. In some cases, the lead instructor
can coordinate with organization that the course is being delivered to for printing
of course materials.
When an APHIS instructor delivers an APHIS-specific course, the instructor may
provide each participant who successfully completes the course with an official
APHIS course completion certificate. When an APHIS instructor delivers a NIMS
course, the instructor must first be credentialed by the NTEP manager to facilitate
the course. Credentialed instructors may provide each participant who completes a
NIMS course with an official course completion certificate. Instructor candidates
seeking credentials to instruct NIMS courses may also instruct a course as part of
their instructor training and may be accompanied by a credentialed instructor who
can provide course completion certificates. In rare cases, an instructor candidate
may also instruct solo to gain experience, and employees may volunteer to serve
as students. In these cases, course completion certificates will not be issued, and
participants will not receive course completion credit in AgLearn.

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b.

Course Titles and Course Descriptions
The below list of APHIS provided NIMS courses is not all inclusive, and NIMS
course convenings are also available through other nationally credentialed federal,
state, and non-government providers. APHIS employees can attend NIMS training
and receive course completion credit in AgLearn upon submission of course
completion documentation to the APHIS NTEP manager at
[email protected].
ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the
Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS
training.
ICS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, reviews the
Incident Command System (ICS), provides the context for ICS within initial
response, and supports higher level ICS training.
ICS-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, provides training and
resources for personnel who require advanced knowledge and application of the
ICS. This course expands upon information covered in prerequisite courses ICS100 and ICS-200.
ICS-400 Advanced ICS, provides training and resources for personnel who
require advanced application of ICS. This course expands upon information
covered in prerequisite courses ICS-100 through ICS-300.
ICS-402 Overview for Executives/Senior Officials, introduction and overview
of the ICS system for elected officials and senior staff. The course covers basic
ICS principles and how ICS is critically important for supporting effective
emergency management.
IS-700 NIMS Introduction, provides an overview of the NIMS concept by
providing a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, privatesector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic
incidents.
IS-800 National Response Framework an Introduction, provides guidance for
the whole community. Within this broad audience, the National Response
Framework focuses especially on those who are involved in delivering and
applying the response core capabilities.
G-191 Incident Command System/Emergency Operations Center Interface,
reviews ICS and EOC responsibilities and functions and depends heavily on
exercises and group discussions to formulate the interface. The course provides an
opportunity for participants to begin developing an interface between an Incident
Management Team and EOC personnel. Prerequisites for this course include ICS
100, 200, 700, and 800.

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Specific requirements for the level and number of instructors that are required to
facilitate basic NIMS courses for APHIS are detailed below.
Course materials are generally standardized by FEMA, but several scenarios are
tailored to agricultural emergency response. NTEP instructors can access course
materials posted to the Instructor Materials section of the NTEP SharePoint site.
At the conclusion of each course, the instructor(s) will provide course evaluation
forms and final exams to course participants. The lead instructor will grade final
exams, add grades to the Course Roster, and email the Course Roster and Course
Evaluations to the APHIS NTEP manager at [email protected]. The
NTEP manager will review and record the information in AgLearn, prepare
course completion certificates, and email them to participants who successfully
complete the course.
c.

Instructor Application, Types, & Credentialing Process
APHIS NTEP instructors are qualified per the FEMA 0449 Curricula Train-theTrainer course to deliver ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, ICS-402, IS-700,
IS-800, and ICS-191 training to APHIS, other federal, state, and nongovernmental
partner personnel. Some instructors may be certified to deliver other preparedness
coursework, to include Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
(HSEEP), Continuity of Operations (COOP), NIMS position-specific courses, and
others. These certifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and APHIS
may issue credentials for instructors to deliver these courses.
Instructor Types
In the delivery of NIMS, ICS, and related coursework, APHIS recognizes and
credentials the following levels of instructors:
(1)

Lead instructor
Lead instructors are the primary instructors for a specific course. Lead
instructors have met all instructor qualifications and are highly
experienced with delivery.

(2)

Support instructor
Support instructors assist the lead instructor with delivery of the course.
Support instructors may or may not have met all the instructor
qualifications but must have experience with the course content. They
often accompany a lead instructor and provide some instruction or
otherwise support course delivery as on-the-job training to meet
requirements to become a lead instructor. Support instructors perform
under the supervision of the lead instructor.

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All APHIS delivered NTEP courses require at least one lead instructor for
delivery. Courses requiring more than one instructor may be delivered with one
lead instructor and any number of support instructors.
Volunteer instructors for the NTEP instructor cadre can be APHIS employees
from any program or support unit within the Agency. Ideally, instructors will have
documented service in a mid-level emergency management and incident response
position within the past 5 years during real-world responses, planned events, or
functional exercises.
Prospective instructors can submit an instructor application along with the
following information to [email protected]:
•

Current resume.

•

Supervisor’s written approval.

•

FEMA Transcript reflecting completion of IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800.

•

Certificates of completion for the following, if available: ICS-300, ICS-400,
E/G/L0191, E/G/L0449, and E/G/L0141 or other instructional certificate or
documented teaching experience.

