Training Calendar

Content Editor

June 2025
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Green = Search & Rescue | Red = Hazardous Materials | Blue = NIMS/ICS | Purple = Other Courses & Events

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Course Registration
Please see "EMI Course Codes" from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) as course registration procedures differ depending on the type of course. For all L-courses, WVEMD partners with FEMA and utilizes the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) Online Admissions Application. For all G-courses, WVEMD partners with the West Virginia Public Service Training (WVPST) to manage course registrations through PSTachio​. Please see below for course registration instructions for both NETC and WVPST.

    

For assistance with any course registrations, please contact a WVEMD Training & Exercises team member.

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Course Offerings​

​FEMA EMI lists all non-G-courses throughout the U.S. on their EMI Course Schedule; please see below. Also, the WVEMD Training & Exercises team can host a wide variety of G-courses. If your entity is interested in partnering with the WVEMD Training & Exercises team to host a G-course in your jurisdiction, please contact the State Training Officer, Brent Burger (brent.a.burger@wv.gov). Lastly, please see below for a current list of course offerings scheduled in 2025.

   
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SEARCH & RESCUE - Aerial Search and Rescue Procedures

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • August 6-7 (8:00AM - 5:00PM); Poor House Farm Park, 233 Almshouse Road, Martinsburg, WV​ 25403
    • October 27-28 (8:00AM - 5:00PM); Putnam County Sheriff's Department, 236 Courthouse Drive, Winfield, WV 25213
  • DescriptionThis 16-hour course is provided by West Virginia Emergency Management Division and is open to anyone who is actively involved in SAR, EMS, Fire Service, and Law Enforcement. You must be a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot to qualify to qualify for this course. It is designed to familiarize students with the basic concepts of integrating UAS into SAR operations.
  • Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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SEARCH & RESCUE - Basic Tracking Skills for Search and Rescue
  • ​Dates/Times/Locations:
    • September 13-14 (8:00AM - 5:00PM); Natural Awareness Tracking School; 120 Kingfisher Road, Minden, WV 25879
  • Description: This 16-hour workshop is designed to help any SAR team member become a better searcher by becoming more "track aware." Instruction consists of a classroom introduction to visual human tracking skills. Lessons will illustrate how tracking skills are useful during the search for a missing person. Participants will have an opportunity to practice skills themselves. The sciences involved in tracking skills are included the following learning points: (1) Effect of footfall on ground; (2) Tools used to assist the tracker; (3) Documentation associated with tracking evidence; (4) Discuss misconceptions about visual human tracking; (5) Tactics and methods for finding tracks and sign on different ground covers.
  • Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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SEARCH & RESCUE - Drone, FAA Part 107 Exam Preparation & Operation

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • June 9-12 (8:00AM - 5:00PM); Cabell County Sheriff's Training Facility, 6040 Booten Creek Road, Barboursville, WV 25504
    • July 7-11 (8:00AM - 5:00PM); Local 317 IAFF Union Hall, 205A Tennessee Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302
    • July 21-24 (8:00AM - 5:00PM); Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, 510 Raleigh Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401
  • DescriptionThe FAA Part-107 Prep Class is designed to equip students with all the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully pass the FAA Part-107 exam, which certifies them as remote pilots for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This comprehensive four-day course includes theoretical instruction, practice questions, review sessions, and hands-on drone training. By the end of this class, students will have a thorough understanding of the FAA Part-107 regulations and will be well-prepared to take and pass the FAA Part-107 exam. Students will also gain practical experience with drone operations, enhancing their overall competency as remote pilots.
  • Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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SEARCH & RESCUE FUNSAR/SARTECH II

