Frequently asked questions for incident management teams. Click the folder below to read the information.
- How do I join an Colorado IMT?
Answer: Your first step is to contact one of the State-certified IMTs. For more information about recruiting, read the IMT Team Information page.
- How many IMTs are in Colorado?
Answer: There are four state-certified IMTs geographically positioned throughout Colorado. In addition, there are local jurisdiction Type 4 IMTs in Colorado.
- How many days could I be deployed?
Answer: You could be deployed from a couple of days to multiple weeks depending on the event, which may include 12 to 16 hours each day. In general, deployments do not last more than 16 days, including travel.
- Where would I deploy?
Answer: Most likely you will deploy within the State of Colorado. However, the state regularly deploys AHIMTs supporting other disasters throughout the United States. For more information, read the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) page.
- What should I expect when I deploy?
Answer: Members who join an IMT will receive more education and training on what to expect when they are deployed to an incident. Depending on the incident, conditions could be stressful with only basic amenities available while working long and sometimes strenuous hours, or all amenities might be available and work would be conducted in a temperature-controlled building.
Position Certification Program Frequently Asked Questions
Click the folder below to read the information.
- How do I get certified in an incident position?
Answer: Please read the IMT Position Certification webpage for the process.
- What is an Incident Management Position Task Book?
Answer: A document that describes the minimum competencies, behaviors, and tasks to qualify or recertify for positions and documents a trainee's performance of given tasks. A task book follows standardized best practices and procedures for developing incident management qualifications for Incident Command System (ICS) positions typically needed to staff an Incident Management Team under Colorado’s adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualifications System (IIMQS) Guide.
- Why should I be certified in an Incident Management Position?
Answer: Having established standards for Incident Management allows for Colorado jurisdictions and municipalities to plan for, request, and have confidence in deployed IMT resources for emergency assistance. Colorado and other states recognize certification standards for specific qualified positions that can be deployed locally, statewide, or state-to-state.
- Where do I find the standards, training information and requirements for an incident management position?
Answer: Go to the Incident Management Position Certification Program page for more information.
- Do the required classes and training have to be completed before opening an AHIMT Position Task Book?
Answer: It is recommended you obtain the required classes and training before opening a PTB, which follows the natural progression to develop and seek certification. PTBs can be initiated before attendance and successful completion of required training. However, Trainees cannot become fully qualified for the position until the required training has been successfully completed.
- How do I become "certified' in an AHIMT Incident Command System (ICS) position?
Answer: A successfully completed PTB is reviewed by the Colorado All-Hazards Incident Management Team, Position Task Book Review Work Group who make a recommendation for approval and certification. Upon confirmation of prerequisite training, qualification, and experience, the State of Colorado will issue an All-Hazards Type 3 position-specific certification. Certified personnel are verified to be in possession of minimum training, experience, competence and capability appropriate for an AHIMT ICS Position.
- Who certifies a Colorado AHIMT Position Task Book?
Answer: Colorado All-Hazards Incident Management Team Position Task Books are certified by the State of Colorado, through the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
- How many AHIMT Position Task Books can I have open at one time?
Answer: The State of Colorado does not have a standard, it is up to your affiliated IMT and agency sponsor. However, it can be difficult to successfully complete multiple PTBs at the same time.
- Once opened, how long do I have to complete my AHIMT Position Task Book (PTB)?
Answer: An open PTB is valid for three years from the date the first completed task was initiated. If the PTB is not completed within three years of the initiation date or the first task being evaluated the PTB will expire.
- Once certified, when does my AHIMT PTB expire?
Answer: A State of Colorado All-Hazards Type 3 Certification is valid for a period of five years from the date of certification. It is your responsibility to ensure currency standards throughout this period to avoid a lapse in the degradation of knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position and outlined in current Colorado adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualification Systems Guide (IIMQS).
- When do I need to recertify my AHIMT PTB?
Answer: If seeking future recertification, you are responsible for tracking your individual certification expiration date and submitting a recertification packet meeting current Colorado adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualification Systems Guide (IIMQS) standards in the quarter prior to the five-year expiration date.
