Prior to 2025, AAACERT required anyone taking the CERT Basic class to complete the IS-100 and IS-700 courses.
THIS IS NO LONGER REQUIRED.
We feel the knowledge gained from these two classes help the students better understand the organizational structure used by first responders and used during the disaster simulation on day four of the course. However, after many review cycles indicated these classes were overkill for those not wanting to join a CERT program we have decided to make the IS classes optional.
If you are interested in joining AAACERT or any one of the other CERTS in the national capital region you will be required to take all four of the IS classes.
AAACERT requires all of its members to be NIMS compliant which comes with the successful completion of the four FEMA classes — IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.
These free, online classes can be accessed below. A FEMA Student ID (FEMA SID) is required to take the classes and can be obtained at the FEMA training website.
Estimated time to complete: 5 minutes
To begin your journey you’ll need a FEMA SID. Clicking this box will open a new window to the FEMA Student Identification System. You can use your personal information such as your phone number and email.
Prerequisites: none
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours
Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System.
Prerequisites: none
Estimated time to complete: 3.5 hours
This course provides an overview of NIMS. The National Incident Management System defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community – all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector – to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course provides learners with a basic understanding of NIMS concepts, principles, and components.
Prerequisites: IS-100.c
Estimated time to complete: 4 hours
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. This course provides training on, and resources for, personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS.
Prerequisites: IS-700.c
Estimated time to complete: 3 hours
The goal of the IS-0800.d, National Response Framework, An Introduction, is to provide 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