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • ​​June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 (Online Component, 6:00PM - 10:00PM); June 21-22, 28-29 (Field Class, 8:00AM - 4:00PM); Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department, 606 West Main Street, Glenville, WV 26351
    • July 22, 24, 29, 31 (Online Component, 6:00PM - 10:00PM); August 5, 7 (Online Component, 6:00PM - 10:00PM); August 2, 3, 9, 10 (Field Class, 8:00AM - 4:00PM); Mountwood Park, 1014 Volcano Road, Waverly, WV 26184
  • DescriptionThis will be a FUNSAR/SARTECH II class with 24 hours of online classes and 40 hours (two weekends of day/ night time field work). The classes will cover everything needed to take the SARTECH II test on the last day. Students should come prepared to spend two weekends in the woods and learn how to do Map and Compass, Area and Line Search Skill, Night Navigation, Fire and Shelter Building, Knots and Stokes Basket Evacuation, Tracking, Communications, Mock Search.
  • Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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SEARCH & RESCUE Search and Rescue Skills for First Responders
  • ​Dates/Times/Locations:
    • July 11 (Classroom, 6:00PM - 10:00PM); July 12, 13 (Outdoor, 8:00AM - 4:00PM); (Classroom) 2311 Camden Avenue; (Outdoor) 170 Empire Lake Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26101
    • July 25-27 (Friday, 5:30PM - 8:30PM) (Saturday/Sunday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM); Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department, 606 West Main Street, Glenville, WV 26351
    • August 1-3 (Friday, 5:30PM - 8:30PM) (Saturday/Sunday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM); Natural Awareness Tracking School, LLC; 1922 Back Creek Valley Road, Hedgesville, WV 25427
  • Description: Search and Rescue Skills for First Responders (SFR) is a 20-hour course designed to equip participants with awareness, basic knowledge, and the introductory skills necessary to effectively initiate and respond to a missing person mission. Students will be exposed to search operations, methods for establishing the search area, an overview of SAR skills (management, lost person behavior, tracking, search team leader, and search team member), land navigation (with and without technology), clue awareness, patient packaging, and litter handling. This course emphasizes a broad overview of many SAR related skills using classroom instruction, practical exercises and hands on learning.​
  • Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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SEARCH & RESCUE - Wilderness First Aid
  • ​Dates/Times/Locations:
    • July 15, 17 (Online Component, 6:00PM - 10:00PM); July 19 (Field Class, 8:00AM - 5:00PM); Parkersburg Fire Department, 2311 Camden Avenue, Parkersburg, WV
  • DescriptionWilderness First Aid (WFA) is a 16-hour course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to medical emergencies and injuries in remote and outdoor settings. Students will learn how to assess, treat, and manage common injuries and illnesses that may occur in wilderness environments, where access to medical help is limited or delayed. This course emphasizes hands-on training, scenario-based learning, and practical application of first aid principles in challenging outdoor conditions.
  • Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - Atmospheric Storage Tank Emergencies; What To Do When Confronted With a Storage Tank Fire Emergency

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • June 26 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 120 3rd Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25303
  • Description: Course objectives include 1) to analyze an incident involving a bulk atmospheric storage tank fire and plan/implement the appropriate response for extinguishment; 2) have an increased awareness and understanding of hazards involved with bulk atmospheric storage tank emergencies; 3) understand firefighting foam characteristics and tips for success for application on large scale fires; and 4) understanding the different types of atmospheric storage tanks, their components, and firefighting strategies and tactics that can be used to mitigate worst case scenarios that can occur.​
  • Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - Battery IQ Awareness & Operational Response to Lithium-Ion Battery Emergencies

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • June 17 (8:00AM – 12:00PM); North View Station, Clarksburg, WV
    • June 17 (4:00PM – 8:00PM); North View Station, Clarksburg, WV
    • August 4 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 3551 U.S. Route 60 E, Barboursville, WV 25504
    • September 29 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 709 2nd Ave. Marlinton, WV 24954
    • October 3 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 36 Danbury Ln, Martinsburg, WV 25401
    • October 7 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 497 Mall Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25901
  • Description: To provide first responders and emergency managers with education to understand, identify, and respond to battery-related incidents.
  • Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov

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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - Emergency Response to Domestic Biological Incidents

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • September 25-26 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); Winfield, WV
  • Description: To help first responders safely and effectively respond to a biologic incident. To identify appropriate assessment and response action, review PPE, containment measures, and tools.
  • Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov ​

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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - HazMat IQ Above the Line/Below the Line Training

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • July 17​ (8:00AM – 5:00PM); North View Station, Clarksburg, WV
    • August 21 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 3551 U.S. Route 60 E, Barboursville, WV 25504
    • September 8 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 4676 Potomac Highlands Trail, Green Bank, WV 24944
    • October 30 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 497 Mall Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25901
    • November 12 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 16189 Northwestern Turnpike, Augusta, WV 26704
  • Description: To provide education to first responders and emergency managers on Hazardous Materials incidents.
  • Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov

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NIMS/ICS - 2025 National Emergency Management Basic Academy