- Once certified can I evaluate Trainees and sign-off AHIMT PTB tasks?
Answer: As a Colorado All-Hazards Type 3 certified individual, you are authorized to sign-off tasks and complete final evaluation for trainees working on Colorado All-Hazards Task Books in the position certified or supervising a lower level position within the same ICS section. It is your responsibility to ensure such individuals demonstrate competency and proficiency in Type 3 incident complexity according to Colorado adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualification Systems Guide (IIMQS).
- Who needs to sign or endorse my AHIMT PTB when working as a trainee?
Answer: A Qualified Evaluator must observe and assess your performance and competency during a qualifying incident or exercise to receive credit. They will sign-off your tasks and conduct your evaluations while working as a trainee. Qualified evaluators are outlined in the PTB and to Colorado adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualification Systems Guide (IIMQS).
- What is a qualified evaluator and a final evaluator?
Answer: A qualified evaluator is an individual who is certified and proficient in the position being evaluated and must have evaluated the trainee directly on a qualifying incident or exercise. A qualified evaluator is your direct supervisor (Unit Leader, Section Chief, or Command and General Staff member) who assesses your performance during a qualifying incident or exercise. the final evaluator must be fully qualified in the same position you are seeking certification, conducts the final evaluation of tasks during the final position performance assignment and is responsible for completing the final evaluator\'s verification on the inside cover of your task book. The final evaluator conducts a concluding or last evaluation of your PTB during a qualifying Incident or Exercise. The final evaluator reviews the entire PTB ensures that all tasks have been completed and verified, and completes the final evaluator's verification for your PTB.
- What are a final evaluation and final evaluator's verification and who needs to sign me off?
Answer: This is perhaps the most critical step for your task book. In the final step in completing your task book, you'll be ready to receive a final evaluation during a qualifying incident or exercise. The final evaluation is an observed performance on your last or final task book signoff, conducted by a final evaluator. A final evaluator must be fully qualified in the same positions from which the trainee is being evaluated, not just qualified in an ICS position that supervises a trainee. They are responsible for completing the final evaluator\'s verification on the inside cover of your task book.
- What do I need to do now that all my AHIMT PTB tasks have been completed?
Answer: When you've completed all trainee tasks, obtained a final evaluation and final evaluator's verification, review your entire PTB to ensure you have successfully met all prerequisite training and requirements. Work with your affiliated IMT and agency sponsor to ensure your PTB is fully completed before submitting to the State of Colorado for review and certification.
- What is the difference between NWCG, USCG, USEPA, FEMA, Colorado EOC, and AHIMT PTBs?
Answer: There are multiple entities that possess and certify ICS positions under their recognized qualifications system and standards. Some PTBs are discipline-specific such as NWCG (wildland fire operations) or the USEPA (human and environmental health) and trainees are not discouraged from continuing using those qualification standards under that system. Others can be more role-specific, such as the Colorado EOC PTB, which are unique and specific only to Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) activities. For All-Hazards Incident Management Certification, the State of Colorado utilizes the Colorado All-Hazards Incident Management Team Position Task Books that follow Colorado adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualifications System (IIMQS) Guide.
- Does my certified NWCG, USEPA, USCG, or non-Colorado PTB work to receive an AHIMT Position Certification?
Answer: Yes. Colorado accepts NWCG, USCG, and other states (non-Colorado with an established certification program) PTBs to seek an AHIMT ICS position certification. However, there are specific training and certification requirements to certify in an AHIMTA ICS Positions which must be completed in order to obtain AHIMT position certification. Generally, it may be easier to work strictly on an AHIMT PTB, but it is not required. Refer to Colorado adopted Interstate Incident Management Team Qualifications System (IIMQS) Guide, All-Hazard Position Descriptions for prerequisite training and qualifications.
- I don't see answers to my question, where do I go?
Answer: Consult with your affiliated IMT team coordinator, training officer, command and general staff, and/or agency sponsor first. If they are unable to answer your inquiry, they can reach out to the State of Colorado for additional clarification on your behalf.
Updated September 5, 2024