Applications can be received by the NTEP manager year-round. After reviewing
all prerequisite evidence, if the candidate is found to be qualified for the program,
the NTEP manager will work with them to obtain any relevant experience and
complete the training requirements. ERCS will fund portions of this training, to
include travel, lodging, tuition, and per diem. Base salary and overtime pay are
not covered expenses. Candidate should coordinate funding details with the NTEP
manager.
Upon completion of all prerequisite coursework and documented experience, the
NTEP manager will issue a credential letter and badge for the instructor.
Credentials are issued for a 5-year period and are re-issued upon request to
continue participating in the instructor cadre so long as the instructor has met the
minimum requirements to maintain an active instructor status.
Active instructors are those who have served as a Lead or Support instructor
during a course delivery for a minimum of 8 contact hours every 24 months. The
8 contact hours do not have to be concurrent. Contact hours are tracked by the
NTEP manager.
Instructors who have not been active for a two-year period will be placed in an
inactive status on the NTEP Instructor List. For reinstatement to an active status,
instructors must submit a formal request to the NTEP manager. The NTEP
manager will conduct an audit of the instructor list every year in November to
verify instructor status and confirm contact information.

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This program is voluntary, and instructors can choose to terminate their
participation at any time. Instructors must return badges to the NTEP manager
when they retire from the cadre. Badges should be returned in person or mailed to:
National Training Exercise Program Manager
Emergency Management, Safety, and Security Division
Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
4700 River Road, Unit 72
Riverdale, MD 20737
d.

Instructor Conduct & Expectations
An instructor provides course information to students with diverse backgrounds,
enabling them to learn effectively. While delivering courses, instructors represent
APHIS and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and in accordance
with this policy, using the materials provided Instructors are expected to:
•

Serve in the position with honor.

•

Treat students and other instructors with respect and dignity.

•

Use relevant stories and information, as appropriate.

•

Be available during course hours for student questions.

•

Respond promptly to student requests, questions, and concerns.

•

Maintain the confidentiality of student scores and any personal
information a student may share.

•

Promote health and safety standards that ensure the protection of all
participants.

•

Take steps to make the classroom and materials accessible to all
participants.

•

Accommodate access and functional needs to the greatest extent possible.

•

Dress in appropriate attire.

•

Refrain from public criticism of students, other instructors, or other
agencies.

•

Refrain from using profane, harassing, or otherwise offensive language or
humor.

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•

Refrain from delivering any course while under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.

The NTEP uses student evaluations and feedback to evaluate instructor success.
Negative student evaluations or feedback will result in an audit of course
instruction with recommendations for improvement. In this situation, the
instructor will have an opportunity to address documented improvement actions.
If negative feedback persists, the NTEP manager may remove an instructor’s
credential to deliver courses for APHIS.
e.

AgLearn Use
The NTEP manager will use AgLearn as the APHIS Learning Management
System to schedule courses, develop a participant roster, and maintain certificates
of completion for APHIS-delivered NTEP courses. This system maintains a
historical record of courses delivered, participants, and course completion
certificates for a period of 5 years. USDA participants can obtain a copy of their
record of learning directly from their AgLearn profile. Students outside of USDA
can contact [email protected] to request a copy of their course
completion certificate.

f.

MYTEP
The NTEP manager will create, publish, and maintain a MYTEP, projecting out 3
years and outlining the long-term preparedness strategy for the agency. This plan
will be based on input from APHIS programs and will include details on course
offerings through multiple providers, such as the NTEP instructor cadre,
contracted training support, and cost-effective partner-sponsored training
available to APHIS. The NTEP manager will also maintain the NTEP SharePoint
site to advertise upcoming training opportunities identified in the MYTEP and
recruit for the NTEP instructor cadre.

8.

9.

FORMS
a.

APHIS Course Roster

b.

APHIS Course Evaluation

c.

Instructor Application

d.

Instructor Credential Letter

RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Federal records created by this Directive must be maintained in accordance with the
established General Records Schedule (GRS) and the APHIS Records Management
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Handbook, when applicable. If employees are named in an active litigation hold,
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, and/or other action, those records,
regardless of media, must be preserved and maintained in their native format until
otherwise notified by your Agency Records Officer and/or the USDA Office of General
Counsel.

10.

a.

MRP Information Technology, Information Management Branch (MRP-IT, IMB)
is the official recordkeeper of this Directive, which is currently unscheduled.

b.

ERCS’ Emergency Management, Safety, and Security Division’s Emergency
Management Branch is the official recordkeeper of NTEP files and records. These
records are currently unscheduled.

INQUIRIES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
a.

General inquiries concerning this Directive may be emailed to the NTEP manager
at [email protected].

b.

Records management inquiries should be directed to the ERCS Program Records
Management Liaison (For current contact see APHIS Records Liaisons).

c.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of this
policy (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact the United States
Department of Agriculture’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD)
for assistance.

d.

This Directive can be accessed online via the APHIS Issuance Web page.

/s/
Dr. Michael Watson
APHIS Administrator

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