  • Dates/Times:
    • L0101 (Foundations of Emergency Management); April 14-18 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • L0102 (Science of Disaster); June 9-11 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • L0103 (Planning: Emergency Operations); June 12-13 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • L0146 (Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program); August 18-19 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
    • L0105 (Public Information Basics); August 20-22 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
  • Location: Bridgeport Conference Center; 300 Conference Center Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330
  • Description: The National Emergency Management Basic Academy is designed for individuals pursuing a career in emergency management and provides a foundational education in emergency management knowledge, skills, and abilities. The goal of the Basic Academy is to support the careers of emergency managers through training experiences combining knowledge of all fundamental systems, concepts, and practices of contemporary emergency management. The Basic Academy provides adult learners, facilitated by skilled faculty members, with a solid foundation upon which to build a career in the emergency management profession.
  • Registration: Please contact Kyle Pajarito (Training & Exercise Coordinator, National Qualification System) at kyle.c.pajarito@wv.gov 

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NIMS/ICS - NIMS ICS All-Hazards, Incident Commander (L0950)

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • July 7-11 (8:00AM – 4:00PM); Bridgeport Conference Center; 300 Conference Center Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330
  • Description: The goal of this professional development course is to provide local and state-level emergency responders with an overview of key duties and responsibilities of an Incident Commander within the ICS structure and specifically for a Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).
  • Registration: Please contact Kyle Pajarito (Training & Exercise Coordinator, National Qualification System) at kyle.c.pajarito@wv.gov

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NIMS/ICS - NIMS ICS All-Hazards, Operations Section Chief (L0958)

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • August 25-28 (8:00AM – 4:00PM); Beckley Fire Department; 232 Industrial Drive, Beckley, WV 25801
  • Description: The purpose of this professional development course is to prepare local, state, tribal, and Federal emergency responders to function in the role of a T-III OSC after obtaining adequate experience. The OSC will be part of an all-hazards T-III IMT Operations Section Chief (OSC) Type III in a Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).
  • Registration: Please contact Kyle Pajarito (Training & Exercise Coordinator, National Qualification System) at kyle.c.pajarito@wv.gov

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OTHER COURSES & EVENTS - Public Information Basic (L0105)

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • June 25-27 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); WVEMD Main Office/TC Energy Building; 1700 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25314
    • July 9-11 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); Randolph County 911/Office of Emergency Management; 194 Airport Rd, Elkins, WV 26241
  • Description: To equip participants with the skills needed to be full or part-time Public Information Officers (PIO), including oral and written communications; understanding and working with the media; and basic tools and techniques to perform effectively as a PIO, both in the proactive/ advocacy times and crisis/emergency response.
  • Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov

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OTHER COURSES & EVENTS - Working with the Media: A Course for Rural First Responders (AWR 209)

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • ​September 4; Braxton Technology Building; 89 Richard D Minnich Drive, Sutton, WV 26601
  • Description: This DHS/FEMA-certified course is designed to provide rural first responders with the skills and knowledge to quickly adopt the role of public information officer (PIO) if/when needed and to communicate with the public through the media. Many rural first responder organizations do not have a full or part-time PIO on staff. Therefore, in the event that a first responder is thrust into the role of PIO, whether it be roadside at the scene of an emergency or detailing directions to the public in a crisis situation, it is important to understand how the media works and how to work with the available media outlets.
  • Registration: Please contact Brent Burger (Training & Exercise Supervisor, State Training Officer) at brent.a.burger@wv.gov

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OTHER COURSES & EVENTS - Emergency Response to Domestic Biological Incidents (PER 220)

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • September 17-18 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); Putnam County Sheriff's Office; 236 Courthouse Drive, Suite 8, Winfield, WV 25213
  • Description: This is a performance-level course designed to help participants safely and effectively respond to a biological incident by using an integrated approach. The course provides details information about various biological agents and possible methods of dissemination - whether naturally occurring or intentional. Participants will identify appropriate assessment and response actions and will review responder health and safety practices, containment measures, and tools that may be accessed during a biological incident.
  • Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator, Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov

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OTHER COURSES & EVENTS - Event Security Planning for Public Safety Professionals (MGT 220)

  • Dates/Times/Locations:
    • October 7-8 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); Training Room; 613 MacCorkle Avenue, Saint Albans, WV 25177
  • Description: This DHS/FEMA-certified course is designed to educate small and rural community public safety personnel, as well as local officials, regarding security concerns and considerations involved with planning any event. This course enables participants to recognize and plan adequate strategies and security measures to prevent or mitigate security incidents, which may occur during scheduled events. This course reinforces the importance and magnitude of security planning required to execute a safe and effective event regardless of size.
  • Registration: Please contact Brent Burger (Training & Exercise Supervisor, State Training Officer) at brent.a.burger@wv.gov​

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Last Updated: June 2025